Online critique corner: tips and techniques sharing by critique painting

Design elements in a landscape painting
Original painting by Kai Chen, Suggestions by Yong Chen
Page One    Page Two    Before & After       ›Main Page

Observation

Original oil painting by Kenrick TsangSometimes when you look at a painting, you may feel uncomfortable, and not be quite sure why that it is. The techniques are fine, the details are rendered well. So what is it? What could be laying inside of these obvious things? This is what is called: design elements in a painting.

Here are what I consider to be the issues for this watercolor landscape painting:


Breaking the hard lines

First step of suggestions to improve: Push the backgroundIf you look closely at this painting, you can't avoid noticing that there is a big "X" in the middle of the design. It is too hard, as it drives your attention to the area where these two lines intersect. This element needs to be a secondary element.


First step of suggestions to improve: Push the backgroundMy first suggestion for improvement: break the “X” and push the background back, by moving the line of the mountain on the right higher. This change makes the painting more relaxing.

Extend the vertical space and move signature

Original oil painting by Kenrick TsangTo make the painting more relaxing, I'd create the illusion of more room at the bottom of the painting. To accomplish this simply move the signature from the left of painting, to the right side in this painting.


Page Two


Connect with Us on FaceBook, Youtube, Twitter and mySpace YouTube MySpace FaceBook Twitter