Early Modernism Painting Reflection

                  When we first chose our strips for this project, this was not my first choice (nor my second or third). I couldn't even tell what the subject was until a helpful classmate pointed it out--they're boats. From there I composed a quick sketch of some sailboats sitting placidly on the water. It seemed promising so I went with it, adding color and trying to add brushstrokes that had an abstract-enough that-they-weren't-planned,-but-still-kept-the-idea-of-the-water-and-boats,-even-though-they-were totally-planned kind of look. Surprisingly the most difficult thing was the background foliage. At first it was just a block of green then I realized I still had to create a sense of depth and layers of trees. I struggled trying to add texture and uniformity. My classmates noted that the painting had a calm middle of the day feel to it, they observed the reflections in the water were successful and difference in brushstrokes was interesting. They didn't offer any suggestions for further improvement, though now looking back at it, I notice the shoreline is a bit blurry and could be refined. Yes I am a painter, I put paint on a canvas. Anyone can be a painter, the question is whether or not what someone makes is art. I've realized that I should trust more in my abilities and have fun exploring abstract forms of art.  

Feedback on Impressionist Project

1. Intrigue 2. Opportunity 3. Concern

Chantal 

1. the colors used and brush strokes in the water draw your eye

2. Maybe add a bit more color to the boats like in your test page

3. The strip is a little less precise, the brush strokes in the boats and houses are a bit looser in the strip

Jasmine

1.Your ability to blend the colors in the water and sky is phenomenal. I love how the style is abstract yet I know exactly what I am looking at

2. I think you have the opportunity to use even more brush strokes because I think the strokes in different directions really portray the style

3. The houses are lightweight floating which is really cool but not as realistic. Not sure if there's anything you can do about that but otherwise your painting is amazing and I wouldn't change much! 

Ellie

1. Interesting color scheme, I love the little houses in the background. 

2. Water looks beautiful and the shadows and highlights of the boats are really well done. I would create more of a middle ground between the water and the trees.  

3. I would also experiment with more wild brush strokes, the ones in your painting are much smoother compared to the original. I suggest that you incorporate the boats more into the middle ground, it seems as though they are touching the forest banks, create a better sense of depth. Overall really great!