Suggestions on three paintings

[caterina]

Hello!
I am working on three small paintings and I would love to hear your suggestions on them.

Here is one that I am not happy about: I like the fact that I experimented with silk and flax for it, but I feel it lacks depth. I thought to call it "Brilliance". What do you think?
www.dropbox.com/s/9eenmveh9yolqfa/img_20210611_094052.jpg?dl=0

The second one feels finished as to the lower half, but not for the upper part: maybe some handstitching? I want to call it "Traces".
www.dropbox.com/s/m1pm57uhqpmd21z/img_20210611_093956.jpg?dl=0

The third one is totally different, it is an urban portrait, I want to call it "Bernie". I am planning to hand embroider the headscarf and hair, and maybe the reddish parts on the upper part of background. What do you think of it?
www.dropbox.com/s/nih92a5unzjps1r/img_20210611_093850.jpg?dl=0

Thanks!
Caterina

[Shepherdess]

The first one looks like the land is foggy. and fog does make things look flat. It's because the blue fibre continues from the top right to get bottom and appears to float on top of the other fibres.

The second one I am not sure about.

The third one I think once embroidered it should work. I would do the mittens too.

I hope that is helpfull.

[caterina]

Jun 11, 2021 11:51:06 GMT Shepherdess said:

The first one looks like the land is foggy. and fog does make things look flat. It's because the blue fibre continues from the top right to get bottom and appears to float on top of the other fibres.

The second one I am not sure about.

The third one I think once embroidered it should work. I would do the mittens too.

I hope that is helpfull.

Very helpful observations, thank you!

[lyn]

'Bernie' is good already - hand stitching will make it great!
I can't put my finger on exactly what, but there is something about the composition and colouring that I really like.

'Traces' looks finished - lovely colours and design - but do try adding some stitching if you feel unsure because you can always remove it if you don't like it.

'Brilliance' needs a bit of work. Perhaps experiment with stitching/seed beading/adding tiny strips of sari silk maybe?

I would love to see how these finish up!

[MTRuth]

Great work! Brilliance lacks contrast in values. You need more dark areas that contrast with what you have. When you are looking at a composition, squint your eyes and you will see the darker areas of the composition. The other two have a much better contrast in values and I think that is why you are happier with them. You will get more depth when you have contrasts with value too.

[caterina]

Ruth and Lyn, thank you for your replies and for pointing me in the right direction. Your comments are very much appreciated.
Caterina

[caterina]

Hello.
I have worked a little bit more on "Bernie" and wanted to show you how it is coming along:
a bit of hand stitching/embroidery and needle felting here and there
www.dropbox.com/s/o3cjbadcw2fjnv9/img_20210613_181408.jpg?dl=0

Detail of the headscarf and hair:
www.dropbox.com/s/cll3lvpz5q840zn/img_20210613_181420.jpg?dl=0

I am still working on it, especially the background at the moment.
I would like to try and do some needlefelting on the arms, as they are very underproportioned in relation to the rest of the body. I am sure that I can not completely change them now, but I would like to try and reduce the difference to something more acceptable.
Caterina

[lyn]

The headscarf is lovely! The way you've done the stitching makes the head look rounded/3D. Please keep the progress photos coming.

[caterina]

Jun 13, 2021 21:01:25 GMT lyn said:

The headscarf is lovely! The way you've done the stitching makes the head look rounded/3D. Please keep the progress photos coming.

Thanks, Lyn. I will post more, then!

[MTRuth]

I agree that the stitching has definitely added more dimension. I am not bothered by the arms, the overall appearance is appealing and gives the look of a primitive piece. I would consider not overworking it.

[caterina]

Jun 14, 2021 20:33:11 GMT MTRuth said:

I agree that the stitching has definitely added more dimension. I am not bothered by the arms, the overall appearance is appealing and gives the look of a primitive piece. I would consider not overworking it.

Good point, Ruth. Yes, I like the idea of a primitive piece, I also like the "unfinished" irregular edges and would like to keep them: I think they go very well with no overworking.

[ScarletThistle]

I love 'Bernie'. The stitching you added to the headscarf was just right. I agree with Ruth that it probably doesn't need too much more work.

[caterina]

Jun 20, 2021 10:52:46 GMT ScarletThistle said:

I love 'Bernie'. The stitching you added to the headscarf was just right. I agree with Ruth that it probably doesn't need too much more work.

Thank you!:-)