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@kimby
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3yr
added comment inComposition critique
I really like the essence and technical execution of your painting - the time period are obvious to me. I so want to go swimming in that ocean right now!
Compositionally, I would have included more visual appeal to the left side of the painting. Currently, I feel the work it is very right-side heavy and that my eye travels to the right of the image and stays there.
I think there are storytelling issues that could be made clearer. The white stuff in the bow/stern of the French ship which I assume is the boat's wake and a splash of the cannonball? Or maybe smoke of a cannon? Visually, I don't think it is obvious what is happening. In addition, the foreground boat does not have a wake and thus, the more I look at the details of the image, the more I question whether or not the boats are traveling towards the viewer or out to sea.
Another issue upon reflection is the scale of the French boat. It is odd logically. I mean, if the characters in the foreground are close enough to ready their pistols of the 18th century, then are they shooting at a toy boat ?
Rich McGhie
3yr
Thanks so much kimby. I could have done with you at the start of this painting. Sometimes, when you’ve been looking at something for so long you can’t see the obvious problems.
I think you’re right about scale, although the french boat wasn’t very big I think that yes, now you’ve said it, it does look too small.
I also thought that maybe you wouldn’t see any wake from the boat in the foreground but as a storytelling tool it would have helped for sure.
i’m definitely coming back here with my next painting for help. I really appreciate the time you took.
