Still Life, oil on paper – Critique Appreciated

[Alon Martsiano]

Hello NMA,

Thank you so much for this opportunity to learn from amazing teachers and artists.

This is my second submission here, it is a still life painted in one sitting (alla prima), approx 6 hours including a charcoal sketch, underpainting using raw umber and gamsol and the final layer of oil paint with no medium.

Would love to hear your thoughts about this.

 

Thanks again!

Alon Martsiano

[André Girão Tauffer]

Wow! Amazing reflections and glass! If I may, I would suggest popping up a bit more the foreground, maybe by darkening the background a little bit, and giving some highlights, mainly in the pear.

[Alon Martsiano]

Thank you Andre! I agree the foreground does need to “pop out” more than it does now.

[Joshua Jacobo]

Great work here! The camera distortion is rather strong. I would suggest figuring out your vanishing points and then extending them further off of the page to give a more natural and less photographic look.

• This reply was modified 4 years ago by Joshua Jacobo.

[Alon Martsiano]

Thank you Joshua, it’s a great honour!

I’ve tried to see what you mean looking at the reference photo of the still life that I submitted,  and I’ve noticed that I put the wrong one here, its at a slightly different angle.

So I am adding a photo of the still life from the right angle here. Does it make more sense? or do you still think the perspective is off?

[PetrStranik]

Hi there!! I think that a main thing is that I don’t know what’s the focal point. Is it a glass with water or that pear? I admire your bravery to go for such a subtle light – soft light. I think you would do yourself better to use strong directional source of light to achieve more distinct chiaroscuro to render. Also a lot of white objects (cloth and wall) do not make things easier and lend themself for mudding up the colours.

Down below is from three years back. Try same objects but under a warm light with direction to have the job easier.

https://petrstranikart.blogspot.com/2017/04/still-life-petes-essentials.html

Petr

[Alon Martsiano]

Thank you Petr

That’s a beautiful example with the can of olive oil and vegetables. Even the label of the olive oil looks great, that’s awsome!

I will try to use a stronger, more distinct light for my next one.

In the meantime, take a look at this other one I’ve uploaded here a few days ago:

https://www.nma.art/forums/topic/tomatoes-oil-on-paper-alla-prima-crit-welcome/

 

Thanks for taking the time to comment!

 

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