Student’s Comments:
What I like:
- I like the light.
- I like the left side of the painting.
- The easel lets you know it’s an art class and the subtle show of flowers indicates that it is outside in a garden.
- I like the position of the people.
What could be improved:
- I am concerned about two things: is the composition too cluttered? Is the light on the people accurate?
- I have indicated the legs under the table but struggle with their accuracy.
Dan’s Comments:
What I like:
- Interesting composition and scene. Very relatable for us artists! It has a candid and natural feel.
- I agree with your comments-the easel and flowers play an important role in giving context to the scene.
- There’s a strong focal point. I want to look at what the artists are working on. The lines of vision are implied lines that direct our attention. There are a few other key points of interest that our eyes can bounce between: the flowers and the easel. Good work balancing these parts.
What could be improved:
- The flowers and vases at the bottom of the painting look a bit awkward in the way they are cropped in half. Consider pushing them all the way in or all the way out.
- The artists feel a bit squished on the side. I wonder if more negative space would do well in this painting. I’m not sure though. I do like the intimate feel of the composition as it is.
- The painting could use a bit of clarity. At the moment, it looks too soft. A few hard edges for highlights around key points would work well.
Thanks Maria! You might want to look into the work of Mary Cassatt and Margaret Olley.