Welcome to Nick's dining room table. (1 Viewer)

[psilo]

Nick I think that your herons are superb. The detail and colours in the reeds are wonderful. We both prefer the big brush but sometimes we need to pull our reins in and make ourselves be more patient and do something more detailed just to show ourselves that we can do it. If you remember the painting i did of the young girl with her head on her shoulder and the detail in the jumper drove me crazy but it made me slow down and certainly think more about what i was doing. Your reeds are beautiful.
LOVE the wagtail too. The composition is spot on. Delicate spacious but holding interest. Love how you have followed through on the colours from the bird into the vegetation too. Great stuff!

LOL man cold eh? sounds critical. Hope you are feeling better soon

 

[buzzard12]

Sunday's sore throat was upgraded to a MAN COLD http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rXLHWmjA5IE yesterday and now seems to be the first time in my life that I have had the flu! I'm absolutely knackered from sitting here doing nothing!

So, inspired by Arthur's success with the crayons and Woody's yellow wagtails, I decided it's about time I sorted out a nice yellow wagtail of my own (let's face it, my previous attempt was hideous!) So here's how it's coming along:

It could be worse Nick....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K8KvHxh1VI

 

[nickderry]

It could be worse Nick....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K8KvHxh1VI

LOL, brilliant. Feeling better today but if I start sprouting yellow feathers I'll consult a doctor straight away.

 

[nickderry]

Hmmm, not the direction I was planning on, let's see what happens shall we!

 

[Vectis Birder]

LOL, brilliant. Feeling better today but if I start sprouting yellow feathers I'll consult a doctor straight away.

And if you start sprouting red, blue or purple feathers...?

 

[nickderry]

And if you start sprouting red, blue or purple feathers...?

well then I'll just take a few paracetamol and lie down. Purple feathers would probably suit me!

 

[dryslwyn]

Hmmm, not the direction I was planning on, let's see what happens shall we!

Leave it as it is Nick. Its looking like art as opposed to wildlife art Any truth in that do you think?

 

[nickderry]

I didn't leave it, I thrashed at it like a madman and had to start a different version! I'm sure somebody will say it's art if I convince them

 

[dryslwyn]

Absolutely

 

[nickderry]

I really shouldn't have taken a photo of it half-way through, I could have done something with that! Now it's buggered!

Here's the watercolour version, still don't think I've reached a conclusion with this one, maybe a collage next week?

 

[Woody]

Nick, you must be the most self-critical of all of us on BF! It must be a symptom of having the extraordinary level of talent that you have to create a piece of work like this and still not be happy with it. Give yourself a break, chill a little, crack open another bottle, sit back, look at this painting and try to appreciate just how good you are.

Woody

 

[Vectis Birder]

I really shouldn't have taken a photo of it half-way through, I could have done something with that! Now it's buggered!

Here's the watercolour version, still don't think I've reached a conclusion with this one, maybe a collage next week?

Buggered? I don't think so! I'd be happy if my standard of 'buggered' was as good as that Nick.

 

[psilo]

I agree with woody you really should take a step back and look at what you have achieved. When i saw your first upload of this one i thought you had buggered it too but the final result is just fabulous. Your paintings really are art! Ingenius composition and a wonderful compliment of colours. I love how the flowers grade backwards too with just the right amount of detail A really stunning piece Nick!!

 

[ARTHUR BISHOP]

I agree with all before you have really knackered this one up so much so Nick.

That this water colour is absoloutly spot on its a cracker , hide the white paint and open a bottle as Woody has already said.

 

[nickderry]

I have explained badly myself (which is what I end up saying every day in front of bewildered french people) The first pic I posted did end up getting buggered up. Which is why I started all over again. The second pic was started on a separate piece of paper in pure watercolour.

I don't think the second version is that bad. It's still not really what I was aiming for, but using the second version as a guide, I can go back to the first version with some white acrylic, paint back and build up on it again.

I suppose I am a little critical of myself at times, it must be down to the fact that the picture I see in my head isn't what I see on the paper.

 

[dryslwyn]

I have explained badly myself (which is what I end up saying every day in front of bewildered french people) The first pic I posted did end up getting buggered up. Which is why I started all over again. The second pic was started on a separate piece of paper in pure watercolour.

I don't think the second version is that bad. It's still not really what I was aiming for, but using the second version as a guide, I can go back to the first version with some white acrylic, paint back and build up on it again.

I suppose I am a little critical of myself at times, it must be down to the fact that the picture I see in my head isn't what I see on the paper.

I think what you said in the last sentence is very true of alot of artists including myself. I think that what we should try and realize is that no one else can see what is in our head and they clearly see other things of interest/value/beauty in a painting that the artist is perhaps blind too because they are so preoccupied with one particular idea of what it is they want to achieve. I,m not saying that is a bad thing - we have to stretch ourselves always. I think that if you become complacent as an artist then your work cannot progress. Like many on the forum we are seeing lots we love in your work. Don't be so harsh on yourself!

 

[nickderry]

I won't be so harsh on myself (I'm still working on the other version so it may click - seeing lots of ideas in it) as I've said before, a painting always looks better months afterwards when the original idea is just a distant and faded memory - a case of recorded history changing the truth!

 

[jomo]

as I've said before, a painting always looks better months afterwards when the original idea is just a distant and faded memory - a case of recorded history changing the truth!

Agreed! The first thing I do whenever I finish a painting is stick it in my portfolio and forget about it for a few months. Eventually I'll pull it back out and maybe not feel so bad about it. Or maybe I'll still hate it. Either way, I'm usually so fed up with the battle that by the time I'm done, I can't stand looking at it, let alone determine if it's a success. Perspective needs some distance.

 

[nickderry]

I suppose I'm stubborn and like to flog dead horses, but this time it paid off I think. Just in case you were worrying, this is painted over the first version that got buggered up, the watercolour that people liked is still untouched (and will stay that way)

 

[psilo]

That is really beautiful Nick. I think my favourite of yours to date. There is so much to capture the eye and the colours are lovely. REally like the long thin composition too. Id give you an a+ for this one