Amanda McQuade Final Oil Critique

Describe
The assignment was to complete an oil landscape painting on a canvas. I primed the
canvas with red paint, before I completed the landscape, using a technique known as red
ground, that we completed in class. The subject is of a snowy forest scape. On the left side of
the woods, the sun is lowering, creating warm sun rays against the branches, where it leaves
bright golden patches on top of the snow. On the right side, deep blues and purples gives the
first few notes of night against dark black trees. In the middle, is a distant path of snowtracks
that part though the right and left sides, where both cool and warm colors meet.
Analyze
It is organized using many principles of art. Line and shape was used throughout the
piece, as the trees were painted using line techniques to make them look barren and winter-like.
Value and color is used throughout the work, as the main subject of the piece was to notice the
contrasts between different colors. Texture is used by creating a smooth, soft surface on the
foreground to emulate snow.
For Principles of Design, I used many techniques to create visual interest. I used repetition in
the forest to create multiple trees, so it would seem more like a forest. Balance is seen in the
middle ground, as seen in the left sides warmer colors, which is balanced with the cool, dusky
colors on the right side. The balance is semi-symmetrical as there is variation between two
sides, but it still remains harmonious. Contrast is a main principle, as contrast is shown between
reds, yellows and oranges, to blues and purples. There is lack of movement to show the
stillness of a winter scene, when time is in transition between day and night.
Interpret
The piece communicates differences between color schemes. While working on the piece, a
bystander interpreted the piece as a clash between good and evil because of the classic
interpretations of blue being a good-natured color while red normally symbolizes fire and
wickedness. While I didnt initially see this, it makes a lot of sense that viewers will see that
there are two sides who clash with one another. It could be applied to various situations in daily
life, and this is a piece that is simple enough in construct, but there are messages and evoked
feelings of conflict and inner collision.
Evaluate
Overall, I am very proud of the painting. I didnt expect my first oil painting to be sucessful, and I
initially had lower expectations, because there were concerns with the mediums drying time
and the constant layering, while still maintaining bits of red ground. But, I feel that it turned out
okay. Once I started comparing it to other classmates, I didnt feel quite as good, because other
paintings captured beautiful landscapes that I feel I could not emulate. Mine seemed to be more
line-oriented because of the strong dark branches, while other classmates were creating
beachscapes and mountain ranges. Yet, I like my own piece because it captures originality a
break from total realism. While my original reference is realistic, I liked how the final product was
somewhat whimsical in comparison.