Critique Evening with Helen Talbot
Helen was in great form, offering us lots of useful advice. She discussed each work in turn, giving thoughts on improvements and possibilities for future work along with general guidance.
Some thoughts for future work:
Composition: follow the example of the Impressionists and look at Japanese prints.
Classical structures such as the Z or L shape, rule of thirds are very helpful when working out a composition.
Pull in the focus, use a card strips to frame the subject, check the negative shapes.
Try to avoid adding too much detail to the background as it pulls the eye away from the subject.
Use complimentary colours to support the composition and move the eye though: balance is important.
Put figures in first, maybe using tracing paper to try out arrangements (but remember that heads stay level as they go into the distance. while feet follow the perspective lines).
When working on paper, make sure you consider the edges of the paper are part of the composition.
Maybe design a little logo for yourself rather than signing your pictures.
Matt acrylic spray paint was useful for adapting old frames.
Keep to a few standard sizes to fit standard frames to save money.
Imitation gold leaf was inexpensive and fun to use.
