Which One Is The Hero Of The Day?

9/24/2016

I am painting a series of scenes of my house. It is a simple post and beam home typical of the New England area where I live. As you can see above I have two versions of the same painting. In one I pushed the value range as far as I could . In the other I stopped just short of that.
I feel that the one that has the longer value range is stronger in composition while the other reads as friendly and satisfying but a little bit "meh"?
What do you think?

What I have learned so far:
Establish value shapes and don't back down from hard decisions. It is better to sacrifice an O.K. painting to get a better one.
There is always another painting ready to go and who knows the next one could be the best one you ever did.

6 Comments

Bobbi Heath link

9/25/2016 09:29:18 am

I like the one with the larger value range as well. Bold is good!

Jo Mackenzie link

9/25/2016 12:44:55 pm

I thought so too Bobbi. But I wanted to ask to be sure. Working alone .....it sometimes is a challenge to judge the work.

Marilyn Jade

9/25/2016 11:23:08 am

Joe, I also like the deeper value I'm learning so much from your blog. I also live in New England, ma. Just a hobby painter I keep on trying, some good some bad!! Your blog is the light in my days thank you. Have a super fall. Mgj

Jo Mackenzie link

9/25/2016 12:46:44 pm

Marilyn..that is about the nicest thing anybody has ever said to me. It makes me want to work harder and make meaningful work and share it with others.
I suspect like most artists you are better than you think you are. We examine ourselves harshly but it does help us grow.

Renee

9/25/2016 02:55:40 pm

I love them both because they are your house but agree that the mire intense colors/values are the heroes!

Joanne Mankoff

9/27/2016 06:07:54 am

I like the one with the more intense values also.

It is fun to know I have sat on the chair!

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Author

I am a watercolor artist, coach and author. You can contact me for lessons on and off line here.

What I have Learned so far