The Member's Minute: Episode 564
Members Minute: Watercolor Critique by Matt
In this episode of the Members Minute, instructor Matt reviews a watercolor landscape painting created by Teri, offering a thoughtful and structured critique designed to help both the artist and viewers improve their artistic skills. Matt begins by expressing appreciation for Teri’s submission and explains that he will follow a consistent critique process, starting with composition before moving into value, color, and technique.
Composition and Focal Point
Matt first evaluates the composition by identifying the focal point—an essential element in any successful artwork. He explains that a viewer’s eye should naturally be drawn to a specific area. In Teri’s painting, however, the focal point is somewhat unclear. While the viewer’s eye travels effectively through the composition—moving from the rocks to the trees and toward the horizon—it lacks a strong destination. Matt suggests adding a more defined focal point, such as an object or area of increased detail, particularly near one of the rule-of-thirds intersections, to strengthen the overall composition.
He also praises the natural eye movement within the piece, noting that the flow is dynamic and engaging. The placement of the horizon line near the upper third of the composition is effective, as it emphasizes the foreground. Matt connects this to the rule of thirds, explaining how dividing the picture plane into thirds can help artists create more balanced and visually appealing compositions.
Balance and Visual Weight
Matt then discusses balance, pointing out that the painting feels visually heavier on the left side. This is due to multiple elements—such as trees and rocks—being positioned close to the left edge of the picture plane, creating stronger visual weight in that area. In contrast, the right side lacks elements that provide balance. He suggests adding features, contrast, or value changes on the right side to even out the composition and prevent it from feeling lopsided.
Value and Light
Moving into value, Matt emphasizes its importance in defining light, form, and depth. By mentally removing the color from the painting, he analyzes the light source and observes some inconsistencies. While the light appears to originate from the upper right, certain areas contradict this direction. He recommends improving consistency in light and shadow to enhance realism.
Additionally, Matt suggests increasing the value range, particularly by darkening the foreground rocks and water. This would create a stronger sense of depth and space, making closer objects feel more prominent while pushing distant elements further back.
Color and Harmony
Color is identified as one of the strongest aspects of Teri’s painting. Matt notes the effective use of a limited color palette, primarily based on complementary colors—especially blues and oranges. These opposing colors create vibrant contrast while maintaining harmony. Subtle additions of greens and purples further enrich the composition without overwhelming it.
He praises the natural blending and layering of watercolor, particularly in the rocks and sky, which adds texture and visual interest. The color relationships contribute significantly to the painting’s overall impact.
Final Thoughts and Suggestions
In closing, Matt offers a few technical suggestions, including maintaining more horizontal brushstrokes in distant water areas to preserve the illusion of depth and realism. He encourages Teri to refine the focal point, improve balance, and adjust values for greater consistency.
Matt concludes by inviting viewers to participate in the critique process and share their perspectives, reinforcing the importance of community learning. He ends the episode with an inspirational quote, reminding artists to make the best of what they have, and encourages continued growth and creativity.
Founder of The Virtual Instructor, artist and teacher. Matt makes learning art easy to understand and enjoyable.
Hello Matt,
I hope that you as well as your family have had a good day.
Thank you so much for critiquing my artwork. Watercolor is really difficult for me though I really enjoy looking at a well done watercolor painting.
I finally felt that this one was worth sending in though I doubted it was good enough to critique. Every single suggestion and comment you made helps me to see what that one thing that was missing. I guess when in the middle of something you can’t always see what is missing or needs to be fixed.
I do have one questions. What if I put in the area of where the focal point should be, which is where the larger rock near the horizon is I put in a few boats in the distance? Maybe like a silhouette. One or two in the distance behind the rock and a larger one entering the artwork that is larger with half the boat going off the side half of the boat.
This way I could fix the water and if I mess it up it wont be as noticeable. The shadows on the rocks will be the easiest to fix for me and I can put light glazes to darken the small waves hitting the rocks.
Thank you again for critiquing my artwork, It was so helpful and the quote as well. It was perfect for me today. I don’t think that repeated quotes are bad, I think repetition is a good thing. Repeating is how we improve.
I’ll get to work on this when I can focus on it. Thank you again,
Teri
Teri,
What a wonderful watercolor! Such vibrant colors and so much movement.
In response to Matt’s questions. My eye did similar to his but then I landed on that rock in the middle of the water. That was my focal point! But my eye did move around alot. I like it when art has so much movement that my eye can’t rest for long.
Many awesome tips in Matt’s critique.
Hope you are having a wonderful day and creating even more beautiful art!
June
Hello June,
As you are a more advanced friend in watercolor I am encouraged by your comments. Thank you
I hope that you have had a wonderful day.
Teri
Dear Teri,
Thank you so much for sharing your art work with us. These colors do happily pop in my brain and reminds me of some beautiful evenings on Barbados back then. Maybe that’s the reason, why my focal point in this piece is the sliver of yellow that the sun is painting in the sky. I like it’s purple reflection you painted in the water.
However, I do understand Matt’s suggestions and your question. I would be too afraid painting in the ships you aked about. But maybe, if you darken up the shadows od the rocks and water in the forground, the silhouettes of ships might perfectly balance your piece.
Like always, I took a photo in gray scale with my mobile. On my screen, I was astonished that the water does seem even brighter than the yellow strip in the sky. I would have thought yellow will always be the brightest color (except white). It’s just an observation, no critique.
Teri, you did a wonderful job and put a smile on my face. What a great day this has been today (at least for me)!
See you,
May you have one if your good days too,
Buddy
Hello Buddy.
I went straight ahead to work on this watercolor to make the improvements and remembered that it is in a container that is part of my make-shift table.
When I have a good day I will try to pull it out.
Have a fun weekend thinking about the new addition you will have soon. Greetings to all!
Teri
Dear Matt,
Thank you so much for another important lesson on values, compositions and light sources. Without your explanations, I would not have noticed the little inconsistencies in Teri’s art work.
Like I have written to Teri, my eyes are naturally drawn into the sky and the sun as the focal point. Therefore, I didn’t miss any details around the little rock in the far distance, but might would have liked some animals in the forground for balancing reasons.
When the lightsource is behind the objects like in this piece, I would not ecpect any color in the trees except very dark blakish-green. Where would you put the highlights in the trees then? Just on top or as a halo all around?
Hope to remeber asking you this in our next live lesson.
I wish you and your family a wonderful weekend,
Buddy
Teri,
I love your use of color. I find that it makes your pieces recognizable as yours, those bright greens, yellows and oranges are so characteristic of your work. They are both vibrant and calming, this painting is so lovely, I can almost feel the breeze off the water. Thank you for sharing, I learned a lot from Matt’s critique.
Lisa