Charleston Fixer-Upper by Stan

Charleston Fixer-Upper by Stan

by Stan
(South Carolina)

I retired about 3 years ago. Took a couple of watercolor courses and have been painting for about 2 years, off and on. This is from a photo I took in Charleston.

Painting is 17" by 22". Constructive criticism appreciated since I have a great deal to learn. I am an engineer by profession and struggling to get rid of the "technical illustration" approach. I also enjoy painting pet portraits.

I tried to convey a battered old house, purposely a bit "askew", but still stately with the garden still alive, blooming and gradually engulfing the structure.

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Charleston Fixer-Upper by Stan

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Sep 21, 2009
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Who's your gardener?
by: Lynne

First I want to say that I enjoyed your painting and you definitely captured the look of the old house. To reinforce the idea that the house is neglected, I would have painted a garden that was more tangled and overgrown, perhaps encroaching on the path and house. The pale square in the foreground takes the focus away from the house and the young bushes to the right of the square are new and contradictory. Thanks for sending this in. I am learning from viewing other artists' work.

Sep 21, 2009
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Charleston Fixer
by: Amby

Stan, I understand how engineers perceive drawings ( I am one of them), using normally the left side of the brain. I am trying to get out of this mindset and think more of forms and shapes and learning to avoid too much detailed work. Just to let you know how much I understand and empathise with the problem faced when you want to paint an artistic version of an object.
Coming to your painting, you have done a great job with the details. Congratulations.