Comments on: Artist Spotlite – Michael Saunders

By: Fabrizio Van Marciano

Fabrizio Van Marciano — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 22:07:27 +0000

I’ve only just started using water based oil paints and find them quiet challenging for some reason after many years of using conventional oil paints. But fantastic painting I must say and thanks for sharing it with us.

By: gwen

gwen — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:51:48 +0000

hi love your picture i also use water soluble oil though my teacher does not think its as good as the tradisinal oil paint but i have no choice living in a small bunglow i cannot have spirt to work with i think your glass color’s are amazing i have not tryed glass yet,i dont think i am getting the hole of your picture as i cannot see a book i would have left more space at the top of the picture,keep painting you have a talent enjoiy.

By: Ingrid

Ingrid — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 16:42:06 +0000

Hi Michael,

Yes, the trip was exhausting but rewarding at the same time, leaving me filled with wonderful images to paint! Can’t wait to get to the studio!

I would LOVE to meet your teacher. I always tell my students that WHEN you have all of those tools in your back pocket to draw from when you paint, that is when you have the FREEDOM to express yourself! Your teacher sounds like a person after my own heart!

All the BEST to you!

Ingrid

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 15:02:09 +0000

Hello, thanks to all of you who commented on my painting. I appreciate them all.

To Jayne, thanks for the advice and encouragement. I will take your advice and research more on flowers. Your candid approach is very welcomed. I really strugged with the book!

To Ingrid, welcome back from what sounds like an awesome trip to Peru. I really appreciated your advice and agree with your points for where I can improve. Ingrid, my teacher is the best. I think the two of you should meet. She believes anyone can paint if given the right tools combined with sufficient motivation. I’m 45, married with 3 kids and somehow can find a bit of time to develop my skills. I owe this to my teacher, who is a wonderful painter herself. Take care and thanks again.

By: Ingrid

Ingrid — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 00:33:24 +0000

Hi Michael,

I am just back from a trip to Peru, trekking down the Amazon, chasing Morpho Blue butterflies and walking the treetop canopy in the rain forest, hiking Machu Pichu, trekking the ancient Inca Trail, exploring the ruins of Cusco and Pisac, and taking in the sights of Lima. I therefore have been absent from this sight!

KUDOS to you and your teacher for having you work in black and white, and then do color mixing, before attempting to paint a painting in color! This is why your painting holds together so well!

I like you style, very simply stated and to the point! I like how you have handled the color in your painting. I actually like the orange background and think that it works nicely with the glass vases. It is grayed down enough as not to interfere with the colors of the vases.

One area I would change is the stem of the flower in the green vase. It seems a bit too prominent near the bottom for being behind the glass. Just blur and soften those edges a bit.

I like the shadows of the glass vases, but I feel that the shadows of the peaches are too dark and heavy.

Keep painting, as you are on the right track! Thank you for sharing with us!

Ingrid