Another oil painting. I am not sure if I am done with it or not. A part of me thinks some more alpine plants may be needed or something. Not quite sure. It’s one of those paintings that has been hanging around for several months while I think on such exciting things. Maybe I’ll take it into class for an opinion from my teacher – she always gives good advice.
This has been an exceedingly challenging painting. Depth and dimensionality are my usual problems. The rocks are also hard to depict. I don’t want too much detail but I don’t want too little. I do like the mountains and sky in the distance – it it the foreground and the middle ground which are bugging me, as well as the V-shape of the overall composition. This is why I am thinking of a need for some extra vegetation.
Work in progress, oils, 16 x 20, cotton canvas panel.
Ink, Yarn & Beer 
From a composition point of view, I like how the rocks lead you to the tree line and background. I don’t know that you need to do anything.
Hmm. I think you’ve covered depth and dimensionality very well,, and the rocks look rocky. Not sure it needs vegetation but a few little moss things at the base of the rocks might suffice for you, but on the whole I think it stands well as it is.
I think you’re right, N, it does need something more. Perhaps a tree on the right that goes out of the frame at the top, with an overhanging branch, that has detail. The detail will then help you with your depth issue , pushing the other conifers back. I do like the foreground rock – some nice detail there.
Thanks for the thoughts, Anne. I’m still not comfortable with its “completeness” but do see your points. I see them, too, but they are just a bit too direct.
Thanks, Fraggy. I am in agreement about the need for a bit more vegetation – the question is what?? I am thinking about it and may use some AI to play around with it later.
Thanks, Graham. I think your ideas are something to think about. I am also thinking about some alpine larch – they turn yellow in the fall and might add a bit of interest. Or some rather scraggly alpine bushes / brush just to break up the symmetry of the rocks. AI may be fun in this area – as well as finding what kind of alpine plants grow in the Rockies which might add some visual interest.
Best of luck.