Comments on: Oil into Water

By: John Haywood

John Haywood — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 11:52:47 +0000

In reply to Flowtoolz. Thanks so much for this, I’m so pleased you like it!

By: Flowtoolz

Flowtoolz — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 12:34:39 +0000

Thiis is a great post

By: John

John — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 22:11:58 +0000

In reply to Margaret Parker Brown.

Thanks so much Margaret – that really means a lot. I was also apprehensive about how ‘personal’ to be when writing but what I’ve found so inspiring and liberating is how positive (most!) people are, which I think has given me the freedom to relax into it a bit more. And like you, I’m learning lots from others!

By: Margaret Parker Brown

Margaret Parker Brown — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 22:06:17 +0000

In reply to John. I really like how you write your blog, I am wanting to be more personable and I am learning so much just by reading yours and also Debi's blog. :D

By: John

John — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 22:02:22 +0000

In reply to Margaret Parker Brown.

Thanks so much Margaret – and congratulations too on the wonderful work on your site – I much look forward to following your artistic adventures

By: Margaret Parker Brown

Margaret Parker Brown — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 21:34:26 +0000

I have a deep love and appreciation for watercolor and would hope to improve and join the ranks of watercolorists around the world. Your blog and paintings are inspiring and interestingly I relate to everything you are writing about in regards to impatience, being critical and yet keep stabbing away at it. I learn so much by hearing of the struggles, challenges and triumphs of other artists. I am also a Seago fan. Blessings!

By: John

John — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 20:58:54 +0000

In reply to debiriley.

Thanks so much Debi – I really appreciate your kind and generous comment – it’s much appreciated – and great too to meet a fellow Seago enthusiast! Up until this exercise, I’d always admired his oils, but know that deep down I’m a watercolour painter. It’s so great that I can now spend more time enjoying his oils too!

By: debiriley

debiriley — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 23:19:46 +0000

Edward Seago is my ‘hero’ and I find both his oils and w/c equally mesmerising!
I can see his influence in your brush work as you paint. I love the rapid, gestural hold nothing back feeling that comes across especially in the your sky here! cheers, Debi

By: John

John — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 13:39:02 +0000

In reply to Keith Tilley.

Many thanks for you kind and constructive comments – they’re much appreciated. I think you’re right about the preliminary sketch – my impatience to paint usually gets the better of me but it’s a great discipline (not to mention helping me to improve my observation and drawing skills) and it would also get me into the right habit for when I do my own plein air work too. I’ll try this soon and will put up a post about it! Many thanks Keith

By: Keith Tilley

Keith Tilley — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 10:21:27 +0000

I think you’re perhaps being a bit harsh on yourself. This style of painting is meant to be viewed at a distance, and I suspect a lot of Seagos and Wessons would look less attractive up close. I have the Ranson book and I remember seeing the Seago oil painting, but I’m not going to look it up because I want to appreciate your watercolour on its own, and it looks very good to me.
When I paint from photographs, I often make a pencil sketch to work from and put the photograph away. Then I’m not tempted to try to reproduce all the detail, and I can allow the painting to be more free. Perhaps that would have worked for you here.