I don't think I would "power up" the background, I think it's neutral and so it should be, but i would definitely give more strength to the brush flowers. On the screen at least, it seems that they are disappearing in the background.

And your work on the glass is awesome!

Anne-Claire Tavares

Firslty, It is a very good painting. It will be easier tp critique the painting if you also post a photo of the compositon that your painting from.

I think that the keyboard is painted very well. It only needes a few more sharp highlights. I also think that the white keys need a little more definition to differentiate between all the keys. I would also paint musical notes on the pieces of paper to make it fit with the composition more. It also would look good too. The flowers in the jar also need a little more definition. However, don't define them too much due to aerial perspective. I wouldn't brighten the background too much because it will take away all the attention from the objects in the foreground. It would've been easier if you had lighten up the foreground in the beginning stages of the painting.

Finally, did you use the 7 layer technique or a shortcut to paint this? Painting something this size is large and as a result expensive. A lot of paint is required and it would take a while to work on one stage(especially the dead layer)

- Melissa (aka: Honey Bee)

You are a very talented Artist, and I can see the hard work you have put in to develop your talent. The forms you develope, with your sensitive value control and fresh color, are outstandingly beautiful. The comments you have recieved are all excellent and good suggestions (especially the music notes to add visual interest and yes those flowers could be a bit more defined).

What is outstanding and what works in the painting, is already obvious even though it is unfinished. Please take the following as an attempt at constructive suggestion only, about what has occured to me as not currently working in the image. Keep in mind I'm thinking of the painting as I see it in the photo, not as it is or will be, when finished.

I picked up the same feel as you, a liitle dissatisfaction for the large negative space. The top half is somewhat empty, the top left quarter of the canvas particularly, even though you have visual interest there with color highlights. The piano form currently fades into the background very strongly on the bottom left as well, adding negative space on the bottom left side. This seems to throw the balance of the piece to the right a tad over much. Some cropping off of the top (so the diagonal goes off the top just before the corner) feels immeadiately better, but makes the canvas more square (plus who wants to re-stretch so cropping is not a solution).

Defining the piano form on the bottom left as a little more distinct from the background may help there.

Perhaps a drapery kept back in space or some element on the top left side could add visual activity without distracting from the center of interest. Also a drapery or element could be brought down far enough to block the secondary diagonal (the one just above the diagonal piano top?) from pointing out of the frame. That area strikes me as a large abstract arrow pointing left, and though the transparent cloth turns the eye back into the picture where the piano top is concerned, as is, it does not do the trick for me with the additional faded diagonal that forms an arrow form, pointing out the left side of the picture.

It would not take much to stop this visual arrow flow, and I'm sure there are many other ways to handle the situations I've noticed. You may decide I'm mistaken in what I feel and percieve, or you may notice it in agreement. At any rate if you want to make changes, a little time in Photoshop will put you on the right track (better than changing as you go on canvas).

Again, the painting is a remarkably fine piece of Art in progress, showing much superior talent just as you have done it. My suggestions may help or hinder. In the end it is up to you the individual Artist, and that is how it needs to be. I know in my own work I often have looked at a piece so much, that I miss noticing some things until I see the piece weeks or months later. I can almost get hypnotised by looking at it so much, that I lose objectivity on some little this or that. I find if time allows, turning it to the wall for a week and not looking at it does wonders. A fresh eye comes back to it and you know what to do.

you do the most amazingly beautiful flowers. Thank you for the eye candy.

Carl

Please show the shot of your dead layer and do not forget to show us finised picture.
Best regards,
Eugene:-)

Also, It's nice to see a disciplined painter on the net and you have done a wonderful job at building your site.