Pick this apart for me?

[Karen Barton]

Thank you Matthew! I've been working in pastels for about 16 years now. I love them!

Hi Chris,

It measures 17x7. I have worked on it some since the last post. I think I am getting closer to what it needs. Your suggestion about the yellow is good. I will try that too. I added some bluish gray, and lowered the contrast beween the dark cracks and the highlights on the rocks and bushes. I will photograph it again tomorrow for your comments. Thanks so much.

[Karen Barton]

I had to wipe out the hills behind her completely and start over. Do they recede enough?

[Chris Saper]

Yes, there's a much better sense of distance now.

[Karen Barton]

Thank you Sharon, and Chris!

I agree!! It was worth the trouble for sure. I have learned a valuable lesson! Thanks so much!!

[Sharon Knettell]

I agree with Chris, however,at the left bottom of the hills there is a rather sharp brown line, soften it as it makes the hills look somewhat detached from the water and floating. I think you could also scumble a tad more of the sky color over the hills to lighten them up a bit. All in all a good job overall!

[Leslie Ficcaglia]

Karen, I think it's a much stronger painting now. I agree completely with Chris and Sharon that the background was competing too much with the child. As you have it now, minus that brown separating line, it creates a lovely mood and allows the viewer to focus on the child within a landscape, but not dominated by it. Nice work!

[Karen Barton]

I think it has improved so much. I am really grateful for the help with it. I fixed the dark line on the left. One last photo of the finished product. Do you see anything about the baby that could be improved?