Big Painting in Progress

Last weekend I thought this painting was finished. But now I look at it and realize that it isn't.

I'd really like to be able to say that it is finished, because its new owner is waiting for it and I'd love to make some room in my studio (this painting is BIG - 6 x 4 feet).

Looking at it now I see some problems.

One thing that jumps out at me are the lavender flowers in the top left. Although they are attractive, the scumbled paint application is just too different from the flat paint application in the other flowers. I thought I had addressed this by using the same blue outlining, but it just isn't working.

A bigger problem with this painting is the top third. It's just too blank. The green shape above the poppy seed heads is too straight and regular.

It's like "poppies end here", "grass ends here" and "sky starts here". The composition needs more movement in that area. I think I need to bring some flowers right up to break through that area.

I'm going to work on it today and will post my results for you to look at.