3/19/2026

Winter Radiance- Oil on Canvas (2nd in a Series) What can I do to improve this?

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I've been working in a new style (a loose, open impressionism) and wanting to put together several pieces for a show in a few months. Winter Radiance is my second. Autumn's Muffled Siren is my first in the series. It's funny how you see better your mistakes in a photo than in real life sometimes. I see I need to give the tree shadows a little dip/bend just at the shoreline. I'm also wonder if I need to increase the blue cast to the iced-over lake when the painting dries (I painted it today). Thanks for any comments on strengths and improvements to make!

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Indra CastilloStaffMar 23, 2026

These are spectacular! You really managed to convey that "last days of winter" feeling. I think I would add a tad more warmth to the first image, so it makes me feel that the ice is melting. Also, I think the tree shadows are too straight. The trees are bent and inclined, the straight line shadows make me feel they are a separate element rather than an effect of your awesome light work

Linnie AikensHuman-Made ArtMar 24, 2026

Thank you, Indra! Just yesterday, when I was adding more tree branch shadow, I also curved some of the trunk shadows to match the trees. I also added some more warmth. I feel happy that I all of your comments are confirming I am better seeing my mistakes and correcting them. Thank you, thank you!

KBPetrilloHuman-Made ArtMar 23, 2026

I love working on a series, its difficult, but as each one is created what you learn is so deep. learn about your craft, yourself and more importantly how to put paint on the canvas and use accidents, random marks to create a piece. I once had 30 pieces in a series, and carry what i learned.

Color in both are superb and delicious. the lines are expressive.

I love the second one better. I think its more congruent. I'm not sure of what i mean, but the perspective reads more calm, the lines of the trees and water or path flow together with perspective. I have to say I loved the first one, but then saw the second. then I compared and noticed that the shadows of the trees seem off, not the right angle and in the foreground there is none.

i think you are on your way into expressioonism if you will, but I've said too much.
Understand, I am judging it from my perception, intellectual rules I use when creating a more realistic image and painting. To reiterate, i loved this until you asked for me to be critical.

Linnie AikensHuman-Made ArtMar 24, 2026

Thank you so much, KB! I truly appreciate when others offer both sincere reactions and honest critiques. It's funny, I just wrote in my blog to this very thing...my penchant for color and expressing emotion at the expense of simple intellectual rules (perspective for example), so eager am I to get the former out! My wacky perspective has become almost a trademark of my artwork! lol My artist mother always tells me that Cezanne and VanGogh had terrible use of perspective too and look where that got them! Yes, I see my art moving more toward expressionism in this way too. Also funny, just yesterday, I'd added in more foreground shadowing of the tree branches, as I saw it more in the photo than in person! Thank you, thank you!

KBPetrilloHuman-Made ArtMar 25, 2026

i'm glad you aren't offended. if i say anything its because the piece moves me.

Linnie AikensHuman-Made Arthá 6d

Thank you, and no worries! You'll laugh, but my reknown artist mother called me yesterday and said, "Linnie, you have a marvelous command of color, but before I die, I am determined to teach you how to use perspective correctly in your artwork!" and she proceeded to go through my paintings and offer me just that! I thought of you and laughed! (but grateful to you and my mom!)

KBPetrilloHuman-Made Arthá 5d

About your mom. that is funny. Glad your mom is so engaged with your art.

Nikola BozilovicStaffMar 20, 2026

I like these colors!! I'm actually a bit torn on adding more blue to the lake on the second one, it's so warm and radiant right now that the current tones feel really unique for a winter piece 😊

Linnie AikensHuman-Made ArtMar 21, 2026

Thank you, Nikola. I so appreciate your thoughts. Yes, now that I've observed the painting throughout the day and evening, I like the purple that actually turns warm in the daylight, but then cools down in the late afternoon, evening. I love that when paintings take on a new feeling/mood at different times of the day! (A happy accident maybe!!) I think I'll go light on the blue, just emphasizing the line of the lower shore and at the base of the trees a bit more.

Nikola BozilovicStaffMar 21, 2026

That's a great idea!! 😊

William PalmMar 20, 2026

I love the balance of warm and cool colors in this winter paradise. The yellows and oranges really radiate a glow of light. Fantastic so far...if anything, you have a path from the mid right to the left behind the first tree, I might emphasize it a bit more...but that's just my taste.

Linnie AikensHuman-Made ArtMar 20, 2026

Thank you so much, William! I agree with your suggestion and will do that!

GinStaffMar 23, 2026

I love how warm you make a cold day look in the first one. On the second, the only critique I have is that my eyes can't decide if the middle path is water or not because of the blue.

Linnie AikensHuman-Made Arthá 6d

Thank you Gin. I hadn't thought of that, but on second thought, I am not sure it matters because I really like the blue! I think I'll just let the viewer see what he/she wants to see. (For what it's worth, it was a pathway originally. I think I would have made it more winding with rocks if a river.) Thank you so much for taking the time to comment!