This is my first floral still life painting since my very first class six months ago. I thought it would be interesting to appraise my growth.  Below I have re-posted that first painting. My instructor was gracious with his compliments on this last one.  Truth or lies, I need positive critiques at this stage.

At my very first painting class a study had been set up of a vase of wilted flowers. It took me almost two hours to get the initial drawing down. I was so nervous. I was only able to paint the vase and a few flowers before the class ended. I went home with my unfinished painting and over the next few days finished it. It took about sixteen hours.

There is a paint-by-numbers quality to my first attempt and it was painstakingly tedious. My instructor thought it looked cartoonish. I knew what he meant. There was no focal point. Everything was emphasized equally. The human eye doesn’t see that way.

I am not happy with the hydrangea in this new piece because the petals are not delineated. I was just not willing to spend time on accuracy. I wanted to cover the canvas and finish a study by the end of class. In that respect, I was successful. I need to keep painting until I feel confident about my strokes. Fear backs every brush stroke.  I am so glad I have something to encourage me. Progress is the point.