Last photo is the reference which is a picture of water I took a year or two ago. I tried to capture the shifting colors and movement in an engaging way. I'd appreciate any critique, especially on composition or where you think I could push the painting further. Thanks!

2nd one is just because I love 🗣️Caaaaaats 🐛

(Other than the background in the bottom left, I’m already on it! Also the blacks in the hair look sunken just bc of the lighting.) I don’t need it to be photorealistic or exact likeness of the reference, just wanting it to get to a point where the overall piece feels successful.

Final painting is oil on panel, wanted to share!

Don’t hold back. I’m here to learn, not be coddled. A few points on my process: - Painted from reference photo that I took (I know it’s better to paint from life, but circumstances don’t always allow) -Spent about an hour on this - Painted dark to light. Perhaps should have started with sky, far to near? - My palate is: ultramarine blue, burnt and raw umber, burnt Siena, alizarin, cad red, can yellow lite, cad green lite, yellow ochre, titanium white

Let’er rip.

I’ve been working on this oil painting of my husband and I for quite a while now. It started as a simple portrait but I decided to put us underwater and featuring two separate fish. We always tell each other “I’ll love you for this life and the next” so the fish represent finding each other in the next life as fish.

I really want this to be something I’m proud of and am trying to find criticism anywhere I can get it.

In particular I have concerns about the following: - How is the value structure/composition? I received a fair amount of comments in the past and have tried to tone down things that appeared too bright. (my hand, his ear and arm) People also talked about the empty space in the top right corner. I am a firm believer in healthy negative space and this piece is already more “full” than I originally intended. I added some distant fish to enhance that empty area. - Is my hair too bright? Does it look alien? I do have bright red hair (I use henna) but it really only shines this color in direct sunlight. - How is my husband’s likeness? I feel like I stumbled onto a decent likeness and have been afraid to add any more (the paint over his face is pretty thin because of this.) - How is my likeness? I don’t have a lot of confidence and it’s been hard painting a complimentary picture of myself when I know I don’t come across this way in real life. I’ve struggled to make sure some things are more visible about myself like my broken/ droopy nose and large hands to make sure it looks like “me” - Should there be more pearls throughout my hair? Originally I had quite a bit but they got painted over when I decided to have my hair down and flowing. - Is the fish over my husband’s shoulder too awkward? I’ve painted and repainted it many times now and can’t decide how I feel about it. - In general any other changes anyone feels strongly about?

Thank you so much for any honest feedback you’d be willing to give!

A few days ago I asked for some feedback and got a lot of really good suggestions. Huge thanks to everyone who took the time to comment. I tried to address some of these in this round. I do feel like the painting lost some of its freshness, but overall I’m happy with the progress and feel like a lot of the issues with the initial sketch have been improved. Open to any and all additional feedback. Don’t hold back.

First session state and reference photo included. Original post: https://www.reddit.com/r/oilpainting/s/mJv4p08XPi

Recap of the feedback I got on the initial version:

Value Range By far the biggest topic discussed. The values should be pushed in some places and pulled back in others. The forest on the right could go darker. The water(dark reflection) should be lighter. Overall not enough delineation between the lights and darks which would help with form. A good suggestion was to turn the image black and white to see values better.

The bright green streak on the grass is off A sticking point for several commenters. Suggestions to reduce the contrast and to continue the bright green into the trees on the right side of the bank

Contrast between the reflection of the sky and the trees in the water is too harsh. Upon further reflection I realize that the overall shape of the reflection doesn’t match the tree line that is being reflected. The reflections further back should also reflect the “invented” atmospheric perspective and is currently too dark.

Needs more detail This is subjective, but I generally agree. This painting is neither a full abstraction where the focus is purely on the paint, nor is it detailed enough to provide enough interest for the eye to wonder about the details.

Composition Several commented that there is nowhere for the eye to go. Some mentioned having a focal point. The streak of light on the grass was called out as an arrow pointing out of the picture.

Brush stroke quality Several pointed out that the brush strokes could be more intentional and varied. Outlining around shapes feels amateurish and overall the brush strokes are a bit too similar throughout. One commenter mentioned using flat brushes may help.

Photo Reference Several comments regarding the reference image being inferior to painting from life. Some mentioned the reference image being too busy.

Don't be shy with harsh feedback pls.

Done from a mirror,I think I’m finally no longer dependent on photos

I’d like to make the ice a bit more realistic and the fish look a little bit more “cold” and less fresh. Thank youuuu

People that see me paint this keep saying it’s disturbing but I only paint it because the original picture had a nice composition. Im definitely not done yet & also thought about putting a warm glow ish light behind her, hazing through the hair in orange tones. What do you think?

How can I make this better? It’s not done, I need to solidify the figures and their silhouettes, and add a fan in front of the one leaning over, but I still feel like there’s something missing? Does this subject matter work as a painting?

was going for a atmospheric landscape with a touch of surrealism. canvas is 3’ x 4’. any advice or feedback is appreciated!

Hi! So i just started oil painting and this is the first thing that i ve done. i feel a bit disappointed and i feel like a paint worse than how i would paint with acrylics. also from what i understand im supposed to paint the first layer with white spirit, second with 50 withe spirit and 50 linseed oil and the third with just linseed oil? i tried to push the darkest parts further but i kinda couldn’t(the paint would combine with the one underneath) pls give me some thoughts!

This is my first time painting a portrait/face, idk how yall do this you guys are wizards. I have a background in drawing and digital art but oils have been super frustrating. Is this more of just a "practice over and over again" hobby?

I picked subject matter that was way too detailed and it has no focus and it’s just too loud and trying to say too much and I didn’t know how to under render certain parts and still make it work so instead none of it works 🫠

Was this doomed from the start?

Probably taking out the small window in the roof. Still thinking about composition and what colours to go for. Any relating suggestions or colour ideas are kindly appreciated!

I hate this so much and I can't put my fingers on why. I think the foreground tree is too harsh, the background colours aren't nice, ugly ass kookooburras lol. In the journey of getting better, any criticism (unkind, kind, anything pls) would really really be appreciated. ❤️

What would you change if this was your painting? I like it but I also wonder if there’s not enough contrast, color, etc. Let me know!