Nottingham University




This was one of the first paintings I was really pleased with. But now when I look back at it I think I could have done better with the water. My water went through a very two dimensional stage where I was over blending instead of building up layers and I think this really lets this painting down.

The building is recognisable as the Nottingham Trent building but some of the detail on the tower could be more precise. Same with the stone work on the walls, the shadow is right but the actual detailing of the stones could be tightened up a bit.

I was pleased with the sky. I’ve seen this building in all weathers and times of day and it always looks dramatic against a darkening sky. Still a bit too much overblending though, would be nice to see more cloud definition.

The trees work well and I like the colours. I think this is something I will paint a few times and I’d really like to paint it during the autumn. There’s the odd lone rhodedendron by the lake too and a vivid pink against the green would be a nice contrast.

The framing of the piece may change next time I paint it too. If you pull back from this view you get a path leading up to the lake which is a great way to lead the viewer’s eye in to the focus. To the left of the picture there is also an old bridge and another lake which might be an interesting angle.

Ducks and swans are noticeable by their absence. It was quite a few pictures after this one that I drew my first duck!

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