Patty,
yes, I think that you can make the foreground very light. I see that you have already made the light, coming in between the figures, that light.

It is a good idea to simplify values at the start so I suggest that you make the foreground an even value and gradually mix the sandcolor and sky color. Then paint in the foam, waves and reflections afterwards.

You won't have enough value span for the rest of the painting if you graduate the foreground that much from the start, like you have done.

Forgive me my lousy explanations ;)

The reflection of the figures is so delicate and barely

The "learning" state of mind
 

I know I am being real "needy," never have depended on the critique section this much. thanks for looking...

Patty[/QUOTE]

Patty, your "needs" here are beneficial steps for everyone looking and learning. You are serving as an instructor even though you, yourself, are asking for help. I thank you for your honesty and humility as asking questions is the state of mind of a ready learner. Your painting is already beautiful.
:cool:

Allan,
I think I finally get it, thanks. Now I am looking forward to going back into it this weekend! You are so helpful.

Carol,
Thank you for your kind remarks, they are encouraging as well. It is our nature, as portrait artists, to be perfectionists, which I am used to in my drawing. Learning to paint propels me back to the all encompassing student, and yes, that is a good thing. I cannot find an artist in Cleveland I want to study with or take classes from so I do depend on the forum. I am happy to know that others are benefiting from my learning process.

I sooo apreciate your compliment. I have become blind to whether this is a decent painting in process or not....
Patty

I thought I was done, but
 

I thought I finished this yesterday but the colors are sinking in and the foreground is darker today than yesterday. How long do I have to wait before I can paint another layer to brighten the foreground, or do you think I should sign it and call it finished?

I am unhappy with seval things that I am afraid to try to fix this late in the game:
1. The horizon is too sharp but how can I soften it now? It looks bowed here but it is not, I measured all the way across.
2. The reflection of the white shirt is too bright, but I do think I could fix this.
3. I just couldn't figure out how to make believable foam!!! I am not, nor do I pretend to be a landscape artist!!! :bewildere

I am not convinced the viewer actually knows what time of day this is. I had to adjust colors from the reference photo because the clients wanted to see golden sand, which is not really in the picture. In the reference photo the sand is more wet/blue than anything else.

Anyways, I would love final comments in case there is a surefire way to make this better or to hear those magic words "sign it"!!!

You have all been so helpful to me, I can't thank you enough. I have learned SOOOOOOO MUCH from this project! But now, I am anxious to begin a head and shoulder in oils, what I really love to do!!

I don't know why my pics post so blurry. Can anyone help me? Also the color is a bit off

Pat, you have done an excellent job! I would not fret to much about the sinking in. What I would do, just before you give it to your clients, is I would take some linseed oil and go over the shadow with it ever so lightly. Another thing which should be done but a few months from now, when the painting is good and dried, is to have the painting varnished.

The horizon line. Mix up the two color/value of the water and ski. Using the water color/value make another lighter value. Stretch a string along your canvas where the horizon is to be. Use a red string in order to see it well and make sure it is perfectly horizontal. From a point, somewhere where the first wave is, do a gradation towards the horizon line. Your horizon line in reality, at such a distance is real close to the ski value. Besides, you wish to only give a hint of horizon and not give any indication for the eye to ponder to much on the horizon. The action is with the figures.

Also, Allan has given you a good suggestion but maybe you did not notice, some violets in the reflection even in the shadow of the figures. You can introduce this color even at this stage by oiling in the area you wish to paint, if it is dry, and mix the same value of the area you wish to paint but using reddish violet thinned down with dammar and linseed. This will produce somewhat of a glaze solution. Or, if you are not sure how to do this do a one brush stroke test in one spot.

Still, you could say its done and sign it which would be ok but I would fix the horizon regardless.

I am sure your clients will be pleased with this one. GOOD FOR YOU!

Mischa,
Thanks, I will post the results.

I think I am done, no, I know I am done, uhhhh, am I done?

YES! There is allot I am not happy about, but I don't think I should noodle anymore.

Thanks so much for your helpful suggestions. I have learned much from this project...

I'm not sure if I am done. I just see now that the last part of water, to our right should be at least as blue as the water on the right because of the position of the sun...ARRRGGGGHHHHH! (I love to complain an whine) Or am I realy gettng too crazy about this? The family is having a first communion party (very big in Cleveland) on the 29th and they would love to have it by then. If I sign it today I think I can deliver, at least in a basic frame.

Wonderful Painting!
 

Pat, it is beautiful - Just BEAUTIFUL!! You will get a huge amount of applause! On that you can depend. :sunnysmil