by Dawn Whitelaw

Flower Stand Oil, 24 x 18.

The flower stand is good subject matter for a painting—the bright colors in the flowers and the figures provide a natural focal point for the composition. However, the painting would be even more effective if the buildings behind the figures were painted with less contrast. Painting these buildings as secondary elements in the composition would create a feeling of space in the painting. This modification to the buildings would enhance the illusion of depth behind the figures, which would help the painting to seem more realistic.

About the Critic
Dawn Whitelaw studies painting with Scott Christensen, Cedric Egeli, Jim Pollard, and Everett Raymond Kinstler. In 2002, she received the Award of Excellence and the Best of Show award in an international art competition sponsored by the Portrait Society of America, and she has exhibited her portrait, landscape, and still-life paintings in juried shows  organized by the Cumberland Society of Painters, the American Academy of Women Artists, and the Phoenix Historical Museum.

---

Would you like one of your paintings critiqued? Email it to us!

One of the most useful aspects of painting workshops is the personalized critiques offered by knowledgeable instructors. Now you can get this advantage anytime through American Artist Critiques.

Careful readers of our new quarterly publication, Workshop, have noticed that many of that magazine's in-depth articles feature critiques of paintings. Through our new online service, you can get commentary and suggestions on your new work by simply e-mailing a high-resolution scan to: critique@myamericanartist.com.

We'll select the most instructional from the received submissions and send it to an expert artist for advice. Each week, we'll post another critiqued painting or drawing on our website.

Please send scanned images as JPEGs no larger than 2mb with with the title of the artwork, year, medium, and dimensions. Limit: 3 submissions per person every 90 days. We will not notify those selected for critiquing, nor will we notify those not selected. Submission of artwork to the e-mail address critique@myamericanartist.com constitutes permission to reproduce your painting or drawing, online or in print, in conjunction with this service.

Tap into the experience and knowledge of our featured artists today. Submit your artwork to: critique@myamericanartist.com.