by Jeanne Mackenzie
In this series, plein air painter and instructor Jeanne Mackenzie takes a look at new paintings by contemporary artists and points out why they succeed as painted images. This week, two pieces from one day by Richard Maud.
The top painting has a wonderful color sense and a bravado of brushwork. It does become a bit static with its centered horizon line. It could also use an interesting place for the eye to land — perhaps a stronger, more prominent tree in the distance.
This composition below it works better with the lower horizon line. Dynamic brushwork leads you down to the riparian silhouettes. Similar in subject to the above painting, this painting steps up in composition and energy.
