I’m going to start doing a lot more alla prima plein air sketches. They just looks so good, so real, so life-like. I know what you mean Lesley, coming back to the same painting time after time gets really annoying. We all like to be done. I guess it’s impatient of us in a way, though if it keeps us from overworking stuff, that’s a good thing.

Yeah I like the plugin you’re using. It’s what I used before I changed to Disqus. (I don’t recommend Disqus because it won’t import pre-existing comments. In my case I was only losing a handful.)

Bunny, thank you very much. “Pristine” is such a nice compliment.

Debbie, LOL at the image of the painting timer! That mental image would make a great cartoon.

Martyn, good idea about the plugin. I’ve installed one. For me, loose alla prima is my desire and goal. I enjoy looking at other people’s paintings, loose or detailed, but my painting time is very limited so I have to do it all in one sitting, usually on a weekend. I don’t have the patience to come back to the same painting week after week. I just want to get it done and move on to the next one. Lack of patience, I guess.

Roses are very difficult –it’s so easy to get lost in the petals.

Not all paintings are supposed to be “painterly” – or in other words, loose. Spending those nine hours improved the painting I think. It gave the painting more highlights and richness. I know sometimes we spend waaaay too much time and little to show for it. But we’re learning that whole time, so I don’t consider it wasted time. And your roses are superb. You’re drawing skills are far more advanced than mine.

Ever considered a “subscribe to comments” plugin?

The extra time really clarified and zeroed in! Greater impact. I like it!

Good job at rearranging the elements for a great composition.