Are there any students in your classes you feel comfortable having a "wine and art" session with? There are writers' groups that get together to try out their writing with, something like that for art students might be fun. And if you want some feedback, chances are others do, too!

Maybe ask your library if they have, or would consider, an artist group?

Go to http://www.wetcanvas.com/ and sign up, it's free. You will then have access to critque's, classes, chats, etc. Many many categories and you can learn and share so much. I've been a member for many years and have made a few friends on the forum. I love looking at other people's critiques. Site for artists

Yes, to an artist's group. Start one as Bpath suggests.

If you want feedback from "friends" who can be honest, post them here, with the disclosure that you want opinions, not praise. Although of course, we can still hit the like button in addition to our reactions and thoughts.

bpathome -- I exchanged emails with one woman, also retired like me. This is awkward -- she couldn't help me improve. Meaning, it was a basics class -- mixing, values, tones, etc....not how to paint. Maybe I need a mentor - someone with more skill to share.

I've done all kinds of local searches for groups, but I haven't thought about starting one.

Yayagal -- thank you for that link!. The Artist's Network is the only thing I'd found online.

Uh...what do you think of this Wet Canvas policy?

With respect to Content you submit to the Reference Image Library, you grant to all other users of the web site a royalty-free, perpetual, non-exclusive, world-wide, irrevocable right and license to use your uploaded images as reference images in the creation of new artwork in a different medium (such as painting, sculpture, and so on), and to sell the artwork they create pursuant to this license to use the image. You do not grant other users the right to digitally alter the image or to otherwise use or sell the image in its unaltered state. You retain the copyright to the original image.

I think critiques can be tough outside the context of a class or group...that's my only caveat. Actually crits can be kind of tough even in the context of the class if people are on different levels.

I think part of it is that you have to be able to separate technique from content, because emotional content is more personal.

I think this depends upon what level you are, because at the beginning you have to work primarily on technical skills, and unless one is also a painter how does one evaluate the technical skills of someone else.

It's all very complex I think. I think Bob Ross, for example was a very skilled technical painter, and I used to watch his show just to watch the immediacy of his technique. However I did not really appreciate his content so much.

Omg, I wish you could join our local art association! We have monthly meetings and many are critiques. I can ask if they'd allow you to join our Facebook private group. I'm sure they'd be happy to help! Interested? Hey, become a member anyway - it's only $20/year and our money goes toward local high school art scholarships. :)

eta:. Try craigslist! There's an arts forum. Not easy to post to, because they use such old technology for their website, but there are some pros that frequent and they'd be very likely to help. Just ignore the wackos there. Lol!

Where are you located? I could put you in touch with the CNY Watercolor Association.

Here's an example. I'm new to watercolors (took 6 classes), but I painted with oils and did pen and ink in my teens and twenties.

This is my first attempt at watercolor flowers. These are based on a photo I took of anemones in the Cotswolds. At this point, I'd be looking for -- did I manage the points of light? Do I need to tweak the values? anything else?

My goal isn't to be a professional artist to sell work. I'm doing this to bring joy to my life, to heal from losing my husband, and to share both my work, and my skills, with my grandchildren. My granddaughter (4) already comes over to paint,

party_music -- I'm in Durham, North Carolina.

Darn. I'm not trained so won't comment. I'd try posting it on Craigslist arts forum. And I'm definitely going to check out yayagal's recommendation of wetcanvas.com! Ty. :)

fwiw, our critiques are informal... Usually done by an art instructor or a group of members from the CNYWA or something like that. Everyone just brings a piece to be evaluated. I've learned a lot from just watching other critiques!

From a technique standpoint, if you want to maintain pure whites, try using rubber cement to mask the paper in those areas. You obviously have a good background in painting and cross skills is this is an early attempt.

Ok you are clearly not a beginner!

I would start by asking your instructor --- how can this not be part of her role?

Not at all trained and can't offer anything except to say that that's beautiful.

I agree with Becky! Thank you for sharing that...I have no background in art but that is lovely to look at.

At first I was thinking I shouldn't have commented at all, because it would probably be considered in the same category as your FB friends and family gushing.

But then I thought, we don't know each other at all except through GW, and much of what I do know about you, dyh, is from your house reveal photos, which show me that you have a good eye for color, balance, proportion, etc.

So there : ) .

If there's not a local group, you could perhaps start one. Maybe start off by meeting at a local art-friendly cafe, where everyone brings a piece.

Surely Durham has an art assoc? I know ours not only offers classes but mentors and a forum for showing with critiques.

Yayagals suggestion is a good one. I have posted there before and have gotten very useful help. One painting was raved over and another that I didn't like was critiqued for improvement. It is somewhat limited in that I work in oils and studying the old masters multi layering technique so things like capturing light illumination and not getting it exactly right is tough to improve through online critiques.

palimpsest -- I used Pebo masking for the main flowers, not the background implied. I didn't paint over the petals of those with bright spots -- that's bare paper. Arches 140lb cold pressed.

Funkyart -- my classes are at the Durham Arts Council! My instructor sent out the forms today for students to display at least one piece at the show in May. While I'll submit a piece, I'll be away on a trip during the reception, when I could mingle with others.

justerrilynn -- my next class is intermediate, same instructor, and we'll be painting masters.

Have you looked into the NCSU Craft Center? They have lots of continuing ed, including painting. My parents were part of the lapidary group, lots of nice folks.

NCSU is a bit of high-traffic drive and parking problem for me as it's over in Raleigh. I live beside Duke University. The Arts Council has lots of painting classes, so that's not an issue. Thanks

I was thinking you might see if they have any sort of Facebook page or online presence. I agree that traveling there would not be easy.

I think you can ask your instructor. I teach and my students will bring their personal paintings often for me to critique before or after class, it's all part of encouraging students to continue taking classes and help them develop.

There's a lot of great comments here. One thing you can do at home (you probably already know this from painting) -- photo your work, switch it to B&W, and that can help evaluate the values.

There's also tons of videos on YouTube if there are particular areas/subjects/issues you are wanting to address -- not all will be relevant, of course, but sometimes seeing someone else do something, generates an aha! or at a minimum offers a technique or approach you might want to try.

I find a lot of inspiration in looking at others' work -- check out John Yardley's flowers, or Shirley Trevena.... have fun!

If you check out WetCanvas thoroughly you will see that there are sooo many areas to chat and exchange ideas.

My grandparents were both artists, so I've looked at a lot of artwork over the years. Your piece is beautiful. I'm a gardener, and those look like the anemone that I've had in my gardens. Amazing that you are new to watercolors, I would never guess that from seeing that piece.

Do I need to tweak the values?

Yes, that would help make the painting look more three-dimensional. The stems of the flowers are getting lost in the background, and there needs to be more contrast there - the shadows need to be darker, and the bright parts need to be lighter, if you want the stems to look more realistic.

The large flower's center is beginning to become a focal point, but with more contrast, that would make it even more prominent.

Can you post the photo that this is based on? Are you going for an impressionist look or do you want it to look more realistic? Whatever you paint is your own expression, and if you are satisfied with it, then that is all that matters, but if you are not satisfied, then it helps to state what your goals are.

I have to run to take care of my grandkids, but I'll come back to this tonight or tomorrow.

I did send these flowers to my instructor -- and, she says there are no groups doing what I want at this time, but there will be 12 of us in her intermediate class, so maybe I can find some in the group who will want to GTG on a regular basis.

Lars -- I'll be back on your feedback. Thanks.

Have you ever used the complement to intensify shadows?

When I painted I painted in oils, primarily, which are obviously more reversible that watercolor, but when I was working on a particular painting that was a portrait but it was essentially all green and in order to do shadows without using black, I used alizarin crimson, glazed over the darker green and it was really effective for shadows.

And if you want some areas to be really white (the paper) you have to create another "white" from a color so the pure white is the brightest highlight.

I really like the painting. It is a very creative composition. The arrangement of space is excellent. And, of course, it is important to know when to stop. Think about doing your own critique and what you want the painting to say. I paint, too and all this is only my own opinion. Possibly strengthen the focal point and pick a second focal point but it is balanced now too. And you cannot futz too much with watercolor. I mainly work in oils because of the futzing factor. Futzing is not necessary in this work, just an option.

Dhygarden, have you looked at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC? I have a neighbor who has attended several sessions in various media including watercolor. She dearly loves it! Usually, it is a week but I believe there are some sessions that are only a weekend. I know you are asking for a place for criticism, but surely an immersive week of painting would allow you plenty of opportunity for criticism.

Dhygarden, the wetcanvas policy you quoted above is for their reference image library. Members have donated thousands of reference photos for the members to use copyright free. The policy is just to ensure that those donating the photos understand and agree to the terms, that other members can use the images for reference for paintings. Those who donate the photos still own the copyright. Wetcanvas is one of the best resources for artists, and the members help each other learn and grow. I have been a member since the site began, almost 20 years ago.

Last few days have been crazy, as I was called to duty at 2 am Wednesday to be with grandkids while my son went to the ER. He'll be fine.

So, I'm trying to catch up on the wonderful comments. I'm appreciative!

From my instructor, who took at look at the above painting:

Your flowers dance! Lovely composition. I’m especially drawn to the subtle shapes and values on the left side - I hope you won’t tweet that section!

Yes -- I mix darks from the colors in the painting. The lighting probably doesn't show, but I use Q. Violet here, but A. Crimson is one of my "go to" colors, along with Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Sienna.

Yes -- I was looking at the Folk School website the other day, but can't work it in this spring due to taking local classes for now.

Yes -- in class, my instructor had us convert all reference photos to B/W to see values.

Realistic? Not necessarily -- I don't want to replicate my reference photo. I want to use it has a catalyst to something creative.

I paint small "color studies" to decide what to paint on larger paper. This flower study is basically a practice run.

Here are my current studies and the beginning of a new painting, on 9x12, that took a long time to sketch from a reference photo that I took in Kensington Gardens. I'm trying to work through the petal colors, and just have glazes down right now. . There's also a pad I keep to try out people to give life to pen and watercolor cityscape pieces. The green painting is from a reference photo provided by a friend who is traveling in Vietnam. I want to paint that one on large paper as I love the vanishing point perspective.

For fun, I created a gift tag for my grandson's birthday present. He loves Shaun the Sheep and the official website encourages drawing their figures.

So, you can see I'm exploring. I'm having a great time, and that's why I'm into art.