Reviews from

The Barrel

16 X 20 pastel on mixed media board

30 total reviews 
Comment from Envision


I like how well you have created motion in the water with your darker tones and the multiple colors of the waves. The eye of the barrel has nice depth. I think this looks good without a surfer. If you do add your surfer, I think it would boost up the dramatic impact (not that this is lacking) with the extra element and the surfing activity, and it would still be movement in water - the water and the surfer girl would both be moving, lol!

 Comment Written 08-May-2018


reply by the author on 08-May-2018
    Thank you so much. I think I am going to leave this as is. I can always do another with the surfer.
reply by Envision on 08-May-2018
    I'm sure I will like it as much as this one!
Comment from Monica Morrell


Great captured barrel. I am not a surfer either but it does look like a lot of fun. You have done a wonderful rendition here. I love the monochromatic color scheme with the perfect blend of white water.
Really well accomplished.

 Comment Written 08-May-2018


reply by the author on 08-May-2018
    Thank you so very much Monica. I appreciate your generous review
reply by Monica Morrell on 08-May-2018
    My Pleasure!
Comment from Nancy Montana


Nothing else needed. This is the perfect reproduction of a curled wave. The colors are just right, and the action is wonderful. Wonderful painting! Very enjoyable.

 Comment Written 08-May-2018


reply by the author on 08-May-2018
    Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging review.
reply by Nancy Montana on 08-May-2018
    Very much my pleasure. You are welcome.
Comment from ArtistCarl


Well Linda, I do like the imagination and action in this painting. A true barrow would not have the rise in the left section of the wave. With that said, that rise creates what to me looks like the eye of Neptune. The foamy wave above the eye brow and the flat angled wave in the lower right is the bridge of his nose. The look is both frightening and reassuring at the same time. Frightening because of the absolute power in the wave. Reassuring because natural forces control the wave. Love the way you have mixed the blues, greens and whites to create that look of action. Very nice painting. Reasons for my five star vote.

 Comment Written 08-May-2018


reply by the author on 08-May-2018
    Thank you Carl. I like the eye of Neptune idea.
reply by ArtistCarl on 08-May-2018
    You are welcome.
Comment from jesuel


That's awesome the color composition is outstanding the depth and perspective that you have here is awesome the color composition is perfect bravo

 Comment Written 08-May-2018


reply by the author on 08-May-2018
    Thank you so very much!
Comment from Trajan


Nice flow and wonderful movement of the pastels to delineate the barrel.
You can feel the intensity along with the brief silence that happens whilst I'm the tube.
I do not surf but I have boogie boarded on the Pacific coast in white shark hunting grounds.
I can tell you there is this moment of silence when you are in the tube before it crashes.
Yiu have captured this quite well with pastels. My only comment is that is should be a tad darker in the tube, but that will depend upon the lighting of course.
You have done a great job on this!
I love the blues!

 Comment Written 07-May-2018


reply by the author on 07-May-2018
    Thank you so very much. I appreciate hearing from one who has been there.
Comment from Arctic Artist


So pretty the colors, you have blended them beautifully! I really like the splash parts. The tunnel from the wave is so cool and what a great entry for the contest! Good luck and thank you for sharing! :D

 Comment Written 07-May-2018


reply by the author on 07-May-2018
    Thank you so very much.
Comment from GaliaG


wow, amazing paint, I think I can hear the water sound

excellent technique, creativity and initial impact

a pleasure to view, thanks for sharing

 Comment Written 07-May-2018


reply by the author on 07-May-2018
    Thank you so very much!
Comment from Renate-Bertodi


when I saw this it reminded me of those films with huge waves which turn over ships, not the least 'The Life of Pi' but also those of the volcanic erruption in the southern seas, with Humphrey Bogart in them, except that the blue is the wrong colour./why do they always happen at nights? So yes, I would put a surfer in, for my unimaginative brain to understand what is going on, not having seen a surfer except on tv and very rarely the sea, except when on a big, sturdy ferry..

 Comment Written 07-May-2018


reply by the author on 07-May-2018
    I am with you! Surfing is not for me...I am too fearful of sharks. Thank you so very much.
reply by Renate-Bertodi on 08-May-2018
    don't even mention sharks, since I saw the Shark films!!
Comment from Rose Elways


I love the colors and the movement of the water. Good details for the foa. At the top of the waves. I like the idea that you made it the perfect barrel. I think you could go either way with adding a surfer or not. I do like it this way though because you can picture yourself being the surfer.

 Comment Written 06-May-2018


reply by the author on 06-May-2018
    Thank you so very much. I have decided to leave the surfer out for that reason. I had my doubts so that is why I left it out to begin with. Thanks again.