Towards the completion of a painting I slow down, sometimes for quite awhile, evaluating what is pleasing and not so pleasing .
Does the composition look interesting? Is there just enough variety to intrigue but not so much to confuse?
What is the dominant colour? Is this mainly a light or dark painting?
Do the values work, in other words are the ratio of lights and darks pleasing and effective?
Are there some areas of textural interest?
Does the colour palette work?
Variety between saturated, unsaturated, warm and cool colours?
Most importantly of all, is the painting expressing me and what I set out to achieve here - mystery, beauty, clarity? Fundamentally do I love it? If not should I spend more time on it or revisit it later?
Sometimes time apart can bring new insight almost as if allowing time for artistic growth. As I stand back and weigh this all up, decide to work on them a little more, a tweak here and there before letting them go.
Should be ready to put on website soon.
In photographs shown, Santorini at night, small canvas panels and Santorini at dusk.