sethtummins

[sethtummins]

Hello.

I’m an oil painter with a life goal of writing a novel. When I submitted a few short scenes to a critique group (I made clear that I was not a writer), they were constructive and helpful but, surprisingly, they all indicated that I had an old style of writing. I’m not sure what that means, as I have never thought of style.

They were trying to say, I believe, that my “style” of writing isn’t popular today and wouldn’t sell, but sounded good. (One said poetic.).

So - my question:

What are a couple of great novels that are not written in a modern way that you’d recommend I read?

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, by Suzanna Clarke and Little, Big by John Crowley.

[sethtummins]

We Hold These Truths

sethtummins.com

[sethtummins]

Plenty Coups is the name of the last Chief of the Crow Indians. His story is very interesting, containing visions of the coming doom of the buffalo and how the Crow Nation should survive. Bighorn mountains, Wyoming/Montana.

[sethtummins]

[sethtummins]

#oilpainting https://www.instagram.com/p/CDh3XavnHAH/?igshid=1713171lhlr4l

[sethtummins]

When I practice, I try to be accurate to what I see. When I am creating, I try to be accurate to what I experience (not to be mistaken for "feelings"). Here we have an older hydrangea in open shade in the back of a house. Sunshine behind (sometimes). The painted area is approximately 11x8, and while I was painting I kept thinking, "Lipking would show what the foliage actually looked like. He'd be accurate with shapes and tones." Followed by, "I'm being lazy." And "Has anyone died from sweating to death while in the shade near their house?" The @blueridgeoilcolors were nice. I am going to love blue ochre. Who knew there was blue ochre? The tiny bits of sky coming through? Blue ochre and white - great for the shower that was approaching. #oilpainting #landscapepainting #pleinairpainting #painting #tennessee #pleinair #hydrangea #landscape #joeshouse https://www.instagram.com/p/CCuJiO8nz9j/?igshid=l0wpsmqwzk98

[sethtummins]

I set it aside to try to hear it. #oilpainting #landscapepainting #painting #landscape #light #color #lightontrees #lifeitself https://www.instagram.com/p/CAqVpT6H1RN/?igshid=5bnfnfjbfca6

[sethtummins]

2 new posts. A few minutes of reading. #newpost #writingaboutart #oilpainting #landscapepainting #painting #landscape #writingaboutpainting #pantomime #fear https://www.instagram.com/p/CAeEtmpHYIw/?igshid=10cr5vt0z2iwr

[sethtummins]

Another stage. #oilpainting #landscapepainting #painting #landscape #lightontrees #lifeitself 12x20 WIP https://www.instagram.com/p/CAc_4LtnZWv/?igshid=jmh492typcer

[sethtummins]

Current stage. #oilpainting #landscapepainting #painting #landscape #lifeitself https://www.instagram.com/p/CAaYGTXnwii/?igshid=1ifd9a488zx3b

[sethtummins]

Sometimes it's all you can do. #oilpainting #landscapepainting #painting #faith #colossians117 https://www.instagram.com/p/CAWlSr3nMLt/?igshid=1g0ypcb1jdr5t

[sethtummins]

Today's practice. 8x12. You know those days when its sun then cloud shadow? Sun, cloud shadow. Sun, cloud shadow. I chose to try to stay with cloud shadow, but I should have chosen sun, because it turned out to be much more covered in sun, and, as a result, I get a weakened cloud shadow effort - BUT, showing up is half the battle. AND I have a new place to go. Many thanks to those that gave me permission to be there. #oilpainting #landscapepainting #painting #pleinairpainting #pleinair #landscape #tennessee #barn #beautifulday #trytryagain #placetopaint (at Waverly, Tennessee) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_5pCbSJTcI/?igshid=6ye3brj7oulq

[sethtummins]

10x6 . . . . #oilpainting #landscapepainting #painting #landscape #water #spring https://www.instagram.com/p/B_U-ciOnPFd/?igshid=10ds1wcahkdlr