Critique #2

“Pals”

By: Sue McDonagh

The painting “Pals” by Sue McDonagh depicts two young children playing on a beach. This is one of the many paintings that Sue McDonagh has painted of children enjoying themselves at a beach.

The emphasis of “Pals” is the two children playing on the beach. The way that the children are positioned gives the viewer a sense of wonder. The viewer may think, what are the children doing that is not shown in the painting? The highlight of the painting is the two children, but the pastel colors of the water attract the viewer’s eye also. The colors create a calming sense to the painting when looking at it. Other colors that do this are the bright pigments of the children’s clothing. The form of the rocks are an odd shape almost questioning the viewer whether they are waves. The realism of the children playing on a beach may remind the viewer of a time in their own life when they may have spent time on a beach.

A mother takes her child and their friend to the beach one day. The mother lets the children wander along the seashore. “What adventure will the children find themselves today?” the mother questions. The children run off gallantly ready for anything they find. They stop along the water where they find themselves a nice area to play. The children play, enjoying the freedom of their friendship.