Joining in this conversation I'd agree with the observations made so far. I find your descriptions very entertaining and enlightening Lucy -you say a lot with a few words (I need to learn this skill). It is harder to guide and support from a distance, but be encouraged that the only sure way to improve is to keep making art regularly which is what you are doing. You are also making life much harder and much more interesting (artistically speaking) by embracing such a wonderful array of media, techniques and subjects (as suggested by me the butterfly)..... so please do be encouraged: every painting, sketch and doodle contains the seeds of inspiration and growth for the next in some form. You are unlikely to find each piece turns out you had hoped or imagined -you are playing and exploring and will make mud pies as well as masterpieces. It is very hard for perfectionists to accept and embrace this reality.
I will happily make technical suggestions for development of this piece if you like -but it would be helpful to know what you are aiming for stylistically (other than Nolde's boldness!)
By the way this is not a mudpie (in fact its not muddy at all) and has lots going for it, and as its acrylic its relatively straight forward to add layers.
