[Karin Wells]

I think that the art of painting really cannot be taught and therefore cannot be learned. Only certain underlying principles and fundamental techniques can be discussed.

These things are usually hidden away in a work of art and are not so obvious as the (I admit) "outrageous liberties" I took in altering your painting.

Style in painting is rather like handwriting...we all know and use the same alphabet, but the overall appearance of our individual writing is vastly different - as it should be.

I posted my altered copy of your painting - not as a suggestion that your penmanship should look like mine (heaven forbid) - but to illustrate (and exagerate) the fundamental principles and techniques of painting that I was attempting to point out.

The principles I listed are most difficult to grasp - especially in this venue - and I think that I did you a great disservice. I regret that I altered your picture. My illustration was not clear and served no useful purpose here.

Sorry.