Sunday, April 25, 2010

Eucalyptus Road


One of the projects I worked on last week at the ranch retreat was this small abstract landscape.  I applied a layer of tulle over it, machine quilted it, and applied a facing finish.

So it SHOULD be finished...and yet I'm feeling that this needs something more.  I think what is bugging me is that the values are not quite right -- there needs to be some lighter light somewhere, maybe?  Maybe the judicious application of neocolor crayon or colored pencil?  I'm not sure, so it is sitting on my wall where I can comtemplate.

Any suggestions?  Why does this seem not-quite-right to me?  How would you fix this?

10 comments :

  1. I have traveled down many a Eucalyptus road in northern California. and this is it. I think and other work on this would spoil the mode. There is plenty of light, even the road has some lightness to it.

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  2. I really like it just the way it is. I like the gold colored sky and the way the greens look against it. Probably not helpful, but I'd leave it be. I'm fighting with one I'm working on now - and it's just not working either. It's a frustrating feeling (and by not working, I mean really not working). Thinking of starting over, but it's for a Napa Guild Challenge that's due the 7th - not sure I an start over and finish that quickly.

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  3. I think this piece is lovely Diane, but I agree it doesn't feel quite finished yet .... close, but not quite.

    If it was mine, I would want to 'up' the contrast just a touch, and I think that could be done best by adding tiny touches of dark value next to some of the lighter values in a few places, and then carrying those same dark dark values into some of the areas that are already dark. It would have the effect of deepening the picture plane, and making the lighter areas pop forward a bit.

    If you have photoshop or another photo-editing program that will allow you to look at this image in black and white, and then tweak the contrast, you will probably be able to see the solution very easily.

    This is always such a tricky stage, when all that's left to do are the final tiny touches that make the difference between a feeling of "Hmm", and that of "Oh, yes!".

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  4. Diane, I think this is so lovely as it is. It has a very evocative feel to me and the subdued contrast makes it feel a bit atmospheric or of a period in time that I can't quite put my finger on--'30 maybe? I fear making the contrast "right" would destroy what makes it special. The gold sky is wonderful. If I were you I would put it away for about a month, then take it out and look at it again before deciding to change anything.

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  5. Oh I love it...I think maybe a little tiny bit of the deep magenta somewhere near the horizon...It is just perfect how it is though..and I agree that maybe it's best to just put it away and take a couple drives dear those beautiful trees at morning or evening. Pam in Chico

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  6. Thank you all for your suggestions! I think I do need to put it away for a bit and then let it surprise me when I see it again. You all had some good thoughts.

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  7. I like it the way it is, although I do agree with pam, a little magenta could be gorgeous. Then again, I am a big believer in magenta fixing everything

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  8. Just looking at some of the oriental paintings in this style shows that the colours you have are perfectly balanced but perhaps you need a very small touch of detail in the greenery on the right-hand side. Maybe some tall grass?

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  9. I like this piece. What about some satin stitching around the tree tops - myabe in black? Just a thought.

    Kristin F. in SC

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  10. Since I've seen the actual project I can say the photograph does not do it justice! It's wonderful!--- Diane, just the way it is. Maybe you have just been looking at it too long---?

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