I wanted to practice ‘pillows’ on leaves and swiss chard certainly offers a lot to work on. I am happy with the left leaf and would like to improve the other two. Are the highlight too prominent and need to be toned down? Note that the light came from the left.
Hi Helene- Wow! You definitely picked the right subject to practice pillowing on leaves! I agree with you that the leaf on the left is very successful.!!! The reason being is that the highlights in particular are so well done! Those pillows are wonderful!!! Judging from the highlight and shadow placement I would say the light source is from the left, not the right. I think the reason the other two leaves are not as successful is that they are too monotone. They are missing the highlights and range of tones both on the pillows and the the leaves themselves. Remember leaves have a dark side of the main vein and a light side of the main vein. The leaves on the left and right have that (and could use more), but I do not see it on the middle leaf at all. Even with the leaf on the left you could play up the dark toning a little more. I know it is frustrating, but I have confidence you can bring the other two leaves up to par! You set a high bar for yourself – the leaf on the left is a beauty!!!
I wanted to practice ‘pillows’ on leaves and swiss chard certainly offers a lot to work on. I am happy with the left leaf and would like to improve the other two. Are the highlight too prominent and need to be toned down? Note that the light came from the left.
Correction. The light source came from the right.
Hi Helene- Wow! You definitely picked the right subject to practice pillowing on leaves! I agree with you that the leaf on the left is very successful.!!! The reason being is that the highlights in particular are so well done! Those pillows are wonderful!!! Judging from the highlight and shadow placement I would say the light source is from the left, not the right. I think the reason the other two leaves are not as successful is that they are too monotone. They are missing the highlights and range of tones both on the pillows and the the leaves themselves. Remember leaves have a dark side of the main vein and a light side of the main vein. The leaves on the left and right have that (and could use more), but I do not see it on the middle leaf at all. Even with the leaf on the left you could play up the dark toning a little more. I know it is frustrating, but I have confidence you can bring the other two leaves up to par! You set a high bar for yourself – the leaf on the left is a beauty!!!
Thank you Doug for such a quick response and also for your comments. I will work on them!
Helene, that leaf on the left is just beautiful! You nailed it. Love all of Doug’s advice.