I told Lucy I would have this posted a few days ago. “Designers block” has kicked in, and decided I would ask for your opinions. This recipe is for theydrawandcook.com. I have had these recipes saved for a while. And I have had so much fun painting pears, I wanted to illustrate a recipe that included them. I am working on building my portfolio of food art.
I spent a lot of time creating the serving tray and appetizers. (Mostly due to the fact that I am still learning Photoshop.) I wanted to have watercolor, and some digital artwork in the piece. But looking at it, I think I need to paint the tray as well. The fonts will likely change, and placement of the text.
I am cringing as I write, because I think this is really awful, but I am going to share it as is anyway. The pear slices with cheese, would not be placed on a tray with crackers, So I have decided I will show those on a small plate. With a fork perhaps, at the ready for someone to dig in.
Work in progress
Should I replace the digital art with a watercolor serving tray and food samples? Or does this tray look appetizing?
Do you like the color on the title?
Do you like the title, or is it dorky?
Do you think the tray color should be a deeper gold? I tried green and red, but did not like them as well as the gold.
If you have any other comments, I would love to hear them 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to help me with this. I hope you are all having a super weekend, and that your creativity is joyful today!
Hey There Sheila,
What a super idea! Love it. Hmm… let’s see… I agree to make the plate smaller so that the pears are the true focus. The idea of a wine class sounds good so that it goes with the plate.
The title is AWESOME! Keep it!!! :o)
The color of the title looks good. I would change the font so that it totally “pops” and “stands out”. For my eyes, that font takes a slight hesitation to read the title. Instead of ‘instantly’ being able to read the title in a split second. Maybe a font that flows, curves, ??
Maybe the words “slice, spread, serve” could be in a color all their own, instead of sharing the same color with the main title?
The pears look beautiful. I would keep them just the way they are!!
Okay, it is way past my bedtime!! Gotta go grab that pillow and blankie!! :o)
Have a wonderful rest of the weekend!!
Joan
P.S. Don’t forget to let me know when you finish more portraits, so that I can buy a set of note cards!!
Hello Joan,
Thank you so much for all of your fabulous input. 🙂 You know how it is when you are working, and you can’t see the forest for the trees. Thanks you for telling me the title is a little heard to read, good to know. I was planning to change it, but I was not sure in which direction.
I am drying a bunch of stems and twigs now… to use for painting those portraits 🙂 I will keep you posted.
Hope you had a great nights sleep Joan – talk with you soon 🙂
Hi Sheila,
I think your illustration is absolutely lovely! I have no idea how to do digital art, and I can’t figure out which part of your work is digital and which part by hand.
However, can I give you my honest opinion on the questions you asked? Assume that I can:
I think the plate does not really fit in with the rest. The circle looks much more “controlled” and “rigid” in comparison to the fun and lively pears. Is this the digital part?
Yes my friend, the plate is digital. And I agree, I am not happy with it, next to the painted pears. I am happy with how the rendering of the details on the plate came out, but the food is too bland looking. Thanks for the “fun and lively” 🙂 and thank you for taking the time to share your impression with me!
Hi Sheila!
Please take this only as advice, and how I would do it.
One thing I could think of is to work on the values a bit more to give it more contrast and a bit more ummf…
I feel the plate overpowers the rest of the painting..(pears) . The pears seem insignificant.
I like the gold around the rim of your plate( darker would be better I feel)
It’s good to use odd numbers in a painting . It makes it more interesting.
Maybe a smaller plate, and another pear in a different composition?
The gold It’s a nice combo with the blue.
Your title is original..I would keep it !
Great idea~
Keep up the good work..
Cheers
Mariette xo
Thank you so much Mariette, for addressing so many details! Thank You. You have confirmed some of my suspicions, and made me think of new directions as well. I was trying to be true to nature with some of the values, but yes, there is a bit of a washed out effect. I do think the plate is too big also, It is not what I want the focus to be. I will add a second plate and change the size as well. I was also thinking of adding a wine glass maybe… or the silhouette. Thanks again Mariette for your generous suggestions!