Grove of Trees – Part Five
My grove nunofelt landscape is finally complete. I added a bit of ‘grass’ in the foreground to balance all the lines at the top from the stitched branches.
I didn’t think that it needed a lot, but just some suggestion of the higher grasses. I also stitched down the loose edges around the entire piece. Now to move forward on getting it ready to frame.
I didn’t have a lot of fabric to audition to see how the background matte would look. This is on a piece of tan fabric. To my eye, it is too close in value to the piece itself and doesn’t match with the colors.
Then trying on medium gray. This is slightly darker in value but still feels very similar to the values in the piece. It doesn’t do it for me.
Next up is a dark grey background. The darker value is definitely better and brings out the light in the piece. I could use this color, it’s okay.
Then I found a piece of dark red maroon/burgundy colored silk fabric. I won’t use the silk for the background but it was in the color scheme so I thought I would try it. The value is good again, making the light from the back of the piece feel more prominent. The color seems to work pretty well.
What do you think? Would you use a different background fabric color? Or do you like one of the ones I tried?
I’m thinking of naming this one “Golden Grove”. Any other name ideas?
27 thoughts on “Grove of Trees – Part Five”
It’s beautiful 🙂 The burgundy is a good choice – it really complements the colours in the picture and accentuates the golden light. The addition of the grass is the balancing touch indeed.
‘Golden Grove’ is very apt.
Thanks so much! Hopefully, I can find a piece of cotton in the correct color!
Yes that last colour is just right. Now you’ve got to find some fabric that matches it. You could of course paint a piece of mount board. If it was a blend of washes of colour, for instance following on from where the sky meets the ground, and/or just suggesting more tree trunks, I think it would definitely add something. I quite often think that when a picture spills over onto it’s frame or mount, it looks really good.
My husband wandered in to the room as I clicked on the final image, and said “that’s nice” – praise indeed! I also like that picture, and I like the title too. You have certainly taken a lot of trouble with it.
Ann
Thanks Ann, yes, finding the right color fabric can be difficult. Especially since our local fabric store is closing. I do like your idea of painting the mount board but I would paint a piece of fabric instead. That could still work though. I might do that.
I appreciate the comment from your hubbie, as sometimes mine says some pretty weird things about my artwork.
I am totally enchanted! By the colours, the harmony, the ‘light’ and warmth in it, the feeling i could smell the leaves on the ground while walking through this forest…THANK YOU for sharing!!! Could you please give me an approximative size in centimeter ? Joyful Greetings from France …
Laurence
Thanks Laurence, I’m glad you like it. The size is 14″ x 20″ which is 35.5 cm x 51 cm approximately.
Completely agree that the dark burgundy sets the picture off beautifully. It picks up the darker reddish tones in the picture which, as you say, tends to emphasise the golden light. It looks lovely. Very evocative.
Thanks Lindsay, now to find the cotton fabric I need, but as Ann suggests, I might try painting the fabric.
It finished off really nice , Ruth. I Iike the burgundy too. It seems fabric stores all over are closing. There are not many left here, those left are mostly quilting stores.
Thanks Ann, we still have quilting stores too but they are so much more expensive. It’s hard to buy fabric online as you can’t feel the hand of the fabric and see the color. Sigh…
For fabric that you will paint or dye, Ruth, try buying curtain lining, preferably remnants. Wash it once and the fabric stiffener comes out and you have what almost amounts to even-weave fabric – I’ve used some for pulled thread embroidery and other counted thread techniques. The remnants are usually quite cheap to buy, at least they were on this side of the pond when I was last in the market for some.
Ann
It would seem we are all agreed with your mat colour choice which emphasises the wonderful light you have captured. The name you have given your piece is so very apt.
It is certainly larger than I was expecting, so will offer significant impact
and I’m sure, once framed, it will fly speedily to it’s forever home.
Thanks Antje! I hope it does sell quickly as the winter has been a bit slow for sales this year. 🙁
Love the name you chose, and vote for the burgundy background!
Thanks Leonor, the burgundy background is the winner!
It’s stunning Ruth. My preference would be the burgundy, I immediately felt that the background colour was flanking my view. In my mind it is providing further depth to your beautiful piece.
Helene x
Thanks so much Helene! It always amazes me how much difference the background color and value makes.
Beautiful piece. I vote for the maroon fabric.
Thanks Marie!
At first glance I liked the dark grey. But after seeing the group consensus, I went back and looked at it again. It is definitely the best option. But, I feel like my mind played a trick on me. There’s a television show called “Irrational” where they test people for statistical tendencies, and examine how other people’s responses can affect subjective outcomes. I’m not sure how I should feel about my decision? 😂
It’s going to be spectacular no matter which you choose!
Capi
Thanks Capi, the dark grey works becaue of the value. The burgundy seems to add a bit more depth but it is definitely a personal decision. Either one could be right.
It’s a beautiful piece of work and I’m in the burgundy camp Ruth.
Thanks Karen, the burgundy is definintely the winner 😉
Such a beautiful piece, Ruth! The colors and the name are just perfect! My thoughts are that the dark grey background grounds the piece a bit more by accentuating the few darker tree trunks…it really boosts the contrast. But the burgundy is lovely, as well. Your work is so inspiring! Thank you!
Thanks Tina, I appreciate your input. I still haven’t gotten the background fabric yet. I usually decide with what’s available at the fabric store in fat quarters. And yes, the dark grey works with the piece well.
Well, my vote for the burgundy one seems redundant, but here it is!
Fantastic piece, Ruth, and it was interesting to follow your process of selection of a background in your post.
Thanks Caterina, I can’t choose the background fabric without seeing it in person beside the piece. Auditioning various fabrics is the only way that really works for me.