Martha Aguero  


Golden-crowned sparrow by Martha Aguero

March 2023 - Golden-crowned sparrow

March 2023 - Martha Aguero

Original

March 2023 - Martha Aguero

Original 2

About the Image(s)

This is the story of this image: Took this photo on February of last year, at the Cowichan Estuary, is one of my favourite areas to watch the birds. The setting of this picture was ISO 2500, f/9, at 193 mm with my Sony Rx10.
I was just practicing with this image, but in a small format of 800 pixels, first I begun with the background experimenting, didn’t know what to do, so I just stylize the branches. and I liked. So I finalize in 800 pixels, my error I think I should have begin with a bigger format? So I change the dpi from 300 to 500, mostly to increase its size, and then I add a couple of strokes here and there.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
11 comments posted




Cindy Gosselin   Cindy Gosselin
The background looks like silk! The smooth appearance of this treatment matches the smooth rendition of the birds feathers. I love how you painted the eye and head of the bird. I'm having an argument with myself as to whether I prefer the orientation as presented in the painting or if I prefer the original orientation with the bird facing left. Let's see what others think. Job well done.   Posted: 03/13/2023 09:14:58
Martha Aguero   Martha Aguero
Thanks so much Cindy for your input. I am posting one unflipped version, let's see what others think.   Posted: 03/13/2023 18:21:19
Comment Image
Cindy Gosselin   Cindy Gosselin
The visual of the "flip" really helps. Now I realize that I like the version as you submitted - with the bird facing right. In this version, I love that the dominant branch leads INTO the bird. When it's flipped and the bird faces left, the dominant branch leads out of the frame and takes my eye out of the image. So, my vote is "right facing bird."   Posted: 03/14/2023 08:00:24
Martha Aguero   Martha Aguero
Yes, I think is has more balance in the submitted version. Maybe if I add the berries that will help the balance in this version.   Posted: 03/21/2023 02:05:47



Nancy Speaker   Nancy Speaker
I love this painting Martha. What a wonderful painting of the background which looks like rich fabric. The bird is also beautifully painted and I am so impressed with your growth as a mixer brush painter. I like the original position best. The Dark branch stops my eye in the reversed one before I get into the subject and in the original, it acts as a stop to keep my eye in the image since we read a piece of art in USA from left to right. It is also a very interesting diagonal which also adds interest to an art piece. Nicely done and I love the harmony of the tones. I agree that a few berries would add more interest. Nicely done.   Posted: 03/22/2023 15:17:08
Martha Aguero   Martha Aguero
Thanks so much Nancy, I will try to add the berries, but not now, I like your comments of the diagonal, I am not use to flip the images, but the result can be an improvement and change the view and perspective and balance and holding the eye where you want it.   Posted: 03/25/2023 16:56:29
Nancy Speaker   Nancy Speaker
Please understand that this is in support of your original position. But Cindy's idea to think this way is very positive because the flip can really help the image sometimes.
  Posted: 03/29/2023 14:53:02



Trey Foerster   Trey Foerster
Sharp eye, check. Facing right, check. Your treatment of the head is very well done. Though not using the Rule of Thirds, your diagonal and triangle overlays converge on the body of the bird. A very nice painting with the tonal cohesion.   Posted: 03/25/2023 09:50:22
Martha Aguero   Martha Aguero
Thanks Trey for the comments, yes I think that diagonal holds the bird in the image.   Posted: 03/25/2023 17:02:58



Pat Centeno   Pat Centeno
I vote for the "facing toward right" version, as well, although both look fantastic from your use of mixer brush. Agree that the background somehow looks silky and smooth. Interesting that you could attain that effect after so few months using the Mixer Brush tool. My only suggestion is to make its eye slightly more oval, like the original, as it turned out to look tear-dropped in the painting. While I love the look of red berries, I think they would not add anything now that you have your smooth background.   Posted: 03/29/2023 12:42:41
Martha Aguero   Martha Aguero
Thanks Pat for your input, you have seemed my first attempts with the mixer brush, and they were terrible, Thanks to all of you and give me courage to pursue it, especially to Cindy for her great article, and show me the great site of "elevate your art", www.beyondthebrushes.com that teach you and set you up to work as a painter in photoshop. I am just in the beginning steps, but it's worthy. Lots of practice all the way on.
  Posted: 03/30/2023 14:51:20