NOW FINISHED! How should I finish 'Hummingbird and Morning Glories'?

[Frank Pellow]

This is a MIke Williams pattern that I recently finished cutting.

 

I am trying to decide whether or not to (1) just complete it with a "regular" black background, (2) partly stain it (as per the second attachment), or (3) fully stain (and paint) it.

Edited May 10, 2017 by Frank Pellow

[amazingkevin]

This is a MIke Williams pattern that I recently finished cutting.

 

I am trying to decide whether or not to (1) just complete it with a "regular" black background, (2) partly stain it (as per the second attachment), or (3) fully stain (and paint) it.

You gave 3 options but show 2 so i'll go with the colored one.

[Frank Pellow]

Thanks for voting Kevin.  I only showed photos of two because that's all that I mocked up.  People will need to imagine a fully coloured variation.

[Iguanadon]

I'm going to chicken out and suggest you do all 3 ways and offer them.  They're all fantastic and each customer will have a particular style and look that they like best.  And if one or two of the versions rarely sells, you'll know which one to go with.

[merlin]

Color.............and very nice cuttin..................

[NC Scroller]

I really like the colored flowers. Not so much the colored humming bird.

 

JMTC

[Grumpy Old Bear]

If you were going to give me this artwork, I would prefer the colorized version on un-stained wood.  That is very nice work. 

[WayneMahler]

I like the black background. This is just a personal preference. The wife would want it painted / stained. Nice work cutting it Frank

[MrsN]

I have been really liking the pieces that I stain/paint lately. I think it is a nice fun pop.

[125 CSL]

Or go outside the normal box, turquoise inlay. it also adds in an extra layer of value to your work. Then just a nice stain as contrast. Or some other kind of semi precious stone. Strings of beads are not to expensive.

[Frank Pellow]

Bump!  (in an attempt to solicit more votes and comments)

[marmoh]

#2 .... just enough to make it stand out ..... think it would be too much if all was colored.  That's my story and I'm sticking with it !!!!

[JimErn]

If you had the option of both, that would get my vote.  I like them both.

If you are making this to sell, I would do a couple of each, if it is a gift, only you know the person well enough to know what they should like the most.

[Frank Pellow]

One last bump.  I need to decide tomorrow.  I cut two of these and they will both be gifts.  I have no clue as to which type of finishing the recipients would prefer.

[Frank Pellow]

On ‎2017‎-‎04‎-‎17 at 4:23 PM, NC Scroller said:

I really like the colored flowers. Not so much the colored humming bird.

 

JMTC

Scott, is it the colours that I used on the hummingbird that you don't like, or is it that you don't think it should be coloured at all?

[NC Scroller]

Frank, I think it is color or colour as you say north of the  border that I dislike.  Between the two images you posted I prefer the unpainted bird.  It is just too bright a chartreuse for my taste.  As you can see from the below the natural color is a duller shade of green with a white chest and red throat. 

 

 

[hawkeye10]

I voted to fully stain and paint. The The partly stained and painted looked so good I am thinking the fully stained and painted one would be out of this world.

[Rolf]

I would stack cut three and do all of the above. I agree with Scott about the colors on the Humming bird.

[Frank Pellow]

I thank all those who have commented and/or voted and I have decided what to do.

As well as the survey here, I have asked several people (both in person and on the internet) which they prefer.  The vote here was close, right now being:

• With a black background:                                       6

• With partial staining and painting                  7

• With full staining and painting                       5

But, when the other folks votes are added in, the tally becomes:

• With a black background:                                       8

• With partial staining and painting                 13

• With full staining and painting                        6

And there is a clear winner.  That’s good because partial staining and painting was my preference.  It’s unusual.  I much prefer doing the unusual in cases where the unusual is acceptable.

My cousin, Sue Rogers, who is a good artist in “regular” water and oil painting media prefers this option and presented an excellent thought out reason.  Here it is:

 Here are my thoughts

Total lack of colour to me lacks life.

By colouring the bird and two flowers as you have done...allows the question by the viewer.."Why did the bird choose the flower it is hovering over?" The arrangement of colour carries the eye through the work which is what "we" want. 

Choice of colours do not dominate the work, but enhance flows as mentioned above.

Three people (two here and one that I spoke to) think that the hummingbird is too bright and I will likely take that into consideration.  Otherwise, the staining and painting will be as it is in the mock up.

[Frank Pellow]

I stack cut two of these and finished both as per the vote.  The backgrounds are slightly different.

They are both framed with Rosseter-Pellow quarter-sawn white oak frames.

A photo is attached.

[Frank Pellow]

Oh yes, I should have mentioned the size.  With the frame, each piece measures 38cm by 46cm.  I mailed one of them to Seattle and it was EXPENSIVE!

[Grumpy Old Bear]

Those turned out beautiful!! I think the bright humming bird is fantastic, to me, it looks realistic.  Great job.

[meflick]

I really liked your finished pieces Frank.  Lovely work.  Thanks for sharing.