Critique Request Black Leaf?

[dcurrie911]

This is my take on black leaf design. Not sure that it actually qualifies as black leaf or if the design is pleasing to others. What does or doesn’t look right?

Dan

 

[John B.]

Quite unusual. A stylized version of Blackleaf and very expertly cut.

 

[dcurrie911]

Thanks John but not cut yet. That is just a procreate design so far.

Dan

 

[Karlspinks]

Thanks John but not cut yet. That is just a procreate design so far.

Dan

Ha,

You fooled me too.

Love the design

 

[John B.]

Thanks John but not cut yet. That is just a procreate design so far.

Dan

That is remarkable for a design presentation.
I thought the black background was one of the most even jobs I had seen.

 

[dcurrie911]

Admittedly I spent a lot of time on the shading design but after reading Ron Smith’s book and looking at other designs from Sam, Phil and others I realized that shading is critical to black leaf. So I thought I had better practice getting the 3D effect.

Dan

 

[SamW]

I find the design very pleasing. That being said, most of your flow (stems) are not as smoothly curved as I would want.

 

[papart1]

Very nice...looks complete, I guess it is on the ipad, but also on the scales. Particular attention is eye catching immediately to the shading and the beauty and realizm it portrays.

 

[dcurrie911]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Sam, I see what you mean. In this pic I isolated the vine and can see many issues to fix.

 

[SamW]

You got it!!

 

[dcurrie911]

Layering in Procreate makes fixes a whole lot easier. While I was drawing I figured that when cutting the parallel lines of the vines that I should cut one and scribe the other from the first to assure parallel.

 

[SamW]

That is how I do parallel lines.

 

[Roger Bleile]

Dan,

Your design is very pleasing and unique. I would not, however, classify it as "blackleaf" in the traditional sense.

 

[papart1]

EVERYDAY you learn something on this siteby the people who publish their knowledge freely. I would have never thought of using my dividers in such a way during layout of repeating vine work. Thanks guy's. Rob

 

[dcurrie911]

Thanks Roger, that is what I figured. I will study Ron Smith’s book a bit more before I try another. Or do you suggest a different resource?

 

[sam]

It's blackleaf'ish but not a true blackleaf. Not bad though, but I think with time it will improve. Not my favorite design you've done but it has much potential.

Churchill does the best example you'll ever see. It's worth getting his book from GRS.

 

[dcurrie911]

Thanks Sam. Are you referring to the Churchill Eaton Colt 45 book? I was hoping that your new one would be of great help.

DAN

 

[dcurrie911]

I am thinking your new book will be of great help. Not past tense. Getting tired and the words are not flowing any better than my design.

 

[sam]

Yes the Churchill-Eaton book. Well worth having IMO.

I've been studying and struggling with blackleaf for 35 years, and am just now getting to where I'm not ashamed to show it to people. Many do a predictable version where the same butterfly shaped leaf is used over and over. Some are good looking, but when you look at Churchill's, his is a random, living and breathing design. Nothing predictable about it at all, and it flows with such grace and elegance. He's a genius at it.

 

[Roger Bleile]

Here is an example of Chruchill's blackleaf: