Lotus Blossom

I'm not sure this image has similarity in Asian art, but it was fun to do.

The Lotus represents an opening or emergence into enlightenment. It also a symbol of purity.

The first symbol represents a start or beginning and the second symbol represents deception or ignorance. Together, they symbolize cutting through what deceives you in the world on your journey to purity.

This image was taken last year in the Japanese Gardens in the Missouri Botanical Garden. I converted to black and white, then overlayed a sepia background. I then gave a very slight sepia tint to the flower and leaves, for color harmony. Surface smoothing to simulate art work appearance, along with some light opacity brush work. I cloned a few small leaf distractions.

I did the calligraphy by hand, just for the fun of it. I haven't read up on the chop yet...

Somewhere in the process, I lost the exif data, but can supply from the original if needed.

Comments welcome..............

Beautiful job Jay! I love the smoothness of the overall image! This is a very popular and traditional subject in Asian art. To improve this, I would like to see the calligraphy black. Great!

Dan,

Thanks for the kind words.............because I bounce back and forth between programs, I had to re-do the calligraphy....here it goes.

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Originally Posted by Jay Sheinfield

Dan,

Thanks for the kind words.............because I bounce back and forth between programs, I had to re-do the calligraphy....here it goes.

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Great Jay! That is a big improvement!

Jay, Really lovely image. The Lotus Blossom has a real Asian feel to it and the sepia is a perfect addition to this image. Nice work.:)

Great subject and composition, Jay. Love the color tone and the details. TFS.

Such a great comp on this Jay! I would like to see you maybe remove that little bit of stem between the two big pads and then blend that area a bit more so it doesn't go from light to dark so quickly. Everything else is extraordinary!

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Originally Posted by Julie Kenward

Such a great comp on this Jay! I would like to see you maybe remove that little bit of stem between the two big pads and then blend that area a bit more so it doesn't go from light to dark so quickly. Everything else is extraordinary!

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Thanks Jules,

Good feedback............I''ll give a go...........

Re-post re: Jules' suggestions.....................

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Originally Posted by Jay Sheinfield

Re-post re: Jules' suggestions.....................

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Jay, I like what you did with the dark area between the leaves but the removal of the stem doesn't work for me as this stem should be attached to the upper right leave where the radial veins of the leaf originate. Without the stem, the leaf is not attached to the ground or the base of the plant. My 2 cents!

Beautiful Jay. Look sgreat. Good suggestion by Julie to remove the little bit of stem. Repost is perfect!

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Originally Posted by Dan Brown

Jay, I like what you did with the dark area between the leaves but the removal of the stem doesn't work for me as this stem should be attached to the upper right leave where the radial veins of the leaf originate. Without the stem, the leaf is not attached to the ground or the base of the plant. My 2 cents!

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Ok......It actually was easier to redraw the stem and blend the dark area, than trying to work around the stem.............I like this the best, so far, but still open to further feedback......

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Originally Posted by Jay Sheinfield

Ok......It actually was easier to redraw the stem and blend the dark area, than trying to work around the stem.............I like this the best, so far, but still open to further feedback......

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That does it for me Jay! Very nice! Now you need to come up with a chop!:)

Perfect!!:)

Jay the last repost is gorgeous:) I love the composition and the tones. And your calligraphy looks great!

Excellent work Jay! Those small details make all the difference when it comes time to print...always keep that in mind!

I think this is probably one of my favorite monochromatic images I've ever seen here on BPN. Truly it's just gorgeous.

Thanks everyone.......... all your feedback helped get it to this point.

Dan,

Here is my first attempt at a chop. I did some fast work on it, so I hope it doesn't look lame.....:) I toned it down, but it does stand out on the dark BG...........

Very nice image, Jay! I love the combination of the sepia BG with the slight sepia tint to the flower and leaves. Excellent comp, and the last repost rocks! I think I'd make the chop a little less bright, but let's see what Dan has to say. Very well done!

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Originally Posted by Jay Sheinfield

Thanks everyone.......... all your feedback helped get it to this point.

Dan,

Here is my first attempt at a chop. I did some fast work on it, so I hope it doesn't look lame.....:) I toned it down, but it does stand out on the dark BG...........

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Very creative on the chop Jay! The color is good. One thing regarding the chop, the letters and design should be either red or transparent (showing the BG paper color), like a rubber stamp, the letters are either raised, carved in relief (red letters) or gouged out (BG color showing). So, your white letters should be the color of your BG. Hope this makes sense?

Incredible image Jay! I love the velvety look to the leaves. I enjoyed reading along the progression and seeing all of the improvements.

Thanks Patti,

I learned a lot from this one.............the feedback was great.