[jax]

Puma #1 is the original submitted.....#2 is the revised version that was darkened in some areas, I didn't want to get it too dark .

Jax

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

hummm I can't see any difference, unless its my monitor?

[Pyrographer]

I don't either. Perhaps you posted two of the same photos or you need to do some more darkening.

Nedra

[jax]

I don't see any difference either, I probably hit the wrong buttons and probably did the same one twice but burn I did

I'll check the folder.

Jax.

[Irish]

Jax,

My scanner has a settings menu that appears when I open the program. One of the setting adjustments is tonal values. It's one that I use for woodburnings when I am scanning. I can increase the mid-tones by adjusting that setting.

Most of my burnings without adjusting that setting come out far paler then they actually are. By adjusting I can get the finished scan to match the real work.

You might check and see if your scanner has any settings adjustments.

Susan

[jax]

To all who commented and offered suggestions; the puma has been darkened in several areas using a higher heat setting, hopefully it shows up better than before.

Irish, I didn't want to 'mechanically' change the shading because I asked for suggestions to improve the puma in which I concurred.

Jax.

[Irish]

Jax, I did not mean to 'mechanically alter' the shading. I was suggesting that you check that your scanner creates an image that truly matches the actual carving.

Irish

[jax]

Irish,

Got it, yes the scanner did match the original.

I asked for suggestions because I felt that something was missing, i.e., deeper shading for one and also that the dark in the inner corner of the eye socket was too dark.

Jax

[Irish]

http://www.freedesktopwallpapers.net...ain-lion.shtml

Jax,

I used the link above as a reference photo.

I have gray scaled your burning and then cut a sample of the tones you have already captured. next I added two more dark tones, taking you from 5 to 7.

Pumas have very distinct black markings around the eyes, back portion of the upper lip and along the mouth area and at the base of the outer ear.Those black areas contrast to the wonderful soft beige tones in the front section of the upper lip, behind the mouth corner and above the eye, which you have already captured.

So for my eye, its not that the inner eye corner is too dark at this point, its that more darkness is needed to create those almost solid black markings.

Notice in the third image how the new black areas really bring those beautiful beige tones you have forward and prominent! By adding more dark tones the highlight of your lower lid just rolls the eye perfectly, the highlight on the upper eye lid adds to the roundness of the eye area and the top pale area of the skull rolls the head back into the ears.

The black tones contrast to those pale tones to make the pales really dominate.

Now, I know you are a pointalist! I tend to do anything I think might take a burning where I want to go with it. So, after I had more dark tones added I would grab my exacto knife or bench knife and cut in the whiskers in the muzzle area and then add a few "highlight hairs" here and there where I wanted to added extra emphasis.

His bone structure is fantastic!!!! I get such a strong impression of solid form to his face. There is an area right under his ear that I am not sure of ... I feel like his jaw area should some how be defined in that area and separated from the neck. I feel like that with his face turned there should be some fold or defining shading in this area.

You have the pale and mid-tones so perfect that for me, adding a few really dark tones would just push this one into perfection!

Just my ideas. take what you want and throw the rest away.

Susan

[Pyrographer]

Originally Posted by Irish

http://www.freedesktopwallpapers.net...ain-lion.shtml

Jax,

I used the link above as a reference photo.

I have gray scaled your burning and then cut a sample of the tones you have already captured. next I added two more dark tones, taking you from 5 to 7.

Pumas have very distinct black markings around the eyes, back portion of the upper lip and along the mouth area and at the base of the outer ear.Those black areas contrast to the wonderful soft beige tones in the front section of the upper lip, behind the mouth corner and above the eye, which you have already captured.

So for my eye, its not that the inner eye corner is too dark at this point, its that more darkness is needed to create those almost solid black markings.

Notice in the third image how the new black areas really bring those beautiful beige tones you have forward and prominent! By adding more dark tones the highlight of your lower lid just rolls the eye perfectly, the highlight on the upper eye lid adds to the roundness of the eye area and the top pale area of the skull rolls the head back into the ears.

The black tones contrast to those pale tones to make the pales really dominate.

Now, I know you are a pointalist! I tend to do anything I think might take a burning where I want to go with it. So, after I had more dark tones added I would grab my exacto knife or bench knife and cut in the whiskers in the muzzle area and then add a few "highlight hairs" here and there where I wanted to added extra emphasis.

His bone structure is fantastic!!!! I get such a strong impression of solid form to his face. There is an area right under his ear that I am not sure of ... I feel like his jaw area should some how be defined in that area and separated from the neck. I feel like that with his face turned there should be some fold or defining shading in this area.

You have the pale and mid-tones so perfect that for me, adding a few really dark tones would just push this one into perfection!

Just my ideas. take what you want and throw the rest away.

Susan

Wow, great job of showing the tonal values and great suggestions Susan. I agree about the dark tones for sure and I have used the technique of cutting into the wood for the whiskers as well. It really brings them out. I use either a straight edged razor or my round-heeled knife (cold) to do it which probably does the same as the exacto. It does work and it does bring out the whiskers when you add those highlights.

Nedra