Backdrop suggestions ...

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I have 2-dimensional vision. I can't see depth. Therefore the whole world looks to me like a giant photograph would. I nevere knew I had a problem until the 6th grade, when they used a special 3-D tester for the school eye exam and I failed it.

[mikelhh]

 

 

 Thanks for the comments.     Jeffrey, my wife agrees with you about the hills. What's your secret?

 The water is just clear, ultra high gloss varnish . I used Estapol brand. I painted the table top deep green for the deepest parts and mixed up a creamy sandy sort of colour for the shallows. I also streaked some dark greens through that to hopefully represent weed in the current. Then I made and painted some rock bars out of plaster and DAS modelling clay.

When it was all dry the varnish was poured to maybe 1/8 in deep at most. It took quite a few hours to dry, and while it was becoming tacky I dragged a clean brush handle through it to make ripples. I had to do that quite a few times because they settle down again while it's still runny.  I used maybe six different types of foliage on the banks, and I used coconut fibres as the basis for some twiggy bushes.

 Here's an older pic that shows the surface of the river a bit better.

 Mike

[gaelicpropties]

Outstanding scene!! I like the 2nd backdrop-hills, clouds very realistic. Also, stream banks, water-great!!

Care to share any water secrets?

[C&O Fan]

Nice work

Actually both are good the first focuses your attention on the foreground

and the second adds depth

[Anonymous]

I like the new background pic because it makes it look like you have more cows than with the original one......

 

<as he walks away slowly with his hands in his pockets>

[MisterBeasley]

While on the subject of backdrops, I find that they are most important for photography.  The all-seeing human eye isn't particularly fooled by backdrops, but, as the pictures above illustrate, it does wonders for your scenes when viewed through a camera.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I like the sag in the hill. To me it gives a reference as to where the stream is coming from.

[mikelhh]

 With all the talk about backdrops lately I thought I might post a couple of photos of my test backscenes. I hope this isn't labouring the point.

 Here's two pics of the same scene with totally different backdrops

 Fisrt pic has the old backdrop. Although it doesn't really contribute a great deal it's still way better than nothing.

 This pic has the new backdrop. For those interested [is there anyone?] I made an effort to match the foreground colours, but without making it my life's work. Also, where I thought of it, I kept the edges soft, especially those farthest away.  The colours were acrylic yellow, red and blue plus artist's gesso for the white. The paint is thin and matt finish.

 It was a very quick job - 10 min or so - done with one brush, smeared a bit with my fingers and is only a test. [The board is only about 24 ins wide.] I think the final version will see the background hill peaking rather than sagging in the centre. I'm not trying to turn this into an art lesson, but I do think it shows how the scene can be enhanced.

 Hopefully someone will find this helpful.

 Mike