Help me with my front door

[rainydaze]

I used to be a graphic designer and agree that negative space is a very important part of any design. With regard to this (beautiful!) piece, I think that even with something added to the upper righthand corner, there is still plenty of negative space.

Another important element to design is that the eye is drawn in and made to keep moving around the piece. Without something in that upper righthand corner, I find my eye actually stays in the negative space. I have to consciously move it through the painting, while fighting the urge to go back and stay in the negative space. With something there, it will direct my eye to the flower, which then directs it down towards and through everything else, and draws it back up to that starting point... it would direct my eye to travel in a natural loop to fully drink in and appreciate all of the elements.

My two cents, for whatever it's worth. Either way, you have the best door ever!

PS - Is this door protected from the sun, or does it get exposed? If it gets exposed, and the artist isn't already planning on it, I would recommend spraying or treating it with a UV protectant. My front door wreaths fade terribly and quickly unless I spray them with a UV protectant each spring.

 

[stracci2000]

I used to be a graphic designer and agree that negative space is a very important part of any design. With regard to this (beautiful!) piece, I think that even with something added to the upper righthand corner, there is still plenty of negative space.

Another important element to design is that the eye is drawn in and made to keep moving around the piece. Without something in that upper righthand corner, I find my eye actually stays in the negative space. I have to consciously move it through the painting, while fighting the urge to go back and stay in the negative space. With something there, it will direct my eye to the flower, which then directs it down towards and through everything else, and draws it back up to that starting point... it would direct my eye to travel in a natural loop to fully drink in and appreciate all of the elements.

My two cents, for whatever it's worth. Either way, you have the best door ever!

PS - Is this door protected from the sun, or does it get exposed? If it gets exposed, and the artist isn't already planning on it, I would recommend spraying or treating it with a UV protectant. My front door wreaths fade terribly and quickly unless I spray them with a UV protectant each spring.

As a former graphic illustrator myself, I was afraid to confuse everyone with the details of good design, but you did it in a great way that everyone can understand!

 

[FancyDiamond]

First impression: very pretty
First Reaction: how to maintain from dirt, rain, and sun (already pointed out by others)?
Every year, I find it necessary to clean my front door from dirt and dust. Wonder if how the painting stands up to washing and rubbing?

 

[kgizo]

I used to be a graphic designer and agree that negative space is a very important part of any design. With regard to this (beautiful!) piece, I think that even with something added to the upper righthand corner, there is still plenty of negative space.

Another important element to design is that the eye is drawn in and made to keep moving around the piece. Without something in that upper righthand corner, I find my eye actually stays in the negative space. I have to consciously move it through the painting, while fighting the urge to go back and stay in the negative space. With something there, it will direct my eye to the flower, which then directs it down towards and through everything else, and draws it back up to that starting point... it would direct my eye to travel in a natural loop to fully drink in and appreciate all of the elements.

My two cents, for whatever it's worth. Either way, you have the best door ever!

PS - Is this door protected from the sun, or does it get exposed? If it gets exposed, and the artist isn't already planning on it, I would recommend spraying or treating it with a UV protectant. My front door wreaths fade terribly and quickly unless I spray them with a UV protectant each spring.

Thank you for your very helpful post. I think my patio is 10’ wide so it is well protected but does get evening sun. HD recommended this for a UV protectant. Any thoughts on this product?

 

[rainydaze]

Aw thanks @stracci2000 ! I often feel like I spin my wheels when explaining things, so that made me feel especially good.

@kgizo I'm glad it was helpful! I wouldn't want to steer you wrong as I don't know a ton about UV protectant. However that looks pretty good - made for the material your door is made of (wood or metal, I would assume?), is non-yellowing and fast drying. The only thing I can think of that might matter is if different UV protectants are better suited for different materials, i.e. if your artist used Acrylic paint and your door is acrylic or latex, I'd just want to make sure the UV spray is compatible with that.

That said, I have used Krylon's product, which advertises the same attributes so the one you have looks good.

 

[MamaBee]

I thought of a hummingbird instead of a butterfly.

Very pretty BTW.

DK

Me too! Very pretty! I think it needs a larger something to balance it out..like a bird..

 

[voce]

Hummingbird > dragonfly > butterfly.

I get the negative space argument, but personally the purple is so bright and loud that I see the vine, flowers, animals as negative space from the purple.

Definitely a cool and very unique door!