Here's my inspiration, a beautiful gold scale piece of art:
Source: found Here.
So I attempted to make my own mini version in green. I also thought I would get a little fancy and do a cascade of color effect . . . FAIL!
I bought a circle punch for $10 - 40% coupon from Michaels, I punched out many, many circles, and hot glued them into place. I used the paper that came with the ikea frame to glue them on to.
Judge for yourself, but it's a bit of a disaster . . . it kind of looks less like fish scales and more like roof shingles :)
I've said it before and I'll say it again, "I am Seriously lacking in artistic talent". Back to the drawing board to find some inexpensive art for the powder room.
I actually kinda like it! Maybe it just needs more...not sure, but like I said I like it!
ReplyDeleteI seriously love it! The colors you chose are so pretty!
ReplyDeleteI pinned the same project. I don't think it's a fail either, although it doesn't look like fish scales. I actually think it would work if you just made the rows closer together, so there is a tighter overlap. Does that make sense? You have too much of each circle showing. More circles tighter together might give you the effect. I like where you're going with the ombre look as well. Would love to see a take two on this project.
ReplyDeleteI like it - but art is very subjective, so it only matters if YOU like it or not :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I second Elizabeth's tips above.
I wouldn't count it as a fail. In the inspiration shot I like how the bottoms of the circles come up off the surface a bit. I may have to give this a go myself!
ReplyDeleteI like your too! And I agree with Elizabeth and Hannah about the circles coming up off the surface a bit. This seems like such an easy project that I would definitely give it another try. I'm going to try this myself:)
ReplyDeleteToo bad it didn't work out because I like the look you were going for. However, maybe if you ditch the glass, it might work better. The other one didn't have glass and the "scales" stood out a bit from the picture. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI also think it could work without the glass. That might be throwing it off.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone else, lose the glass and rough it up a bit. Also maybe a couple more shades of green so the color changes aren't abrupt. And it isn't a fail, just needs a little tweaking.
ReplyDeleteMeh. I actually kind of like it!
ReplyDeleteI actually like it...I think its always better when the turn out wrong in our eyes:)
ReplyDeleteI second, third and fourth the above: lose the glass and it might be closer to what you were looking for. Also, it might be a scale (pardon the pun) thing: your circles look to be about the same size as the original, but your frame is much smaller... do you think?
ReplyDeleteEither way it is cute!
Hmmm. I like it. I think it's probly the glass and the reflection in the glass thats throwing me off, but other then that it's very cute and 'modern' looking.
ReplyDeleteI think it looks great and would work upright or landscape.
ReplyDeleteI agree with 'losing the glass'
ReplyDeleteI like it...if you really aren't happy with it what if you go back and add more graduating shades of green? Just a thought.
I agree, lose the glass to rough it up and use smaller circles for that size frame. I wonder if you painted the circles after arranging them to give them more of an ombre effect- more variation from light to dark so it's not such a stark line between each color- if that would work better?
ReplyDeleteI don't think it is a total fail at all. Like some others have commented, maybe make the circles closer/tighter together and maybe even lose the glass in the frame.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it is a total loss either. I like the idea of losing the glass. I also agree with making them closer together. Smaller circles like you mentioned might work as your frame is smaller. If you like the shimmery effect of your inspiration piece what about some glimmer mist spray or perfect pearls. You can find the perfect pearls at Michael's. The glimmer mist if you want shimmer and not really color there is a Pearl colored one.. more shimmer, not really color. What if you popped them up a bit with a really thin foam adhesive to give them a little lift?? You are on to something though. Don't give up yet.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to say you don't have to add foam adhesive to all of them. Just sprinkle it around may at first and see how that looks? Also, I just thought of chalking or inking the edges with a slightly darker color to give it definition. Can you tell the scrapbooker in me came out?? LOL
ReplyDeleteI like it just the way it is.
ReplyDeleteWell Done great job.
Just remember that the gold picture
was very large and the gold circles
are very bright.
I don't think you can compare the two :O)
I like it too! I have found that most things are not as easy as they look on Pineterest :)
ReplyDeleteLike others, I don't think it's that bad at all! (and thanks for showing us "reality")! I would just make smaller circles or at least pack them closer together side-by-side and up-and-down. I would also change the ombre effect so that the difference between the colors isn't as harsh. And yes, lose the glass. Partly what makes the example work is first, the dramatic scale, and second, the monochromatic shiny color (which makes it look much more high end than I'm sure it is)! One final idea would be to implement all these changes, but first change the orientation to be horizontal (I don't know if that will work with your space, though) since I think that would make it look much more dramatic and would improve the scale (no pun intended) overall! Good luck and let us know what you decide to do! :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree with a lot of the above ideas. I also think it's the scale (forgive the pun) of the project. The original is quite a bit bigger, so perhaps going with a smaller version requires going with a smaller scale version of the circles. I'd also lessen the contrast between the hues. But remember, the original is simply the inspiration, you can just go from there to create what works for you.
ReplyDeleteI think the colors are very pretty. I think that it might look prettier without the glass because it would have a bit of an organic feel to it. I think the texture would look nice and a little more like the inspiration art with the papers free to lift off a bit.
ReplyDeleteDon't think of it as a failure because it is very pretty! Just play around with it a bit. Tweaking is always good. :-)
Lisa
It doesn't look that bad!If you're not happy with it, maybe try using some shiny matellic paper instead?
ReplyDeleteI think it looks just like the original! Maybe you don't like it because of the color blocking? I am thinking it would look fab if 1) you stuck with one color, or 2) you mixed all the colors up instead of keeping it in blocks. It way better than what I could do, so I think you should stick with it! You are an inspiration to all of us artistically-impaired readers out there!! :)
ReplyDeleteI think it looks neat..and would look good with something else mounted on top of the scales. Like a watercolor..or..an object..or some fiber art..or......something
ReplyDeleteI agree with the others, keep going. You are on the right track. I do like the idea of loosing the glass. If you really hate it, I will give you my address as I would love to have it. LOL.
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I can't wait to see what you come up with!
I like it , put some words over the scales or a picture and yes loose the glass! It's not a fail!
ReplyDeleteMy first thought is the glass is giving it the wrong texture. Fun project!
ReplyDeleteCool idea.
ReplyDeleteHere is the link for the gold project which links you to the original idea.http://twothirtyfivedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/10/fish-scale-wall-art.html
I don't think it's a fail either! However, I think if you added some additional colors-more than just the three you have-for a more ombre look, then I think it may look even cooler! OR, go for ONE color and add a metallic/pearl finish.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Would you like a job? My husband owns a roofing company, lol. Seriously, he does, and you do great work. :) I actually love this just the way it is. You're correct, it does not emulate the inspiration piece, but it is original and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAshli, it is not a total fail. I like it. I agree...lose the glass. The other thing...the original looks like the shiny (plastic?) metallic discs you can find at craft stores, they have tiny pinholes at the top for stringing. I think they might have used those, only securing the tops with something through the holes (pins maybe?), leaving the rest to pop out (if that makes sense) and put them closer together (similar to fish scales).
ReplyDeletetighter overlap as suggested above, and if you want, a couple other colors for a smoother transition? I think it looks good like that though. good luck!
ReplyDeleteI think you did a great job it does not look the same but that's what makes it great it unique I think you need to give yourself more credit at least you tried you may not be happy with it but it seems everyone else thinks you did great including me I think maybe your being a little hard on yourself xo
ReplyDeleteI like it. I think you should try taking it out of the frame and giving it a coat or three of spray paint. Maybe metallic like the original you liked? Or maybe a green like your paper? But don't write it off entirely.
ReplyDeleteArt work in my experience is less about product than process. If this piece didn't work, fine, you learned something. Tweak it a bit and try again. Look at the original and see what in it spoke to you and go take another shot at it.
I agree with all of the aforementioned ideas regarding scale size and spacing, frame size and glass. That said, I do think you could use what you have and put something IN the frame on top of scales (I picture the frame sideways). Maybe a couple of spaced black and white or sepias photos or one of those long photos or even some wording with patterned paper. I think you have something salvageable here. Just play with it.
ReplyDeleteGL! Liz
It is nice. Don't try to compare it with the Pininterest version. Remember you have 3 different colours, yours is flate not shiny, and, yours is smaller. Put it on the wall and look how it relates to YOUR space. Stop being so hard on yourself.
ReplyDeleteThere is a very old quilt pattern called clamshell, if you can find the spacing pattern from this pattern it will show you that the clam shapes are much closer together -- also if you do an image search you may find many other interesting placements of colour or gradations of this pattern. And perhaps instead of paper, fabric would be the medium to use? The clamshell is practically infinate in how you might arrange it!
ReplyDeleteI like it - just lose the frame or at least the glass :) Well done though!
ReplyDeleteWell, I am being redundant here, but I want to be yet another voice to tell you that it is pretty and clever. Yes, the original one has smaller, shiny and more closely packed circles, it is much larger and has no glass . . .that does not mean that yours is not extremely cute though. Different does not make it a failure . . . although to be even more redundant I will reiterate what others have said, I think if you use even more shades of green it would look even better.
ReplyDeleteLouise
I like it too! You just need to get rid of the glass, fluff it up some, and maybe add some shimmery paper.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you called it a fail! I think it's totally cute!!
ReplyDeleteI would not say this is a failed art project. I would take out the glass and adhere the paint chips directly to the glass as I posted about in my blog during the summer.
ReplyDeleteI think the biggest difference between the two is that the original is overlapped more. Could you try doing that with yours? It will mean cutting more circles though....
ReplyDeleteI hope you have tried this again! I don't think it's a failed art. Maybe learning though. I only glanced through the comments above and am sure I'm not saying anything new. But maybe one more person saying it will convince you to try again!
ReplyDelete1) Ditch the glass.
2) I love the ombre effect but maybe try adding two more colors for a more gradual effect.
3) Move the circles closer together. Too much of the circles are showing which is less fish-scale like.