Motif: Stone and Yellow Leaf on Rock

I've come back several times to look at this image and try to think of how to put this. This shows technical excellence with everything precisely where it should be and every little detail perfect. Unfortunately that's what bothers me. There's a lack IMO of any soul in the image. Cold gray rock with shapes and objects strategically placed so as to be perfect. I'd rather see something flawed but something that evokes an emotional response from me, the viewer. As an analogy this is like a musician who can play scales with military precision and with rapidity faster than a speeding bullet. Great technique but nothing that gets to your gut.

Just my take on this and in no way meant to hurt or denegrate the work. Matter of fact, I usually say nothing for fear of hurting somebodys feelings.

Color, texture, and detail are simply fabulous and I like its somewhat abstract look to it. No nits at all here!
For some reason though, looking at it further, I do wish that the rock was turned just slightly to the right and maybe running more parallel to the leaf, but that is just me!

Mike

Harvey, thank you for the honesty. The rock was already there. I added the leaf for color because I felt the image was too cold. I do have one "unaltered" without the leaf.

Very nice - I think I would like it beter without the pebble - I love the texture in the underlying slate (?) Reworking this in B&W using only the green channel might be cool too.

Ken, nice designs and textures here! I like how the three elements are all different. Well done.