Working on a 300mm layered mandala. Five layers of 3mm birch with 3mm spacers, backlit with a warm LED strip.
Current problem: the middle two layers read as one because the shadow gap is too small. Do I increase spacer thickness or redraw so the cut-outs offset more between layers?
Photos in the Showcase post but wanted design opinions here.
Nora WhitfieldLX22 weeks agoRedraw before you change spacers. If two adjacent layers have similar aperture sizes they'll always merge visually regardless of gap. Aim for a clear rhythm: each layer's openings roughly 60–70% of the layer in front, so you get a visible step every time.
Aisha BelloLP42 weeks agoAlso consider staining alternate layers a shade darker. Depth is as much tonal as physical, especially once it's backlit and everything flattens out.
Marta SilvaLP42 weeks agoRedrew layers 2 and 3 at 65% aperture and stained layer 4 with a light walnut. Completely different piece. Updated the showcase post.
