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Here is a new picture:



I've done a bit of background and started on the hair. And I've run into a major problem: The background is much darker than in the original picture. Overall this won't be much of a problem since the background is very dark anyway. But the thing is, you can't really see the difference between the background and the black hair I decided to change the background around the hair to lighten it up a bit, but it's all very frustrating.

This is a close-up of the area with the changed background. The arrow shows the original colour of the background:



What's your opinion? Do you think this will work out alright?

It's so hard to tell when you work such a complicated design -- I've never done a HAED but from following other people's SALs here it seems the HAED colours usually work out quite well in the end even if they look unpromising while you're working on them. However, if there was that little contrast -- and you're the best judge of that as you see it in real life -- it may need lightening up a little. Have you looked at it from a distance? That too can make quite a difference as you are very close to it while working on it, and it will eventually be seen at a distance of a few feet at least. Good luck!

You must be rather ambitious to be changing the colours on a HAED. But you've got it to blend naturally into the lighter shade of background really well! It looks really good.

great progress

I've had the same problem with a few Haeds. Michelle has always been very kind and lightened them for me. A word of warning, however. If you choose that option, you will probably have to start over as the process will change many of the colors in the chart.

What you're doing seems to be working fine. Your work looks lovely. Can't wait to see more of her.

I've changed plenty of things in designs to suit what I prefer, but I don't think I'd attempt to do so with a haed as I'd be paranoid of doing all the work and it not looking right at the end.
Got to say though, from what I can see on here, you've done a brilliant job of it. It looks great, well done!

Yep Michele will definitely change the chart for you if you feel the background is to dark. I think what you changed works so far though!

I think as it's just the contrast between her hair and the background then it should work fine, as long as you're sure which stitches are background stitches and which are hair! I would be more doubtful about trying to change shading that "means" something - that's a bad way to describe it - I mean if you were doing something like trying to change the shading on her face or on the dragon or something, it would have an effect on the rest of the colours as they've used those shades on purpose to create shadows, texture etc. But I think background is fine to change!

Louise

Your progress is super!!!!

Nice progress.Not as daring as you though in changing colours on a HEAD.

Great progress! Like what they all said....it's really hard to attempt changing colors in a HAED project...but you're doing well so far...well done!

New pic:



And a little bigger:



I think the background is looking good so far...

Its great and the background has worked really really well

The contrast between the hair and the background looks great. Did you change the orginal background after all? If so, you did an excellent job!

I did change the colour... The whole gray/blue area around the hair would have been the same black/blue shade of the corner page

Looks great.

This is coming out great! The changes seem to be working for you perfectly!!

It really looks great!!!!