Just Do Something

Mono Prints – Mechanical Components

Nicki — Wed, 20 May 2015 18:19:42 +0000

For this unit I wanted to create a series of mono prints from mechanical components to develop as textile patterns, I decide to using black and white to emphasis the line but to also emphasis the industrial theme.

Interesting surface textures created by mixing printing ink with PVA and embossing components into the paper.

I found this a very useful exercise to create a series of prints to develop into textile patterns.

Learning to take forward

Ensure mono prints do not become repetitive

? Use of colour ?? Black and white is to repetitive

Sublimation printing

Nicki — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 02:09:44 +0000

Sublimation printing sampling-

I wanted to experiment with the photographs of the machine embroidered chrysanthemum – both the initial and the inverted image.

Collaged sublimation prints

Image enlarged – 3 prints sublimation paper exhausted

Learning to take forward

I enjoy sublimation printing , the printing is instant I also feel in control of the printing process allowing me to experiment with the image rather than just managing the process.

Continue sublimation printing in the next unit, experiment with surface texture.

Screen printing – “Painterly” Mono Print

Nicki — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 01:17:01 +0000

I wanted to create a repeating floral design inspired by Marimekko (Finish fabric designers) using floral images, my idea was to create a layered image with foliage in the background the second layer a strong bold design using texture …

Initial ideas foliage prints went well ..

Mono printed background

Kodatrace created using black water based printing ink.

Learning to take forward ..

1.Sample ALL mediums BEFORE trying final designs..

Textured printing ink varied on each image creating a very uneven screen allowing a varied amount of ink through the screen.

2. Sample ALL screen layers BEFORE trying final designs

The combination of layers didn’t work as the flowers blended in to the background given a very cluttered/messy look.

3. Sample, Sample Sample !

I find screen printing very difficult as I am so messy and do not seem to be able to develop a system for handling screens and working out top and bottom of the screens.

I have 4 prints from this screen printing session I have decided not to throw the prints away as I intend to use them for developing machine embroidery.

This has re enforced my desire to try new techniques next term, I have booked the knitting machine and the dye kitchen.

Creating textile pattern not pieces of art to hang on the wall

Nicki — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 00:10:31 +0000

This was a really interesting and thoughtful workshop, the idea of the workshop was to create small frames around an image using a matchbox and then enlarge the image on around over the A2 card. I found this very interesting developing ideas of scale and form.

Whilst driving home I was able to reflect on the workshop and the conversations I had had with the tutor, I think I am beginning to understand the difference between creating a piece of art work and a repeating design, I don’t think an image can simply be put into repeat it and be expected to work, balance and flow of the image are very important.

Tigerprint Floral Repeat Competiton

Nicki — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 23:58:32 +0000

My entries for the Tiger print repeat floral competition …

Good luck prints

Digital floral repeat –

Nicki — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 23:48:42 +0000

I wanted to create a digital floral repeat , to build on the skills I gained in the last unit. I had seen a digital floral print by Sarah Graham where she had combined 3D metal insects with a digital floral print, I decided to try combining photographs of succulents and a photograph of a 3D beetle I had made from old clocks.

By layering the succulent image I was able to create depth to the image, however the beetle didn’t work , I think it was too large and should have not been in repeat. Once the beetle was removed the image worked well.

Further development

Experiment with scale of beetle images

Research Sarah Grahams work , look at what works and why …

Floral repeat workshop

Nicki — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 23:25:48 +0000

I attended a workshop on floral pattern repeats, I found this workshop very interesting as it enabled me to start developing a series of images. Using acrylic paint on a large scale I created several chrysanthemum heads.

Also experimented using sticky labels , however this was not as successful as the shapes where too solid, the image improved slightly after the layering of labels also by using labels painted with a dry brush to create texture.

To develop the acrylic chrysanthemum I decided to photocopy the flowers , playing with scale, I collaged the mix of green flowers together, tearing around the edge of each flower (I tried to cutting the flowers but the edge was too clean/precise and using half flowers to create the image.

Final image – Floral repeat – I have decided to enter this into the Tigerprint floral repeat competition.

Learning to take forward..

Edges matter , can be very interesting .. experiment with tearing cutting

The photocopy is very useful way to experiment with scale .

BA5 – External Competitions- Bradford plus 1 other – First thoughts –

Nicki — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 22:48:24 +0000

For the purposes’ of this unit I decided to look at Natural Forms, we have been asked to enter 2 external competitions 1 Bradford Textile Competition plus 1 other.

I wanted to try different mediums, I wanted to try machine knitting but was concerned that I would not know what to do as I had no machine knitting experience and wasn’t sure where start, I panicked didn’t know what to do so did not do anything. Was then ill for a couple of weeks which really didn’t help.

I visited the library collected books on subjects I was interested in, spent some time going through them trying to work out a direction. This didn’t help. I over complicated things.

Too much information …

Finally started to draw I decided to at least start with birds as I quite like drawing them, created images using sticky labels which worked well, I also started to experiment creating marks into acrylic paint, painted over candle wax to reveal colour beneath. I wanted to draw owls at last hurrah … Went to my tutorial discussed my choice it was felt that owls had been done before .. Oh dear …

Learning to take forward

1. I think too much …

2 . Need to just do something, just start drawing not and to worry about the process of making but to start with the drawing..

AVA Pattern Software Workshop

Nicki — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 22:20:09 +0000

Initial thoughts – Oh dear another software programme – reality not bad at all – my experience using Photoshop was really useful and with my confidence increasing every time I use digital software, I was able to create patterns.

As I don’t have a copy of this software I am unable to practice regularly which is what I think is needed but it was very interesting to use and I am sure with practice would be very useful.

Image in repeat –

Colours work well .

Collage workshop

Nicki — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 21:01:34 +0000

In this workshop we where asked to paint a roll of sticky labels in colours of our choice ??? and bring in a selection of magazines and coloured paper ( I could understand that bit but why the sticky labels)

Using the sticky labels we where asked to create patterns on coloured paper, working in A5 each outcome was timed 30 mins for each piece.

I love sticky labels…

The sticky labels where a really good way to create patterns quickly, also to develop depth to an image by layering. I also found the texture on the small yellow piece of tape in the blue image works really well making an area of interest off centre.

Collage using letters only

Collage using numbers only .

Learning to take forward

Will definitely use sticky labels again …