Holly Reay

Memory Cushion

2013-12-30T11:30:00.000-08:00

After graduating this year and doing a few little bits and bobs, I really lost motivation with drawing, designing and making.

However this year for christmas I decided to make my parents present instead of buying them separate things (normally pyjamas and t-shirts and obviously bath sets).

I didn't record putting it together really, mainly just the end product. using freezer paper, a printer and many frustrating hours trying to make my printer work to a decent standard. I finally produced a patchwork pillow with images of my parents on.

Top image is just before I sewed it, took me a while to work out where each piece was going to be placed. I originally wanted the pillow to be printed in colour, however I had to make a few "creative decisions" and make it in black and white. And now I think it looks better than it would have originally. Thankfully.

The image quality isn't great because it was took with my phone. But the gist is there.

this is the second one i've made now. I made one for my friend on her 21st birthday. But I've definitely already improved, now to just stick at it and try out different items with the picture print.

Original Reay Designs

2013-07-23T10:39:00.000-07:00

I have finally graduated from university and I am now in the big wide world. I have always wanted to work for myself as it allows me to have the creative freedom that I wanted. SO the last few weeks I have been busy at work experimenting with materials, techniques and pattern ideas.

This post is mainly to highlight my first two finished pieces that are currently on sale at etsy.com.

Handmade mehndi inspired throw cushions

This is the first cushion I have created whilst being out of university. It started as an experiment using Tulip dimensional fabric paint. But developed further and further and I thought it was a waste to just have as a scrap piece of fabric.

You can find this cushion on sale at

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/157552567/handmade-mehndi-inspired-throw-cushion?ref=shop_home_active

I am hoping that by keeping this blog up to date then people can begin to follow my progress and when I gain new skills or discover new little techniques then I can share them on here.

I am also happy to produce patterns based on a customers personal need. So please feel free to leave me a comment on here.

Contextual Journal Overview

2013-04-17T10:49:00.002-07:00

My final contextual file that I will hand in at the end of the year (ONE MONTH TODAY!) is currently being put together in a app that I downloaded could BookSmart, its a great tool for putting any form of book together. These artists and designers have been added onto this blog because they are the main inspirations and influences that have affected my design process.

DAMIEN HIRST

Damien Hirst spin painting technique allowed me to develop patterns that are trying to recreate the effects of blood vessels. I was creating patterns by blowing ink and watered down paint over surfaces and allowing the form to appear naturally. Damien Hirst techniques still allows the form to be created naturally but a different pattern emerges by spinning.
Something to explore.....

IAN DAVENPORT

Davenport creates his work by pouring household paint down preprepared surfaces such as canvas, plastics and metals. He allows the surfaces texture to manipulate the paint in different directions. A process I am still exploring. Davenport does also show me that carefully selected opposite colours can be as effective as a matching colour scheme.

Final Designs

2013-04-12T15:39:00.004-07:00

I FINALLY HAVE FINAL PIECES!!!!

These are images from my final wallpapers. Both of the wallpapers are 4m long so these images are just a small section. They both still need a few bits done on them. I'll need to go back over areas where I have scratched misplaced acrylic away and the background has come off too but that will be a simple case of going over selected areas with a tea bag.

I'm toying with the idea of printing smaller versions of the same print in between the skulls of the design below. Just to make it a bit busier. However I'm going to move on to my other final pieces and if I get time I'll definitely add more to it.

They have been created through screen printing and overall I think they've been quite successful. I'll upload the design development soon so you can understand how I've got to these end products. I have one more wallpaper to complete....which is going to take a very long time as it involves screen printing and hand drawing. That's my aim for next week. Hopefully all three designs will work together well enough to be a collection.

(....these images taken on my phone do not really do it justice but soon they'll be photographed be a professional for our class catalogue so better images will be coming. Full length ones)

added 06.05.13

We have just received through our class batch of images we had taken early last week by Ant Clausen Photography Ltd. http://www.antclausen.co.uk. I am extremely pleased with my set of images and all my designs are beginning to come together nicely.

These are the images that will be going into our class catalogue for New Designers, and from the photographs I have also been able to create my visuals to accompany the work in the portfolio for this one design.

Little Book of Design

2013-02-16T12:52:00.001-08:00

I have been trying to keep track of all the processes and techniques that i have been using and trying to piece together in my head what my final designs will look like.
So, I decided to get an a5 sketchbook that I can just quickly stick things in....off cuts of fabric, quick stencils and notes etc, so my train of thought would be clearer and hopefully more organised. It also makes it much easier for me to quickly flick through the little book and quickly see all my ideas. I have so much paper lying around something would have been guaranteed to get lost. This blog is also for that but I found I am forgetting things to put on here and as this blog is going towards my final mark....thought it best to try and remember everything, hence...the little book of design.

TEA STAINING

I started tea staining paper as a background for my wallpaper designs, which then led on to the use of bleach and burning! (which was first mentioned in my Development work post)

Sewing fabric onto paper and then printing over the top is an idea that I'm leaning very much toward. that way, including the stitched skull on the wallpaper I've included as many materials and techniques that I can without over doing it. Without it looking too much!!!!

I'll be adding to this post as well. as and when I need to. Hopefully have all my design ideas in one post.

I cannot wait for the day I get to upload my final designs on here. Seems I'm doing lots of work but don't feel any closer to the end. however the days are completely flying by.....

Final 3rd year TO DO list - FINISHED!!!!

2013-01-31T09:10:00.001-08:00

Okay, so my To Do list has changed drastically all thanks to me changing my final ideas only a few weeks until the end. BUT this new way i'm going will work out better and be much more effective and linked together.

I am now entirely focused on home fabric design, I have more fun designing that and i have so many more ideas than I did for the scarf collection.

Wallpaper

Mood board:    ~~one~~
      ~~two~~
~~three~~
Design sheets:   ~~one~~
~~two~~
~~three~~
Final pieces: ~~one~~
~~two~~
~~three~~
~~Experiments~~
~~Contextual~~
~~Technical~~
~~Visual~~
~~Market~~

Bean Bag

Mood boards: ~~one~~
~~two~~

Design Sheets ~~one~~
~~two~~
~~Final piece~~
~~Research~~
~~Experiments~~
~~Design development~~
~~Contextual~~
~~Technical~~
~~Visual~~
~~Market~~

Contextual (overview):

~~Skulls~~
~~Exhibitions~~
~~Wallpapers~~
~~Patterns~~
~~Batik~~
~~Patchwork~~
~~Fashion designers - skulls~~
~~Interiors - skulls~~

~~Mount all samples in Portfolio~~
Design Brief

I think I have made it harder for myself.....but at least i'll enjoy it more and the end product should be more successful

BATIK Experiments

2013-01-23T13:13:00.001-08:00

During my second year I began to look into Batik and in the posts from early 2012 contain the research that I had gotten up to. Thankfully the studio's were pretty much empty today which meant I got to get very messy. (Currently still have dyes all over fingers....and it's not coming off)

Today was just an experiment day using reactive dyes which turned into me finding the wax. Which resulted in Batik. The designs on these images are the beginning stages but for what I'm trying to do, batik could be one of the most effective techniques I could use.

The skull shape isn't great but the wax is a lot harder to control when you're trying to be particular. Images taken from the studio, I didn't know how any if it would turn out and by splattering water onto cotton and then reactive dye on top, it gave a great effect. Very pleased how it came out!

This design was a quick drawing of another i had previously done in my sketchbook. I was trying to focus more on drawing lines with the wax the way a pencil would and almost try to add shade to the surface. This design involved more water that the previous one and still worked great. But random blobs of wax can make the how thing look off, so if I'm going to use this technique for final designs I'll have to learn how to control the wax better.....

With a silk fabric there is the potential for me to use the batik and dye process and begin to produce a collection of scarf designs. So thinking of this I began to look at the textile art the Henry Moore produced. Silk scarves were a number of his designs. This is the direction I want to go in for a range of silk scarves. A static image on a scarf and the skulls on this page are the type o design I want to do along with the biro drawing in my portfolio.

Image from http://www.artesmagazine.com

I decided to see how some of my other design ideas would show in batik, this is experimental type of pattern from the biro skull drawing. I allowed all the wax to dry and then once again, flicked water and dye all over the fabric. This is how it looked with just the red.

Then added the blue and water........

Overall i think today has been a very successful day in the studio, now to look further into Henry Moore's work, Batik and begin designing patterns with Batik in mind. Maybe a stencil to control the wax???

Development work

2013-01-19T08:28:00.000-08:00

This is the first few pieces of work that I have to add into my portfolio. This post will be a working progress and I'll be able to add to it throughout the end of third year. The ends getting close now, so i best start piecing these things together....

The image below is of a biro drawing. I've developed this on further from the talc prints which were more basic. I will be printing this on the digital printer. I am beginning to develop other patterns to create a range of scarves all with the similar theme.

added 16.02.13

These images are a collection of what I've done so far all laid out on the kitchen floor and taped to the living room wall. Make the best out of the area you have.

this image is off the skull shape I will be using for one of my wallpaper and scarf designs. you can't tell because of the amazing image i have taken but different processes have been used for the skulls. Flocking onto paper has been one of the most successful techniques which gives me a lot of ideas to play with for the final designs. (Another post will be added about flocking because i've done so much of it, i have so much to write.)

The fabric square was an experiment I did to play around with old aged effects and this process (I basically dropped direct dye on to fabric and then shook the fabric....good effect though right?) will be used as the background design for one of my scarves.

This image is of my wallpaper designs. i began by drawing the skulls on the right using different materials such as:

Charcoal,

Pastels,

Bleach,

Tea,

Biro

and developed my first practice wallpaper which is on the left. Yes i like it, and yes it's worked well. But it isn't standing out enough to me. its not making me 100% happy with it. BUT now i have one first attempt finished I can develop that further and hopefully come up with something amazingly detailed and appealing.....

These are effectively my first mood boards and these images will be printed and mounted properly for my final portfolio but keeping it altogether here will make everything so much simpler.

added: 05/03/13

Screen printing using acrylic and an acetate stencil. The exposure unit for screens is currently out of order so I made stencils so I could continue developing the ideas.

Above image has two acrylic colours running through it. Daler Rowney Burnt Umber and Burnt Sienna. (see book of design for colour schemes)

This print was created by layering up stencils and printing each section in a different colour. I like how vibrant the white is and it takes the pattern away from being too dark.

after experimenting with different size (image soon to follow) I have decided to use a smaller skull image on the wallpaper as to not over bear the viewer, but the larger print on a wallpaper design where the skull image is not as visible because of the overlaying print.

Pattern Development

2013-01-17T12:29:00.000-08:00

This is where I began to develop patterns with shapes that I have taken from my day of the dead research. However unlike Day of the dead I don't particularly like using symmetry which most of those designs do. This is another monotype print which as worked really well especially because it looks textured which is something I'm hoping I will be able to achieve successfully in my final designs.

I created this print in about November of last year (I'm just slow putting it all on here) however I can see slight similarities to Joshua Harkers patterns. Obviously not exact but detailing and all the shapes fit into each other to continue the pattern.

I've said that I don't like symmetry ( I know thats a big statement but it's true) but i decided to try a symmetrical pattern just so i've covered different angles and I thought there might have been a chance I'd change my mind. The above image is the result. It looks to stiff to me, it doest flow enough. Which can be rectified if I thought more about the design but this was just a quick experiment.

The above image is my acetate stencil created using indian ink. I am going to use this for one of my first screen prints and then I plan to work into the pattern to make it more detailed and intricate. That is more experimenting though, for the extra detail.

Heat press print. Using the same basic pattern I have added small rows of dots, although not a lot of detail has been added this is a very good start to developing the pattern further.

Monotype Printing

2013-01-17T11:23:00.000-08:00

Skull monotype printing. this technique of printing is a very messy one, so has worked well for me. You get quick results that are very effective. I always seem to work better when I can work quickly. This process is created by rolling out ink over a flat surface, Glass works very well and it's easier to clean off afterwards. Rolled over a plate evenly for this I used a sheet of aluminium, paper is placed over that aluminium and pressure is applied which transfers into a mirror image on the paper.

Direct off set negative tracing

For this experiment I placed pieces of lace into certain areas of the skull. And got two of the same skull but with different results. the left image is a composite/combined mono print and the right is a reductive monotype stencil method.

This is one of the best techniques i have learnt at university and will definitely be playing more with it. I like the accuracy of what you can produce. That this is a way fro what you draw exactly to become a print.

I am doing this blog as part of my study journal for my third year and any advice on anything that i'm working on would be greatly appreciated. I don't know if it's only me that understands what I'm trying to get across. I tend to babble.....

Initial drawings

2013-01-17T11:05:00.003-08:00

These are only a few of my initial drawings, they're not to scale they were just quick drawings I did when I first began looking at skulls. All these images have been taken out of my sketchbook.

Charcoal

The left page is taken from the bodies revealed exhibition book. The teeth was jaw shape was something that I could never draw right. I could never measure it out accurately enough to fit all the teeth in. This image is my attempt at that. Not exact but its a huge improvement on my other attempts.

Drawing skulls is a lot harder than it seems. Mine don't look quite right but I'm still regularly drawing them now. I've developed my design to focus on a more basic skull shape but an anatomically correct design could feature as the main idea for my second project.

At least now I've got my initial drawings up, when I add the rest hopefully there will be a clear sign of improvement. I hope so anyway .......

TALC PRINT: Skull

2013-01-17T09:46:00.000-08:00

I finally have all my work back from university so i am now able to properly keep a record of what I've been doing, where I'm up to and where i will be. (Hopefully) Beginning to worry about the amount of time I have left and as everyone who knows me will say : I'm terribly unmotivated and unorganised. but this will all change now I've started developing something I'm enjoying. so fingers crossed!!!!!

the image below is of the original talc skull I made. once again on my bedroom floor. I made the stencil out of cardboard as it's a lot studier than the acetate stencil.

I did this one on carpet as well because I liked the idea of the image looking textured but I messed around on photoshop to make the background black. until i can get a decent carpet or other surface to mess around on. My green old one just looks terrible.

The above image is the after product of a bit of messing around. it can always be neater but as a quick first experiment I'm pleased. Because the background is a block colour it makes the texture of the talc more prominent. These are very very early design stages.

JOSHUA HARKER

Quickly scanning the internet to find something to help inspire me to push through the design above and develop it further, I discover this gem of an artist. Joshua Harker is a artist, sculptor, musician....is talent just appears to go on. And these skull models are just AMAZING!!!! I've taken these images from his website and on there is links to other projects he's done. 10 minutes ago i'd never heard of him now i'm going to be telling everyone to look him up. Think i've found my new obsession!!!!

http://www.joshharker.com

The patterns on the skull is so intricate its helped me realise that my basic patterns are not great and they possibilities are endless. so thank you Joshua Harker.

The "TALC PRINT"

2013-01-14T11:19:00.003-08:00

I was sprinkling talc all around my bedroom today before I hoovered. (I actually ran out of shake and vac on the stairs and talc was the next best option to give it a fresh smell, and it works vey well) and where the wire of the hoover had been, left a pattern on the carpet. so one thing led to another.

I put down the first stencil I could find, which because all my current project has been handed in for a deadline was a stencil from my second year project.

I have not done anything yet to the images, literally just taken them. But with a bit of a neatening up, bigger clearer stencils better ones could be used as a textile print! Right?

Close up image of the first attempt. The stencil is very intricate and only thin sections are dividing up the shape. But like I said, a thicker stencil will work very well. The skull designs i'm working on currently can be done really effectively.

(Got a lot to upload when i get my work back, may take a while....)

Forgive the carpet....student accommodation comes with some old carpets. But it is interesting to see the shapes on top of another pattern, which could be another direction i could go with.

Patterns on patterns and layer them all up.

After spending a long time hoovering up the original talc (I have a big room) I ended up making more mess for myself. It's just i don't feel like I'm getting anywhere with my design process if i'm not getting messy!

Alexander Henry Fabrics

2013-01-08T14:23:00.000-08:00

More research into skull designs, I discovered the amazing designs of Alexander Henry. An American textile design house. And AMAZING they are!!! The top image appeals most because the colour scheme compliments each other and i tend to favour that in my own designs. I rarely entertain the idea of shockingly bright contrasting colour schemes.

These designs make me think of Day of the dead and link it together but these designs are more intricate. Also with these designs being on fabric is almost gives me a better understanding of what could be achieved on fabric. Stencils will have to be my next step in my own designs.

Although this one does not have the detailing of the pattern the other two have (which always appeals to me) but I am going towards the direction in my third year project of having the same image repeated but not in a set organised way. Although this one uses perception to makes it effect it link well with the repeated image.

Plus you can buy their amazing designs online! seriously have a look....:)

Day of the Dead

2013-01-08T14:05:00.000-08:00

The bodies revealed exhibition took my research for my design project in the direction of skulls. I began drawing, painting and collaging skulls. Day of the dead is the Mexican holiday celebrated on 1st and 2nd November.

Families and friends come together to celebrate and remember the life of loved ones lost.

The heavily designed skulls are what led to me looking at this holiday as research.

After seeing the bodies revealed exhibition in liverpool, I began to draw skulls from primary sources and then began to research other forms of skulls. I came across Day of the dead and as my research is being focused towards a fabric print by the end, the possibilities with taking aspects of these designs is endless!

Primary research drawing to the development of a pattern influenced by the day of the dead will be uploaded, just got to get round to scanning everything in.

BODIES REVEALED EXHIBITION!!!

2012-10-29T07:34:00.001-07:00

Bodies revealed is an exhibition currently running in liverpool *1st September 2012 - 2nd january 2013*

(photography is not mine and I take no credit for it, was taken from http://www.sloveniatimes.com/bodies-revealed)

This exhibition is like none i've ever seen before. Everything is so interesting and fascinating...as well as a little bit creepy. The time and effort that has gone into preparing this exhibition is immense and i highly recommend going to anyone (obviously except children)

That said there are some parts that are a little bit unsettling but you have the option of walking away from particular areas without having to see what the areas for.

This exhibition has been my jumping off point for my 3rd year project. The human body has only recently began to fascinate me and this exhibition topped that off nicely.

Im back with 3 rd year work!!!!

2012-10-29T07:22:00.003-07:00

So, i set up this blog earlier this year to help me track my progress throughout my 2nd year final projects. Now I'm in my 3rd year and figured i may as well continue with the blog.

I admit i did lose interest in this after my deadline last year but have come back to it because it really kept everything in order. All design processes, research and general ideas. So hopefully it will make my final and scary year that little bit more organised.

I am still specialising in textile design at hope university except this year already has an unbelievable amount of work. You don't realise the time you must put in. But my determination is there!!

Holly

Flower shadow samples

2012-04-25T13:17:00.005-07:00

These are sample I have made to begin with. I am developing my design for a lampshade pattern. This will allow me to create a shadow pattern. Paper experiments with patterns cut through and a candle placed inside.

This sample worked the most successfully in creating a shadow flower pattern.

(Before image is used in development sheets it will be re taken to fix background imperfections.)

Effect was created by folding the paper back on its self in the way you make a paper fan. Interesting effect and this creates more shadow on the actual sample too.

Black paper as used to see if the pattern created was any stronger because the white paper reflects the light through. It looks very effective and the design of vines worked well. However it didn't have the expected effect.

Specialised project

2012-04-25T13:09:00.001-07:00

To start this project I began looking at flowers and focusing on the shape here as I normally focus on colour schemes more.

These images are of initial research undertaken from google.

Many people use flowers as research beginners or final design patterns. But I have decided to focus upon the shadows that flowers create. Like the image below. I have never looked shadows before and the image below led me to looking at artists such as:

Tim Noble and Sue Webster

Fred Eerdekens

Tim Noble and Sue Webster

Fred Eerdekens

More artsists who use shadow and light ill be put into my contextual journal.

Batik visual research

2012-04-10T14:10:00.000-07:00

Batik is a cloth that is traditionally created using wax resisting techniques. As I don't know what theme I am going to use for my design I am beginning by researching Batik designs from China, India, Malaysia and Africa.
Hopefully having visual research from each country and being able to see the differences and cultural influences in the Batik designs will help me in developing my own.

China:

The Batik skills that are shown in these images are skills that have been developed after years and years of practice. Unfortunately I doubt that mine will be anywhere near as good however by developing my final design to be simple yet effective I will hopefully be able to achieve one that is as effective.

These are only a small selection of Chinese Batik that is available but I like the designs that have omen in them. Story through and image.

If I took my main influences from China this ould give me the possibility of developing my life drawing skills which snce I've been at university I haven't really looked at it.

India:

India's batik designs are more patterns than story. This statement is just from the initial research into the topic. (This statement could be completely wrong and I could end up deleting that)

Indian Batik prints have a more earthy feel to them compared to the Chinese prints. Also the uses of elephants that are in a number of other researched images is an interesting possibility to extend further into the development of my on prints.

And like the Chinese prints figures are also clearly shown in Indian prints. Linking the styles of India and China.

Malaysia:

Malaysian Batik appears to be more colourful than the other to countries I have looked at. Widening the possibilities of colour schemes I can use and therefore I can back up my choice of colours. Even mixing a cultural influenced image from one country but use the colour scheme of the Malaysian Batik prints.

Like India, Malaysia have numerous animals in their prints and they also look more delictae and intricate than some of the Indian prints.

This si the first Batik image that I have seen that has stood out from every other print. The colours used are so vibrant they make you ant to look closer. This Batik print has been created after layering and layering and ould have taken a very very long time to create.
I'm unsure if I have the patience to create one myself but I'll give it a good go.

Africa:

African Batik (from the research I have done) is more patterns than figures. Looking closer at African Batik will be more beneficial as my dissertation topic for next year is Cultural influences on the West through fashion. I think using African influences for my design ill enable me to make the effective Batik print I want. These print patterns are simple but because they're so simple they have a greater effect as there's not too much going in the image as to distract.

The figure print is a lot more colourful than the Chinese, Indian and Malaysian print. This one though is more colourful and blends colours together rather than block colour. Its different again.

When it comes to developing my ideas I ill take influences from each of these countries as my knowledge isn't that broad on Batik and although I ant my design to be unique I want the appearance of authenticity about it.

Self directed project: Batik

2012-04-10T04:57:00.001-07:00

noun

[mass noun]

a method (originally used in Java) of producing coloured designs on textiles by dyeing them, having first applied wax to the parts to be left undyed:
a visual artist specializing in batik
[as modifier]:
batik scarves

cloth that has been dyed using the batik method:

fine art batiks(accessed on 10th April 2012)

Batik designs are created by dripping,pouring and marking hot wax onto fabric. The wax acts as a resistant to inks and dyes which are added onto the fabric. Once dried the wax can be scratched off and undyed areas are left exposed. At this stage of the project I am unsure of the theme of my work however after artists research and researching the history of batik I will have a better idea of my theme.

Batik dates back to the first century where it was discovered in Ancient Egyptian tombs. However early batik has also been uncovered all over the middle east including, India, Central Asia and Africa.

These images of Batik designs are just taken from google. Googling batik has now given me a better clearer idea of what is possible in my on work using batik.

The images on here are off google images and I am not saying in anyway that these are my designs... there's more talented people out there who have done these designs.

Deadline 2nd May...TO DO!

2012-04-09T13:36:00.002-07:00

Final end of year deadline is May 2nd! Things that need to be completed for assessment. This way I can cross tasks off as I do them.
This list is from the stage where I am upto at the moment. Work already uploaded that has been completed won't be on the list.

Spectacular Geometrics

~~Finish filling in sketchbooks with research~~
~~Visual research file~~
~~More sketches in book of patterns and research~~
~~Complete sketchbook (including annotation)~~
~~Finish samples for final design~~
~~Mount all samples on A1~~
~~2 Moodboards~~
~~2 Design sheets~~

Electric neon

~~Draw from research~~
~~Complete sketchbook~~
~~Visual research file~~
~~Finish samples and experiments~~
~~Finish sample for final design~~
~~Mount all samples on A1~~
~~2 Moodboards~~
~~2 Design sheets~~

Self-Directed project

~~Research~~
~~Put research into appropriate places~~
~~Drawings from research~~
~~Sketchbook experiments~~
~~Stencils~~
~~Samples and experiments~~
~~Make samples (photograph and evaluate in sketchbook)~~
~~Visual file~~
~~Final design ideas~~
~~Mount all samples on A1~~
~~1 Moodboards~~
~~1 Design sheets~~

Specialised project

~~Research~~
~~Visual research~~
~~Drawings from research~~
~~Samples and experiments~~
~~Make samples (photograph and evaluate in sketchbook)~~
~~Final design ideas~~
~~Mount all samples on A1~~
~~1 Mood boards~~
~~1 Design sheets~~

~~Contextual journal~~

~~Spectacular geometrics~~
~~Electric Neon~~
~~Self directed project~~
~~Specialised project~~

~~Galleries and exhibitions visited during the year using research collected.~~

~~Technical File~~

~~Put all remaining research images on USB to print~~

All this must be done before the 2nd!!!!

Fabric spirograph patterns

2012-04-08T12:51:00.000-07:00

Instead of wrapping thread around a guide I just marked it onto fabric and sewed the pattern. As I need two collections for spectacular geometrics, I have decided to do one design in pastel colours and one in monochrome. Pastels and monochrome colouring can be seen throughout spring/summer 2012 collections (which whilst following the design brief is stated that it must reflect current fashions)

Purple and green have been used i thie above image because they contrast against each other to make to effect clearer although I still havent decided on a colour scheme. Its something that I'll probably decide last. And the white thread on black fabric was known to work. Can't go wrong with black and white.

Also the same design can be reversed onto white fabric using black thread.

Taking the sewn spirograph design and used it on a reactive dye print I have already made. As the project is specifically a print project I cannot just use sewn patterns. But this way I can use both techniques printing and sewing) and mixing them together to give a more effective overall print.

Spirograph print with sewn pattern.

The print in general was not one of the most successful prints on its own but once the yellow threaded pattern was added the print stood out more and was more effective fitting in with the title geometric. Using a threaded pattern on top of a print also makes the image more intricate as I was having trouble making the prints intricate enough with the techniques I know.

Thread spirograph pattern

2012-04-06T11:35:00.000-07:00

Using foam boards I cut in slots spaced equally apart on the edges all the way around and then began rapping regular thread through the slots creating a the spirograph pattern. Developing from just fabric prints this is a way to add texture to the design.

Colours are not significant I just chose them to be bold against the white foam board. This shows clearly where the spaces are in the pattern and shows very clearly the link to the work on the spirograph pattern I have already done.

Electric neon acetate and acrylic prints

2012-04-06T10:23:00.002-07:00

These prints were made using acetate for stencils and painting acrylic paint through. The first image does not show clearly the brightness of the paper. It appears red but is florescent orange. Generic lightning bolt shape and the pattern and colours contrast well so it makes a more interesting design.

Neon pink and green acrylic paint. I made on print and then reversed the stencil and printed again using the next colour. This experiment so far has been the one that I feel fits the description electric neon the most successfully.

The below image is a print printed on to green fluorescent paper. Like in the first image but this shows how bright it is. Fitting in with the neon part of the title closely.

From the previous experiments including the sponge and foam board stencils the acetate stencil is the most effective as its easier to achieve the sharp edges that is needed for the design to be more effective.

Especially as I am designing for a wallpaper pattern.