Stepping back

So this week has been about stepping back and experimenting with a range of drawing techniques. Not everything has come out exactly how I wanted, however that is the process of experimenting. I find that I want my work to be perfect straight away, but I need to learn that it's only natural for things to go wrong. I feel if my work is always at one level, it will never improve; I need to get out of my comfort zone so my work develops and my style expands. 

Line Drawing/Water colour

Acrylics and Metallic

I think the mix of pen line drawing against the textured water colour creates a layered depth in a 2D form. It works well with my theme as I've been wanting to create a layered feel so it portrays the depth. I want to concentrate on the use of bold against light; the deep, dark colours against the pop of pastels and metallics. 

Jumping ahead

I've been using a variety of techniques to get started. I've been drawing using thick bold lines, painting with bleach in a loose way, and also using splicing to create new designs. 

I enjoyed working with the technique splicing, as it made me realise that designing a print doesnt mean just producing one whole design. Cutting up the bleached pieces and arranging them in a different way against thick line motifs, created a range of depths and textures with the designs. 

I've been working with cling film within a couple designs. Although using cling film sounds silly; it's worked really effectively. I've been wanting to get the feel of watery, blurred layers against deep, dark lines. I really like the finish it's given to my designs; it will be interesting to find other materials which give a smilar effect.

Although it's been a productive week and I've produced a good number of prints, I NEED to stop designing prints at this stage. At this point in the project I need to be experimenting; getting out of my comfort zone and going for it. I know I can design better prints; I've rushed ahead past the initial stages and instead of producing new and exiting rough pieces of work, I've created bland, quickly developed prints. 

Next week I will branch out and not be scared to produce weird and wonderful drawings, painting, sketches and much more. 

Introducing Mystic Depths

   My concept for this unit is 'Mystic Depth'. This focuses on the unknown, unexplored and imaginary. Inspiration comes from the deep sea and space; the natural juxtaposed with man made, the interesting forms found deep within. My prints will explore heavily, the idea of light and colour; deep, dark areas with pops of intense colour. I want to portray the idea of the unknown through the mood of the print. My aim is to create a range of digital prints, incorporating embroidery and other interesting materials. These prints will be designed for fashion, always having the ideal customer in mind to produce successful samples.

   I want to experiment with embroidery within my work, as this will add depth to my designs and new 3D textures. As my concept explores the use of metallic, I also want to experiment with foils within the digital prints. To develop these skills would mean my work is strong and will reach out to a wide range of customers.

Inspirational Board

Concept Board

Context Board

Degree Show Reviews- Helen Birchall

Helen Birchall

Helens work was new and experimental; it was a mix of print and 3D design. She focused on architecture. This is a theme I love to work with as my eyes are automatically drawn to lines and textures within buildings. What I like about Helen’s collection, is that it’s not obviously focusing on architecture; you can’t see a repeat of windows! She experiments in a more abstract and contemporary way. The strong, deep colours add an intense mood against the delicate, frayed shapes created with the printed fabric.

I feel that using something new and different within your designs puts your work on a higher level to everyone else’s. It adds a different layer to your work; making it stand out. I really want to push myself within third year; although I love digital print, I would really like to include embroidery and styling within my work. I want my work to stand out and exploring work within the degree show has made this even clearer to me. I don’t want to blend in.

Degree Show Review- Ruth Murray

Ruth Murray

‘My work explores the relationship between the drawn, printed and stitched mark.'

In my latest project, I experimented with using embroidery within my prints.  I felt like this really created a new depth to my work; making it stonger and more interesting. This is why Ruth’s work stood out to me. The mix of hand and digital print against the embroidery creates a strong collection.

Ruth’s collection focused on ‘the energy of the coastal landscape’ this was expressed through mark making and vibrant colours. It was clear, looking at her portfolio, that Ruth has experimented and explored different techniques as much as possible so that her final work was perfect. I feel that embroidery within print develops a new level to print design; new shapes can be created on top of initial designs, adding texture and detail.