Short course project

For our assessment we had to produce a series of A2 sheets where we could pick a pathway of our own, to research and create a detailed analysis of a beginning, middle and end result. The artist that i decided to study was William Morris, the English textile designer. His major contribution to the Arts world, was being a designer of repeat patterns for wallpapers and textiles. Many were based on a close observation of nature, which included a floral or foliage motif. These designs i found to be intricate and eye catching as i also like to draw floral patterns. Morris designed patterns for diverse items such as stained glass and textiles. The workshop that i used to complete this task was 'printmaking.' I began experimenting with different medias such as water colours, colouring pencils and 6B pencil. I then started doing some experimental sketches and ideas illustrated above. From this i then researched more designs by Morris, for inspiration to grasp a better understanding of his work. I also included some information about his background to state some factual information. To follow, i picked my 3 favourite designs, evident opposite, where i intend to transfer them to lino. I scanned them into the photocopier, reducing the images to 70%, printed them off in black and white so that the design can be duplicated onto lino using screen wash. Ithen went over the designs in permanent ink. For each of the lino's i wanted to cut more and more out each time so that added detail can printed separately, therefore in a different colour. The picture opposite shows my 3 images where i have just cut out the basic outline. I then printed 10 sets of each of my designs to be the basis of my prints. I put a piece of paper over my lino and used graphite to do a rubbing to show how much i cut out. Once i had my 30 prints, i then cut out more of my lino such as the detail of the flowers. I had to use a variety of lino cutters to create the detail. For the areas that were larger i used a wide cutter so that i could cut away more of the lino each time. With the 30 prints that i already had, i simple inked up my lino in a different colour and had to carefully line up the lino with the design that was already present so that this can be printed on top and create the desired effect. If it isn't lined up correctly then the print is ruined as the ink will go in the white spaces which i have already cut away. For my third and final cutting i removed practically all of the lino as what i had already printed i wanted to keep. The page intilted 'third cutting' below, illustrates the indentation from the graphite rubbing which shows that most of the detail has now vanished. Once again i had to line up the border of the print exactly to finish off my prints. This time it was even more nerve wracking that i lined it up efficiently otherwise i would ruin the previous prints, knowing that i had already removed the lino which i wouldn't be able to stick back on again! Each time that i printed the sets of lino i had to opt for colours that would work. For example my base colour had to be fairly light so that i could print a darker colour on top. Therefore, my final colour that i printed is the darkest colour. Below shows an arrangement of my three finished designs which include a variety of colours. Overall i enjoyed this task although it was very time consuming cutting the detail in the lino and waiting each time for 30 prints to dry to then re-print another colour on top.

Weaving!!!

During my textiles workshop i became interested in the idea of weaving. To begin with i was simply weaving paper with different images printed on them to see what effect it would result in. From this i then moved on to actual weaving. The first weave that i attempted is illustrated on the left. I had to learn the process as well as technical terminology such as the warp and the weft. I completed this weave by hand, using a wooden frame which was very time consuming but i like the end result. In areas i either weaved using a single warp or i doubled it up so that it was thicker and looked different. I also experimented by putting ribbon in there or thicker pieces of material. The ends had to be tied correcty, crossing over two pieces of yarn in a figure of four, with another two pieces. Although the weave has narrowed towards the middle, i am happy with my first attempt. Once i had understood the technique i decided to use the weavers loom. This was far less time consuming and i was taught weavers knots so that material could be placed in there aswell, to move away from the common weaving. Once i had completed as much as i wanted to i cut the warps from the loom and once again tied them in the same manner. The vertical warps evident in the picture were already on the loom set up for me so i could not pick these colours, however the other colours were my choice. The final image illustrates a weave, still using the loom, but this time i had to set up everything myself. I selected the colours that i wanted to use. The two pictures at the bottom illustrates the very time consuming process that had to be undertaken for completion.

A visit to the Ipswich Wet Docks

On a freezing cold day we were sent to the Ipswich Wet Docks to draw the different architecture!!!

The image on the left was drawn while I was there. The media that i used was 4B, HB, 6B pencil and graphite. I added areas of shading, mark making techniques and cross hatching to add effect. Once this was finished, i wanted to do the complete opposite and work in bold and bright colours. As a result, the second image uses the media of felt tip pens. I wanted this image to have as much colour on it as possible. Considering the first image looks fairly structured and neat, i wanted to make this sketch look more fluid as if it had been completed much quicker than the previous. To add effects i simply added more and more colour on top of existing colours that would blend together. I used simple line marks, scribbles and shading. The final image below comprises elements from both of the previous pictures. I wanted to include black and white work with the coloured work. I photocopied sections of my black and white image and collaged them into the shap[e of new buildings. To follow, the sections that were left bare i included the colour using the felt tip pens. This time once i had applied them i brush water over the top which led the ink to run and produce a different effect. I then simply outlined my new buildings so that they were more prominant. Overall i am happy with all of the outcomes.

Design Crafts 3

Our second task was to construct a tower using clay and the hot air dryers to ensure rigidity. To build a tower you need to build a section and dry this thoroughly using the air dryers and then complete this process again building on what you already have. If the structure is not thoroughly dry you cannot add sections onto it. First of all i researched some architecture to understand the shape and form. Some of the buildings are iconic such as the London gerkin. From these images i then started to sketch some of my ideas using a 4B and an HB pencil. I decided that the top sketches that i drew were common buildings and thought that the image below is unique and different. As a result i decided that i wanted to construct this building. To start with, i created the rectangle base to establish the size. I then rolled out some more clay and carefully rolled if to create a cylinder shape. This was then the central part. I had to use the air dryer gun on this so that it would hold its rigitity and stay in place, as well as sticking to the base. The image opposite shows my finished product afterit had been fired. All of the legs had to be created separately using the same process with the air dryer. The detail such as the four balls were created afterwards with the left over clay. While i was drying the arches, these has to be bent into shape so that they will form the correct angle. The image below shos my object glazed although the colours are not prominant, as it has to be fired once again. Below illustrates my overall end product.

Design Crafts 2 - My figure design

This is the design that i created using clay. I decided it would be more effective if i painted acrylic on my figure. As a result a light blue tone is the base colour, and then brush strokes using yellow, red, blue and white colours have been applied to add texture.

Design Crafts

Our task was to research artists or designers who use 3D figures in their field of work. Record images of their work and once completed, construct your own 3D figure using clay and record the outcomes. The four images represent my research that was completed prior to making my figure.

Sculpture work continued

My second imaginary friend is completely the opposite to my previous design, and is kind and caring. She tries to take away the religious conflicts created by war, arguements, and create peace and harmony. The image to the left is my initial sketch that i produced as a main idea. Once again i wanted to use clay as my media, as i believe that being able to paint individual colours in acrylic paint looks more effective than glazing in just one specific colour. The image at the top right illustrates my outcome of the sketch. I am very happy with how the construction has taken shape, as the object is an accurate resemblance of my sketch. Once again the clay had to be fired before i could apply the acrylic paint. I wanted to use colours that were bold and bright, and visually appealing to the eye as this matches Poppet's personality.
The following images below represent the final outcome. I added detail such as the dots of colour to make her look more attractive and appeal to the younger generation. The detail such as the buttons, eyes and hands were attached separately.