Module 2 Chapter Ten

3D Manipulated Structure

Page 137 of Module 2

Here we are then, my final piece of work for this module.  A lot of the work is not actually down here on the blog, most of the work was done in my head by thinking about it a lot before I got started (which seemed to take ages).  One mistake I have made is to think that I could use automatic stitching as well as free embroidery (didn't read the instructions carefully enough).  So the orange seed heads have been made using entirely automatic stitching.  Of course I could achieve a close texture by using granite stitch for example, if you need me to redo the seed heads am happy to do so.  Just let me know.

• Draw shapes of flower, leaf and seed head.  I used a previous drawing of a flower and seed head, then drew a leaf shape.  These shapes were then manipulated to create different shapes that still bore a relationship to the original.

Flower Shapes



Leaf Shapes



Seed head shapes

An initial idea for design

• Make up a paper model.  I made several cardboard templates of different shapes and made up a variety of paper models to see which would work best.  I played about with these shapes a lot trying to work out which would work and look best and how they could be joined together.  My final choice was to construct a wreath by using leaf shapes as a base and then made my final choice of flower and seed head shapes. 

First idea for design layout

Second idea for design layout

• Decide whether to use paper or wire mesh.  Decided to use khadi paper as I find it easier to work with.  I also like to paint and print on it.  It has a lovely feel when a coat of acrylic wax has been used.  I painted the papers using a lime green for the leaves and violet for the flowers. I then stamped them with my original foam stamp using in Chapter 2 of this module and then applied a final coat of acrylic wax. These colours just came into my head although I had been mulling over the whole design for a while.  It took a while to work out what colour to use for the seed head.  I thought of black and then blue, black would have been OK and blue horrible. In the end I decided to work with the colour of the original but just more exaggerated and then decided on orange. 
• Threads and Colours. I wanted the work to have a harmonious feel so I used colours that blended in with the painted paper rather than using any that would clash and create a contrast.
• Add stitching to create the textures.  I used a mixture of free machine embroidery and automatic stitches to create texture on the painted and printed khadi paper.  The images I had chosen had simple shapes and the stitching was not complicated to do.   All in all I wanted to create an open and broad feel and wanted the stitching to have a loose feel and not too heavily textured for the leaves and flowers.  So I used vermicelli and feather stitch using free machine embroidery.  However I wanted a little bit of a contrast so chose to give a more heavily textured feel to the seed heads by using contracted automatic stitching on the orange paper.  Whilst I was stitching I had scraps of violet paper on the desk, and on a whim just incorporated them into the stitching.  I didn't know if it was going to work out or not, but it just felt that it would. 

Painted and stitched paper for leaf and flower

Painted and stitched paper for seed heads with scraps of flower paper

• The final piece of work. I am very pleased with this final piece of work.  I think the colours have worked really well, although they are bright it has a restful quality, maybe because of the lime green of the leaves.  I have tried to create a relationship between all the components and I feel this has been achieved.  Using wire mesh would have helped to create more interesting shapes but it is not a medium I enjoyed working with.  It does seem important to work with materials that you have an empathy with and that must help in the creative process. 

Resolved sample of wreath laid flat

Final work hanging on wall

Different angle

Close Up



Close Up



Reverse of work

 I have thoroughly enjoyed Module 2, although it has taken me longer than I anticipated to complete it.  Thank you Janet for all your kind and valuable feedback and now it is onwards and hopefully upwards to Module 3.