other colours

Well, there’s still blue in it 🙂

In doing Jane Dunnewold’s Creative Strength Training course online, i’ve been looking at a LOT of old work. I do this regularly actually, but this time am looking at it with purpose, rather than just waxing nostalgic for the days when i was “free-er”, had no expectations and no expertise!

Back in 2008, i had started a specific sketchbook that was just “markmaking”. Not the kind that involves puddles of paint dragged through with various implements, or charcoal done with feathers, or sticks and mud swooped around (i hated those exercises in my textile art program in the 90’s, and i still do), but conscious use of line, shape and colour. I did use various media from metallic magic markers to pastels and watercolours, and thoroughly enjoyed the process and results.

Now i’m looking at this one in particular. The shapes and variations excite my thready expectations, and the colours are rich. I played with my photo editing program (basic Irfanview, free and easy to use) at the time too, and came up with all these variations.

The original:
A change of orientation:

Special effects, mirroring:

Half of the design is lost on that one, but oh well. Didn’t notice at the time, don’t care 🙂

Kaleidoscopic:

VERY Zandra Rhodes-ish!

A circular effect:

What about in greyscale?

Hmm, maybe in more extreme contrasts.

Sepia, ie the “bland, beige and boring” naturals and neutrals i use with fabrics from rust processes and ecoprints:

So many possibilities! I’m going to be doing some small samples and mockups, though i’m leaning to those brighter colours—if my natural dyes don’t co-operate fully, then i’ll add in some procion as well.

I’m realizing too as i go through Jane’s course, that for me, it’s more what the thread can do and how it’s used, rather than any colour combinations specifically. From using it as line, creating shaped voids, manipulating the fabric to building extreme texture, that’s what makes me excited about sticking pointy things with threads all adanglish through cloth.