Museum of Liverpool

On Monday I visited liverpool and the museum, I tried to take photos of more pattern; but Im starting to broaden my colour referencing; as I'm feeling restricted with just looking at green!

Evaluating Practice(Blog Task)

When initially handed the unit brief  I was a lot more confident than  for the first project. After finally getting the workshop I wanted I felt I had positive expectations and I was excited about the challenge. I think I have noticed a change in myself compared to the first project; I am slowly starting to grasp the course and come to terms with using my blog and really spending more time within a workshop which i didnt grasp as much for the first project. I really do think that it had something to do with finally picking a workshop I wanted to put my time and effort into. I have really enjoyed my time within the print workshop and I have tried to put the effort into making sure I manage my time wisely.

               

I have tried not to really think of a direction so much, as I learnt in the Shock Wow wonder sessions(particularly on the colour day) a link within my work will always occur without even being aware of it, and sometimes not thinking about my direction too much helps to broaden my subject matter and my rhythm of work. The session on Monday has made me start looking at brickwork; after going out to take pictures for the task, it actually gave me another pattern idea.

And I am trying to break out of my original colour palettes taken from my lizard work.  The basis of my project has been pattern and I have tried to explore different types, choosing initially COINCIDENCE and DELIBERATE as my starting point. I have tried to use my sketch book more, but I feel I have concentrated more on my actual samples I have produced within the print workshop. I used my sketchbook at the start of the project alot more but I still need to improve my methods within my sketchbook!

I have learnt alot about materials; particularly using Gouache colours! I had not used them before and so it was useful to apply something else within my work; as well learning about which dying processes react with particular fabrics. I will definately use Gouche colours again as well as making colour palette as I feel it gave me a good direction within my work. I have also kept a lot of notes for this project; particularly from the workshop; so that I can come back to them in future. 

For Sampling I have tried to use and pick up as many different techniques as I can and now I know for example that I would not use the illuminated discharge dying again. I have not really thought about presenting my samples, I just see them as part of a series/progression within my work. I will present them mostly within my technical file to ensure I remember which technique matches with each sample peice. 

If I was to start the project again I would do alot more drawing and use my sketchbook a bit more, I'm still a bit unsure of how to use my sketchbook properly. I would also make sure I am always thinking of new approaches; and not feeling restricted at anytime within my work; trying to put good use of what I learnt from the Shock,Wow,Wonder session.

 I feel if I had not been required to use a large A3 sketchbook for my pattern designs I would not have got out of my comfort zone of a small sketchbook! I still work on a small scale but I feel having a bigger sketchbook helps. I have tried to use my blog alot more, I think it still needs improvements but I am getting into the routine of using it as somewhere to display all my pictures or any artist references that reflect within my work. I do not think my work has a relationship to the work of others, due to the fact that we have not had tutorials for two weeks(due to my workshop being at the same time).I find tutorials useful; to check I am on the right lines and it gives me more ideas on reflection; I feel less confident without them.

Shock Wow Wonder Session

 These are some of the pictures I collected during the shock,wow wonder session, the ones I have chosen tie in with my theme of coincident and deliberate pattern....

Loop

They are a design duo (Rachel Wingfield and Mathias Gmachl)with a very interesting concept of creating pieces that are environmently friendly.

 

They create boldy interative designs that grow, glow, respond and biodegrade. 

Nani Marquina

I came across Nani Marquina in my (Textile Designers at the Cutting Edge) book. Her work really stood out because my project is all about pattern and circles(lizard skin).I really like how her carpet peices are very textured and colourful.

Continuing with Screen Printing.

 I have really started to enjoy the different colours created from mixing Procion Dyes, especially on top of the Tie Dye pieces created from  before...

 

This one was my favourite of the Procion dyes, as I used a thinner silk which gave a nice effect. 

 Flock

I like creating colour but I also liked the flock because I just had the one colour and so the pattern is really clear.

 Screen Printing.....

It's really exciting to be working in the print rooms,its nice to get a workshop that I am passionate about.

We are experimenting with illuminated discharge, I am finding it a little frustrating with the lengthy process! It involved printing our mixed colours and then setting it in the steamer for 10mins, leaving it for 24hours and then putting in the steamer  for a further 30-40mins! It's interesting seeing the change in colours, as they have not exactly gone to plan!

Sampling Task(Shock,Wow,Wonder)

I found it useful to look at other peoples samples, and see what they had produced so far for this project. I brought mostly my old samples from the origins unit, I had not yet produced any print samples!

 

It was all about trying new ways of connecting my work, I fould connections within the work I had produced; I seem to be drawn to working on a small scale. But the most important thing I learnt from this session was that I needed MORE samples!

As Colour is the main element to this project I have been looking at artists for inspiration;

George Seurat 

His work is colourful and vibrant and really stands out. And his method of using Pointillism(method of using neat dots to paint) works very well even if it is very time consuming! I really like his work; and how it is based on realistic everyday settings or objects. I will try and incorprate his style within my own drawings of lizards.

Paul Cezanne

Cezanne nd Seurat are simuliar in their use of colour. I am attracted to the shades of green as at the moment green seems to be my main colour scheme(due to my original photographs of lizards)