After the Weekend...

So its Monday again, these weeks go so fast! 

Over the last week i've been thinking of ways to combine my imagery, making it work together in a number of ways without it becoming repetitive. I have come up with a possible solution of created mini collection, or sub-themes.

I've began to play around with some of my imagery, creating patterns and brushes in Photoshop, exploring which types of imagery work better together and with certain colour ways.

Below are two designs created today...

A Great Inspiration..

SEEING PATTERN EVERYWHERE // MUNDANE TO THE MAGNIFICENT // INSPIRE INFORM IMPLEMENT ENJOY

Teach yourself Kaleidoscopes!

As well as using the tool previously posted to create Kaleidoscope patterns you can also create them on Photoshop...

Today i came across a tutorial teaching you how to do them...http://www.photoshopessentials.com/photo-effects/flip-mirror

Basically the image is repeated in all 4 corners of the square alongside a horizontal and a rotated copy on the top. Blending modes can then be adapted to personal taste/outcome.

The original image i used was very transparent and ethereal, creating a very ghost-like design. However bolder design show the layering and depth more clearly.

Colour Palette...

I want my colour palette to capture the aged antique concept of "The Curiosity Shop", i quite liked the idea of almost 'tobacco stained' colourings combined with fresh colours, inspired by the more floral designs found on the china teacups and plates.

This is a working colour palette that may need to be adapted when printing onto fabric, however it will allow me to work more coherently in Photoshop and allow my designs to work together as a collection of work. 

An age old technique...

For the past year i have been struggling to achieve a vintage feel to my photography...previously the best technique i had found was emulsion transfer, painting onto the back of photocopies to transfer the ink...this process is quite temperamental and leaves a  textured surface which is not always desired.

BUT finally i have come across a technique that transfer the photograph/image easily, without any residue....Cellulose Thinners!

I painted the solvent based liquid onto the back of the photograph above which then transferred onto the previously collaged graph paper. 

I love the overall effect and will be sure to experiment with it further!

The Butterfly Effect...

This piece by Damien Hirst has really inspired me. I love the overall Kaleidoscope effect but what really interest me is when you look more closely and realise the colours are made up of Butterflies.

The concept of things not being has they may seem is something i want to explore further...it would be a great idea the degree show, to make people take a second look...

Kaleidoscope Fun...

Today i decided to try and teach myself how to create a "Kaleidoscope effect" in Photoshop by using a tutorial available on the web. 


Whilst searching for an appropriate page i came across a website allowing you to upload an image which they then turn into a Kaleidoscope design.


The images above of the piano is the original image i used, then, (with a little help from http://www.tuxpi.com/photo-effects/kaleidoscope) and a few tweaks i have the above designs!


I am looking forward to scanning in more of m imagery and seeing what else i can create...

The Fabulous Fifties...

Over the last week i have began to look more at geometric shapes, experimenting with spirographs and stencil shapes...this lead my contextual research down the route of designers such as Lucienne Day.

I really like the simplistic designs of the 50's patterns and the range of colour ways. Sandersons have a range of exciting, 50's inspired wallpaper and fabric. each design is bursting with colour and really make an impact in the home.

These type of designs are something i have felt really inspired by and would like to incorporate in my work. i think my imagery would work well with this concept, combining quite static imagery with more ornate, antiques pieces to give a personal twist and a fresh take on the iconic designs.

http://www.sanderson-uk.com/50s-wallpaper.aspx

My Inspiration Wall...

Today i was asked if i use the studio space available to third years at the university... i was honest and said no, i never have.

People work in all different ways, some may work better in a group, bouncing ideas of each other, some may prefer working in the studio as they are nearer to facilities such as computers and printers.... however i don't feel i work well like this.

For the past three years of being at uni i have worked from home, reasons being, all my equipment and media is here, it would be a struggle to have to cart it in everyday, i also prefer to work in quieter conditions, maybe with a bit of music on in the background and but mainly because i find myself a lot more inspired as i can create moodboards/inspirational imagery collages on my walls.

This is my wall...it is a collage of all the ideas i am working on within this project. It allows me to combine imagery quickly on a large scale and visualise shapes together. It my look a mass of paper and sticky notes but it allows me to see how the imagery is working overall as a collection.

Kirath Ghundoo

Kirath Ghundoo designs are very geometric and eye catching. i love the combination of media, including felt tip and pencil crayons.

The intricacy of the geometric shapes os something i want to achieve, however i want to combine my imagery with more delicate objects such as the antique china and quirky animals to create a personal approach.

http://kirathghundoo.com/

Inspiration...

As i mentioned in a previous post i have began to look at circular shapes and patterns within them, china plates have given me a lot of inspiration....


whilst being at home i have been collecting photographs of different china and glassware and have been specifically inspired by them shapes within them...cut glass in particular is actually quite geometric and would tie in well with my spirograph designs.

Trinkets and Treasures...

Today, i've got to admit, i've felt a little unmotivated...my charity shopping didn't quite go to plan and didn't actually find anything quite like i imagined...(hopefully this weekend will uncover some unusual discoveries)

This left me at a bit of loose end on the sketchbook front, wandering what to draw...with a bit of inspiration i decided to create a set-up of my favourite items and photograph them...

The plan for these images is to apply them to my sketchbook by using "Cellulose Thinner". This is a new techniques that transfers the image but creates a worn, vintage look...i have yet to try out so shall keep you posted.

China Plates...

Ok so i had a tutorial today, main feedback was to keep drawing!!! DRAW DRAW DRAW! 

Alongside the odd cat, deer and rabbit already chillin' out in my sketchbook i think i'm going to stick to quite "circular" shaped objects....i seem to be fascinated with doilies and spirographs at the moment, (all the laser cutting gets me excited) so circular imagery may help when i attempt to create my own doily motifs!

These are my version of some china plates, i used some doilies as a stencil to create the blue china pattern then added a few 

squiggles of my own....

Tomorrow I'm on the hunt for some more fascinating objects to draw, Charity Shops beware...i'm coming to get you!




FYI....the beautifully tacky dog is mine! :)

Unrelated....

In 12h and 57m I could be the proud owner of this little guy...isn't he cute!!!

Ok so maybe we don't all have the same taste....but i love him

Courtesy of Ebay :)

I want these!

I want these...available from Etsy.

I've really enjoy working on paper, (strangely more than fabric) and also love working on small scale. These designs are so charming and really make me want to get back into hand printing! 

My own designs would work really well presented in this format and would make nice treats to hand out at my degree show...

Contextual...

Contextual research is a big part of our textile course...it makes us aware of what other designers are doing, which market trends are popular and inspires our sketchbook work and design outcomes.

This design by Christina Song has given me a lot of scope when working in my sketchbook, from this image i really thought more about line quality and how my lines were represented...

I love the amount of intense detailing in this piece adding interest to small parts of the design. This has really inspired my to treat each individual shape as a separate image rather than looking at the image as a whole.

London Zoo...

This time a month ago i was visiting London Zoo! I'd never been before so didn't quite know what to expect.


My favourite of all the different species and houses were surprisingly the Butterflies. The zoo has a enclosed space, mimicking a butterflies natural environment, allowing them to live and fly around freely.

This allowed me to get extra close to the Butterflies and take some great pictures....I'm hoping to incorporate these into my new project, looking at taxi-dermied animals.

Tan Terrier...

I love this image...a combination of my two favourite things...Shoes and Dogs!


Originally found on http://www.ohjoy.blogs.com/

My favourite pastime...

I'm in my third and final year of Textile Design so thought i would create a blog to illustrate my journey and personal inspiration. This blog will allow me to capture and showcase visual inspiration and how it has developed my work.

Heanor Antiques Centre is My Curiosity Shop...i love it. The shop consists of 3 storeys packed full to the brim of trinkets and treasures. Each room is visually so exciting, photographs uncover new discoveries each time i look at them!


...and with it only being a ten minute drive away from my home, it is a regular visit for a weekend pastime.