The Start Of Printing

At the end of last week I had to choose the fabrics I wanted to test and use in time for printing in just over a weeks time, this meant making a test screen to see how the fabrics would react differently with the inks, especially since I want to layer up see through fabrics.

Heres an image of the start of my testing...

Research Trip And Drawings

Yesterday I took a trip over to Nottingham to go to Wollaton Hall, where they have a large collection of taxidermy animals, perfect for me to draw for my African themed project. So I took lots of pictures and did some sketches while I was there, then carried on drawing from my photos today!

This is my progress as far as my design is going, sort of reminds me of Andy Warhol prints with all the bright colours.

 

Printing, Printing...More Printing!

After starting to use some colour, I've been churning out the monoprints using my stamps.

Printing using the colours from my earlier experiments.

Will post the end result tomorrow!

Sketching In The Sun

Over the weekend I went out to an Arboretum to sketch some trees, leaves and branches that could be found in Scandinavia, all the trees are labelled with their name and where they are from so its easy to find what your looking for!

The sketches will possibly form part of my final design, and if not I had a lovely day out in the sunny countryside!

Adding In Some Colour

Since I've been working in black and white for the whole project, I decided it was time to add in some colour, do a few experiments and see what works.

I painted some backgrounds and printed over them with my lino and polystyrene stamps.

Some worked and others didn't, was good to see my designs change with some colour on them.

Printing Experiments

After churning out lots and lots of mono prints using my polystyrene and lino cut stamps...

I managed to collage together one of the animals I have drawn, using simple geometric shapes.

I think this idea could be quite successful once the patterns have some colour on them!

I have also gone back a step and done some more experimenting to try and introduce some colour into my work. 

Printing on top of some loose painted pattern.

Printing colour on top of painted pattern.

Im not sure these really work yet but I will keep working on it!

Polystyrene Prints

The past couple of days I have been using lino and polystyrene to create my own stamps and patterns.

I am enjoying the simplicity of the process and the freedom, it is also giving some nice textures that reflect my African theme!

Plico

As part of my design futures module we had a great talk today by Jo Butters, the creator of homewares brand Plico, her site can be found here-

http://www.plico.co.uk

She gave us some great information about what goes into setting up your own business, and gave me some hints and tips for the project I am currently working on!

Sunday Sketching

Spending the day doing some quick sketches of african animals so I have some shapes to start combining with my marks when I get into uni tomorrow.

No rest for the wicked, pays to be prepared! (I hope!)

Texture Work

Researching into artists, illustrators and designs who use mark making and texture in their work. 

I really like the qualities in the work of Luli Sanchez, whose designs can be seen here -

www.lulisanchez.com

A really clever use of repeat and pattern but restricted to using very basic shapes or marks over and over, inspiring!!

Mark Making And Texture

Here are a few of the results of me trying to get more texture and marks into my work. 

Using the end of a thick piece of card worked well to create lines that aren't too perfect and have a texture to them depending on how much ink is there.

Sketching day 2!

Did more drawings from my inspirational Africa books today! Starting to build up quite a pile, be time to move on to mixing it up with some Scandinavian style soon

What Im Working On..

Today I have been drawing for my new project. I got lots of useful books from the library on African and Tribal arts so have been sketching from them.

Still a long way to go but feels good to have made a start!

Welcome...

...to my blog!

At the moment I am in my final year studying Surface Pattern Design at Staffordshire University, so life is quite hectic and packed.

I will be posting snippets of my design journeys and things that I like, trends, interests, other designers work and lots of other bits and pieces!