Before returning back to university we were asked to make a decision on two materials that we were interested in combining together for the first project of the second year, meeting of materials.
As print and ceramics were the two materials that I enjoyed in the first year, these are the two that I decided I would work with on this rotation.
My initial inspiration came from Parisian architecture; I developed an appreciation for its well-designed structure on a visit to the city during the summer. I was interested in the patterns and symmetry that could be seen in the buildings and was keen to translate the quality of lines and bold shapes into my own print, textiles and ceramic work.
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Paris Trip: Own images of Parisian architecture.
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I have explored translating the qualities that I saw in architecture had by using shapes, form and colours in my sketchbook work.
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Sketchbook Work: Using lino prints, coloured inks, paper and threads to create interesting compositions.
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| Sketchbook Work: Pages from my sketchbook, explore shape, composition, line and colour. |
After participating in both the ceramics and print workshops, I then began to explore how I could transfer my sketchbook work into both materials. By using shapes that I had created in my sketchbook, I combined them together to product a print motif. Using similar shapes, marks and lines I created a piece of lino which I then used to press into clay.
Through my print work, I have explored colour, composition and layout, I have done this by using my own screen print design as well as other textured designs, overlaying them to see the effect they have. Another process that I worked with in print was using heat transfer inks. This process, I found, was an excellent way of creating an interesting surface to print onto. In the end my print was to be displayed onto a basic shift dress.
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| Print Samples: working on some initial print ideas. |
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| Playing with Print: Using final samples to play around with composition, colour and pattern. |
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| Print: A close up of one of my print samples. |
In ceramics I have again explored shapes, mark and line. I have done this by producing a lino print and pressing it into clay to transfer the qualities mentioned. I decided that to match the bold colour of my prints, I would use velvet glazes on my ceramics. In ceramics my idea was to make collars/neckpieces that are to work alongside my printed dress.
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| Ceramic Collars: Beginning making ceramic collars. |
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| Glaze Samples: Exploring velvet glazes. |
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| Final Collar: Glazed ceramic collar ready for firing. |
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| Final Collar: Glazed ceramic collar ready for firing. |
Before printing my final dress, I needed to plan what composition it would take and what colours I would use. This was achieved by using my photoshop skills to create dress visualisations. Once I had chosen my final design I was then feel confident to print it.
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| Visualisations: Dress designs made on Photoshop |
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| Final Print: Printing my final piece of fabric for my dress. |
Once both pieces were finished, it was time to set up my presentation. On reflection, I feel I have developed my
skills and technical processes well throughout both this print/textiles and
ceramic rotation, especially in screen printing and refining a suitable colour
pallet. I have enjoyed learning new print processes and techniques, experimenting
with colour, composition and mark making; I feel like this has been my
strongest area. In future, I would like to explore the surface that I am
printing onto more, doing this experiment with a wider selection of fabrics.
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| Final Presentation: Dress with Collar 1 |
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| Final Presentation: Dress with Collar 2 |
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| Final Presentation: Dress with Collar 2 |
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| Final Presentation: Overall display |
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| Final Presentation: Close up of overall display |
