MODULE 1 - CHAPTER 3 (part 6)

CUT AND FOLD DESIGNS IN COLOURED PAPERS

 

a) ASYMMETRY - LAYERS OF SYMMETRICALLY CUT PAPER SHAPES

 

 

 

 

b) LAYERS OF ASYMMETRICALLY CUT PAPER SHAPES

 

 

 

c) ASYMMMETRY - LAYERS WITH NEGATIVE PAPER SHAPES

I used a left over black shape to see how it would look.  I also cropped the shape to fit at an asymmetric angle. I really like the pop the black makes

 

These two shapes used some negative shapes and then I cropped the shapes to fit the squares

 

Again, you could go on for weeks cutting, recutting and playing with shapes, as it is such a fun exercise and it is so surprising to see how the asymmetric shapes turn out - some of them are really interesting, well, they are all interesting, just useful for different applications I guess.  I surprised myself in enjoying the coloured cut outs as much as the black and white ones, although I had to dig out some different backgrounds papers to make enough contrast.  Using the multicoloured papers in all of them made them too similar - rather like making mud with mixing paints.  Making sure the backgrounds were more a single colour set off the multicoloured papers in a more pleasing way, I felt.

 

MODULE 1 - CHAPTER 3 (part 5)

CUT AND FOLD DESIGNS IN COLOURED PAPERS

SYMMETRY - DESIGN VARIATIONS USING LAYERS OF CUT PAPER SHAPES

 

These are symmetrical designs but arranged in an asymmetrical way

MODULE 1 - CHAPTER 4 (part 4)

CUT AND FOLD DESIGN SHAPES IN BLACK PAPER

DEVELOPMENT IDEAS OF ASYMMETRICAL SHAPES

 

These I cut as progressively smaller shapes

same as above

The bottom one is made up of the leftover bits after cutting the shapes into progressively smaller size

 

Using the same exercise on a different cross shape

The cut down cross shape and remaining pieces

MODULE 1 - CHAPTER 4 (part 3)

CUT AND FOLD DESIGN SHAPES IN BLACK PAPER

ASYMMETRICAL SHAPES

 

MODULE 1 - CHAPTER 4 (part 2)

 

CUT AND FOLD DESIGN SHAPES IN BLACK PAPER

SYMMETRICAL SHAPES FROM TRIANGLE FOLDS:

 

xii is from the negative shapes

I added the negative shapes to this one to expand the shape

I added the negative shapes separately to this one.

 

MODULE 1 - Chapter 4 (part 1)

CUT AND FOLD DESIGN SHAPES IN BLACK PAPER
SYMMETRICAL SHAPES:

I really enjoyed these exercises.  I think it is because I really like the high contrast using black and white, they seem spare and elegant.  I know I once cut out lots of pictures from home magazines to figure out what kind of colour schemes I like for a living room and I always went for light and pale coloured rooms but they always had a punch of something dramatic, either black or very bright cushions or some high contrast focal point.  I !could have gone on cutting these shapes for ever!

 

For all these exercises I basically used three different designs, the usual cross design from a Ukranian embroidery in Winnipeg, a portion of that design that I had previously used as a stamp and another fairly simple cross design taken from a headstone in the Banff townsite cemetery.

MODULE 1, Chapter 3 (part 5)

EXTRA BITS AND PIECES

Scale, Pattern, Border and Corner in

another cross shape.

Border and Corner in another cross shape

Overlayed united

Linked pattern

 

I still have some catch-up work from Chapters 1 and 2 from ideas that Sian had suggested.  However, I will press on to Chapter 4 and will hopefully have a bit of time to add my catch up ideas at the end of that post.  Chapter 3 was a challenge both with the material and the interuptions.  I have rescheduled the remaining chapters and put dates against them as I have left myself very little wiggle room.  I was shocked at how easily I went off track and how hard it was to get back at it.  Something I will have to be aware of.

 

MODULE Chapter 3 (part 4)

DESIGN SHEET C

(i) Complex Counterchange

(ii) Divide and Separate

(iii) Symmetrical Design with New Design Unit

(iv) Interlaced Repeat

(v) Rotating Symmetry

(vi) Negative Shape

(vii) New Shape

 

The further along I got, I started to work a lot smaller as the shapes were simpler.  I also ended up painting more papers, then more and more.  I became much more free with the painting and the papers became more interesting and less muddy.  I have a lot of tissue paper left over as I found they didn't work very well for complex designs and the glue I was using.  Also, there was surprisingly little difference in the look.  I used tissue paper in the alternate pattern in Design Sheet A. I will have to experiment with different glues to see what will work better on tissue paper, and avoid tearing it, as it could make interesting layers.

MODULE 1, Chapter 3 (part 3)

DESIGN SHEET B

(i) Scale

(ii) Pattern

(iii) Border and Corner

(iv) Linking border

 

 

(v) Linking Two Different Shapes

(vi) New Shape from Old

(vii) Linked Repeat with Interesting Background

 

(vi) New Shapes from Old

 

With number (vi) I think I had misunderstood the directions.  I redid it and came up with at least a couple of interesting shapes.

 

MODULE 1, Chapter 3 (part 2)

DESIGN SHEET A

 

(i )Counterchange

(ii) Positive and Negative

 

I can see lots of possibilities with these crosses, but started to get bogged down very quickly, trying to do the exercises using them all. 

(iii) Symmetry

(iv) Asymmetry

(v) Perspective Distortion

(vi) Distortion into Shapes

(vii) Repeat Pattern

 

I had never used pantyhose before to stretch the shapes.  I found it a lot harder than it sounded.  I tried stretching them in an embroidery hoop, then pinning it onto a wooden embroidery frame, but I found the best way was to tape it onto the table.  I found I had more control this way. I expect practice will make perfect, but so far, I found it surprisingly difficult.

 

(vii) Alternate Repeat Pattern using Distored Shape

I really like this distorted shape - and can see some possibilities with it.

MODULE 1 - Chapter 3 (part 1)

UPDATE -

I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted and how long it has taken me to complete Chapter 3.  In between, we had a trip to Palm Springs which helped a bit in alleviating this unbelievably long and awful winter.

It is hard to believe that just a month ago - this was the view from out little house and we were swimming and almost too hot!

 

 

We came back to this - quite amazing icicles, which are very unusual - something to do with the warming and cooling.

 

Although I have not posted for a while, that does not mean I have been doing nothing.  It took me a long time to cut out all the little pieces.  I started off working with four difference cross shapes but began to realize that I had to focus or I would never get beyond this first module, so have made lots of notes, so I can come back and play with some different designs when time allows.

 

 

While in Palm Springs, there seemed to be crosses everywhere I looked - so I decided to start a separate "crosses" sketchbook to go along with a previous line one and a colour one.  Then there are the binders with pictures of oceans and beaches, trees and leaves etc. etc. etc.

 

I also have almost finished my sixth piece in a series on Sacred Geometry, hopefully in time to submit it to the World of Threads.  I don't know if they will accept it, but it is worth a try.  Also I have been working on the Hawaiian quilt. My son and his girlfriend bought me the pattern back from one of their trips there.  It has been languishing for a while until I received more than the usual prodding from the pair and offers of help with the hand applique.  I have been really enjoying our time stitching and talking together and remember how and why the quilting bees of past were so important in building a sense of community among the women. Our peaceful time stitching together reminds me of washing up with my mother - always a good time to talk.