Project 2 – Nature, Final Evaluation

For this project we were given the theme Technology and/or Nature, this theme will then influence our work. Due to the coronavirus pandemic there is very little primary research you can get on technology as you cannot visit places such as museums. For this reason I decided to focus only on nature for this project as I can easily collect primary research as nature is everywhere.

Within the theme of nature I decided to explore the season of autumn for this particular project as it is the current season. Everything about nature and the season of autumn has influenced my practical work from the colour scheme to the shapes of leaves.

I have created a variety of different samples using many techniques, some techniques I had never tried before whilst others I have used previously.

One of the techniques that I believe was most effective was the collagraph printing because I managed to create quite a few interesting prints from the blocks that I made. My favourite print I created was using the my string leaf block. I then went on to use a few of the collagraph prints to create digital repeating patterns.

Another technique that I thought was quite quick, easy and effective was heat transfer dyeing. I really like the samples I created using this method because you can create some very interesting and unusual patterns and designs. My favourite sample I created using this method was of two leaves which had been put in the heat press with a weave of dyed papers. When I took the sample out of the heat press I realised that the leaves had been dyed with the colour of the weave so I put the leaves dyed side down on some fabric I then put it in the sublimation printer and it had created a lovely sample.

A technique that I did not particularly enjoy was monoprinting because you cannot see if it’s is working until you have finished your design and lift the paper. Until then, you can’t tell if you had put too much ink on the table and therefore all the small lines you drew have merged together. I also found it is hard to draw and not lean on the paper. In my personal opinion I don’t think it is a very effective method of printing as it is a one time print, where as with some other methods of printing you can reuse a printing block as many times as you want.

One technique that I found not that effective was Dyed shibori because I did not achieve a defined shape or pattern. However, I have seen many examples of what you can create using this particular method and the results can be really effective and I hope to trial more with this method in the future, to see if I get a better outcome. Next time, I would trial with closer stitches and also wax coated embroidery thread in order to try and achieve this.

If I did this project again I would do my secondary research and artist research before I created my samples. This would have given me a better understanding of the techniques, what fabrics are best to use to and also to have an idea of what a piece of textiles would look like using the technique. This would helped me have a better idea of the things you can create using a particular method and the amount of detail that can go into one piece, which I can take into account when creating my sample.

I believe my primary research for this project has been effective. I collected some fallen leaves for my observational drawing and some other fallen natural materials for my mark making. I also took a of variety of photos of nature and autumn leaves, some of which are very close up, whilst others are further away. I have tried to use my photos in my work were I can and also use them as inspiration. In future projects I could explore further other types of primary research such as a survey.

One artist that particularly stood out to me was Glen Alps, who developed and named the collagraph print. Glen’s collagraph prints are very detailed and also what particularly caught my eye is that most of his 2-D prints have a depth perception so it looks 3-D, this must have been quite difficult to create that effect.

Victoria Siemer, who is a graphic artist, who caught my eye, as her work is so effective. Victoria reflects a landscape into a shape. I took inspiration from her work and included into my geometric shape some reflections of the sections I chose from my image.

I think that this project went quite well. I have learnt quite a few new techniques, some samples I created went well whilst other did not work so well but I have always worked out were I went wrong and how I can improve my samples and work in the future.

Project 2 – Fashion Dictionary

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Collagraph printing – Collagraph Printing is a print making process where you glue and stick a variety of materials onto cardboard to create a collage type printing block.

Collaged Moodboard – A collection of cut out images combined to create a moodboard usually a collage cut outs are randomly placed and not in any particular style or order.

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Full drop – The most common repeat pattern is the full drop or block repeat. This design is created by repeating the same horizontal and vertical pattern.

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Half drop – A half drop repeat is often used to break up the uniformity of a full drop repeat. A half drop repeat is where a horizontal motif is printed and then another motif is printed below the first one but the start of the motif is inline with the centre of the first motif, this creates a staggered staircase effect.

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Image transfer – The process of transferring an image from one medium to another, this can be done using a variety of techniques.

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Lino printing – Lino printing/cutting is a technique to create prints, where you cut your design using lino cutting tools into linoleum. You can then use this printing block to create a variety of different prints and patterns

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Mark making – Mark making is the creation of a variety or patterns, lines, textures and shapes. Marks can be made with a variety of different mediums. Mark making can be a simple as a dot on a piece of paper. Mark making can be controlled and precise or it can be done uncontrolled, free and without thought.

Multidirectional – A pattern/design that goes in several different directions.

Motif – A motif is the single element that is repeated, when repeated this creates a pattern.

Monoprinting – Monoprinting is a printmaking/mark making process that is created by a variety of different lines and shapes. Monoprinting is usually done when you place a piece of paper on a very thin layer of ink, you then make your marks or draw your design on top of the piece of paper using a pencil or pen or another mark making tool to create this. Then place on the piece of paper where you apply pressure this will print. Then you just lift the piece of paper to see the printed design.

Mirror Repeat – A mirror repeat pattern is created by duplicating a pattern and then on your digital design program select the mirror option.

Moodboard – A moodboard is used to display a variety of samples and swatches of colours, textures and shapes. Moodboard’s usually have an overarching theme that is communicated through all your photos and swatches of colour and fabrics.

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Primary research – Primary research is research that you undertake yourself, this could be simply finding and collecting items, photography, or obtaining your own data.

Placement – Placement is the positioning of an artwork, print, pattern or motif.

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Repeat Pattern – A repeat pattern is the repetition of similar or identical shapes, colours, lines and forms. This repetition forms the pattern or design.

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Sustainable fabric dyeing – Sustainable fabric dyeing is when you create a dye which has no negative impact on the environment. Dyes are created using natural resources/materials that are naturally occurring.

Solar dyeing – Solar dyeing is the method of creating a dye and dyeing the fabric using the sun as your heat source.

Secondary research – Secondary research is research that somebody else has collected.

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Tiled Moodboard – A Tiled moodboard is usually a collection of square or rectangular photos that are particularly placed and none of them overlap.

Tie-Dyeing – Tie-Dyeing is where you tie sections of your garment or fabric which you don’t want to dye, so when you place it into a dye bath the dye will absorb into the untied fabric leaving a pattern/design.

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