The goal of visual Exercise 3 is to alter flat, solid shapes into line drawings. I started with an 8" square of black paper and randomly cut it with my rotary cutter. I traced a 9 1/2" square onto white newsprint and expanded the square into this design. Then, as the instructions say, I traced it (using another piece of newsprint...easy to see through). As you can see in the tracing below, I used my bendable curve ruler to re-trace the lines. Then, to complete the goal of Exercise 3, I drew patterning within the lines. I plan to use this as a quilt block (or small quilt) and the patterning lines will be my machine quilting lines. Now, I'm stuck on whether to put designs together to make larger quilts or make smaller ones like below. I suppose I can do both. 
The line drawing is a bit smeary as I drew it in pencil. Anyone know of a pencil that doesn't smear when you sketch? I even asked in the art store and no one had a clue. Now, I'm off to play with some fabric.
5 comments:
I like what you've done very much. As for what to do with it . . .. the design is very symetrical except for the lower left hand curve, which also has a different sort of line in it than other areas of your square block. So -- I see two possibilities. One would be to repeat the square as in a quilt, in which case the zigzag curve would connect with itself across the quilt. Or, I could see taking that zigzag design and perhaps adding it as a border to the square and thus having that unusual line repeated in the overall design. My eye would be drawn over the entire square rather than resting in that very interesting corner. Good job! Now you've got me wanting to move on to the next excercise as well!
Now that I look at it again, perhaps a partial border of the zigzag, so you don't box your design in. A good design,though, as it compels me to keep thinking about it.
Hi,
i don't know quilting conventions at all, but i cropped the top and right hand bands and it gave a more contained and powerful image.
Nice design, you can work with parts of it too.
neki desu
I think colored pencils have some waxy substance in them and so maybe you could work with a dark colored pencil rather than a graphite pencil and it might smear less as you work. The smearing is a prized quality for shading! You can set a drawing with hair spray or clear Krylon matte spray paint.
You really have a complete stitching plan with that sketch. Have you thought about whether you'll use contrasting thread on solid fabric or what???
Thanks for all the comments! I apprec iate them! I am definitely planning on using some contrasting threads when I quilt it. This morning I am fighting with some design elements in finishing it. It is always good to let the design set over night and you can have a fresh eye in the morning. I haven't decided where I will crop it, yet, but probably will. Right now, the focal point is the zig-zag quilt design in the bottom left (the zig zag design is actaully the thread). I originally wanted my focal point to be the "window", but it is in the center part of the design and also flows to the bottom left. The fact that it is centered bugged me when I first saw it as I want to keep the focal point in the "grid". Since focal points are suppose to be what you first see and also be in the correct position, I guess that is what still bothers me. I think I can correct that with cropping, color and contrast. I will play around with it for a while and see what develops. Anyway, it's a fun Exercise 3.
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