The stripped fabrics I made were all my usual colors, in the regular full blown jewel tones I ALWAYS use. I have done this one too many times, and decided I needed a change of value. So I searched through the stash for really really light valued colors and began again. Once I had them made I needed a plan so I made a quick sketch.This sketch is merely a suggestion, not a roadmap. It takes away the feeling of having too many choices. Of course I can't stick to the drawing but it helps make the first cuts
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Starting with the Springy-est colors I cut into the strips and added some of the light valued solids. These blocks were made using the center cut out sections for the next block, alternating solid backgrounds with stripped centers, and vice versa. My first arrangement had this strong central line and I have drawn the line on the picture for emphasis. I can't have this line down the middle, as it weakens the design by dividing the composition in half. So all it took to fix it was another quick rearrangement.
The new lighter values are really clean and fresh and it makes what I usually think of as a light color, work as a contrast. Something tells me I won't be working all those hot jewel tones into this composition. At this point it looks like this is not going to be a small work. I am not going to rush my way through it as I usually do. I will allow the composition to develop at a moderate rate, so I can ENJOY the experience.
You're right. The light values do a dd a freshness. It reminds me of a little village.
ReplyDeleteLove seeing your process.
ReplyDeleteI'm at this exact stage with my first Melody-ish fused piece. What great timing -- I feel like you're holding my hand! I appreciate the design tips like the weakening center line; obvious to you, but necessary information for this neophyte. Keep it comin', please!
ReplyDeleteI am loving it.
ReplyDeleteDo y have St Pat day on your mind. LOL
Love all that spring green.
AH, this piece is looking lovely - and I LOVE when you share your design thoughts like this, they are so insightful!
ReplyDeleteI can understand the need to get outside the regular colors - change is good! I am taken in by the last photo & the simplicity of fusing. I get locked into sewing all the strips and sometimes lose compositional awareness. I also just plain get tired of all that sewing & pressing! I think fusing is in the near future...
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ReplyDeleteTry again....I am so in love with bright saturated colors (particularly during the long winters in Alaska) that I forget the amazing effects of contrast. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteTry again....I am so in love with bright saturated colors (particularly during the long winters in Alaska) that I forget the amazing effects of contrast. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteLoving this green and yellow combination with light contrast! It is very Spring like.
ReplyDeleteI love the freshness of the lighter colors. I saw a monochromatic quilt the other day that I just loved. It was so striking in it's simplicity. It was a brilliant piece by the quilter. Sometimes a quilt doesn't have to be vivid to be breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteDaffies and spring leaves! The sketch made me think of pueblos, but the colors are so NOT pueblo, so maybe it reminds me of spring fields of tulips and daffodils.
ReplyDeleteSo what happened to the non-designed piece?