TOP TRUMPS

IMAGE OF MY CHOSEN ILLUSTRATOR FOR TOP TRUMPS

EVALUATION OF FINAL OUTCOME OF "PRINTS OF DARKNESS"

I was pleasantly surprised to find that, due to an extention of the hand in date, the stress of this final stage of this project was much reduced.

For me personally, I found that completing the cushions, with applique, machine stitching and hand embroidery was enjoyable and even somewhat relaxing.

I was pleased that I had decided to go with the green and black colour scheme, as I felt it produced some of the impact I was trying to achieve.

I feel that the negative elements of the final outcome were:

Because there was a problem with the light sensitive emulsion washing off the silk screens in the print room, my positive image for the Middle Ages print was not a good crisp image - it was a bit spotty and speckled. However, as I had already used 3 screens, and all had problems, I decided due to the time factor, to use the image although it was not perfect.

Also, I wanted the cushions to be soft, floppy, cuddly ones, but I was disappointed that because the filled inserts were smaller than I had realised, the cushions were a bit more floppy than I had intended.

Overall I am satisfied that my design was quite eye-catching and effective, and also I feel that my idea for  a progression of human footprints through  the ages, and their impact, was relevant to the theme "Prints of Darkness"

Cushions completed

Update on "Prints of Darkness" - this is the photo of the completed cushions in situ:

THE ART OF PRINT STAGE TWO - "PRINTS OF DARKNESS"

For this project my initial idea was to make a series of lino cuts of aimal prints, to use for cushions, as follows:

When doing research I saw this image in Harmonious Homes by Judith Wilson (2004): 

(Seems like I gravitate towards anything with an African theme)

I then thought of using a series of animal foot prints, for example:

Looking for a symbolic meaning, I thought about how different animals might affect the environment.

This led to the idea of comparing animal prints with human footprints and introducing the concept of how the human carbon footprint is having an impact on the environment and the implications.

At this point I considered the relevance of colour to the theme. My colours of choice to tie  in with the theme "Prints of Darkness" were: green, brown and black, and I finally settled on green and black, which would depict a clean environment and a damaged environment, and would also provide the greatest impact.

I also incorporated a small amount of text to highlight the implications.

This is how my idea developed:

Positive and negitive photocopies to go onto acetate for screen prints:

The first two are screen prints on green fabric and the third one is a laser cut through on black fabric over the green fabric:

The final stage remaining is to add some decorative stitching and possibly applique, and then assemble the series of 3 cushions depicting:

1) Early print - No harmful elements in the environment  

2) Middle Ages print - Some harmful elements eg Bubonic plague or " Black Death"

3) Carbon footprint - causing harm to the environment



Life Snake

For my Life Snake I used an image that I made last year. It's a drypoint worked over with water colours.

My printer-scanner-copier HP Deskjet F2480 ( just an inexpensive one) cuts off the bottom of images and I'm not sure how to correct it. I would appreciate any advice, thanks.

YAY!

Really glad our group has been guided through setting up our blog, 'cause never done one before so confusion reigns...