Design development metallic piece

Further development of Design ideas for the Metallic Assessment piece. IMAGE 1 ( SIZE 10 INCH SQUARE) As part of my research for the Opus Anglicanum study I made a visit to Ely Cathedral to see a building originating from this era. In one of the Side Chapels is Prior Cauden's pavement. One of the few remaining complete ceramic tiled floors dating from the early 1300s. One of the tile designs had a repeating leaf pattern, photographed below. IMAGES 2 AND 3 ( repeat from previous post) In developing design ideas for my metallic object I focused on an idea developed from the tile. Although I realised that this needed further working up it had echoes of the previous design experiments with a repetition of images. The fabric sample used the same leaf shape as a base , overlaid with nearly identical smaller leaves arranged in repeating rows. I went on to develop the idea but extending it into a variety of leaf images to give interest to the design and to give the basis for experimentation with textile representation of a variety of leaf ,seed and faded flower head images . The whole picture has a feel of the colours of Autumn.

Image 4 (A4 size)

Following feedback I went both backwards and forwards!! In looking at the design above I decided to work on the obvious curved shape . I then went on to acquire some additional computer skills in manipulating both 'Paint ' and Photoshop. (Although ,in design terms, these skills are still in their infancy they did, however, provide a medium in which to develop ideas and experimentation. )

Once I had decided to focus on the curve it then led on, fairly obviously, to the development of a number of arched branches of varying lengths and curves ,moving across the design.

The movement of the wind would lead to the scattering of leaves and debris as leaf litter on the floor. The development of my previous mask design from the fragments of cut up, manipulated designs gave rise to this idea. When eventually making the leaves ,the resulting fragments of metallic threads and fabrics can then be utilised to make this pile . Bonding distressing and fusing techniques can then be used to add to the definition of the pile.

The main metallic shapes of leaves , seed heads and faded flowers will hang free from the branches to create movement while fabric 'shadows' will be stitched to the background to add depth and interest. The addition of wire into the leaves hanging from the trees will enable the shapes to be manipulated to show the action of the wind.

I used a paint programme as a way of experimenting with some of the above ideas and the image and text below charts the development of these, trying to respond to Tutor feedback.

IMAGE 5 (FULL SIZE 24 x 16 INCHES)

I then used photoshop and its drawing tools to try to incorporate some of these ideas into the original drawing. When going back to the painted leaf design, following the development of the three curves idea, it transpired that the three main curves connected elements of the original quite well (as in the paint shop design above). Other foliage and flower shapes were then added both to augment the original and to introduce some brighter colours. The leaf litter was then added to the bottom edge of the design. The black curves have been translated into a gold tone as it is intended to wrap the main curved wires with gold metallic thread In developing the design I have revisited a number of the processes in chapters 12 and 13 including

Using a variety of Colours

Using the natural curves and movement in the original drawing but making multiples of the original by utilising a number of cross sections through it.

Adding a variety of shapes to an original fixed leaf shape

Using a series of repeating designs , with variations, across the page

Trying to create different levels and vistas within the design.

The single leaf 'hanging' at the left hand edge of the design will be deleted at the next phase!!