Not Happy With My First Art Quilt Attempt
#271
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Fort White, Fl
Posts: 2,689
Originally Posted by Hinterland
I think maybe you are focused too much on the details of the picture. Instead of trying to recreate the textures, try for the light, medium and dark values to establish the picture and add depth. Then you can add details, or not.
Janet
Janet
#272
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Newberg, OR
Posts: 1,911
Originally Posted by Farm Quilter
Originally Posted by catrancher
Last night I "sacrificed my quilt (it's for learning, right?) to experimentation with Shiva paint sticks. What a cool medium! I've had the paint sticks for quite a while, but never tried them. Now I'm ready to start again, and I'll use this first quilt to experiment with shading. Your feedback has been invaluable. Thank you for taking so much interest. Your words of encouragement have been so uplifting!
Here's a link if you're interested in learning more:
http://www.sewthankful.com/PaintstikInstruct.html
Without Paint
[ATTACH=CONFIG]198334[/ATTACH]
With Paint--The mountain is too blue (a limitation of the color I have), and the grass is still not quite right (limited in my choice of colors). But I like the way it toned down the color in the house! I used a sort of bronze colored one for that.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]198335[/ATTACH]
Shiva Paintstiks Irridescent
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New set--more and better colors
[ATTACH=CONFIG]198347[/ATTACH]
#274
Originally Posted by Candace
This is just my opinion, but what I see in most landscape quilts that work best are that the fabrics for grass, buildings etc. are not literal. Meaning, they aren't fabrics that are printed with stone, or grass patterned fabric. They tend to be the same color way as the objects, but the patterning with thread is what gives it life and the interpretation of the viewer adds to the interest of the piece.
Someone mentioned the tree in front of your house being too dark, this can be made lighter with thread embellishment.
I think you will find that once you have added the other tree and the fence, it will come together, and you will be surprised the difference thread embellishment does make.
Don't be hard on yourself, you have had the courage to try this. When I did a course for landscape quilting I found there was a lack of pre course information on fabric selection, so tried to select fabrics with a print that matched the textures in my photo, but I also took to class a whole selection of other fabrics. Once the instructor had explained a little bit more about what we should aim to achieve and showed us samples of her work, it was clear that my original fabric selections were poor choices. I am thinking this may have been the same for you. Even if you are not happy with your end result (and most of the time we are our own worst critic) you have gained the techniques and experience to help master this art if you feel you want to go further with it.
#275
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Newberg, OR
Posts: 1,911
Originally Posted by oksewglad
What a great idea! Nothing like trying this technique on an actual project. And you have rid yourself of the guilt of the unfinished project! Way to go, G.
I started on a simpler image today, and I'm going about it differently . . . and more light-heartedly. I'm only adding one new element per day, and that will give me plenty of time to stare at it. Also, instead of fusing or sewing pieces down, I'm using a "canvas" of muslin and using 505 spray until I'm certain I like the fabrics I'm trying out. It's not ready for prime time yet, but I'll post a picture of it when I get a little further along.
Thanks again for all your interest and encouragment. I have to admit being surprised at the number of comments I got. Your suggestions have been extremely helpful, and I've learned a lot from reading them.
#279
I really like what is happening with the paint sticks and can't wait to see what you do with the new ones you ordered!!! It REALLY makes a great difference with the house and grass...I rather like the blue mountain, but you will be able to play even more with the new paints and when you start the quilting process...don't forget that the thread painting can make such a difference!
Thanks for sharing these pictures...and keep sharing them, please!!! I am learning so much from you :thumbup:
Thanks for sharing these pictures...and keep sharing them, please!!! I am learning so much from you :thumbup:
#280
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Littlefield, TX, USA
Posts: 1,077
I like the way the green works with the grasses! I need to try something with the class info I've taken.
Marge
Pretty please, can we see what you have done??? With sugar on top!!!!! :thumbup:
Okay, okay . . . I'm still not happy with this, but it's a good way to practice with these. The Shiva Paintstiks, if you aren't familiar with them are like oil crayons. They develop a film that can be wiped off with a paper towel when you want to use them, then after using them they reseal themselves with a new film so that they never dry out. They can be stenciled, rubbed, whatever . . . depending on what you're trying to achieve. I only have the irridescent colors, and not enough choices to achieve the colors I want. I was just messing with them. This morning, I ordered another set with more colors, including white and black.
Here's a link if you're interested in learning more:
http://www.sewthankful.com/PaintstikInstruct.html
Marge
Originally Posted by catrancher
Originally Posted by Farm Quilter
Originally Posted by catrancher
Last night I "sacrificed my quilt (it's for learning, right?) to experimentation with Shiva paint sticks. What a cool medium! I've had the paint sticks for quite a while, but never tried them. Now I'm ready to start again, and I'll use this first quilt to experiment with shading. Your feedback has been invaluable. Thank you for taking so much interest. Your words of encouragement have been so uplifting!
Here's a link if you're interested in learning more:
http://www.sewthankful.com/PaintstikInstruct.html
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