Adobe Illustrator CS6

I have downloaded a trial of Adobe Illustrator CS6 and attempted to learn a bit more after a fairly unsuccessful attempt in an earlier project.

I took a photo of a bird from Google to attempt to use different tools such as the pen tool, different strokes & fills, swatches, copying an image, the brush tool, scale, rotate and more.

Here are the results....  

This is the fully completed bird with colour.

 I copied the whole grouped image to another file and played around with it to get a silhouette image of it and filled it blue using the fill tool.

This is the outline of the image. I think its interesting as it shows all the overlapping of the lines and the different stroke weights I've used.

 

I usually use Photoshop to develop an image but I think Illustrator has a better end result as it doesn't pixelate the image. When developing a design from your own drawing it is easier to fill an area with colour on Illustrator than Photoshop.

You Are Cordially Invited...

Made in Jesmond is a treasure trove of unique handmade gifts and arty object d'art - locally made (with love) from gorgeous old textiles and repurposed materials and some lovely things to bring a little vintage style into your home.

 

 

All final designs produced for the 'Designing a Textiles Breif' will be launched at Made In Jesmond on Friday 19th April at 142 Manor House Road, Jesmond. The following day, Saturday 20th April, will be open for friends and family to view.

To find out more visit www.facebook.com/MadeInJesmond.

Penelope Prince

I've just found this designer on Print & Pattern. Michelle Hutchinson is a freelance surface and apparel designer who works under the name Penelope Prince. Almost every pattern is derived from an original illustration or painting and are aimed at women's or children's wear.
I particularly like her feather pattern.

 

There is a slight contrast in the style of drawing for each different feather and a very subtle colour palette which would work well for a background. I am planning to do a conversational print as one of my final designs which would include imagery such as feathers, taxidermist's tools, animals, labels and tags. I have already started drawing feathers from primary source but these images are more inspirational to me.

Here are some more of her other designs.

http://www.penelopeprince.com/

Developing a Textiles Product

One of the skills I feel I have developed throughout the course is my ability to collect a range of different images from a variety of sources. The research I have gathered for this project has came from different on-line website, including WGSN, library books and magazines such as Show Details. I have also collected primary source research by taking photos of taxidermy at the Hancock Museum and their archive. I feel that my initial drawings, development and final collection of prints will benefit from a strong and inspiring starting point. A successful result in the final major product could form the basis of a portfolio, with the 10 professional samples and final garment fronts.
Here are some of the most interesting research I have came across.

Amanda's Autopsies

www.amandasautopsies.com
Amanda creates her work with an influence from Walter Potter who was one of the first to dress up preserved animals. After his work went on sale to private collectors, Amanda recreated some of his work as it would probably never be seen by the public again. She now creates taxidermy, jewellery and steam punk themed items. I particularly like this clockwork chick as it shows a playful side to a gory theme. I could include the clockwork mechanism in my print to hint at the taxidermy theme but not look too gruesome overall.

Spirit Collection Tours

The spirit collection tours was an exhibition held at the Natural History Museum displaying different specimens pickled in jars of spirits.

I like the blue tag labelled '1492' as it helps to identify the specimen. Imagery of these tags, labels and numbering could be used in a conversational print with imagery such as birds, feathers, bell jars and mounts. This would avoid the final patterns from looking like a generic bird print and help indicate the theme of Taxidermy.

 

Hancock Museum Archive

The archive is available to the public through appointment. It holds all kind of taxidermy, bugs, insects, skeletons and weapons from around the world. It is an ideal place to gather primary research of things that would otherwise be unavailable. The visit here was mostly what had inspired me to choose the taxidermy theme and specifically taxidermied birds.

Developing a Textiles Product (FMP)

For my final major project I have decided on Taxidermy as a theme. I have gathered primary research by visiting the Hancock Museum and also their archive which is situated underneath the National History Museum.

 

 

 I was particularly influenced by the birds. I like the colour and texture of their feathers as well as the different poses they are displayed in and the different shapes and silhouettes they can form with their wings.

 

I was most inspired by this pattern. I like the way they have been drawn quite simply but with lots of use of line to add detail and texture. The print only uses a total of about five colours. This is the type of colour palette I will be aiming to use because colour usage isn't one of my strengths. WGSN has helped me with this as I can use pre-made palettes with complimentary colours. However, the colour palette I chose for my last project wasn't reflected in my final product as I didn't use all the colours or the right proportions.

 

 

This style of print would work well in a collection alongside one with more detail, as a contrast. It also gave me an idea of drawing in a more simple, stylised way. I can produce a variety of mark making drawings quickly but I tend to do them in the same styles. Drawing this way will also help show off the silhouette of the animals as well as strengthening my variety and style of initial drawing.