FMP Samples

Here are some designs that I have chosen as my final samples.

This design was initially inspired by a chevron pattern. I used two different feathers, alternating between a stroke and a fill, in place of lines or dashes. I then filled the spaces in between with taxidermist's tools. This pattern is quite simple in contrast to some other prints but I would like a variation in my final collection.

This is possibly my favourite print so far. However, when I've digitally printed it on to cotton sateen the background looks too plain. It could maybe do with some texture or a light subtle print so that it doesn't distract from the main imagery.

I like that it is still hinting at the theme of taxidermy due to the tag, labels, tools and skulls. However, the colours mean that it doesn't look as gruesome as stuffed and preserved animals would imply.

This print was inspired by the work of Flora and Fauna. The background is a light grey so that the bright birds stand out against it. I also added a small highlight of green in the arrow.

My colour palette has been a problem for me throughout this project. I started off with a small palette of light blue, dark blue, grey, brown, orange and white. I found that this palette wasn't big enough to use for some of the repeat patterns that I was doing at the beginning. I got a new bright palette from WGSN and replaced some of the colours in it for the white, peach and grey from the original palette. I think its working better now but colour is still not my forte.

Something I Stumbled Across.

Doing a little bit of work today and stumbled across these. I wanted to make a note of them so that I can refer to them easily whilst producing my final samples.

Jessica Hogarth.

I love her designs. Have a look at http://www.jessicahogarth.com/. I found this print was particularly appropriate to my theme as I have a few drawings of birds. I like the way that shes use simple drawings, outlines and filled silhouettes in her pattern. It also reminded me of a previous post where I have experimented on Adobe Illustrator with line drawings and silhouettes of a bird.

Karen Nicol.

This beautiful embroidered mouse with wings just had to be posted during a Taxidermy themed project. Its aesthetically pleasing - mice are pets, wings are associated with angels and the threads make it look soft to touch. Which completely contrasts to the goriness of taxidermy - essentially a stuffed dead animal.

Time Management and Illustrator Patterns

I'm really struggling to manage everything at once now. I'm almost finished PPD but I'm baffled about WBL. It doesn't make any sense to me. Hopefully these projects are out the way soon so that I can concentrate on my Final Major Project.
I'm a bit apprehensive about using Adobe Illustrator as I'm aware it will take me longer since I have such little experience.
However, I have found this YouTube video by Howard Pinsky which shows how to develop a seamless repeat pattern. It helps that the pattern can be saved as a swatch to use again or layer over fills. This pattern tool, unlike on Photoshop, allows you to alter how the pattern is aligned.

The video gives me inspiration for how to develop a pattern using a single motif which contrasts to my current development of conversational prints.