Design Sheet C

I have to be honest and say that the novelty of cutting out paper shapes was fading when I embarked on Design Sheet C - but it is amazing what a new bottle of pearlescent lime green ink can offer by way of motivation!
After completing tasks (i) and (ii) I selected the new six sided shape shown in green. My enthusiasm began to return when I began experimenting with ways of overlapping and interlocking and I became absorbed in the different variations which could be achieved..
Strictly speaking I don't think my rotational pattern is precisely symmetrical but I found the finished effect pleasing. I used a masking and layering method to produce pattern (iv) but admit to forgetting how far ink flies when a diffuser is used! In my notebook I have written a large reminder for next time - spray inside a large shoe box lined with kitchen roll.

Design Sheet B

I decided to go back to the Faberge star for the first few of these designs. It proved difficult to scale down even with
my tiny scissors so I used artistic licence.

The two different sizes combined well to form an edge to edge pattern which produced an interesting Islamic tile
effect. I was particularly pleased with this as I felt the chosen colours really complemented the design.

Because it was a regular four sided shape, the same star also  worked well as a border and turned a corner easily. Using a gold pen to emphasise the negative shapes added to the linkage effect.

For the next interlinked design (iv) I tried to combine the
Faberge star with the feathered star outline, cutting slots
in the latter and using complementary colours. This was fiddly
and I was surprised when it hung together rather like a paper
bracelet.

I used the same shapes for exercise (v) and (vii) experimenting with solid and more filigree shapes. My favourite experiment was cutting the new stars from old as the results were often quite unexpected.

Module 1 Chapter 3

Design Sheet A.

I managed to produce a massive stash of different papers and in this series of exercises, began to develop a range of patterns. The opportunities to 'play' were infinite and settling on a few researched shapes was difficult!

I used a stylised version of the Faberge star for the first counterchange and then used the comparatively simple shape of the Origami star for the second example (from image worksheet). Although this star is quite plain it produced interesting negative space when several were arranged in a square.

The symmetry exercises took more thought. I chose the Star of
Bethlehem shape and adapted it to be doubly symmetrical and then doubly assymetrical. I used a template on stretched tights
to achieve a distortion and thought the finished shape resembled
a vertical water lily!


The idea of adapting a shape to a range of outlines particularly
appealed and I like how the resulting repeating pattern almost
had a feel of curved form.

Paper star cutouts

I found a tiny pair of decoupage scissors invaluable for cutting out some of the more intricate shapes. Many of my research images were natural, non geometric shapes (like the seed head) and needed some artistic licence! I chose a lime/olive background which actually seems yellow in the photograph and plum/purple cutouts with accents of a fuschia colour. I liked the effect of rotating and layering different star motifs.

Chapter 2 Module 1 Paper Samples

Printed Paper Samples

This was an exercise with infinite permutations and the big challenge was knowing when to stop! The recipe for each
sample is on the back so that it can be replicated and all were tacked on to the backing sheet  with blu-tak.
I played around with dilute washes and pure ink mixes and tried to achieve different finishes with sponge, brush and diffuser
application.
I hadn't made a lino block for years and was surprised how easy the new lino alternative was to cut. I chose to copy my
estoile motif which is quite starfish like. The effect I think worked best was picking up two or three shades of acrylic on the block.

Greens and yellows

Plums and Magentas

Plum and green estoile

lime and yellow starfish

Selected Colour Pair Experiments

Chapter 2 Module 1
I decided on purple and limes as my complementary colour
combinations extending this through the range of red and blue  
 purples and yellows through to lime.

To fix the various tints, hues and shades in my mind I made
a spectrum colour chart and then made wheels using torn
scraps from magazine pages.

By playing in this way, I think it helped me to appreciate
different gradations and combinations.

I discovered that the range of purple inks was quite limited and resorted to mixing my own from those listed. The purples were much more opaque than the greens/yellows and trialling mixing gave me a better insight into their various properties.

Sketches of stars Module 1 Chapter 1

I found these images from a variety of sources. I have kept a sketchbook for some years and was suprised to find how many stars I already had. The estoile shapes with 'curvy' rays intrigued me and I read somewhere that they are an heraldic symbol. Star motifs feature in a multitude of cultures and I made notes on their particular significance. Especially liked the Japanese 'Hoshi' star bottom left. This is found on Imperial gowns dating back to the 13th Century and was used to symbolize wealth and status. Using technical pens to ink over my pencil outlines proved very relaxing.

Colour Wheel Exercise Mod 1 Chapter 1

This exercise taught me to concentrate. I have run an art club for ten years and always start with this activity when I have a new batch of children. I am
embarassed to say this was my third attempt as I kept filling in the wrong segment! Just goes to show that I need full attention and not try to watch TV/listen to my husband/make tea and paint all at the same time.

Collage of Star Images Module 1 Chapter 1

I thoroughly enjoyed searching for different examples of stars, both naturally occuring and manmade. I started by creating a mind map of all the various stars that sprung to mind.... Star jumps, star fish, star anise,

shooting stars, starry eyed, star fruit, pentacle, Star of David, Bethlehem Star etc. I then looked for images in books, magazines, on the net or took photos of my own (eg bottom middle -my 'Angel' perfume bottle).

I finished up with an ecclectic collection!! Favourites? Andy Goldsworthy's icicle star bottom right -thought I might make one of these from the icicles collecting around my frozen boiler outlet!!!! Also liked the star made with linked hands and the eye with the star iris. It was so difficult to choose for my final sheet but I'm pleased with the end result.