Manmade vs Nature Project - Evaluation.

Nature vs. Manmade.

Research and Themes:

For this project I tried to do a lot more primary research than previous projects. This meant me taking more first hand photographs. The photographs I took for this project were based on both manmade and nature subjects; this included images of stained glass that I have in my home, images from my previous holidays that contain buildings, the landscape I see on my daily walks and other manmade subjects such as vehicles (my car). I made sure I got a range of primary photographs to give me something to develop. I developed my primary research by creating sketches or paintings from them in my sketchbook. Other research I carried out was secondary, this was done by collecting images from books and the internet (Pinterest) and putting them into my sketchbook; again I looked into both manmade and nature to give my self a wide range of subjects to develop and work from. All of my research was carried out in my sketchbook again I developed the secondary research in my sketchbook by producing prints (lino), sketches and paintings. Further development from both types of research was my mood boards where I began to pick out subjects for what I wanted to look into and develop further. Another research stage I carried out was observational drawing where in class we had a set up of products including both manmade and nature factors. Images of this set up can be found in my sketchbook.

I knew from the start of my research stages that I wanted to go into developing the manmade theme specifically stained glass, therefore I focused one of my mood boards on this subject. Also to carry on the manmade theme I chose to carry out and produce 2 more mood boards based on buildings and rust. All of these subjects were gone over and researched in my sketchbook; I was able to get together primary images of these subjects which allowed me to have a good reason to develop them. Once I firmly decided to go with the manmade theme I started to develop my research; specifically this was my mood boards into visual sheets then into development sheets; this development allowed me to decide on a design idea for my final print. Once I had chosen my theme and what I wanted to base my wallpaper on I quickly decided on the colour scheme I wanted to use, this colour scheme is seen throughout my technical processes and sheet work. The colours I used to develop was blues, greens and purples; one of the main reasons I chose this colour scheme was because many of the stained glass images both primary and secondary that I have collected these colours often appear.

You can find more detail and information on my sheet-work in older blog posts.

Technical processes:

Knitting - I enjoy this technical process therefore I had no issue when I was asked to carry it out as part of this project. I made sure the wool and yarns I used to knit with linked with my colour scheme for example I used blue wool and blue yarns. There is a blog post further down going into more details about my knitting experience. I would definitely use this process again in future projects. I use this process in my personal time knitting myself accessories such as scarf’s.

Weaving (loom) - I did not like this technical process; I used the loom where the weave was a lot thinner than the other loom set up therefore it was not a massive sample that I created. I again stuck to my chosen colour scheme of using blues. I don’t feel this weave was as neat as other weave processes.

Weaving (peg) - I really enjoyed this technical process, maybe because it was something I had never done before. Even though this process was time consuming I think the end product produced is intriguing and eye-catching. I would use this process in further projects.

Weaving (cardboard) - This was so simple, it amazed me. I like how you can easily do a cardboard loom anywhere, on any piece of cardboard of any size. I started to produce a sample for this technique and when I finished it I was really attracted to it and the colours fitted my colours scheme perfectly so I decided to use it next to my final wallpaper.

Felting (wet) - This technical  process is good however I find it time consuming and messy. I would use this process again but only if it was necessary. The wet felting samples I produced I tried to use felt fibres that link to my theme and colour scheme.

Felting (needle) - I dislike this technical process, it is very time consuming for what is eventually produced. It can create beautiful pieces as I discovered when researching felting artists however it just does not interest me.

For these processes I carried out artist and designer research in my sketchbook. I enjoyed doing this research as I like to see how other people use these processes such as in fashion.

Artists research:

I decided to look into 3 designers/artists this first designer I looked into was the fashion garment designer Delpozo; this designers bases a lot of his work on nature subjects such as floral‘s, therefore it does no influence my final theme however I wanted to do a artists research sheet to back up sketchbook research of the nature theme.

The second artist I looked into was Charles Rennie Mackintosh, as he did create many stained glass pieces which linked to my research and sheet work. Many of the colours he used throughout his work also inspired the colour theme I went for, mainly the use of purples he used was why I decided to put it into my colour scheme.

The third designer I looked into and researched was Alexandar Mqueen. I chose to research McQueen because he created a beautiful collection of tops, dresses and clutches using stained glass as an inspiration. The colours he used however were the opposite of what I had chosen to use however his stained glass garments did inspire my work for example he used geometric traditional stained glass patterns such as circles and triangles, therefore I took this with me as inspiration when creating my sheet work and print designs. McQueen was the main designer who strongly supported my theme and inspired me throughout this project for what I researched and produced.

Experimentation:

Throughout this project I did quite a lot of experimentation using different media processes. In my sketchbook I carried out Ink and Pen, Batik, gouache paintings and Lino cuts and prints. Each process of media I used I tried to link it in with my research and themes as much as I could. My development and visual sheets also gave me the opportunity to experiment with different media processes with for example I adapted certain areas of what I wanted my design to look like and I used Batik on one of my development sheets to show I could go on and use it for the final print. I did a lot of experimentation in my screen printing samples of my design as well, I produced various prints which for some I used Batik backgrounds and for all I experimented with colours. I always enjoy experimenting in the print room to print my design as I get to see how the aspect for my design could change. For me I find experimenting throughout projects really useful as it gives me more to work on to develop samples towards my final piece.

In my samples I decided to take forward the idea of Batik;  I had done some experimentation of the media process in my sketchbook and on developments sheets. I never took to Batik in previous projects however for this project I thought it suited the objective of what I wanted my wallpaper to be used for well. All of my samples using the media Batik I was attracted to more than the plain samples I produced; I think this was because as the design I created was simple a media based background makes it intriguing and stand out more. I am happy I carried on this media throughout my project.

Design meeting:

I have previously gone through the design meeting in class on my blog so I wont repeat my self too much. What I will say is I really enjoyed this process as it was fascinating to find out what other people would want as a wallpaper with my design on. I was able to receive both positive and negative feedback on each of my samples which gave me an idea of what people would want, which is useful for future preference. In the design meeting my peers couldn’t choose between two of the samples I had produced therefore I took the decision to my tutor and the print room technician. I was happy for either to be chosen however the most complicated of the two was picked, which I think was a good choice as it suited the objective I had in mind for my wallpaper better than the other. Overall the design meeting process for me was a good experience, and helped to build my confidence of presenting my work.

Producing me final piece:

Alongside my final piece I had to produce a woven or knitted piece. When I was learning different weaving techniques I started a cardboard loom weave, which when I finally finished I thought personally it suited my colour scheme really well and I was more than pleased to using it to support my final wallpaper. So as you can see I didn’t prematurely decide on what I was going to produce I just created a weave and it suited my aspect for the project final product well.

When starting my final wallpaper I decided to take my time to ensure nothing went wrong and so I didn’t feel under pressure. I chose to spend a full day ( Friday 10/01/13) creating the background for the wallpaper to ensure it was to the best of my ability and to ensure it resembles the samples was re-creating. I tried my best to ensure the Batik lines resembled the chosen sample as well as the Brusho colours, I made sure the Brush’s were all dried thoroughly because placing more colours on top; I also made sure they were dry before ironing off the wax, it was important to iron ALL of the wax off so there was a wax free and smooth surface to print on. My personal opinion of the background is that it turned out better than I ever expected, it resembles the sample really well which was my main aim. I think the hardest part of this process was the batik lines, which even turned out well; nothing major went wrong when creating my wallpapers background. The problem solving I carried out for this part of the wallpaper was making sure the Brusho colours resembled what was used on my sample; I had the colours used in my sample wrote down which helped to solve this and to prevent any major mistakes.

I started the printing process of my wallpaper the following Monday. I took time mixing my pigments colours ensuring they matched the ones used on my sample; I made sure I had the paper containing the colours used to produce the colours from my sample in front of me when mixing them . I also  took my time when printing, for example I only printed one section at a time to reduce smudging the printed pigment and to avoid pigment seeping through my screen or blocking the screen. Again this section of creating my wallpaper again went really well, there was no serious mistakes made. The only areas that went wrong was that some areas of the design seeped where I put too much pigment on my screen however with a busy background it wasn’t severely noticeable; also some areas didn’t print fully where I didn’t pull enough pigment through, however I solved this problem by painting the small sections in.  Apart from this the whole printing process went well and the only thing I would change would be the direction I printed my design in for example instead of vertically I would print it horizontally. More information about me creating my final wallpaper can be found in my previous blog post.

Time management:

I feel I did manage my time well, I gave myself sections I had to fill in my sketchbook for certain dates which I carried out, this helped me to fill a large section of my sketchbook with various media and research included. I think I used my time well again when it came to my sheet-work, as I gave myself a target to complete it too a high standard within a certain time period;  for example produce two mood boards at home in the space of one to two days. Another area of the project I managed my time well in, was carrying out samples and producing my final piece, I made sure if I did not get enough done whilst at college I would go into college and do more on my days off. This helped me a lot as I then got what I needed done and it stopped me from rushing and making mistakes. Overall throughout the project I constantly gave myself date targets for when I wanted to get certain parts of the project done which I think is very good time management. The only thing I don’t feel I managed my time well with was my blog, I created blog posts throughout this project but it was in sections, and not as I did them; however the posts I created are to a good standard and include everything I feel is needed. I enjoy using my blog as I can easily look back at things from previous projects which can influence present projects, and to me it is a virtual diary of my work.

Overall:

Overall I am satisfied with the projects outcome. I am extremely pleased with my final wallpaper product and all of the sheet-work I produced especially my development sheets. I think my main strengths throughout this project was my sheet-work as I ensured I carried them out to a high standard, as well as the technical processes mainly knitting. I think the main things I could of done to improve my project was the design I created for the final print as I wish it was more intricate and busy, however for what I have produced as a final outcome I am happy with. Also I feel I could of maybe produced more extermination in my sketchbook using more media processes. However with the hand in date set shorter than previous projects I feel I have carried out a lot of work at a good standard and of what I am pleased at and happy to present.

The image above shows my complete meter long Wallpaper.


My Cardboard Loom Weave to support my Wallpaper.