June Design Master Class-Value-Part 1
Every month of Elizabeth Barton‘s Design Master Class I get excited about the new challenge. June’s assignment was to revisit a previous month’s subject and tackle it again. I chose January’s subject of value, something I definitely need to learn more about. Again, it all started so well….
When I visited my son in Tucson I was particularly intrigued by the giant agave plants that are so abundant there. I chose this photo to work from. It’s not the greatest photo but it does show off the margins that appear on mature agaves and I found the shapes interesting. Also there was a good amount of value contrast to work with.
I stumbled around in PhotoShop to find out how to add the grid lines. I’m tired of running to Kinko’s for enlargements-it’s a two-tripper: once to drop off and once to pick up. Ack!
This method worked pretty well and was quite easy. I forgot to take a photo of the cartoon after each section had been numbered and assigned a value. I made a copy out of additional freezer paper from which I cut out each piece to use as cutting templates. I’m using Misty Fuse as my fusing agent.
I originally worked from this sketch-Elizabeth requires a value sketch for each quilt. It’s a very good habit to start and something I never did before. Hmmm, that could be why I need work on value.
I wanted to try to work with non-representational colors so I chose blue and red. I really despise the fabric explosion that it takes to go through my stash and select fabrics. But dang, my storage system is fabulous! It’s so easy to peruse my stash, select fabric and return it to its spot. I wrote about my storage system here and here.
I started with these fabrics-hah! I ended up using very few of these. The whole thing of using non-representational colors-oh I am so not ready for that! On to Plan B.
Also, I decided to work larger than previously so I made this piece 17″ x 22″. Why not? It kind of makes me wonder why I kept my other pieces so small. I thought it would be faster and easier but that was not the case.
I pondered how to best represent the spiny margins on the agave. My initial plan was to free motion them with thread. I realized that was a lot of work and probably not the most effective way to represent them. I ended up cutting wavy lines and I really like the look of them-it’s kind of whimsical.
My first attempt was somewhat successful. (I’m not done adding spiny margins here). I actually was pretty pleased with it except the whole center leaf-it just wasn’t right. It doesn’t even read as a whole leaf and confuses the eye. The left and right parts of the piece worked well, probably because there is better value contrast there.
Initially, I focused on that bottom section of deep blue, close to the bottom center of the photo-there was way too much value contrast there.
I started here and ended up with maybe 8 different choices. And none of them worked.
Gradually it dawned on me that it wasn’t just that little section that was the problem, it was the whole leaf. I’m waiting for critique on my blocked out quilt. Sorry for the color here-it was taken with the wrong setting on my camera.
I’ve probably spent around 15 hours to get it to the initial stage you saw above, then about 4 hours putzing with that one little piece in the middle. Since then I have gradually changed each piece in that center leaf. Now that’s easy another 9 hours. And, it’s still not right. I only mention this to say, does everyone else take this long to create??? Stay tuned!
Yes, it takes a while, especially when this way of working is new. BTW I love the 1st attempt. One thing you may want to try- I noticed in your value sketch you have that large center leaf with some very dark bits in the middle. Try adding some darker value blues or greens in those little areas. I think it will help break up that leaf. I love the wavy edges that abstracts the thorns!
Thanks Roxane! I have been working on it since that photo and went darker with more variance. I tried those spots before and didn’t like them but that was before the rearrangement. I see where some darker value in there is needed and I can’t wait to try that!
Yes, it sometimes takes me weeks to work out just one little section. I have to leave it and come back fresh. Sometimes the back of a fabric is perfect for shading, depending on how the fabric is dyed. I love it, your piece is much more interesting than the actual photo! Love thee ‘spines’!
Thank you Lori-it’s not just me! I tried the back of a dark fabric in one area of that center leaf and in that case it didn’t work. Since I’ve done other things to it since then I need to revisit that concept-thank you for bringing that up. I love to be able to leave it and come back to it but in this case, it’s my monthly assignment and I need to finish. Sigh.
Jenny, take another look at your original photo through a Ruby Beholder. I believe you will find some more lights in the background leaves and a whole range, light to dark in the center leaf. That may be what seems to throw it off balance. You may be trying to see the outer leaves as all dark values and the center leaf lighter. I see lights and darks in both.
I did do the Ruby and still came up with this! My eye needs some training. I like your idea of light and darks all over-I’ll go try that. Thank you!
Another thing I suggest when a student is puzzled about values. Convert the original to black and white by using a copier. Sometimes this helps you train your eye as well.
How did you cut the wavey pieces? They look like ric-rac out of fabric. I love the look they give to the edges of the leaves.
Hi Kathy-I used the paper backed fusible for that and simply waved my scissor back and forth as I went. I agree-I do love those wavy edges. I think I like it better than the actual spiky ones! Thanks for the comment.
“does everyone else take this long to create???” Yes, it does!!!! I do have to say I love your “wavy lines” of fabric – wish I had thought of that on some of my designs. I am working on an art quilt for my brother that is twin sized [I know!] with fabric pictures of our favorite haunts when we lived in Colorado as children. I, too, thought I could use some non-representational colors, but every one I tried just did not work out the way I thought it should. I have been working on this quilt since February of this year, and finally only have one and a half location representations of frequently visited places left to do. I have ended up trying to more-or-less use family photos to copy in fabric. I hope that makes you feel better about the time it is taking for you to do this challenge of yours. And good luck with it.
A twin sized art quilt?? Yowza! Yes, that would take some time. I think it’s harder to work with non-representational colors than it might seem. Your quilt sounds fabulous-what a lovely gift for your brother. Thank you for the comment!
Love both versions, can’t wait to see your final result. Stunning!
Thank you Kirsty-I can’t wait either. I just want to wake up and it’s beautiful and done!
Yup….it certainly does! Check out the whole cloth silk challenge I did. DH said he hasn’t heard/seen me in such travail/quandary over any other project!!!!! Your project is much more “subtle” than mine and the line between “perfect, I see it” and “my eyes can’t follow it/define it” is a very thin one. Sometimes stepping back/walking away brings great insights!!!! You will “get it”, though. Hugs……….
Yes, I am reminded that yes, it does! Thanks for the feedback. I guess what I should have written was does anyone else take this long on a simple project, one that is not for show or giving?
Yes, the design process for me is probably more than 65% of time spendt.
For your project I recommend for you to see The Quilt Show episode 1213 with Leni Levenson. She talk about color value, which is what I know I struggle with as most of us does. Can’t wait to see your finished art quilt, I know it will be great as all of your work is.
Sorry I meant episode 1413