Tutorial

I had another meeting with Mr Davis about my extended project. This meeting was spent talking about how I was getting on with the extended project and how the mark scheme works. I was also asked to go through my sketchbook in more detail and show him what I had done since I last saw him. I was asked to add my YSL photographs into the sketchbook and write some bullet points of evaluation for some of the artists to keep me going through the essay writing I will have to do at some point. I was given a deadline of finishing all the preliminary research and artists which needs to be finished by the first week back after Christmas.

more developments

I used my Adobe Illustrator work to create a fabric version of my Cath Kidston inspired work. I traced the outline on fabric and painted the leaves and flowers with the same colour dyes. This gave the edges of the motifs a vintage looking effect instead of the lines being crisp, meaning it looked like Kidstons work. I then decided to develop it further with a technique I like, adding some embroidery onto the piece.
This could have been done more precise with heat fix paper however I do not think this would give it the vintage effect that adds to the charm of the piece.

exhibition

Today I went to an exhibition at the Bowes museum. The exhibition was the Yves Saint Laurent "Style is Eternal". A lot of YSL's work is based on the natural world therefore I am including his work in my extended project sketchbook. This again is a primary resource for research which will help me a lot in this project.

Work inspired by Cath Kidston

I spent two hours today drawing out some quick sketches of simplified leaves to create my own pattern. I scanned them into the computer using the photocopier and opened them in Adobe Illustrator. I used the pen/brush tool to redraw the lines to make them smoother as Cath Kidston's work is compter generated after initial sketches. A problem I came across whilst using this tool is that I had to use the computer mouse. I think a graphics tablet would have allowed me to draw easier on top of the initial drawings however I do not have access to one. I then decided to play around with different ways of adding colour to these designs. I also tried different ways of positioning the motifs before I repeat them to make the pattern. I plan to finish this on Monday when I have access to the program at school as I don't own Illustrator at home.

Cath Kidston Research

I have been looking into pattern work as a different type of textile technique to include in my sketchbook. I've printed photos of her patterned cushions and also closer up images of them to see how they have been printed and also designed. This was stuck into my sketchbook today and I plan on creating a pattern similar to her style on the computer. I visited the Cath Kidston store to see the work in person. I find primary research a better resource which is why this was a good visit.