Secrets of Visual Composition
Rosalie Dace | October 10-14, 2011
DESCRIPTION
Shake your views of contemporary quilt making by looking afresh at the elements of successful visual design!
Planned to strengthen an understanding of composition, this class gives you an opportunity to think artistically as you explore the secrets of focal points, balance, proportion, repetition, unity, movement, variety, subtlety and contrast, working first in paper and then with color, value, line, shape and texture in fabric.
Learn to ANALYZE and SIMPLIFY images as you get to grips with ABSTRACTION in order to make a series of small successful compositions which can lead to successful larger major works. Daily discussions will center on studying successful works by other artists and practical help on sewing techniques will be given to ease construction of individual compositions.
PREPARATION
Start collecting images that please you and that you could use as a basis for design. These may be your own photographs or those you collect from magazines, post-cards etc. They can be representational and realistic, or not.
Choose several to copy and enlarge in both color and in black and white. In class you will choose from among these to cut up and put into new original abstract compositions. The more color and black and white images you bring, the more choice you will have.
Emphasis will be on structuring the elements of design to create NEW FRESH ORIGINAL ABSTRACT work.
SUPPLY LIST (Please label your own supplies)
• Sewing machine, cleaned oiled and in good working order, with its manual and knee lift if you have one.
• Appropriate extension cord and multi-plug
• Machine needles
• Thread for machine piecing in light, medium and dark neutrals. I suggest you wind bobbins to have ready for use in class.
• Pins
• Rotary cutter with sharp new blades, and large cutting mat.
• Scissors, both for fabric and paper
• Large piece of batting (at least 2 x 3 m/4 x 6 ft) to use as a design wall
• Paper: at least 8-10 sheets paper in a variety of values including blacks, grays, browns, beiges, creams, off-white and white. These will be cut up and combined to make various new compositions.
• Stabilizer if you bring silks.
• Images - your collected variety of pictures....these will also be cut up as needed.
• Sketchbook. Large and sturdy
• Pens and pencils
• Glue stick of your choice
• Desktop lamp for working area
• Optional: digital camera to document your work.
FABRICS
I suggest at least a yard of most of your fabrics, but bring along smaller pieces too to add accents.
Color and variety are vital here. Select mainly 100% cotton but you may choose to include silk, velvet or other specialty fabrics.
You may bring hand dyes or commercial solids or prints in subtle tonal combinations, stripes or checks. Make sure you have a good tonal variety of values from deep darks to medium darks, mediums, medium lights and lights. Include neutrals, contrasts and related colors. Avoid the common error of bringing mainly medium values!
Bring colors of your choice but make sure you include warm and cool colors, saturated intense colors, pastels, muted tertiary colors, and even those you do not normally use or think you don’t like.
Questions? > Email
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