Some weeks have passed without an update so will be blogging to fill the gap.
The work was completed and submitted to the Fibre Content, 2016 juried exhibition. Results are still pending.
When I last blogged I had just completed the silk “skin”. From that point the details of shadow and highlights, as well as colour have been added.
The process involves working in cycles adding shadow with natural charcoal and for finer detail, willow charcoal sticks. Layers of carded (using wool carders) and attenuated silk fibre are glued down using wallpaper paste.
Working up the depth of the relief involves continual layers of dark and light pigment. Water is used to assist with the spreading of charcoal dust. The result is a grey tone in keeping with areas that the original photograph depicts. Soft white oil pastel is used to accentuate the highlights and bring up the texture. The pastel is rubbed out to soften the piece more in keeping with the eroded stone surface.
The work is now removed from the support form and finished as a three-dimensional “cushion” form.
Quilt batting is used for the back: first the recesses are filled, then the whole covered over. Sides are formed to create a box-like edge. Silk fibre is used to repair and join the corners. The completed piece is photographed for submission to Fibre Content. (Backing and hanging devices are still to be installed).
Photograph and artwork compared.
When next I blog I will show progress on the second piece, now in the final completion stage.
Have you submitted two pieces? Look forward to seeing the second piece, the first looks very textural will it be possible to see it after submission? Has inspiration for the second piece been taken from a photograph?