Since then, my creative eyes are always on the lookout for fabrics representing my illustration style - English and woodland. Let me tell you, the fabric bin is growing! Some pieces are just samples while others are 3-4 yards of a particular pattern that won my heart over and one day, I hope to make them into curtains or table cloths.
Why collect fabrics? It's easy...the patterns inspire me! I often play around with them on my desk until something new transforms and is usable in my own illustrations, such as curtains or clothing. Take a peek at my previous illustration and you'll see where I've done this with the curtains draped in the window of Miss Lilly's tree-house.
This week, I'm sharing with you how I create dots within my art. Take a close look at the first picture above. Depending on the setting/style of my illustration, I'll either use a white pastel pencil (rectangle box) or a while gel pen (square box). Both give a different texture and feel. For example, the white pastel dots will go on prior to painting, leaving a more loose and washed look, while the white gel pen goes on afterwards, presenting a smooth, even finish. Does this make sense? Please feel free to ask any questions you might have about this process or anything else I do that you're curious about. That's what we're here for each week - to learn, grow and encourage one another! Happy Sunday Sketches!
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I used to sew many years ago, so I can understand the inspiration that fabrics can bring. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteInspiration is a wonderful thing. You can find it everywhere. And fabrics are great ones. Usually, as I am not working professionally, I let my images tell me what they will become. This week it was a bullfinch in a tree. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting SS. :)
How delightful your fabric illustrations are...a great idea to draw inspiration from them. Interesting to see the difference with the white dot samples too. Happy SS! :)
ReplyDeleteI could easily become a fabric collector, probably with the romantic notion of sitting before a fire, making quilts on winter evenings. But you have given me a new idea, maybe I will just draw quilts instead.
ReplyDeleteI could have sworn I commented before (I never link up without commenting), oh well... I cannot say that I share your love for fabrics, but I do love a repetitive pattern, that is why I love to doodle in my sketchbook when I'm stressed at work. Lovely dot pattern.
ReplyDeleteI love patterns and fabrics and have collected some here and there. Great idea to use them as inspiration for art! Love how you do the white dots too. Thanks for sharing these techniques.
ReplyDeletesweet fabric designs Alexandra!
ReplyDeleteWhen my Children were young and I was sewing clothes for them, I loved fabric. In fact, I couldn't pass up a fabric I liked and ended up with a closet full of beautiful fabric that I had no particular use for ... so now, for the sake of my pocketbook, I avoid the fabric departments :) But I can still enjoy your enjoyment of them and love the suggestion on how to make different patterns. I went for your new button and got a "Sorry, this page does not exist" ... you might want to check it out :) Always enjoy my visit with you, Alexandra ...
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From the Sol
Fabrics can be very inspiring! Thanks for sharing some of you process and happy PPF!
ReplyDeleteI love fabrics, too. I go to the quilt store in town and buy fat quarters rather than by the yard. Someday I may make myself a nice quilt :)
ReplyDeleteyou can never have enough fabric, you never know when you might need it :)
ReplyDeleteFascinating fabric intrigue and wonderful way to find design ideas ~ thanks for hint about pens for dots ~
ReplyDeleteWishing you a Happy Week ~ ^_^
This is how it started for me.... my mother is a quilter with a huge fabric stash and always took me to fabric shops among other places growing up. Now, I "shop" at her house if a
ReplyDeleteI need a fabric, and it has led me to creating my own fabrics on spoonflower.... just so addicting! Love your dots!