This weeks antics

Within the past week Im feeling pretty dam confident about the project at hand and I think Ive managed to make up the lost time from the week where I was clueless about what to my subject matter of the pattern should've been.

0.4 pen study of Grouse wing.

The origional reasoning behind doing this scale of a pen drawing (measuring 26x22cm). Is because I wanted to get a general understanding as to how long it would take me to draw something detailed on a larger scale. It probably took me a full class day, 7 hours. But with my hand cramping up it did slow me down in that I had to take breaks to ease off the pain. I also wanted to get a general idea as to how a larger image would appear when done with fine detail. It's also valuable research in which Im more than confident with my function of linework in progression to my final piece.

Because of the length of time it took to create the image I decided to use the more efficient option of creating pattern concepts. Because I had sourced various feathers from a range of sources, A couple from friends and the majority from online sellers. (check out ebay) I decided to arrange the real feathers into a variety of positions and pattern ideas. Meaning I explored a range of different layouts quickly and easily because I am confident in my own linework.

One thing I will state however... Is that previously I decided to draw feathers, as well as cloud formations. Sadly because of the weather (and I have been working at times of good weather) I have only managed one pencil study of clouds. This is not a complete loss because of the progression in my feather studies I think it would be best to keep it simple and stick to one subject matter. There's no point in cluttering and jamming in every single drawing for a final piece if it doesnt need it.

I also came to realise something once I had collected all the feathers in one place, That only the rich and indeed the emperor, could have afforded objects of this beauty. Peacocks and their feathers were a status symbol of your wealth in history and indeed stories from the Grimms collection to general story tales use peacock and other feathers to relate to wealth and good fortune.
Guinea Foul Feathers (the black and white speckled variety) were imported by only the rich for decoration in womens wigs, clothes, purses and even the dining tables. Pheasent was another rich food that only the rich could afford and the same goes for Grouse. All the feathers Ive collected have inadvertently managed to be connected to royalty and wealth. Much to the Emperor and how he spent most of his money obtaining these beautiful clothes and fabrics. In a strange turn of progression its all worked out really well and still connects strongly to the story.

As much as I like the larger images. (and yes there were plenty more...) I will admit Im more enthusiastic about the close up photographs.

I can definatly see these images progressing really well through my linework into a heavy detailed intricate pattern.

My next task is to take these photographs into illustrator or photoshop to easily expand the pattern work which can then be progressed into penwork and hopefully my perspex final piece can take shape.

This weeks task is to progress my patternwork and experiment on the samples of perspex and also (time permitting) have a shot with some maquettes as Intaglio prints.
Only thing left to do now is push on and get this job done.