Life Drawing 20.2.18

Continuous line

Usually it seems like no time at all between sessions but I did feel like we'd had quite a big break this time as it was 6 weeks rather than the usual 4 as I'd had to shift the dates around. As usual I was tired from a busy day at work but I was also looking forward to drawing.

Hand

Hand

Feet

It always interests me how the atmosphere changes depending on who turns up. For this session I was the only female which was unusual as normally there is a mix. I found that the atmosphere was more intense than normal, but that could have been the personalities present as much as anything else. This change in dynamic is one of the reasons I like the Life Drawing sessions, it alters each time and so changes my drawings too.

Blind drawing

Blind drawing

Blind drawing: faces

Although I have mostly been keeping up with my daily drawing practice I felt really rusty for this session and wasn't particularly happy with any of my drawings. However, I enjoyed the discipline of being there and drawing and working through the disappointment with my sketches. I really enjoyed 'blind' drawing too, I've found this really helps me when I'm struggling with a pose as it makes me really focus on the pose rather than the drawing and I notice things I might otherwise miss.

Blind drawing

Drawing with my non dominant hand

Continuous line

Interestingly, looking back on the drawings after a week or so when I came to photograph them I was a lot happier with them and there are some that I think are actually quite good. One of the poses meant that I had some extreme foreshortening to contend with but I'm pleased with how some of the sketches from this pose have worked out.

Extreme foreshortening 

Extreme foreshortening 

Extreme foreshortening 

I was very impressed with some of the charcoal studies some of the other artists had done and I think that next session I might have a go with charcoal, it's been a while but it might be good to break out of my pen habit and try something different.

Hands

Continuous line

Continuous line

Machine Embroidery and Applique Workshops at The Eden Workshop

Puffin with Sand Eels, 2017
Machine embroidery and Applique on linen

As you will know if you read this blog regularly or have met me 'in real life' I love running workshops. I really enjoy sharing my technical skills and experience and seeing other people take it in a new direction. I find it so satisfying when I can show someone something and see them understand it and make it their own. I'm really passionate about what I do and I want to share that with people; my workshops aren't necessarily highly technical but I hope that I can give people the encouragement and confidence to have a go, enjoy themselves and hopefully create something they're proud of.

Sewing machines set up and some of my pieces 

Practising machine embroidery

Choosing fabrics

Using bondaweb to make pattern pieces

Recently I've run two Machine Embroidery and Applique workshops at The Eden Workshop in Plumpton. This is fast becoming one of my favourite workshops to run, although I think I say that about all my workshops! It's a real pleasure running workshops at The Eden Workshop; Jane is a great hostess and keeps everyone well supplied with tea and biscuits and always produces a lovely lunch. She is friendly and welcoming and has a great fabric stash too! She has recently renovated the workshop space and it is a lovely place to work, light and airy with views out over the countryside. The groups are small too so that everyone gets plenty of attention and support. Jane hosts a whole range of workshops so do have a look at her website; I'll be doing some more sessions there next year, including running this workshop again.

Fabrics applied ready for stitching

Stitching!

Stitching!

Stitching!

I love machine embroidery. Since I first tried it as a teenager it's something I've come back to again and again. It's like drawing with the sewing machine and I love the quality of line that can be achieved and how quick and expressive it is. I also love the fact that it's very accessible, almost any sewing machine can be used and often the less fancy the machine the better it is for this type of work. Machine embroidery is adaptable to all levels of experience; complete beginners can achieve great results just with a few lines and more confident embroiderers can try out different techniques such as using thicker threads in the bobbin. On the second workshop one of the participants had only one hours previous sewing machine experience but still produced a beautiful finished puffin portrait.

Results from the first workshop

Results from the first workshop

Results from the first workshop

Results from the first workshop

Results from the first workshop

Results from the first workshop

Results from the first workshop

I chose to combine applique with machine embroidery for this workshop as it's a way of working I've been experimenting with myself and also because, particularly for beginners, it makes it easy to build up a picture quickly and effectively. I produced some templates for the workshops as one of the things most people struggle with is a lack of confidence in their drawing and design skills. Using templates still allows for plenty of experimentation with colour and fabric choice whilst allowing people to get stuck in and learn the skills without worrying. Almost everyone chose to use one of my templates and what I love is that in spite of this each finished piece is unique and has it's own character.

Stitching!

Stitching!

Stitching!

In my workshops I want to encourage people to be creative and make their pieces their own. I want to be able to give people the skills and confidence to create something that they can be proud of and that is unique. I also hope that it's an enjoyable experience and that they'll want to carry on experimenting with the skills they've learnt. I do warn everyone at the start of this workshop that this a highly addictive process...

Results from the second workshop

Results from the second workshop

Results from the second workshop

Results from the second workshop

Results from the second workshop

Results from the second workshop

Results from the second workshop

Making Sketchbooks

Handmade Folded Sketchbooks 

I'm off to The Orkney Isles at the end of May with Mr. Stitches and a couple of friends. We're running our own, very informal, artists residency and I can't wait. I'm looking forward to lots of bird watching, exploring, drawing and maybe a bit of natural dyeing experimentation. I've wanted to go to Orkney for a long time and I'm curious to see how it compares to the beautiful Hebrides which I love so much.

My origami sketchbooks

My origami sketchbooks

My origami sketchbooks

In preparation, I've been making lots of little sketchbooks. I love making sketchbooks, it's so satisfying creating something to use in your work and it gives you endless opportunities for experimenting with different papers, sizes and formats. I have two 'standard' sketchbook types that I like to make; my origami sketchbooks and simple stitched sketchbooks. I also like making other types but these are my main 'go to' creations.

Different types of sketchbooks

Simple folded and stitched sketchbooks

Different types of sketchbooks

I like working in sketchbooks, I like the compact, portable nature and the fact that the work is hidden when the book is closed. A sketchbook is a very personal thing and I use mine in different ways; including sketching, planning and sampling. Often, they end up with a lot of writing in and it's interesting to go back sometimes and see what I was thinking and in doing this I frequently find ideas I want to re-visit.

Paper selection

Lovely ripped edges

Different papers in a folding sketchbook

Recently I ran a sketchbook making session with my Prism Arts Studio Arts group (a visual arts programme for adults with learning disabilities.) I've been encouraging the group to use their sketchbooks as much as possible and to make them personal; making your own sketchbook is the logical next step! We had a lot of fun making the books and it was interesting how different formats engaged different people. I'm looking forward to seeing what they do with their books.

Sketchbook making with my Prism Arts group

Sketchbook making with my Prism Arts group

Sketchbook making with my Prism Arts group

One of the most popular workshops I offer is Handmade Sketchbooks. In this workshop I show people a number of ways of making simple sketchbooks and encourage them to make them personal by choosing different papers and materials. I'm running this session for Brampton Art Club in September which I'm looking forward to. If you'd like to book me for a workshop you can have a look at my 'Workshops' page on my website and get in touch. I love running workshops, it's one of the best parts of my job!