Self-initiated Project

Figure 1: Sketchbook Drawing

As a way of working, I find it easy to draw and plan out what I am going to do first, then I follow the instruction that I have plan to creates textiles pieces.

Figure 2: Textile piece

I have learn to never expect my textile work turn out to be exactly the same as my drawings, for example, I got into a habit of using the embellisher to patch up area that I was not happy about.

It is like drawing with a pencil on a piece of paper, I could use a rubber to rub out my ‘mistake’, same with using an un-picker to unpick the threads, but I see it as a learning progress of just carry on.

Figure 3: Sketchbook drawing

As in figure 3 shows, I have drawn the portion of the crow wrong, its head should be lager. However, I did not start over again or use a rubber to rub it out of the paper, I carried on.

I believe in artist touch and imperfection.

‘The fact of storytelling hints at a fundamental human unease, hints at human imperfection. Where there is perfection there is no story to tell.’ Ben Okri

Figure 4: Sketchbook drawing

It is difficult to draw the entire narrative in one section, so I have focussed on the portrait of the characters so that I can later move scales and sizes.   I am moving to larger scale work that also focuses on the body of the bird.  I have focussed on characteristics of the faces.  Facial characteristics help us relate to the character.

Figure 5: Textile piece

I have been drawing and transferring the crow character many and many times, because the crow is the main character. Therefore, I find that I have already given its characters within the drawing and fabric.

However, I did not create much of the samples of other birds. I do not feel the characters in the others.

The Eagle is wise and this is seen from the facial expression. 

Taking feedback from the tutors, I will experiment with how to outline the shape of the Eagle’s chest.  I also want to work on the scales and proportions of the face.  I am happy to work with this existing piece and make alterations rather than start a new Eagle.

The final piece the full narrative will be on 1 piece of fabric so that the story has a sense of finality.