Chapter 2 Designing with shapes and layers

There are three sections in this chapter related to water and sky:

1. Making a collection of papers
2. Identifying simple shapes and patterns
3. Design development using papers with shapes and patterns

This evolved from first selecting about 8 images from photographs showing different colours in water and sky alongside different aspects of water and sky.  I worked first through section 1, then went to section 2 followed by section 3.

The document above is from my notebook.  Each photo image was labelled having selected 1,2 or 3 linked images and then papers were made all A4 size using mark techniques used in chapter 1 appropriate to each image.  On the sheet are those papers including techniques used.  In order to coordinate the work rather than showing each section separately I decided to blog all three sections together for each of these images.  The next sheet are notes for the design development stage showing the sequences of tearing or cutting to make the final sheets.  I also tried to find background coloured papers appropriate on to which the cut shapes were stuck with prittstick.  I tended to use A5 (half sheets) sometimes resulting in a new A4 sheet when combined.

Photo image 1 Pebbles next to the shore
Papers

 

 Shapes & patterns

Design development
I decided to tear the shapes as I felt this was more appropriate for the wash on a shoreline.

 

 

Note the subtle effect from one sheet overlaying the strong pebbles on the second sheet.  An additional cutting of the patterned papers add another layer forming another watery image.

 



Photo image 2  Rich blue seas

 

Papers

 

Here should also be included a piece of sgraffito, but I forgot to photograph or scan it before cutting it up.  It can be seen in design development stage.

 

Shapes and patterns

 Design development

 

In these two pieces I've combined the sgraffito piece with the frottage, cutting the pieces for more emphasise on the waves.  The one above shows the two layered shapes placed together the one below staggering columns to emphasise the waves even more.

Photo image 3 Reflections

Papers

 Shapes and patterns

Design development

 

I played around with some of the patterns using the Windows 10 picture package

 

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Photo image 5 Brown river or canal water

 

Papers 

 

Shape and pattern 

Design development

 

It does not show very well but the last piece is cut and staggered on aluminium foil giving a glittery effect of a watery sun on the brown waters 

 

Photo image 5 Waterfalls on brown/green river

 

Papers

 

 

Shape and pattern

Design development

 

I also tried another cut and design which I felt didn't work too well (see below).  I liked the top one but not the bottom

 

 

 

 

Photo image 6 Grey seas, skies and waterfalls

 

Papers

 

 

There is no shape and patterns or design development for this, however Photo image 8 relates well to the clouds effect

 

Photo image 7 Ripples in a pond

 

Papers

Shape and pattern

Design development

 

 

 

 

I played around with some of the patterns using the Windows 10 picture package giving reflected images on the first and repeated like images on the second.  I was particularly surprised by 'inversion' resulting in the blue and purple effects on black (complementary colours).

 

 

 



Photo image 8 Grey clouds and sea

Papers - see those for Photo image 6

Shape and patterns

 

Design development

 

These images have come out brown rather than grey, which may be because the brown table reflected with the camera when taking the picture.  The pieces were different tones of grey! not sepia!

 

Here are another couple of shapes that might be of use another time:

 

 

 

I tried to explore different shapes and patterns and using different design development.  Although most were related to water I might like to develop clouds and skies more in the future, especially skies that are not just blue, white or grey.