Part 4 - Reflection

Assignment four - Reflection

Textiles 1 – A Creative Approach

Assignment four

Reflection

I found the projects in this assignment interesting and challenging.  I enjoyed the section on analysing colour, texture and proportion.  I do like making unusual colour combinations and have found that my mixing of paints to achieve a colour I want is improving.  I enjoyed working more by putting colours together intuitively.  Colour is I think most important to me.  I feel I should be able to work more easily from source material and think of this as a shortfall in my work.  Thinking about this I think I need to do a lot more sketchbook work.  This has made me quite concerned about my theme book work.  

Stage 2 Exercise 2 was very enjoyable and I think a success for me.  I liked the making of hand-twisted ropes, plaits and braids.  So much so I think I got quite carried away.  I found all sorts of possibilities. I used a variety of materials including wire, knitting wool and torn fabric.  I really enjoyed this exercise and felt this was because I could just let my imagination go with regard to materials and types of braids I made.    

In Exercise 3 I was not sure whether I was working the samples correctly.  I decided this did not matter and as I wasn't sure how the examples should look I thought perhaps that is the object of the exercise and I was to use my own imagination and initiative.

I feel that the woven grid in Exercise 4 is much more successful because of the colours used and work it was worked much more freely. 

The tapestry weaving part of this assignment was much more challenging for me.  I have been disappointed with the work that I produced my frame.  I can see that this technique requires practice. I found the information in this section comprehensive and easy to follow.  I tried the different techniques suggested and this encouraged me to look around for more information.

In stage 3 I found it much easier to work the sample.    This was because I was able to work more freely and intuitively.

I think I got hold of the wrong idea about how to work my final sample and made wrong decisions.  I am happy with the colours.  The sample is too small.  This is mostly due to the fact that I decided to work it smaller as I was concerned about the amount of threads I had.  I would, in future, if I am indecisive about the instructions, contact my tutor to clarify things. However, I feel I should work with what I feel is the correct decision. Weaving has not been my favourite technique and I do not think I wish to pursue this technique.

I am realising that sampling is very important and although can be unsuccessful can lead me down another avenue.