Selvage Quilt Update
I have no new quilt photos to share, but I did just start putting blocks together this evening. It’s been a little slow-going as I work out what direction to press for the best results (and have had to repress a couple of times when I got confused), but that should work itself out soon.
I did end up joining six at a time. I think that will be easier to manage in some ways. I’ll probably join up everything I have on the wall, then arrange another group to sew together—and so on. Finally, the big sections will join up for a finished quilt top.
Whimsical Landscape Map
After watching this video by Diane Antone, I wanted to try something similar, myself. I more or less copied her layout, to begin with, but when it came to filling it all in, I was working away from any screens. I followed some of what I remembered from the video, but I also made some changes.
I used the Duke 600 fude nib pen for this, and I think I went a little too heavy on the first lines indicating the hills and roads. If I do this again, I’d try to keep those lines a little lighter.
After the pen was dry, I colored in the landscape (which feels a little like a map to me) with watercolor.
I think if I do this again, I’ll try to branch out and make my own basic outline for the landscape, but I’d also like to follow the original style more closely—be even looser and less realistic (not that this was at all realistic, but the scale could be even more playful) and be lighter with the application of paint, allowing things to flow more.
I enjoy painting things like this like a simple watercolor coloring book, but sometimes I tend to make things a little too flat, maybe. It’s all a matter of preference, but making a conscious effort to let things blend and flow might be nice for a change.
Whole Lotta Bottles
After doodling all the “vessels” (and cups) last time, I decided to try something similar, but starting with the paint instead of lines.
I started with a plummy purple and red-violet/pinkish tones… then moved to more of a royal purple… then to more blue shades… and finally went to lavender-blue and lilac.
After it dried, I went back to add in the outlines and decorative details, using the Duke 600 again.
I haven’t counted the bottles, and I very much doubt there are 99 bottles there, but one thing I’m sure of is that this was a fun thing to make—and it’s easy enough for any level of skill or experience.
I’ve made a fairly long list of ideas of things that could be painted in a similar way, either starting with the paint or with ink. I like both ways of working. Each has its benefits and challenges. Painting first probably makes for a looser or more unpredictable finished result.
