I really loved my 3 weeks at the Amanda Kelly studio, I felt like I really learnt a lot from my time there and it really inspired me to work on and update my portfolio, although I have not had the time yet! I was really amazed by the embroideries there and saw techniques I had never thought of using!




I was set a little project of drawing sketchy flowers ( I took photos of them below) inspired from the catwalk. I then got to see these put  into a final design which was really interesting.

I was really happy with these drawings as I have never tried to draw flowers in such a stylized way before and I would like to experiment with more styled drawings. Being able to see the stages of the design process and even some of the simplest textures being made in to really gorgeous prints has opened my eyes up to designing differently and really making the most out of any mark making and  that strengthening my Photoshop skills would be really important!

Keep Designing...

I still have 7 weeks before I move to London (when we find somewhere to live!), and to keep me busy I have started sourcing materials like dyes, fabric and paper so I can keep designing. I started researching new trends but before I start something new I wanted to see if I could use some of the designs I did not use from my final major project to create more illustrative designs.

One of my favourite designs that I did not get to use is this one. It was originally two different stick and ink drawings that I placed together using Photoshop. I really like the marks that you can achieve using this method and also how its quite a simple drawing but still has a certain amount of detail.

I want to use the design to embroider or paint onto fabric, I can visualise it being used on a t-shirt or jumper.

Sequin Wednesday

Yesterday I spent ALL day sewing sequins on to my length, I want to try and finish it so I don't have to keep coming back to it. The past few weeks while I have been digitally printing I have been sewing on large black sequins to the 'eyes' on the length. I machined in sketchy lines and then started building up texture using clear, matte, flat, cup and crumpled sequins together, I am so happy with how it looks, I love the colours and different textures together!