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Sunday 31 August 2014

Caitlyn

I loved the colour when Colleen announced it and had a couple of ideas in mind but it was a disappointing piece in a lamination workshop that gave me this idea.  The gel medium applied in a 'dry brush' style seemed at first a disaster - her eyes hadn't been captured (see below).  The face was empty and I was about to bin it when someone suggested I embroider the missing bits back in.  I love a challenge.  The embroidered details have been designed and digitized in my Bernina software.

I discovered that the additional details needed to be quite subdued colour to avoid standing out starkly - and lining up the embroidery and the image was tricky.  I think I need to add a bit more of her hair.  It was a conscious decision not to add the pink face paint.

Caitlyn

The original photo

'Cutout' filter image

The workshop piece
 Hilary

10 comments:

  1. Isn't it wonderful how, when we try to redeem a disappointing first attempt, our improvisation can create something so unique and unexpected?

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  2. I loved the way the photograph emerged - what a great idea and very successful too. So often we get rid of half finished pieces that don't seem to work, so this is a lesson for me to keep them and who knows what might evolve. Well done Hilary on perservering in what turns out to be a very successful piece.

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  3. Wish I could see this up close as it is so intriguing in what you have decided to leave in the rough. The technique is a very successful solution and very effective. Just enough detail to her dress and face. There is hint of what this girl could look like in her teens so I suspect she will want to keep this one forever. Well done.

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  4. Well done, Hilary - you've done just enough to add interest without overwhelming it with detail. It's lovely. Has Caitlyn seen it yet?

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  5. I agree with Patricia, we are all to quick to bin those pieces that do not work out. No more! This has worked out beautifullyl, Hilary. I do agree with you that a bit more into the hair will frame her face and give more contrast.

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  6. You have put just enough detail in to capture her essence. I sometimes find quilted portrait to look quite disturbing when they are too detail. Yours is just right! Great job and use of our "colour".

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  7. I too would have binned the first result, I'm so glad you didn't. The few colours on the grey background really suit this piece.

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  8. I agree with Helena that you have captured her essence without too much detail. It is surprising what can be retrieved from a piece that wasn't originally thought to be successful and which can even send us off exploring new avenues. Perhaps I ought to go and have a look through my bin in my sewing room to see what I can find!

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  9. Very clever use of the image - I love that you've kept additional colour to the minimum. And what a pretty little girl ....

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  10. She's a beautiful, the picture is great and you have an amazing result. The touch of colour is perfect.

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