Robert's Stag - Blending fabric edges

The hard edge between the fabrics used to colour block are well softened when another scrap is placed on the border. Each additional different fabric adds a mosaic of light or shadow similar to the look of forest growth.

Background tree trunks made from different weight wool and other fibres are lightly glued in place. While they really don't have to have a clear anchor as those regions will be concealed with other forms of vegetation, they are only anchored top and bottom and catch easily. Over all this (upper quarter?) I pinned grey netting to tack what had been placed.

 

Robert's Stag - 4 more fabrics

While all this gluing may seem like a lot of work, the different colours definitely alter the feeling of that material chosen for the colour blocking. This is still all background.

Some pieces of wool yarn were tucked in to serve as branches. These are small a really only captured by the 'leaves'. It is soon going to need a first pass of stitching to hold everything in place.

Roberts's Stag - Adding foliage

The original colour blocking was adjusted slightly putting 'ground' in place where the stag will be standing. The foliage is thinner near the front.

All these large(ish) piece are placed individually.

After a light swipe across an ordinary glue stick with tweezers they are easy to apply and easy to move and remove.

Robert's Stag - Light

One of the things I find helpful in achieving the feeling of depth and perspective is to work with two version of the chosen photo.

One with colour

and one in B&W

 

This way there is a clear path to seeing where the light comes through behind the stag deep in the forest.

Robert's Stag - Foliage

I decided a while ago that I would not use confetti for this piece, so that left me with cutting small amorphous shapes from my scrap materials.

And as the pieces are larger they can be individually applied ( with tweezers ), so material that is 'goose' material ( those of you who have taught will know this as Good One Side ) so all the printed materials could come into play.

I sat for at least 3 hours cutting. I did have a Zoom meeting this morning so I was able to listen, participate AND still keep my hands busy.

I'm sure I will need to cut more.......but this is a start.

Robert's Stag - Blocking the background

Those who follow me regularly know my #1 rule.

The background is as important as the feature. Layering it adds depth and warmth. Even if your work is going to stay abstract.

Colour blocking is also an opportunity to use/move some of those fabrics that are taking up space. In that case look at the colour and ignore any pattern.

This mornings layout.......

Robert's Stag

 I can't believe it's been so hard to steal a few minutes to work on this piece.

I'm still not sure how much applique I want to do here...at least enough to establish the boundaries of the thread work to come.

I'm deliberately staying away from the pure white associated with the patches on the belly and the tail. This is after all not an Eastern deer.

Robert's Stag

I did get started.

But there is so much to do outside at this time of the year.

I had some perfect ombre fabric for this guy.

October and a New Project

 Finally.

My brother in law lives in BC and as an avid hiker, skier and biker he often comes across animals in the wild. He sends me a lot of photos. This is the one that is my inspiration.

Though the buck is blurry I like the composition. As for the model, there are 100's  copyright free to choose from. 

After browsing through a group I slightly altered one and changed to an elk (antler importance) and enlarged it to Pillowcase size (cleaned out my linen cupboard). This will serve as the support for the applique to come.