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It's not a perfect photo but I am anxious to post the fact that I have finished this design. The hardest part was the beak, done and redone more than a few times. I opted finally for the very simplest lines to give a suggestion of rather than try to embroider something realistic.
I am happy with the colours and the electric frenzy of the feathers. What a relief to find that none of the colours bled in the cleaning process so that the precision of all the lines was maintained.
The matting board shown here will not be the final. I just wanted to give a frame to the piece and show it a little off-centre in its context. I shall likely mount the phoenix with a gold frame, multiple mattings and the addition of a gold wooden detail on the inner side of the window, very similar to my other framings (check out the butterfly series on my website: www.artaiguille.com)
Sum total of time invested was close to 100 hours. I let the work lead me. I enjoyed every minute. I had set the deadline for 'before Christmas' which made me focus each day and work diligently. I had so much fun I may start this design again. Already I see something in reds, graphite grey and black. And already I am excited by the prospect. Better get the gift wrapping done today just in case I can't help myself and start working on this new colour adventure.
For those that read me, happy holidays and all the best for 2012. And thank you.
I've made some significant progress on the Phoenix this week. I also took away some of the work done last week. It's interesting as I work with the various hues of each of the colours, how the addition of a new colour impacts the effect of another - welcome to the magic of how the eye makes its adjustment when another influence is in the visual path.
I plan to finish this piece before the family arrives for Christmas. It's a goal which will make me work consistently until the 20th.. I like the feeling of a little pressure.
I think I have solved all the technical difficulties and am not convinced that my decisions have been the best. When I am finished with the plumage in the tail, I may return to rework the body a little, but in the meantime it will remain as is. Usually taking a distance from something and returning to it after a rest throws a different light on the troubling area. I can then make any adjustments with a cool head. I know I've said this before, but it bears repeating. It is an approach that I try to apply to pretty much life in general!
Christmas plans have slowed down progress on the Phoenix, but in the last few days, I have been able to get back to it. I've also had some technical difficulties, particularly around the breast area of the design and have tried and failed several times to capture the effect I have in my head.
I tried using a needlepainting technique to start with, playing with several hues of the blue and blue-greens; then, not satisfied since it didn't render the idea of feathers in the way I wanted, I thought by adding some highlights of gold thread, this may lighten the effect. Quite the opposite occurred. So I took the whole thing out and redrew the lines, giving the effect of scales... this seemed intuitively to be the best and now I sit back and view it, a day later, I shall stay with this final choice.
The eye was going to be tough. Eyes are difficult. You really can't embroider an eye, particularly one as small as this. I feel more that you have to give a suggestion of an eye. Just three very fine lines and a tiny dot gave the effect I was looking for. I remind myself I am not looking for realism here. The whole idea about this subject is that it doesn't really exist in real life, so I can interpret the lines any way I want. What freedom!
Today, I shall complete the legs and claws. I anticipate more challenges on the way. I started the first leg late last night and as I view it this morning, I think I am on the right track. It's always a question of balance, so I have to imagine the whole subject embroidered to judge whether the choice of technique, colour and depth are appropriate. Since the legs are just a detail, I certainly don't want them to be the focus the moment the eye falls on the completed piece. Thus, the choice of colour is important, but I do want texture, creating that pickled effect that birds have on their spindly legs, so I have to consider the detail of another thread on top of the background thread. By the end of the day, I should have a good idea as to whether my first attempt has worked.
As a reader, you can judge too. Let me know.
