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.
No comments:
Post a Comment