I have started thread sketching Psychedelic Peacock. It is going to take a long time! I am liking how the thread looks in the areas where the strands of feather overlap each other.
Right now, I am not sure if the thread is showing up as much as it needs to. I use a light-weight cotton thread (my favorite, Aurifil Cotton Mako 50) when I thread sketch. Heavier thread would cause too much draw up, as I am only working through the top of the quilt and a layer of interfacing.
Of course, there will be more thread – and heavier thread – added when I quilt, but I had not intended to go over all these lines again. Perhaps I will quilt in between the existing lines on the feathers, using a similar color of thread. But that would be a heck of a lot of quilting!
I am considering using some metallic paint around the eyes on the feathers – and maybe just a little on all of the feather parts – to add some shimmer or iridescence. That would be done after thread sketching and quilting, which is a little scary… it would be horrible to spill paint on a nearly finished piece.
I also think I need to work on covering the spines of the feathers a bit more – either with thread or with paint – as they are too dominant against the black background.
Here is a detail of the small feathers on the sides of the peacock’s neck:
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I like the threads over the spines, tones them down and gives a soft feathery appearance. I always do things and then step back and take another look at it, that always helps to see the perspective better, and I am sure you do that and this piece will come out as beautifully as all of your work.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
I just think it's coming together so beautifully, and I love the idea of using metallic paint on the eyes of the feathers! I will be trying to paint on a quilt that I am making for the first time soon, and hope it turns out well... I can't wait to see what you do next!!
ReplyDeleteIn the pictures the thread is showing up just fine. Your work always looks wonderful. I can't wait to see how this piece progresses.
ReplyDeletePainting on a piece after investing so much in the thread painting is a little scary. I practice a bit on a separate little piece mock up of what I'm doing to sort of play with how much color and where I put it, and sometimes even which shade of color. Will you be painting with acrylics or inks?
ReplyDeleteI love how the feathery thread painting is coming out. You are right...the spines of the feathers do appear to be a pretty high contrast to the background at this point. It will depend on how much thread painting will be going over them, as to whether darkening would be needed. It's going to be a gorgeous piece when you finish!
Once again... reading what you're "thinking" provides so much valuable information for those of us who are rookies following your blog. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteMany hugs,
Mary
So glad I found your Blog as this project is looking glorious and its great to watch its growth
ReplyDeleteIt looks great and I'm sure you'll work out what it needs once the thread sketching is done.
ReplyDelete