Category Archives: Design

5 Simple Design Elements

  By sharonb | September 27, 2012 - 6:43 am | , , ,
2 Comments

Dan of Empty Easel has produced an excellent video tutorial about using Design  to improve an image. He aims his advice to painters, but any fiber artist, art quilter or embroidery designer will find that applying these design elements to their work will make their work stronger and more interesting to look at. Make a cuppa,  take 10 minutes and watch the video.


Zentangles are fun doodles

  By sharonb | August 1, 2012 - 6:05 am | ,
1 Comment

Zentangles are doodles. If you have not discovered this drawing fad just google them. That said I think they are fun. It is relaxing create patterns and to generate ideas for stitching.

I found this Video which I thought readers would enjoy.

I have become fascinated with these little doodles with intent and the primitive patterns they create. Embroiderers only have to look at ethnic embroidery around the globe to see people of all races embrace pattern and pattern making.

Zentangle is a term coined and marketed by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas.  As you can see the key idea behind it is doodling with the intention of building areas of pattern. If you want to read more about it you can check out their blog called Blog Zentangle

Or this video

I found this resource site which covers how to create a zentangle the regular way with pen and paper. Anyway check them out if you have not done so before and try doing one and then think about how you might stitch it!


The Advantages of keeping a Visual Journal

  By sharonb | July 27, 2012 - 6:22 am | ,
1 Comment

screenshot of websiteNo matter what you call them art journals, sketchbooks, visual diaries or my favourite studio journals, and no matter who you are , artist, fiber artist, web designer, etc the reason a designer will keep one is similar.

Ben Mounsey in his Core art skills series sets out to convince digital artists and designers that there is still a place for a paper based sketching and developing a recording practice. In Part 2, The Sketchbook, Ben offers advice on what to focus on, when you are out and about.

Much of what Ben says in Core Art Skills: Part 2, The Sketchbook can be applied to textile practitioners. Make yourself a cuppa and take 5 to improve your skills and pop over to read his article