Shin-Bijutsukai Japanese design magazine

Shin-Bijutsukai a Japanese design magazine that was published in the early 1900’s edited by illustrator and designer Korin Furuya. The magazine was published monthly and issues were bound together which have since been turned into free ebook. Copies are available as a free ebook provided by the Smithsonian Libraries, downloadable …

Do Inktense Pencils Fade?

After using Inktense pencils for a few years I asked myself: ‘do they fade?’ Textile practitioners often use Derwent’s Inktense product range to colour small areas of fabric. The range has been popular since their release a few years ago. This product take-up is mainly because Inktense pencils work well …

Using a sketchbook as a thinking tool

Over on A list Apart, Mike Rohde has written a good article about the advantages of using a sketchbook as a thinking tool. The points he makes in Sketching: the Visual Thinking Power Tool can be applied to any creative practice. That includes any creative practice that is associated with textiles. …

From Studio Journal Design to Embroidered piece

This is article I move from studio journal design to embroidered piece. This is an example of taking a design in my studio journal and stitching it. I will start with sharing a photo of the finished project. The source of the design The idea for this project started because …

Browsing zentangles and Doodle Patterns

For those who are interested in zentangles, doodle patterns drawing celtic knots, pattern creating and doodling I discovered a great flickr group which aims to demonstrate pattern making in step by step photos. The group describes itself as “place to post the step-by-step instructions for building doodle images such as …

Art Journal technique: Gesso as a page base

Using gesso as a page base will add texture and strength to your page. If you add strength it means you can have more fun adding stuff! By stuff I mean items like fabric, lace, textured papers and threads. These photos are of pieces where textiles of one sort or …

The value of notebooks to Bruce Chatwin

This interview with Bruce Chatwin’s wife about his use of notebooks reveals how he dumped everything in to them. For those who are interested in the creative process or use studio journals you will find the insight to Bruce Chatwin’s process thought provoking. I was particularly intrigued with his ideas …