Chapter 10

I  stitched each colour for the mane, using sheer fabrics over printed or plain paper to give depth of colour.  Some of the smaller pieces are just paper and  some pieces are more heavily stitched than others.

 The base for the mask is made from two layers of pelmet Vilene sandwiched with Bondaweb.

 and backed with pink silk.  The strip of Velcro is for attaching the pole.

 The mane pieces arranged onto the base, laid over the mock-up to place them and held in place with reusable cellotape.  The biggert challenge was how to get the piece off the table and upside down onto the machine so it can be stitched from the back.  The was managed with the machine extension table and a fish slice!!

 The mane, stitched in place and the surplus trimmed away.  Some pieces are starting to curl but the thers will need to be twisted or curled slightly to help the mane to" flow".

Now to get the eyes and beak/nose right!!

Chapter 9 another sample

 The thrid eye!  The centre is a piece of Angelina over orange felt with free machining. I need to do this before cutting the outer circle to make it easier to control. The green and outer edge is finished with applied perle yarn.  I printed the pink silk for more depth of colour. 
 I am quite pleased with this eye and it looks right on the mock-up.

Chapter 9 Samples

 I printed some papers and painted them with Acrylic wax for strenmgth.  The patterns got lost under the stitching but they were fun to do and gave "thinking time"

 Mane samples.  The paper makes it possible to curve and curl the pieces for more interest but the pieces will need to be backed with fabric as these may show.

 I think the eye still needs work but the second one is a vast improvement on the first .

Chapter 9 Mock-up

 I photographed the mock-up without the beak but it doesn't look finished.  I prefer the second version.

 Mock-up painted with approximate colours and stitched indicated. Not all the paper is covered with paint but it gived the effect I want. 
I think the eyes may change after working some samples, but I quite like the stitches indicated on the mane.  these will be worked in toning and contracting colours.

Chapter 8 designs and planning

I think I know how I want my piece to look so I did some more design ideas to get the look I want.

 

and some basic planning

 I did the planning sheet on computer to make it easy to add to and evaluate

Chapter 8 research & ideas

 I don't seem to be able to make faces look menacing enough (top right above and plague doctor below)

 Design ideas.

 I like the top and bottom left and far right (above) and the sun/moon idea (below right).

 I did a colour scheme whilst waiting for inspiration.. It's based on the irises ine the garden but although it contains all the elements of colour theory it doesn't really zing.

 A second scheme, based on the folk art image from research, seems more dramatic.  I added possible threads and fabrics but not all the clours are shown.  This is an excuse to buy more materials etc.