"Impressionism in Pictorials"

 

 You are in for a real treat. Today we have a lesson that's pure
fun, whether you're experienced or a novice in fiber art. Sit
back, relax, be happy and enjoy our adventure in impressionism.
 
"Impressionism in Pictorials"
 
How can we apply "impressionism" to our fiber art?

 

First let's do a review of the meaning of "impressionism".

 

There are literally hundreds of books printed about the
Impressionist artists, their styles and beliefs. To simplify the
subject, think of impressionism as simply capturing an
impression. The artists wanted to capture the mood more than the subject. To execute this impression in a fiber artist matter,
let's put our plan into action:
 
1. Choose your focal point. (What part of subject do you find
the most striking?)

 

2. Complete your design around the focal point. Take note of
your eye level and vanishing points.

 

3. Take special notice of the light source and its effect on
the total design. Light is a main factor in impressionism.

 

4. Seek out the warm and cool colors in the foreground, middle
ground and background. Take notes, sketch the values in your
loose drawings, and if possible take a good photograph of the
subject.

 

5. Select which methods of dyeing would best match the colors
you see. When dyeing for impressions, you can dip dye softly,
scrunch dye, marbleize your wool, hand paint on your wool,
casserole dye, stain glass dye for light effect or carefully
use  swatches. The aim here is to have soft edges, low
contrast in value but more intense values surrounding your focal point (center of interest).

 

6. The next big decision is what size strip of wool to select. A
5 cut or smaller to ensure flecks of light would be highly
recommended. For the primitive style rug hooking, one can hook in a #8 for the area's that are the nearest to you and gradually decrease the size to #7 then #6 as you hook towards the vanishing points.

 

7. I recommended that you complete your focal point area first.
It's here you'll find the brightest colors and contrast. Next
the area immediately surrounding the focal point with a more
gentle contract. You want the viewer's eye to be drawn to this
area of your pictorial.
 
8. Think as you hook, always considering the direction of the
light source and easing towards your vanishing points with the
paler values. Try to have the sides of your pictorial in a
slightly darker, irregular value to keep the viewer's eyes
inside the pictorial.
 
9. Enjoy your "impressionism pictorial". Meet the challenge but
don't be too hard on yourself. Keep it loose and be happy.
 
I would be very interested in viewing your completed artistic
pictorials. When you're finished, send in a picture of your
pictorial, or even better, a picture of you with your pictorial
to artsy@xplornet.com. I'd love to add you to my page of
"Happy Hookers!" Check out some of your fellow fiber artists
with their work here: http://www.linartdesigns.com/id91.html

 

It has been a pleasure creating these lessons for you. 

 

 Happy Hooking,

 

Linda