Designing a Silk Scarf - Part 1 by Rose

No matter how many paintings/drawings or designs I come up with, I’m always documenting the process in some form. Making written notes as prompts, photos of places, flowers or steps of development, these help me in the future to recall my thoughts and how I got around mistakes or used them.  

So, as I'm in the process of creating a new design which has a mix of different flowers, which is something I've not ventured into with silk scarves till now, I thought it would give people a chance to follow my progress and learn how I go through the creative process.  

To get ideas, I spend time outside, reading, looking at others work etc... with the current situation in the world, I've been spending lots of time in the garden and this year it was a wash of primroses and bluebells, which is what i’m using for this new deign.  

I like to base my work on life, so drawing in the location is best or from real bunches of flowers/plants. Photos are used more for reference to colour, layout etc... 

Photos and drawings of Primroses and Bluebells

I try to draw from different sides, angles and small compositional collections, which then can be used in the next step which is working out compositions and layout ideas.  For this design, I worked on a A3 sheet and ended up with three ideas to take onto large images which I can then use to trace the image onto the silk.  

Selection of sketches from stages of development

The thick pen outline has two roles, 1; it’s easier to see and workout the colour gutta to use, 2; fit the gaps to too close or tight it mimics the thickness of the gutta, changes thus can be made before or as I work.

What I try to capture is the essence of the subject, I’m not wanting something that is a complete copy, but something that has its own life and so when I come to trace onto the silk I have a variety of styles, compositions and sizes to work from. This is also helpful for the different size scarves; each one is longer and wider so being about to move them around to fill the scarf is also needed.  

I’ve found in the past, to keep these unique and also keep myself interested being flexible when creating and design has been the key. I work from the heart and want to being beauty and enjoyment to the things i create.

Being creative takes on my forms, and my mind creates so many different thing, but to make something that is truly high quality, you have to pick the best ideas, take your time and look ahead to the final outcome.

Next Blog:

Designing a Silk Scarf: Part 2
In this part I will be moving onto the silk scarf process, painting onto silk and the final product.