Thank you for taking the time to look at my digital portfolio

Optical Illusion x Greek Key Inspired Recycled Skirt

These are two photos of the first garment (skirt) I made for a project based on the theme "Key". From the theme of key I then progressed on to looking at greek keys and from greek keys, to optical illusions and 60s fashion. For the skirt pattern I was trying to make an optical illusion pattern that started and ended with the skirts panels. For the skirt I drew out a simple 6 panel A line skirt pattern and used a recycled silver table cloth for the skirt fabric, and helmet straps for the hem.

Print-Making

These are some examples of my stencil printmaking. I cut loads of stencils in cactus shapes, applied printmaking ink to them then positioned them on the page and put them through the print press. I enjoy doing stencil printmaking because you can keep putting the same page through the press with different stencils to add depth to the page and build up layers of colour and tone.

Texture Book

This is a concertina booklet I made (but separated to display in my portfolio) I mainly used scraps of work and photographs to create this booklet and whilst making it I was inspired to add more pages with different techniques and textures. I used various materials likes hand dyed cotton, tissue paper and felt. I enjoy experimenting with different colours and textures.

Experimental Sketchbook Pages

These are some of my experimental sketchbook pages. On the first page I was exploring different shapes within cacti so I tried out doing a repeat pattern of cacti using a glue gun stencil I made by drawing a cactus on card with a glue gun then letting the glue harden and painting black paint on the stencil and printing it on to the page. I wanted to add more colour so I added a wash of watercolour over the cacti prints and a pattern of wavy lines in the background with oil pastel. For the next page I was looking at the cactus photograph at the top and taking inspiration from that to make textures and shapes with things like bubble wrap and pom poms. 

Stitched Collages

I enjoy mixing different techniques together. With these pieces I used collage and stitching. For the top one I tore up pages from magazines and collaged a cactus in blues and greens, then used a sewing machine to stitch into it with a stitch that replicated spikes. On the bottom one, I stuck down tissue paper with PVA glue which gave it a glossy finish, then cut out abstract cactus shapes in scrap fabric and a material I made by painting PVA glue on tissue paper and letting it dry which created a material similar to a very soft plastic, I then stitched over that with a sewing machine like the first collage. I like making materials from tissue paper because by layering the tissue paper I could make my own colours. 

Mixed Media

Shown are two of my mixed media pieces. The first one is of a Pitcher plant, I wanted to replicate the veins in the plant so I drew the veins in oil pastel and when I painted over it with ink the oil pastel resisted the ink and stood out. The next piece I drew first in soft pastel but I wanted to add more texture and dimension so I added pieces of fabric like felt and tissue paper that had been covered in glue to make it a soft plastic material, then stitched over that with a sewing machine. I really enjoy using a colourful palette and being experimental with colours. 

Fashion Print and Illustrations

The first image on the left shows a leaf drawing I drew in soft pastels inspired by images I took of leaves in a botanical green house. I then edited the print on to fashion illustrations I drew to get an idea of how it could look as a garment print. Although this print isn't very adventurous or creative in comparison to my other illustrations, I think it's good to experiment with different styles to see what you enjoy creating most, I enjoy creating brighter, colourful, abstract prints rather than ones that are very literal interpretations. And also because this print is a lot more wearable in comparison to my other prints, which I think is important to consider in the fashion industry to work with different specifications with different retail brands. 

Inspiration Sketchbook Pages

Shown are two of my inspiration mood board style pages in my sketchbook. Making these pages helps me generate new ideas rather than just looking at images of them on a digital screen because having them physically stuck in my sketchbook with notes and doodles alongside them helps me visualise my ideas better and it's easier to show how I interpret the images for inspiration by drawing my idea beside them. 

Fashion Illustrations

Shown in this photo are some fashion illustrations of dresses with my prints on them. I drew the models and dresses, then edited my art onto the dresses using Photoshop. Cacti was the theme I chose for my assignment “Structures” because I wanted to look at structured plants and plants with defence mechanisms as I was interested in the form and shape of them. From this I progressed further into looking at simple shapes within cacti to create various prints and to inspire the shape of garments as well as the print. 

Colourful Plants

This is a collection of some of the photos I took of plants like cacti and venus fly traps and edited on photoshop to change the colour spectrums. I like the colours of these photos and how the cacti look fun and bright instead of dangerous and spiky. I think if I took sections of these photos and made them into a repeat pattern it could make a good fashion print. 

Leaf Drawings and Prints

Shown are four examples of the leaf prints I have done in various mediums like ink, collage and stencil print making. I am interested in how these would like as a fashion print on garments. The top two are inspired by Henri Matisse cut outs, I saw Matisse's work recently in a museum, I loved the simplistic cut out style and bright colours of his work. The bottom two are inspired by photographs I took of plants in botanic gardens I'd visited, I painted these in ink. I want to try these again in coloured inks and make them a bit more interesting. 

Life Drawings

I study life-drawing once every week, I wanted to show my favourite drawings from this class because I like the proportions and use of tone. These drawings took 5 or 10 minutes which I find produces a better outcome rather than focusing too much on small details, because I just wanted to capture the overall form and flow of the body rather than the small details. Life drawing is something that has helped me significantly with proportions and understanding considerations in garment design.

Tissue Paper Life Drawing Collage

Shown in the image is a life drawing I made primarily in tissue paper. First i drew the outline of the models pose quickly in black permanent marker then layered shades of tissue paper on top. I like the abstract style of this piece and the contrast of the colours of the tissue paper. I used the tissue paper to highlight the lightest and darkest areas of the models body and although it didn't blend very well I prefer the bold contrast.