FRACTURED WATERCOLOR GARDEN: Embellishing with Inktense Watercolor pencils

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This piece builds on the "FRACTURED WHEEL" pieces that I published earlier.  In this case, I created two mirror image pieces, quilted them and then "painted in details" before slicing the pieces apart and.... 

 

Starting at Step One: 

I created the Mirror Image squares using two batik prints.  I used a Bronze metallic thread, FS20 by Madiera Threads.  Here are two photos of the quilting,  and with some embellishment started.

 

 

 

 

 

 Before I get into working with the Intense Pencils, I'm backing up to the quilting process.  The quilting on the blue/beige piece was done through freezer paper.

 

I freehand drew a design then ironed the freezer paper onto the quilt sandwich.  It was very easy to quilt through the freezer paper and I already had an idea of what the design would look like. 

 

 

 However, getting the paper peeled off was a real job!  So, for the second square, I figured if I can draw a design freehand with a pen, then I can do it with the machine, so that's what I did.  

 

I colored in the quilted areas with the Intense Pencils after I finished the quilting. After each section was colored in, I went over it with Golden Fabric Medium GAC900. That smooths out the color and and makes it brighter. It also allows for the blending of colors. In some areas I added in highlights after the medium had been laid down.  The medium also makes the colors permanent, once everything is dry.  I did find out that I had to be careful not to do too much at one time. Bleeding of the color can occur if the fabric gets too wet with the medium.  I only used the color pencils on the beige fabric.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once everything was dry, I added in white highlights using white acrylic paint.  I also used a metallic white paint to embellish the narrow blue pieces.. Unfortunately, that doesn't show up here but it does in the final piece.

 

So, after doing all the quilting and the painting, I split the pieces into strips. That's right, I took two finished pieces and cut them apart into strips! 

 

Here the strips are alternated with each other and ready to be fused to a backing. Trying to seam the pieces together would have taken away from the design and added too much bulk to a small piece.  It finished out at 16" by 20".  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 You can see the white painted highlights on the narrow blue fabric pieces.

After fusing the pieces to a background, I free motion sewed over the seam joinings and then covered them with a bronze colored yarn that was like a silk cord.  I had already embellished each seam line with the same yarn.  

 

 

I also decided to add in some bronze highlights on the blue fabric.  I used Lumiere Bronze Metallic paint by Jaquard.

This was a fun way to practice a couple of new techniques and experiment with painting on a quilted piece using both acrylic paints and the Inktense Watercolor pencils.  This method also works well with Prismacolor pencils.  I happen to like the more intense colors that I get with the watercolor pencils. 

 

I also like working  with printed fabric rather all white fabric. The addition of the fabric print really increases the depth of the design.

 

 I also love the movement that was  achieved by cutting the squares into strips and then alternating them into a design that weaves in and out with itself.

 

I love this very elegant piece of art work.  

CREATING ALWAYS IN JOY,

Karen