Just to continue my theme on never finishing something I have started – I have put away my canvas work for the next couple of weeks to concentrate on silk shading on an intensive course at the RSN, Hampton Court. My view for the next two weeks…….
The first day concentrated on choosing an image. I had lots of flowers that I liked, but most were small and white which apparently is not a good choice – so I went for something bold and bright although the end result will probably not make it to a frame as I am still not sure that I like it! However it is the process that I am learning and as you can see there is a lot of scope for colour and some challenging shapes to attempt. The RSN also specifies that the picture chosen needs to have flower or fruit, leaf and a turnover – I think this fits the brief quite well.
Once the subject had been chosen a black and white and colour sketch of it was made to get you to look more closely at the image.
We then worked out an order of stitching – the background elements need to be tackled first before anything in the foreground – next we looked at the direction that our stitches will be moving in.
Finally an outline was pricked with a needle and the image was transferred using pounce onto a piece of silk mounted over calico – which I had prepared before hand.
One thing that stuck out immediately was how calm and quite the intensives are when compared to a normal C and D day. With only 6 students the room was very quiet and you got a lot of individual attention from the tutor and her helpers.
Looking forward to day 2!
sweetfallenangels 
I find this so Interesting, I’m looking forward to these reports!
Thank you Kathy – will keep you updated!
I like the Lily but I can see how it’s not to everyone’s taste.I’m envious of your time at Hampton Court but I’m not prepared to take up embroidery for that view!
You made me smile! Thank you – the lily is not my taste either but it fits the sewing brief so I will have to live with it for now! Once I have learnt the techniques I can then choose a subject that I like more!
No – I like the lily!
It will be an interesting subject to stitch, and you might find that after you’ve spent more time with it, you like it more!
Or less!!
Well done on tackling the Silk Shading via the intensive mode. I do think that for this technique it is really useful to be able to have some continuity in the stitching – and the intensive course lets you do this. I found it amazing how you get to see more and more colours in the piece as you stitch it. Good Luck and make sure you have a good thimble – that little number 12 needle hurts when the eye gets stuck in your finger.
Ouch – thanks for the tip!
Oh wow this looks amazing! I do hate it sometimes when you have to fit a brief!
I suppose once I have learnt the basics I can then apply it to what ever I choose to do next.