by Sandra | May 26th, 2010
I am busy designing the pattern we will be working from for the Asilomar 2011 Workshop (see side menu for details). As I am working on this, I am hearing the many questions I get about designing an applique pattern run through my head. I thought this one tip for breaking down symmetry and balance might be of use and since I am at this stage right now, it was an obvious topic.
Keep in mind I work in a medallion style. Meaning I have a large central focus design area surrounded by a border(s).
You will remember the urn I wrote about earlier:
Now I want to build up the bouquet. All compositions break down into a layout of geometric shapes. In this case, my bouquet will basically fill a circle. As a guide, you will see how I have drawn a circle over my “page” that balances with the Urn. Your eye can see balance and composition much easier if you break down designs like this. Now all I have to do is add various design elements of the bouquet within this circle and when it is complete. My composition is in balance and my bouquet, heaven forbid, is not lopsided!
If you were to break down and draw the shapes so far in this design, you would have a rectangle (urn) and a circle (bouquet). I forgot to center this before taking the picture but the bouquet is basically 3x the width of the rectangle. No I don’t measure exactly. I trust my eye to let me know.
Obviously this isn’t ALL there is to creating a dynamic composition, but I think it is a start for those who wonder about the mysteries of where to start when faced with a blank sheet of paper and a pencil, or computer in my case. Train your eye to see basic shapes and you will have a solid starting point.
Thank you for the update. Love the design and I can not wait for your class!
You make it look so easy!
Perhaps I would find it easier if I drew the basic shapes instead of trying to get everything to balance when the urn or basket is half full or more!
Judy B
This design looks gorgeous, the cabbage roses will be beautiful (lots of little pieces)LOL – another excuse to buy more fabric. Please share any new fabric finds!
Love roses and this looks soooo beautiful. Asilomar is looking more and more tempting, Doris and I have been talking about it. Thank you for sharing all your techniques, now the problem is trying to figuring out how to do them in Illustrator. OK with linear applications but still haven’t mastered curves.
I look forward to meeting you Fayette!
Judy,
My oldest son hated to draw (yes that made me wince). I was lucky to get a stick figure out of him for years. Then he had to draw something for school and I taught him how to see the shapes. Now he draws pretty darn good for a guy who used to be pained to draw a stick figure!
Denise,
You count on me sharing new fabric finds. I haven’t really found anything in a little while that knocks my socks off. I am looking, I really am.
Brenda,
I haven’t begun to explore and learn all that Illustrator can do. They YOU went and told me about the new CS5!!!
When I can catch my breath, I am really antsy to play with the new perspective tools. Oh my!
You know I would love to see both you and Doris again!
Okay. Those roses are already scaring me! But my brain is already working overtime on colors – seeing that vase in coppery tones… or maybe pewter! Don’t get me started on the flowers! Wondering how many batik charm packs I can find between now and next year! (Already enrolled in the Cotton Club’s Hoffman 1895 club – I think it’s ten FQs a month.) Wheeee!!!
Michele,
Don’t worry, I will walk you through them PLUS, give you options to simplify if you are uncomfortable. All you need is a desire to do it and the rest will fall into place.
Glad to hear your mind is already in overdrive! That is why I am posting this way early so everyone has an opportunity to see what we will be working on and start thinking about how they want to create this design for themselves.
Oh Sandra,
I’m so excited to see you showing a bit of your design process! I have played with a few blocks of my own, but only using actual drawn pictures. I would love to learn to do this on my computer. What program do you like to use? If you don’t mind me asking. If you’ve said earlier and I’ve missed it please forgive me. I was out of commission when my computer crashed. Just now catching up on blog posts. As always you leave me having to go caress my fabric and get out my needle. It’s a good thing!
Eva,
I am using Adobe Illustrator CS4 in this image. I just bought the CS5 Creative Suite, but haven’t had time to play with it yet. Because Adobe just released the new CS5 version you may be able to get some REALLY good deals on CS4 out there on the internet.
I love it when I can inspire you!
Sandra,
Thanks for sharing glimpses of “behind-the-scenes” with us – I thoroughly enjoyed your post.
You are welcome Ivory Spring!