Under The Microscope Photoshoot For Portfolio

For my shoot I used my subtraction dress& a neutral backdrop, I then edited a few of the images together and added my pattern designs over the top. Overall I stuck to my photoshoot plan which I described in detail in my previous blog post.

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Moving Image Links &Evaluation

I wanted to add the element of movement to my final images as well as stills, to do this I used both the Flixel App aswell as a website called makeagif. You can see each one of them by clicking the links below.

Flixel Image

Flixel Image Two

Flixel Image Three

GifOne

GifTwo

Under The Microscope; Mood Boards

This sample was created  using the marbling technique, I initially looked at one of the sheep’s teeth I had  collected, once placed under the microscope I could see small circular patterns that marbling achieved a similar pattern  to. When I came to edit the sample the effects I used made it  become almost cosmic looking which I particularly like as it keeps within my colour theme. I then heat transferred  this pattern in circular shapes onto my fabric. I really like how its turned out as you wouldn’t think it was inspired by teeth, and there showing the beauty in something unexpected.

For this mood board I wanted to show how I edited my initial sample to develop it further. The original was made with the brusho inks then altered  using photoshop. I love how the texture was still visible and looks quite similar to alcohol under the microscope although the inspiration came from a moth wing, the colour theme also inspired my final layered dress design as I loved the mystical and  pastel shades shown. This was also the sample that I have chosen to develop for my final fabric, I am extremely happy with the outcome.

This board was what inspired the front bottom layer of my dress, both the samples were made with the heat transfer press, one with paint and one with heat transfer paper.  I liked how the colours are not lilac like the other layers and have more of a variation to them yet still quite muted and ystical as they took on a lighter colour once pressed. The bottom postcard sample was made when I looked at a variation of shells under the microscope which inspired the circular and odd shapes. I think the textures work well and don’t seem to thought out which I also like.

This board developed from a butterfly specimen which I recreated on my sample postcard using a mixture of wax and  ink. I then repeated  this technique on to two layers of my dress, I liked how the wax wouldn’t let the ink bleed therefore I could keep a certain shape on  the fabric where I wished to. The fabric sample is of mono printing which I also continued onto my layered dress, I liked how it was subtle but would still show a certain amount of texture where I wanted it to.

Developing My Layered Dress

To begin with I used a basic block pattern of a swing dress and continued with the same piece just shortening it each time, I sketched out what I wanted my dress shape to look like, knowing each layer would be different. I eventually used three layers on the back and four on the front as five tiers each side looked a bit to much. I then began to develop each layer individually before stitching them all together.  

Above is the back bottom layer of the dress that consisted of marbling inks around the shoulders and hem, then brusho dye to create a ombre effect as the dyes are much darker around the hem. 

This is the bottom front layer of the dress, that I created by using heat transfer paints and the heat press. I loved how the colours changed to pastel shades and think the layers contrast each other well.

After developing the bottom two layers, I started to begin the next tiers, these being;

- a machine embroided layer

- heat press of circulars shapes from a image I had continued from my postcard samples, onto the front and back top layers

- wax with fabric paint 

- mono printing

 Each layer was created or inspired by a mood board or a postcard sample.

Extended Photoshop Samples

This post will show how my initial samples have been changed through Photoshop and how different it can make the samples look.

one/ reflected the same image x4 

&a sample of brusho

I wanted to show how layers can build up to create completely different looks, as you can see below I have used both the images above on all three of the samples below, but they all look different due to the effects used:

I also layered a sample of marbling.

Adding this image to the reflected one and changing the layers to add darker colour and pin light makes this image have a pastel colour them which I really like, I think it looks very cosmic like.

Although this image is very similar to the one above, I altered the saturation of the marbled layer making the background of this texture grey with the bold colours standing out. Although I like this effect, I wouldn't use it for my fabric as I think the grey would not look as good on the fabric.

This is the same image just with altered hue/saturation making the colours very vibrant and adding new tones to the image. I like how this image looks with all the layers and think I will continue to build upon this image.

Marbling is a sample I really liked and think it looks even more amazing when on photoshop, to achieve this look I changed the colour curves to lighten the sample where I wanted, then changed the hue and saturation drastically until it was almost neon.

Here I have shown how I built up my layer to achieve the final image, I began by opening the sample image, adding a plastic film layer effect to it.

Next I changed the hue and saturation of the new image to leave bold and statement colours.

The third image is of a marbling which I changed the colours again to be much bolder and move vivid.

Then layering both of these images and changed the opacity has created the last image shown, I also added the pin light effect to keep the colours vibrant

Using the same sample images I have created a totally different sample which is my favourite so far, my blending the two images above I could create this new sample, I'm going to continue building upon this so adding up the layers giving me plenty of textures. I think it looks as if it is under the microscope already but by adding even more layers it will create this even further.

Editing The Initial Samples

Sample with photoshop; This look was achieved by editing the colours then the colour curves, I also brightened the contrast of the sample. Leaving me with this vibrant pattern, I do think this looks like something from under a microscope. 

Sample with photoshop; To create this, I used one of the marbling samples and just inverted the colours leaving me with this. I really like the colours and texture in this one, I'm going to continue with this trying different colours and see how the sample turns out, I do want to incorporate this into my final fabric design.

Sample with photoshop;  This sample is also made by using the invert colour tool on photoshop, I really like how the circular shapes have been picked out. The purple marbling ink works really well.

Sample with photoshop;  This is the same sample, just editing differently I changed the colour curves until all the colours were as bright as possible making these pink and purple tones, I also used the pin light tool which kind of looks as if the sample is already looked at under the microscope. I really like how this one has turned out.

Sample with photoshop;  Once again I used the invert colour tool then changed the contrast and colours. I think the stiching works really well on this sample, it looks like skin cells and the mix of textures brings more layers to the sample.

Sample with photoshop;  To create this I used a tool which made the image look as if a marbl layer had been added, I then altered the colours until this strange contrast appeared. I actually love how the sample has worked out ans it blend pastel colour with cosmic looking shades. I like the range of shapes featured in the sample to. 

I plan now to carry on with the samples in my next lesson, only with more of a idea of colours/shades to use and the specific methods I will continue using instead of just samples. This will then develop into two definite cards that I will scan in to further develop using Photoshop. 

Initial Postcard Samples

I have began this project by researching and creating a series of postcards that will be expanded by using a range of artistic techniques which shall then be taken through to my CAD lessons. Here I will use my skills to create a final print which shall then be developed into a printed fabric. 

I began by looking at my specimens under the microscope:

From what I saw a began to create different textures/images using many different techniques.

Marbling: This is a style of using marbling inks in a bath of water then by moving the ink and dipping in the paper/fabric it creates this effect. What I really love is how every one if different& each print will never be exactly the same. I plan on expanding with this method except using a different colour range, I want to use a more pastel/neutral colour pallet for my personal fabric designs.

This sample is a range of methods, I began by bubbling fairy liquid and ink then pressing my card onto the bubbles to achive these circular shapes, I then stitched over a few of the circular shapes leaving me with a wide range of shapes and colours in one sample. I really like both these methods and going to continue them into my next series of samples.

This is my favourite method, it is created by using Brusho inks, I really love the outcome and think it looks particularly good if comparing it to butterfly wings. By the inks running you get this almost tie dye effect, I'm going to continue this technique for sure.

This sample is three different methods, I began by adding blue ink onto the card, then by using bleach I simply added shapes/random lines which lighted the sample in certain places. I then used wax to add shapes/texture to the sample. This also reminds me of a butterfly wing.

The methods used on this sample are;

bubbling the ink

marbling (only very gently touching the water)

circular wax shapes

& slight water colours.

This sample was to see how the methods I had learnt could layer up, and I really like it. This one also work particularly well when I transferred it to Photoshop. I also much prefer the lighter colour pallet in this sample.