Module 1 - Chapter 3 - Design development Based on the Star or Cross

I decided to change the shape I was working with and chose a more linear cross shape to ring the changes from my previous star/cross, which contained lots of sharp points and always seemed to create very spiky designs.  The new cross shape is an amalgam of several crosses from my research pages and the benefit of this new shape is it can be used in a square format or turned round to create diagonal patterns.

  

Design Sheet B1

1.  Small unit inside the negative space formed by an arrangement of four larger units.

2.  Pattern using large and small units - I made another simplified smaller unit by removing some of the 'steps' in the original shape.  I kept the small version of the original shape in the centre of this design and used the simplified shapes in the corners.

3.  Border and corner design - large unit plus an outline of the simplified shape.

4.  Alternative border and corner design - overlaid simplified unit on top of original shape then alternated with outline shape.  I also used small square off-cuts as spacers to add another element to the design.

Design Sheet B2

1. Two designs showing shapes interlinked - outline of square added.

2.  Border pattern using the original shape and outline of same shape - creates a chain effect.

3.  New shapes from old - I really enjoyed creating this design as I like the 'patchwork quilt block' effect that has emerged.  I had some odd spaces so added the reduced original shape and simplified shape to fill in the gaps.

Design Sheet C1

1.  Complex counterchange.  New motif  highlighted in red.

2.  Alternative complex counterchange design.

3  Divide and separate - I like the linear effect that the spaces create.

4. Border pattern using two new motifs interlinked to create a new unit with top row turned upside down.  Although I like the the new unit, when repeated it creates a design with too much open space.  

5.  Border pattern created with new motifs overlapped. Design could be further developed by turning the motifs back to back and continuing the border in the opposite direction.

6.  Two of the new units arranged to form a new cross shape. I really like this.

7.  Another interlinked pattern using two shades of green. This is quite a subtle design but I like the sense of movement and the pinwheel shape that appears in the centre of the repeats.

Design Sheet C2

Repeat patterns using new motif.  I like both patterns but prefer the one on the left and feel it could translate into an attractive applique design.  The right hand design has produced small squares that appear to float on the surface, an effect which was completely unexpected.

Templates Used in this Chapter

 Extras

I had cut some paper shapes that I chose not to use within the chapter.  However, I didn't want to throw them away so I have arranged them here in a repeating pattern to use them up.  The shape was my original star/cross with the short points removed.

Closing Thoughts

I feel I made heavy weather of this chapter and probably spent too much time on it.  However, once I got my head round the 'shape within a shape' section, I really began to enjoy myself and felt I was making progress as ideas began to flow.  I could have developed some designs further but with this method of designing you can go on forever and sometimes it's difficult to know when to stop.  I am now looking forward to chapter four and the new challenge I am sure it will bring!

Module 1 - Chapter 3 - Design Development

The cross shape I have used for these designs comes from page 4 of my crosses research and from my line drawing on page 1.  I like the fact that although the shape is essentially a cross, it resembles a star because of the diagonal points, so I feel I have the best of both worlds.

Design Sheet A1

1.  Counterchange.

2.  Four shapes in alternate colours placed edge to edge to create Interchange.  A new star shape is created in the centre where the shapes meet.  However, I feel the star is too regular to develop further.

3.  Lines of symmetry shown.

4.  Shape distorted by altering the grid.  Shape formed is more rectangular and is symmetrical in only one direction (line of symmetry shown).  I feel this elongated star is a more interesting shape than the original and may be worth exploring further at some point.

5.  Counterchange - rectangular star shape.

Design Sheet A2

1.  Shape is further distorted by altering the grid in both directions to create a completely asymmetrical shape.  

2.  Four shapes are placed on the diagonal.  In this position the shapes look like butterflies and a small diamond shape is formed in the centre.

3.  Two shapes placed back to back with long points facing inwards, which creates a double pointed star in the centre.  I really like this shape and feel it may have some potential for developing further. I intend to make a template of this shape and explore its possibilities.

Design Sheet A3

1. I returned to the rectangular star shape and placed four together (Interchange) to see what shape would be formed in the centre.  I like the fact that the new shape has lost something of the 'cross/star look' and is a definite diamond shape - may well be worth a second look.

2.  I then arranged four more shapes with the smaller points facing inwards and an X shaped cross emerged.  I love this method of designing as there are so many surprises in the negative space.  

Design Sheet A4

1.  (Counterchange)  I had lots of cut outs left over from the original shape so I went back to playing with it and decided to change the orientation of the shape by moving it a quarter turn.  It now looks completely different to the original and has a more square, compact look, which I think I prefer.

2.  Four shapes together in contrasting colours (Interchange).  This is a much less open design than the original, therefore the centre shape is smaller - a very defined cross shape but as each part is completely separate it couldn't be cut out as one shape unless adapted in some way.

3.  Four shapes arranged as above but moved apart slightly and edges drawn in to complete the cross shape.  Again, I really like this shape but maybe it is a little too complex with the double points and could end up looking too 'spiky' or busy.  However, I think the double points give the shape some movement and that this could possibly be exploited through clever use of colour.  I will probably come back to this at some stage and experiment with different colour/tonal combinations and see if there is any mileage in this idea.

Design Sheet A5

For each of the 'shapes within a shape' I have shown how the shape looks when placed within a frame and I really like the effect this creates as it adds another dimension that can be explored. It also shows how the original shape sits within its new background shape and whether any distortion occurs.

1.  Original shape in a diamond (square on point).  The original shape doesn't distort.

2.  Original shape in a circle - the only distortion is that the points become curved on the outside edge.

3.  Original shape moved a quarter turn as shown in Design Sheet A4 - shape doesn't distort.

4.  Original shape in an equilateral triangle.  The shape has distorted a lot from the original but I think it looks like a plane or a rocket and I'm not sure I like it.  It does work better when enclosed within a frame but I don't think I will take this any further.

5.  'Plane' shapes arranged with long points meeting in the centre.  This create a hexagon (six equilateral triangles) but again I don't like it - looks too spiky!

Design Sheet A6

1.  Original shape in a long diamond.  Shape is stretched lengthwise and creates a more interesting cross shape than the original.

2.  Stretched shape in a frame.

3.  Stretched shape in a frame - halved across the middle and the two halves re-arranged.  I like this shape because of the irregular interior.

4.  Four stretched shapes in frames joined together to form a larger diamond.  I really like this design - reminds me of trellis.

5.  Another four stretched shapes joined together to form another large diamond.  This arrangement is more open than the other one because there are no frames to contain the shapes.  I also like this design but still prefer the large diamond with the frames.

6.  Shape formed by removing the long points from the diamond - may have possibilities?

Module 1 - Chapter 3 - Design Development Based on the Star or the Cross

Before I can begin this chapter I need to paint some more papers.  This is because I had all but given up on the course due to a combination of personal circumstances, and as a result had thrown my painted papers away.  However, those problems have now been resolved and I feel ready to get back on track and have another go!  

The new papers I have created use the same 'Brusho' ink colours I used before with the addition of a little black.  The variety of papers I have chosen are also very similar to those used previously, but this time I have added in some hand marbled papers and some thick tracing paper.  

I decided to stick with the red and green complementary colour scheme I had originally chosen so that there is some continuity in my work throughout the module.

Here are swatches of the new red and green papers.

1. Red Papers

2. Green Papers

Papers include cartridge paper, tissue, water colour paper, tracing paper, marbled paper, newsprint and printer paper.