But now that you're working on quilts other than newbie, I think I should give you a little more advice.
When I was at Uni they taught us about a design device called white space. White space doesn't actually have to be white, it's really just an unbusy area which will balance the content of a design.
I notice that you haven't used white space in any of your tiles, but I think if you did it would improve your compositions.
Basically it's about having a focal point and directing the eye toward it by the use of colour and line as well as texture. (ie more where you want people to look and lines leading toward it.)
So basically what I mean is maybe you could try not filling your entire tile with stuff. If you were to pick something you were going to have as the subject of your tile, and make the rest of the tile less busy, then the subject matter would stand out more and the rest of the tile would look more natural.
I hope this was helpful... white space just isn't one of those things your parents warn you about.
This tile is from Mainquilters Strike Back!
Tile Info
Comment:
Temple longings
By: LongIslandEddie
Checked out at: September 15, 2001
Checked in at: September 15, 2001
Checkout tile:
In Context
Posts
getting better there eddie
and another thing you might try
Is to try making your tiles more natural. Maybe do a picture with perspective and composition that could possibly exist. The way the peach one was is getting there. But what you could consider is having foreground, midground and background. When you do collages like you do, everything looks stuck on the same layer.
Like if you wanted to use a photo of a flower. You could try cutting it out with clean edges (instead of fading it out) and put it in the front (ie the bottom) of your tile) and then on the next layer you have another picture and have the flower casting a shadow onto it. That way you get depth into your tiles. And you can use perspective tricks like how things get smaller as they get further away and get a bit misty too.
Like if you wanted to use a photo of a flower. You could try cutting it out with clean edges (instead of fading it out) and put it in the front (ie the bottom) of your tile) and then on the next layer you have another picture and have the flower casting a shadow onto it. That way you get depth into your tiles. And you can use perspective tricks like how things get smaller as they get further away and get a bit misty too.
Re: and another thing you might try
Hi Kim,
It was nice of you to take the time to educate me as you have done in your comments above and your advice has been well received.As to whether or not I will be able to master the lesson, this remains to be seen but assuredly, I will see if I can make application of this "White Space" which you speak of.
On the issue of the lack of depth and dimension within my tiles, I can only say that my level of mastery of the program in combination with the absence of real artistic ability does not permit me to have the imact which every good tile should have. Far be it from my nature,(yeah) to justify my shortcomings but you see, I am relatively new at tiling and thankfully, will learn to flow more naturally as time goes by. Except for a -5 that someone bestowed upon me tonight (for an issuance here on Mainquilter's), I have seen some marginal improvement even in the way my work is being rated by other participants and have realized that with determination, I can become worthy of many of the contributing artists here. I'm going to give your suggestions a cheerful try and if I have any obvious problems with this technique, I will look forward to your additional help. Thank you Kim, for sharing that observation with me and for taking some time to help me. Best wishes and kind thoughts to you and of you, I remain, Eddie.......
It was nice of you to take the time to educate me as you have done in your comments above and your advice has been well received.As to whether or not I will be able to master the lesson, this remains to be seen but assuredly, I will see if I can make application of this "White Space" which you speak of.
On the issue of the lack of depth and dimension within my tiles, I can only say that my level of mastery of the program in combination with the absence of real artistic ability does not permit me to have the imact which every good tile should have. Far be it from my nature,(yeah) to justify my shortcomings but you see, I am relatively new at tiling and thankfully, will learn to flow more naturally as time goes by. Except for a -5 that someone bestowed upon me tonight (for an issuance here on Mainquilter's), I have seen some marginal improvement even in the way my work is being rated by other participants and have realized that with determination, I can become worthy of many of the contributing artists here. I'm going to give your suggestions a cheerful try and if I have any obvious problems with this technique, I will look forward to your additional help. Thank you Kim, for sharing that observation with me and for taking some time to help me. Best wishes and kind thoughts to you and of you, I remain, Eddie.......
Re: Re: and another thing you might try
Just after i wrote the comments above I noticed your fishy tile and you have done just what I was talking about. :)
And I wouldn't worry about not having 'real artistic talent'. Art and design is full of rules and techniques that you can learn. Those people with artistic talent are just the ones who know them really well or didn't need to be taught them because they know them instinctively.
So, basically, as long as you're willing to learn (and of course experimenting is an important part of that) you can have artistic talent too. :) If you're really keen, you might try borrowing some instructional art books from the library.
And when I said rules above.. they are the kind of rules, that once you know what they are, you can break them.
And I wouldn't worry about not having 'real artistic talent'. Art and design is full of rules and techniques that you can learn. Those people with artistic talent are just the ones who know them really well or didn't need to be taught them because they know them instinctively.
So, basically, as long as you're willing to learn (and of course experimenting is an important part of that) you can have artistic talent too. :) If you're really keen, you might try borrowing some instructional art books from the library.
And when I said rules above.. they are the kind of rules, that once you know what they are, you can break them.
Nice
Flawless blending there, keep it up man!
Kim gave you very good advice, and I'm looking forward to see some of the results. And I'd just like to point out that you did use this white space on more than just one of your tiles. One being of the peaches, and the other of the balloons. Those 2 stand out a bit becasue they're your least busy tiles. Which is a good thing :)
Kim gave you very good advice, and I'm looking forward to see some of the results. And I'd just like to point out that you did use this white space on more than just one of your tiles. One being of the peaches, and the other of the balloons. Those 2 stand out a bit becasue they're your least busy tiles. Which is a good thing :)
Re: Nice
Andrew,(Indigoe)
Wasn't it the Bauhaus Architect, Mies van der Rohe who coined the phrase, "Less is more"? Well, to see it work is nothing short of a modern miracle! Thank you for stopping by and also for your continual encouragement. Ed M.
Wasn't it the Bauhaus Architect, Mies van der Rohe who coined the phrase, "Less is more"? Well, to see it work is nothing short of a modern miracle! Thank you for stopping by and also for your continual encouragement. Ed M.
Nice Blend
Good job on the blend from the surrounding tiles. Keep up the good work.
CX
CX