This workshop looks at the work of Chuck Close, the American artist who paints in the photo realism style. His work is divided into grids with each square painted separately. hen seen close to, the work looks abstract, but when seen from a distance, it transforms into a portrait. I have adapted this idea to pixilated a photo and draw each square separately. These are then stitched individually to form an image. I have also looked at individual squares from his work and made collages from them. These too can be individually stitched.

Kandinsky uses a number of different shapes and symbols in his paintings. There are meandering lines, straight lines,checkerboard patterns in black and white,triangles and circles. Using these symbols, together with his colour palette, this workshop will explore the patterns and work them using couching and other line stitches onto a coloured background.

Print to stitch – workshops

Print and shift
This workshop explores the printed surface, using over printing methods, shifting register to create ghosted images, mixed colour and tonal possibilities. Simple shape is repeated, reversed and half drops created.

• Over print an image, shifting the print on successive layers of printing.
• Layer up prints on tissue paper or transparent fabric blending and mixing colour.
• Print onto acetate, move it around over other prints.
• Print light on dark and dark on light.

Print; Raise the level
A workshop for those wishing to explore methods of raised printed surfaces. Various techniques will be demonstrated including Expandaprint, fabric slips, padding, cutting out, wire mesh.

• Print with expandaprint
• Cut out prints and raise them up on foam board – stick fabric to foam board and print onto it
• Cut and stuff – broderie perse
• Print with transfer paint – cut out areas with soldering iron(evelon – suedeFX)
• Put prints onto wire mesh and manipulate – beads?

Print for cutwork
Explore cut surfaces to create lacey fabrics or cut shapes to hang together or with other elements.

• cut out areas and stitch edges, fill spaces with stitch by hand or machine. Resulting fabric could be manipulated.
• cut into edges, methods ideal for treating edges of panels or wall-hangings
• cut slits and slots, and amalgamate pieces together
• assemble cut slices together, by threading onto a linier element, strong thread, dowel, wire or perspex