Black and White Image

As a precursor to the Shape Observation in black and white I have copied the original photograph of the wall in black and white to obtain a feel for the shading of the piece.

I have cut these shapes and rearranged them on a white background (below) to give an idea about the shapes that the separate rocks create.

I found this interesting as it altered my ideas about how the different shapes were structured when they were cut out separately and did not relate to the overall wall.


















I will use these as a base for the Shape Observations.

I will also create solid black shapes by eye and with cutting and tearing the paper to see what different effects these create.

Colour Study 1 of Rock Wall

I created this colour study using water colour and Prisma colour pencils. I painted a paler wash of the desired colour onto water colour paper and overlaid this with pencil shading. I built the colour up with various shades of pencils in differenct colours.

I was amazed at the range of different colours and tones which appeared through careful study of the photographs. Previously when I have created embroidered pieces I have tried to translate the colours directly from the source to selecting the threads and chose colours in a random fashion as I created my peice. I found that by developing the colour study of the rock wall I examined the photograph more carefully for colour changes and noticed many more colours than I might otherwise have chosen.

I found this exercise very rewarding and valuable.


I will develop further colour studies using a water colour base overlaid with pastel and oil pastels.

Rubbing of Rock Wall

I made a rubbing of one segment of the rock wall using white tissue paper and black pastel. It was very windy and therefore hard to get a good sample as the paper was blowing everywhere. I will take some more rubbings using black paper and white crayon, of different areas of the wall.

When this sample is magnified it does however, provide some interesting texture (from the mossy surface and the rough stone) and portrays a feeling of movement.

Photo of Rock Wall

This photo is of a rock wall from my garden at Binalong, NSW, Aust. This is my study for the Foundation Module in the Embroidery course with Sian Martin, UK.


This photograph was taken in the early morning in bright sunshine.






This photograph is a close up of an element of the above photograph.

I have chosen this study as there is a pleasing contrast between rough and smooth surfaces, light and dark contrast and range of hues.

I also just love the mossy rocks and the variety of texture and colour they contain.