Comments on: Not sure about this one…..

By: Stephanie Forsyth

Stephanie Forsyth — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:11:34 +0000

Hi there..my suggestion would be to use a silver shiva stick, and do a similar rub, but go up and down or sort of kitty corner to the previous rubbing. It will give it more dimension, and will less the “run over by a car” thing that is bothering you! I definitely think this is a good start!

By: katyquilts

katyquilts — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:53:09 +0000

Wow! You are all amazing! Thanks so much for taking the time to look at this and offer suggestions!
Sue ,Carol, Heather, Diane~ you are all right about the horizon line.
I wish I had some extender before I started this! Part of the learning curve I guess.
I actualy went back and added more paint, trying to add some lights as you suggested. I didn’t have a lot of time for this so it is likely pretty dry by this morning. I am thinking this will end up purely a learning piece so I might as wel really have at it!
I will post more pics later today. Thanks again to everyone!

By: Dean Robinson

Dean Robinson — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 01:49:53 +0000

Okay. The suggestions you’ve received are all good. My only comment would be to make sure you have a surprise for the viewer somewhere on the quilt. That could be a change in color, add a complementary color to what you already have, etc.. You can invite the viewer into your piece by not finishing it totally. Allow them to complete your piece by drawing on their own experiences. They’ll love it. I’m sure of that.

By: Loreen Leedy

Loreen Leedy — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 01:31:35 +0000

This might be too risky, but my inclination would be to use a thin dye or paint to darken the entire lower area, let dry, then use a lighter color of the paint sticks on it. Would try it on a sample first!

By: Sue

Sue — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 01:20:21 +0000

Hi!
Just read your description on Quilt Art and laughed out loud.
I would suggest using more colors and blending them a little right on top of what you’ve already done. I’d also choose some lighter colors and do some painting on the top. If you have some of the irridescent colors the sky would be a good place for them.
When I’ve done this I haven’t let the colors dry completely between applications. I think that would make them harder to blend.
Moving the horizon line up a little might help. I think you’d have a hard time moving it down.
Good luck!

By: Michele

Michele — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:10:43 +0000

I think everyone has pretty much covered it–raise the horizon line, blend, and add high- and lowlights. My motto is, “if you don’t like it, keep adding stuff until you do” (or until it’s so awful you have to throw it out, but 99.9% of the time, adding works!).

By: carol

carol — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:07:20 +0000

I like it very much. I agree that the difference between the top and bottom should be greater….using more shiva sticks and some with shimmer.

Move the horizon up and use masking tape to make sure that the line is really clearly defined. Put the shiva stick onto the masking tape and brush it onto the quilt. will give you a really straight line.

Keep going. I am so literal, I wish I could come up with nice abstracts like that.

By: Heather P

Heather P — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:46:57 +0000

Katy, I really like your work. And I like this piece. I agree that the horizon shouldn’t be in the exact middle — much better to lower or raise it a little. And I also like the suggestion to vary the color of the paint — it is too even.

By: Linda B. Laird

Linda B. Laird — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:44:10 +0000

Dear Katy,
I like your starting piece, and I think you’re heading in the right direction. Try adding darker darks, with maybe some blending as Mathea suggested. When the darks are dark enough, bring in some highlights, perhaps some gold like Diane said.
I think more will be better in this piece. Good luck!

By: Debbie Bein

Debbie Bein — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:33:55 +0000

Kathy, love the texture the paintstix add and agree with Diane’s suggestion above. Add more, making the sunset overlay the skyline instead of lie behind it. Neat. Debbie Bein