Composition in Feltmaking is now FULL!
Composition in Feltmaking Online starts on June 5th, 2020. The online classroom opens on May 29th for introductions and materials discussion.
Workshop Fee: $295.00 USD
Composition in Feltmaking explores tools to create beautiful design in every project. These design tools explain the where and why we use a combination of colours and elements in a particular project to reach the most beautiful end result! For some people, design is just intuitive. They create dynamic, balanced layouts without knowing the theory behind their creative choices. If this doesn’t describe you, we can develop this sensibility by practicing the design guidelines covered in this class. Working with this design theory can really help you to feel more satisfied with every felt project. It also gives you the language to describe your process, which is a great boost to your artistic confidence, and ability to talk about your work. This class is like a 7 week Art School for Feltmakers!
We start by creating a felt design board. This is a great tool for trying out colour combinations and designs.
Each week we cover 4 elements of design. As the foundation for all of our other composition decisions, having a strong relationship with colour is very important. We spend two weeks exploring colour- the first week delves into colour theory, and the second week explores exercises to develop our design interactions with colour theory.
Fiona, this course has been mind-blowing for me. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your commitment to your students, all through these weeks, and how much I have learned in the process. Thank you so much. C. Moore
This class includes very supportive and encouraging critiqueing. We don’t make any samples in this workshop, but explore ideas through fibre sketches, and each week you will make one new felt project based on the elements of design from that week. This work can be posted in the online classroom. I offer feedback on what is wonderful, and what you might do a little differently to create a more aesthetically pleasing overall design. We’ll review ways you can take your felt further, incorporating each week’s design theory. The benefit of this process is that you work in whatever form of felt you most enjoy. It can be 2D landscape, felt bags, sculptural vessels, or nuno accessories or garments. The design principles are the same, regardless of what type of project you like to work on. This process allows you to improve your design work while discovering and/or deepening your creative signature. Working with each week’s design elements and answering the questions prompted during the class, illuminates your own preferences and style.
You will end this course with a stronger understanding of design theory and the language of design, and a defined personal creative signature.
I have learned so much in this class, especially how to look at my felt work and use design language to talk about it. You are a wonderful teacher and I’m impressed with how you do your online classes. Being able to download the information is great. I know I will refer to this class and the workshop materials often. C.Lang
This is an intermediate level class-for those with some feltmaking experience. You should be familiar with the materials and the techniques of basic feltmaking and have a genuine interest in learning more about design and applying it to your work..
Week 1: Colour- Theory
designs boards; colour wheel; hue/value/intensity; shades/tones/tints/mixtures,
Week 2: Colour-Interactions
relationships/contrasts; connecting with definitions; nature as designer; emotions and colour; your personal palette
Week 3: Forms
subject- your strongest element; balance; dominance; harmony/repetition; rhythm/unity
Week 4: Lines
focal points; entrance/exit; observation patterns; movement; knowing when to stop!
Break Week: I am teaching at the Pacific Northwest Art School this week, so we will all have a break from class! This is a great time for you to review the class materials and start to plan your individual project!
Week 6-7: Individual project week+ refining your creative signature and artist bio/statement (optional)
The class is seven weeks long, with four teaching modules, and two weeks for the individual project. The individual project gives you the opportunity to pull all of the elements of composition together into a new piece. For those who are interested in working on a personal artist bio and statement, these three weeks give us time to work with the language of design we have been studying throughout the course and create very clear, concise and individual descriptions of you and your practice.
New material with 4 different elements of design will be available each Friday, with about 4-6 hours of student time recommended each week for design and feltmaking. You can decide when and how you work on each module. I answer questions and give comments throughout the 7 weeks of the course, other than during the one break week, in the online classroom, allowing all participating students to learn through one another’s projects.
This class material is sent to you in the form of a downloadable PDF, with clear text and lots of images. I include information on the design elements, plus samples of work that illustrate these elements.
Please do email Fiona if you have any questions about the class. I want to be sure it’s the best fit for you!
The materials list is available here.
Dear Fiona, Thank you so much for this class! You always encouraged me so I could have more confidence. I was always afraid to use colours in my work and this composition course changed me. I really enjoyed the course and loved learning from you. You are a great teacher. Thank you so much! M. Choi.
Workshop Fee: $295.00 USD
Online teaching materials and resources are available to students for 12 months from the beginning of the class.
If you have any questions about how these online classes work, try reading through the FAQ’s here.