New Stencil

 With not enough time to devote to the feather project, I thought that I would just do a couple of quick tries with a stencil that I bought some time ago but have never used.

 It looks great before removing it from the paint, but the final result below isn't all that interesting.

              I think that multiple prints and layers will be the way to go with this stencil.

Feather Variations.

 Here I'm trying to get a feather image that fits with the 'lino' cut. The one on the left is a print of a feather that I carved some time ago, looks like a fern or palm leaf in this context!
The one on the right is a scan of a real feather, then cut out, but it doesn't look right either. The one that she is holding is another scan, but it's too dark.  Try again!

This is another scanned real feather, but after it has has a Photoshop filter applied. Much better.

Feathers Again.

 Bearing in mind that I want to use the feather paper as a background, these paler colours might be better than more brightly coloured pieces. Again these are both just 2 layers, the original print with the feathers in place, then again with the feathers removed.

I always find that the acrylic paints that I use are too dry, so I always add a retardant. Here I added too much, so that the paint was very wet, but I quite like the effect.

Feather Play.

 I started on the next part of my current project this afternoon, using feathers to make a background.
These small hard feathers looked to be just what I wanted, but they ended up being too stiff and springy.

                                         These softer fluffier feathers looked promising.

                   This is a many layered print using a combination of the hard and soft feathers.

               This has possibilities I think even though it only has 2 layers at the moment.

                                          Hmmm, maybe possible with further over printing.

Stamping.

 Here is my original drawing on the rubber block and below is a page of print outs testing for bits that need to be removed.

 Unfortunately along with cutting out the sleeve on her right arm, I also neglected to add any shading.

                                                    I think this is about as good as I'll get!

New Stamp.

This is the start of another stamp, which will eventually be combined with one of the feather prints.

 

 The first trial stamping, and unfortunately my eye is immediately drawn to the fact that I've cut away part of her right sleeve! Perhaps I'll be the only one to notice this.....................I hope.

      The stamp has been roughly cut out, and now to trim it back all around. It's going to be tricky!

A Mermaid for the 1920s.

 A couple more photos from the Miss Fisher exhibition. In one episode Miss Fisher took part in a magic show in place of the female star who died while trying to escape from a locked glass tank. Dressed as a mermaid, Miss Fisher took the victim's place in the locked glass tank, but survived!

Apparently the hardest part for the costume designers was to create a costume that was good and secure in the water and that could with withstand Miss Fisher's squirmings as she attempted to break out of her shackles and get out of the tank. The head gear was really difficult in that regard apparently.

Miss Fisher.

 For anyone that is a fan of the locally produced TV show, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, a visit to the National Trust House of Rippon Lea at the moment is a must.  This is the second showing of the garments worn on the show, although this show does only focus on the current series.

                                                      Everyone should have PJs like this!