There was a point in my life when I never thought I would be comfortable with the words “surface design.” For some reason the term carried a scary, intimidating and unachievable connotation to me. Turns out, I was being pretty silly. Surface design is totally achievable, easy, forgiving, but most of all FUN! What turned my opinion around? Jane Dávila’s Surface Design Essentials.
In preparing for the launch of the Liquitex® Surface Design Center, we had several staff training sessions where we practiced techniques from Jane’s book. There are 15 techniques in the book, and I can honestly say I can do them all, but of course I have my favorites.
One of the techniques is called sunprinting. It is so easy and I was so thrilled with the results. I don’t want to give too much away, but lets just say it involves laying your project in the sun and watching it transform with unique designs. I also loved working with the Derwent Inktense pencils, which are water-soluble and as vibrant as ink. Its like painting with pencils.
What I love most about Jane Dávila’s Surface Design Essentials is the license it gives you to play, experiment, get dirty, and not worry about messing up or being perfect. Its not every day we get to approach a project without expectations and pressure to achieve perfect results. Surface design lets you do that and it feels GREAT!
Visit ExploreSurfaceDesign.com to see all the products we have to accompany you on surface design adventure, and click here to find a shop near you that carries the Liquitex® Surface Design Center.
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5 Comments
This really looks like a lot of fun and you can just experiment and do fabulous things that you can use in your quilts, etc. I am so glad that your company is having books and materials that allow the artist to come out in all of us.
I have this book and it is terrific for anyone who would like to “experiment” with a wide variety of techniques and methods.
I would LOVE to try those InkTense pencils, can’t find them in my area yet….I’m keeping an eye for them!
I will have to look for those pencils. I have watercolor pencils, but they didn’t do too well on the fabrics.
Debbie
The Inktense pencils are WAY better than watercolor pencils. The Inktense are really intense in color once you “activate” them with water, and really easy to work with and blend.
what a lovely idea, I would have so much fun putting some of my drawings onto fabric with these supplies. Thankyou all for developing them