I think O'jishi needs a border. I wanted to add more of the hot coral reds to the canvas and thought a border would be a great way to do so. Above you see my text stitches. I thought I'd use a padded section of rectangles to echo the background stitch. But it's too red and detracts from the main design.
Next I tried laying long lines of Kreinik metallic to be couched down with a darker metallic to look like faux bamboo. I like it better. The sample stitches are on the left side. Below are two sides done. What do you think?
I haven't quite made up my mind....
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow
10 comments:
It's been fun watching this canvas progress, Jane.
I like the second border option better than the red, but also like pulling more of the red into the border. What about couching down the Kreinik metallic with the red color you are trying to pull out?
i like the idea of the bamboo style border but i feel like this is too sparse and leaves a row of stitches undone between the background and border. Sharon g does some fabulous borders, one of which is bamboo inspired. the ANG SotM has some of her border diagrams and on her site are others showing but no guide. one of the SotM border links is: http://www.needlepoint.org/StitchOfTheMonth/2005/mar.php
this is just my humble opinion - this mask is so "kingly" and majestic and bold that i think the border should be a little bit stronger, but not overpowering like you said about the red; i think the same colors you are using now could work with Sharon G's borders. i feel a litlte stupid offering "suggestioins" to you, of all people, as your work is phenomanol and i love it. thank you so much for lettign me share.
I'm really loving the faux-bamboo effect. It sets a definite edge to the piece, without detracting from/washing out the impact of the reds that are there.
The faux bamboo would be my choice. It blends nicely with the Asian flavor of the design and the color doesn't compete with O'jishi's face. Your work on this canvas is inspired! Well done.
Nancy
I think it is too similar to the stitches next to it. Try Spring Stitch Variation........
I like the bamboo. It finishes off the picture while leaving the mask the absolute undiluted focus. I'd sure hate to meet him in a nightmare, but he is a great piece of needlepoint.
How about a bamboo looking border with the red as accents at the nodes?
Are we voting ? I don't like the wide coral one; I could like the faux bamboo, but not right up against the background pattern. Can you put a row or two of tent stitch in coral between the two ? Maybe ? Could you use a metallic coral as the bamboo ridge line ? It needs to pop a little bit more.
Yeh. What Beverly said.
This is such a fascinating piece to watch. O'jishi really looks right into your eyes and that pretty much scares the beejeebers out of me!! Of course, that's only because you are bringing him to life with your thread and stitch choices.
THANKS for your blog and heaps of holiday wishes and cheer to you and yours!
Merry Christmas,
Meg
I agree that the red border does detract from the design, but a little bit of red in the border would really "pop" the piece. Perhaps using one of the darker reds sparingly, rather than the brighter one, would produce the effect you are looking for.
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