A journal to reflect and add rationals and conclude by writing detailed personal evaluations of project work achieved.Natures Armour and embellishment explores natures casings and integral structures within wildlife and nature. Using natural patterns and textures,exploring natural life journeys of wildlife and forna gaining inspiration from geological elements.Secondary research via artifacts and interior and exterior Stately homes.
Screen Printing Traditional Method. Linning for tote bag with whale Lino print has been created via Photoshop uploading an image that I created off a hand made print I created via old printing alphabet pieces used on old printers for newspapers with a printing of my daughters baby feet that was done using black water colour. I have changed the background by reversing colurway for the bottom of the tote which can become dirty of time.Making the background dark will help keep the tote looking clearer for longer. I am pleased with the indigo navy onto linen, it’s a colour way and fabric choice I have used previously and it’s more or less fail proof, classic and contemporary at the same time. Below is a traditional screen print onto Linen/single colour print.
I choice to cut and paste this design to get a random repeat using a collage effect.
Linen is more difficult to print, I over printed due to an area at the bottom of the screen not printing. Next time I need more ink generally on the screen.
Creating my own inks.
I have bought all my ingredients for making my own screen printing inks and also block printing ink for Lino printing. I will be testing on a small screen using an image of a whale. I need consistency in order to analyse correctly. At the moment for my design work for presentation ie MA unit I will be making my samples in inks used in University Lincoln print room. The reason for this is numerous, firstly developing inks is something that takes a lot of time and also the screen used in the print room are very expensive in accurate printing ink can damage them. Therefore I am buying a small screen for this job.
Photo shop fabric random repeat with a reverse section to go at the bottom of Tote bag/ shopper bag to give it longevity.
I developed my Lino print over the past number of weeks while developing other elements of my project creating different dyes onto fabric which I can develop into inks and pigments for Lino inks and screen printing inks.
The colours I am developing are indigo and woad for my Tote bag for shopping to reduce single use plastics.
Lino cut onto A3 using 3 different tools.
I initially draw onto baking crease proof paper so I can turn it around and trace the opposite onto lino. I have also recognised it is useful to rub the lino with a rubber to remove crease that has got onto lino from its making process or your hands. This makes pencil easier to apply. I also use a really thick soft pencil which works really well.
The large one is used for big areas and the smaller ones for detail.
I have chosen to create a new screen print as the finish that you get from a screen print is more defined and more conformed than using the press and a lino, its also commercially quicker and therefore cheaper to make.
I have developed some more Lino prints using coral and seaweed as inspiration. These have been developed from botanical illustrations which I have sourced through Pinterest research.
I think that the tools I have used and my developing skills have increased the element of detail which previously I found difficult to develop using the cheaper tools.
Tools used for cutting link. Big for large areas is useful as it makes the process quicker.
Traditional Lino plate with hessian back.
This Lino plate is harder than the softer Lino that I have been using, I actually really like the colour it’s far more neutral and easier on the eye. It slips a bit more when using tools, however it’s harder so it doesn’t run as far when cutting. I will be printing this plate this week. I traced out my drawing onto plate using inked paper.
Lino plate initial drawing and the cutting line around it.
Completed Lino cut.
Lino and historical illustrated plate which inspired my Lino cut. After printing I have realized that the previous lino that I have used the ink rolls onto it easier also the plate after printing it curved and wouldn't lie flat.I could see this as a problem moving forward so I will be using the original lino that I have been using. The actual print design didn't go to plan, the lettering is difficult to read and the seaweed is to close to the feet. I may use this image on illustrator within a collage print.
Colour blending using printing inks Cranfield :California safe wash relief inks,oil based and washable. Prussian blue/Progress blue/Opaque white.
Clam Cross Hatch lino prints in neutral colours using sketch book ideas for reference. Since purchasing new tools for wood cuts/Lino cuts I have discovered how much better the tools are, however for more care is needed as they are extremely sharp. I would like to put this lino print into Photoshop and create a repeat pattern.
Mixing ink with palette Knife.
Series of colours for fabric range.
These are the inks colours I used to create these colours mixing with a lot of white. I am hoping to make my own lino inks using an ancient Japanese recipe.
I will be adding natural pigments to create my colours, hopefully creating similar colours than what I am using now
Medium soft roller.
Duck Egg Green
Petrol tone a great neutral colour even though dark.
The roller size medium soft roller head.
I have added a strip panel in the design, the opposite cut away.
Lino Plate.
Mixing the colours took quite a long time I added thinner to this but not too much. After getting the right tone I added a lot more white.
Piller Drill with cut out switch behind for emergencies.
Detail for Tote Bag.
Old Pennies that I have kept since a child have a visual equality that links to previous times and can give an nostalgia and an awareness of recycling, up cycling theme to my Tote Bag Design. I am designing a Tote Bag to reduce single use plastics as part of my MA Design project.
Old pennies without drill holes
Method of Application.
I have chosen to drill a hole in my pennies using a drill. Firstly a used a punch hole tool to make a small v shape into the penny. This helps the drill from moving around. For this task,it is important to put the pennies in a vise and make sure when drilling it is placed over the gap so that the drill has room to go through the penny and doesn’t continue to drill through the vise.
Technique to use when drilling is to drill a bit then ease of drill a bit and ease of making sure you hold the vise securely and don’t let the drill bit to move around. The drill opposite is a Piller Drill used for various making techniques. I have chosen it as the easiest way to drill holes in pennies.I needed to wear protected goggles also I wore overalls took anything that could have got stuck or dragged into machine i.e clothing .
Queen Victoria on a penny from the turn of the century.
Clamp that secured the pennies in place, make sure they are secure otherwise the penny will run up the drill bit. The Piller drill and drill bit used to drill pennies. Drilled pennies with image of drill bit used.
Penny with jump ring, this is just a ring I found in the makers lab. I will order a slightly larger ring about 7mm in rose gold. I will attach the penny to the tote bag with crocheted rope or leather shoe lace.
Finished detailing for tote bag to encourage upcycling.
These pennies and also the pom poms that are to be attached to bags need to be soldered as the metal loops are coming apart.
Intaglio is the family of printing and print making techniques in which the image is cut into the surface. Lines are sunken into the surface which holds the ink. It is the opposite to a relief print (Lino). The Vintage cast iron machine below is a press for printing I have been wanting to use this for some time and it is ideal for intaglio printing.
Original Puffin drawing from sketch book
Printing Press for intaglio print
sketch from sketch book used in design.
Single colour black Intaglio print.With Original sketch of whale above.
Intaglio Printing press used to create print. Intaglio print using plastic relief , aluminium can also be used.
Intaglio print with water colour added using really thin paper added on top.
This Intaglio print has also used water colour which is fused into paper as it is pressed. Paper needs to be dipped into water bath and then rolled between two thick water colour papers and pressed using roller.This takes the water out ,however the paper is still damp to go through press. I have added aqua shading to the intaglio print above. I will be re working this print reducing gap between birds and whales.I will also add more lettering around and make sure its the right way around. Next time I do the aqua shading i will add less paint. Method used for Intaglio : I chose to use a plastic sheet A5 specifically created for intaglio printing. This is any easy method as you can see your drawing behind and cut into the surface with a special intaglio tool. Dry point clear plastic means you can trace over drawings and then you can go straight into printing. However you do need to reverse lettering so it comes out the right way. Aluminium sheets can be used and are better for darker colours than lighter. Another method is the traditional etching technique using etching zinc metal which is more expensive, it also involves using chemicals and wax. Using wax on top of zinc you then scratch it off. Then it goes into acid to remove a layer of the surface. Ink used: Using Intaglio ink plus oil mix with a palette knife until mixed well.
Using a rubber square add a small amount of ink to intaglio etching, only ink what you have etched.
Using a piece of scrim fabric roll into a ball, push the ink down into the etching plate. Give it some pressure to push the ink into the etching.
Take some tissue paper and wipe away access ink.
Wet your paper in a water bath and dry between some thick paper using a roller.
Then put through press in between tissue paper and fabric(tissue underneath,then plate, then paper which you are printing on,then more tissue paper.
Lay fabric on top roll through press using press arm attached to large wheel.
New Intaglio Print
This is a re drawn intaglio plate ready for printing, next time I’m in the print room.
Initial drawings used for initial intaglio print.This print could be reduced in size and printed into exhibition tickets for final MA show.
Image showing ink that was carefully rubbed onto plate, then rubbed off and pushed into etching areas of plate.
Second print with a change in lay out removing unnecessary gaps and writing the right way round.
Stage 1 Lay intaglio inked plate on top of tissue
Stage 2 before printing place tissue paper, then paper
Podcast update on MA Design Project Ecology Evolution
I am adding a link so that I can be part of group tutorial which I am missing due to work commitments. It’s a short update in regard to my current project developments.
Podcast MA Journal update.
Life Cycle Assessment of products from raw material to product distribution, all products have an emissions count. I have chosen to consider these issues when creating my practical work for my MA.To maximize a low carbon footprint and even possibly a carbon neutral footprint for my printing I am creating my own eco conscious natural inks/dyes/paints.
Whale leeping out of the water. Given to me by my nephew , can use this image within my printing.
My project is about ecology issues connected to strategies to reduce carbon emissions and global warming. I am creating visuals linked to a Greenpeace campaign to increase the size of the Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary. Reducing our own carbon footprint is an individual response that collectively can reduce global warming and also plastic pollution within our oceans. I will be creating a Tote bag with a lino print on the outside with a lining involving a screen print. It will also have some detailing using up cycled recycled materials to add weight to the available choices of reclaiming and re using that can be achieved. I will be mixing contemporary techniques with traditional to morph together design choices. The outcome will be a campaign in the form of a product which can clearly reduce single use plastic use. In doing so will reduce plastic ocean pollution and in turn reduce global warming and save our natural ecology of the world and more specifically our oceans that congregate in the Antarctic.
I have been given this image to use so copyright is available for me to use this image. I am finding it a bit out of photographic choice to actually find Whales locally to photograph.
"The eperdemic of our time is the lie of believing we have no ethical obligation to our planetary home "Theodore Roesak".
I have recently watched a documentary on Net flicks called "Ten Billion" from the Ten Billion years Documentary series. What it does is explains what is happening to our planets eco system. How our planets resources are depleting and what this means . It explains how climate change is destroying eco systems across the globe. While watching the first documentary I took notes and transcribed most of it as I was watching.
One thing I did not know which is the case for most people currently living on the planet is what the complexities of pollution, climate change and species extinctions really means and how much time do we have to change in order to put right all the pollution and destruction that is occurring at this current time in history. I have found the following transcribe very interesting and it helped me understand in clear non academic language what is happening and how we all can make changes, even if they are currently small changes understanding individual impacts is really important. The following paragraphs which is transcribed from the movie Ten Billion directed by Peter Webber writer and stared by Stephen Emmott clearly points out what is happening to our planet and what will happen to our planet moving forward. Stephen Emmott explains in detail the science and the economics for why it is important for each and everyone of us to consider our own unique carbon foot print and make changes no matter how small or large to help reduce carbon emissions to create a draw down state known as zero emissions level. A neutral balance of oxygen development and carbon emissions.
One aspect of natural habituate loss is in the complexities of biodiversity.
Biodiversity
Loss of eco systems services is a threat to our survival and also other living species. Food production and the consumption of meat effect our biodiversity eco systems. Too much loss of biodiversity means our climate will become more and more unstable. 30% of all green house gases comes from food production. Increasing population means that we need a new a new food revolution. A new green revolution without chemical fertilizers/pesticides.
The need for more chemicals means too much water used. Buying food through chemicals uses increases in green house gases. Seven billion people live on our planet, water use within products has a hidden water value(what it takes in water to produce something).
For example it uses water to produce food. 9,000 litres of water to produce one chicken for food. 2,700 litres to create a bar of chocolate. 9,000 litres to produce a pair of pyjamas. This is completely unsustainable.
Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels are accelerating climate change. We need to use other forms of energy. Big corporate companies are digging in the Atlantic this is viable due to climate change because the Antarctic is no longer covered in a thick layer of ice. Transport is also a problem due to climate change. cars cost approx £8,000. The real cost to the eco system is all the components are shipped, natural resources are used to mixed to create different products. All this is costly, environmental degradation, mining natural resources depleting bio diversity.
Antarctica
70% of our sea ice is already been lost over the last 30 years. 600 tons of ice per year is being lost to the sea. Methane is being expelled in mass quantities which was previously frozen. Methane is many times more potent than carbon monoxide which is accelerating climate change even faster, creating serious problems.
All data formed so far is not predicting the real level of climate change and destruction that is immanent so far. All vegetation is being exposed to more carbon dioxide than ever before.
The Global Carbon Cycle
Plants, oceans,soils absorb 50% of our carbon dioxide emissions C02 .This maybe coming to an end due to human modification, every single component of the global cycle, deforestation, urbanization,food production, agriculture and changes in the chemical and ecological composition of our oceans.Ocean eradication and de-oxygenation.
Where are we heading?
What kind of challenges do we face due to our growing population. 40% of land is already being used for food. By 2050 the population is set to double. Cheap land is found via deforestation in order to feed the demand for food. This is an area as big as the United States of America(increases of our population to 10 billion people)
Fossil fuels/Pollution/Black carbon
Climate change is reducing our capacity to create food, the weather and soil degradation, pollution, plus loss of cattle 10,000s. Russia has previously had to place an embargo on grain which lead to fast increases in food prices in Asia and Africa creating food riots. Which ended in the Arab spring/civil and international conflict.
Military and Climate Change
The Military across the globe are now going to climate change conferences and meetings in order to calculate were possible wars could occur. This is because climate change creates adverse conditions for humans and political instability arises and conflicts erupt.
Water Supplies Reduced
Water stored in glaziers and snow is declining, projected to decline by at least enough to effect 6% of the population in china, Ethiopia ,India and Pakistan
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Safe Increases
2% increase or less anything else will create a tipping point that will send our planet into serious catastrophe disasters and biodiversity will reduce. Areas like Bangladesh will be lost to climate change rising ocean levels. 2% increase in global or less anymore will create a catastrophic injury to our planet. 4%-6% increase in global temperature will create a tipping point that will send our planet into catastrophic disasters and biodiversity will reduce. Areas like Bangladesh will be lost to climate change, rising oceans.
Catastrophic Tipping point of Global Climate Change
This is already happening with the effects of serious weather changes. Alterations in global carbon cycles, eco systems degradation's , mass extinctions, increasing demands of water food and energy needs.
Currently the world is failing to do anything about it.
Technology is one way to find a solution. Technologize are way out of the problem is not going to be enough. Green energy technology is unlikely to be the main way out of climate change, this will take decades to implement.
Nuclear power seems to be currently the only answer, the problem is it's too expensive and voters don't like it.
Dealing with water shortages via changing sea water into fresh water is one solution, these however are not being processes. Geo energy maybe one solution, putting massive umbrellas into orbital environment to block out the Suns-rays this is not technically possible presently.
Behavior Change
Radical governmental action,however this would make politicians unfavorable,so therefore what happens is failure diplomacy.However some governments are implementing bans on plastic straws and single use plastics, so there is a glimmer of hope.
Biodiversity loss Initiative
All our failings across 20 years of words and inaction, exploiting theories about whether climate change is true or not.
Solution Climate Change
Governments exploitation of public opinion and scientific uncertainty, this is beyond doubt. The need for data in regard to what will happen and what will impact and indicating how much it will cost.In order to get behind action. Climate models will always fluctuate, public opinion is being exploited via politicians not being well informed is part of the problem, unprecedented effects on our planet that maybe unsolvable.West and the North of the planet are over consuming products, food and energy.Population decreasing via having less children is an important way to reduce climate change, if we continue at our current rate, there will be 28 Billion people on earth.
Potentially We Can Change
We can potentially change the devastation that we are in by changing our habits, it is a planetary emergency to avoid a global catastrophe . However many scientists believe change will never happen as the world is run via monetary values.
For example if we knew that a as-trod was hitting the planet and that 70% of our planet living environment would be destroyed we would act. However the problem is ourselves the human culture that drives pollution, does not seem to be changing fast enough.Therefore its every bodies individual responsibility to but litter in the bin, recycle effectively,consume less and strive to be carbon neutral.(transcribed from Ten Billion:the movie: Director Peter Webber :Writer and star Stephen Emmott)
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Life Style Choices :Traditionalist Design In the next coming months I am going to be looking at and developing making my own inks for screen printing. In order to reduce the emission count of product developments I design and also to enrich the availability of organic inks and dyes.
This process is defined by a need to effectively make a difference within product design and making practices.
Previous handcrafted designer knitwear manufacturing within my career has defined my design choices within the following statements ”Part of a new generation of eco-friendly designer clothing using natural materials and ethical working practices for all our production, for a better world”. The life cycle assessment from raw material to product distribution sale and end placement is necessary to evaluate in order to assess how the future of our planet can be protected. A sustainable way of living to reduce emissions is possible, the technology is available. We all have a responsibility to live responsibly and take action to reduce our own individual carbon footprint. Becoming a strong force in numbers within our own actions to stabilize our planet emissions to control climate change.
A coastal image taken on the Balearic Islands.2017.While relaxing on holiday I noticed the rich hues and pastels of natural forna. I easy why to distinguish what is happening to our environment due to plastics and over population and urban expansion of our costal regions is to look back in time and see the visual changes that have taken place within our own life spans. i was born in the 1960's when plastic were not used as much as they are today. Our costal town and small fishing villages were still very traditional were urbanisation was still in its development stage. I have managed to digitise and edit some footage taken by my father in the 1960's showing our coast line and how they were much more rural and unspoilt. the clips are below.
Saint Ives Cornwall 1960's with my family.
Formby near Sefton Lancashire my families historical home.
Plastics are currently littering our oceans to a level we’re there are rubbish dumps in our seas, one in the Pacific and one in the Atlantic. The Pacific plastic rubbish dump is like an island and it’s the size of two British Isles.Its an in imagenable scale. It is distroying wildlife and the Ocean acidity which links to plant life distraction. All adding to extreme climate change due to climate warming. It’s time for each and everyone of use changes our lifestyle choices to remove unnecessary single use plastics. Rekindle Traditional Processes.
Traditional processes link to non chemical processes with a lower carbon emission than industrial chemical process production. Visual traditional design can link to low carbon emissions through longevity using natural resources that have a longer life span. Adding to much modernity can reduce a product life cycle. Making comparisons to times gone by and the yearning to return to a more idyllic life style choice. Is something many of us wish for and appreciate. Reflecting back towards the past visually encourages a knowledge of how our natural world used to be like,understanding were our planets wildlife heritage has started from and developed can give us insight to were we have arrived at today.
Exploring our surroundings and finding historical methods that have slowly been eradicated through commercial developments,advertising and a faster pace of life were money passing hands instead of swapping local produce and sharing has changed our society make up.
The Royal Families Commitment to Climate Change Issues.
The Royal family including the Queen and Prince Charles and his sons have been campaigning for environmental issues across the global for decades. The Queen has launched her Tree Canopy Trust were by she has pledged to plant numerous amounts of new forests across the globe. Charles and his sons have been campaigning for environmental issues also for many decades.
A recent book I have been reading has a printed letter from Prince Charles giving more detail in regard for his views and ambitions for the reversal of green house gases. The book is called Drawdown The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed To Reverse Global Warming Edited by Paul Hawken published by Penguin Books. Anyone who is wanting to understand global warming needs to read this.
His passion for raising awareness for the issues has obviously rubbed off on his sons, with Prince Charles and Prince Harry joining forces to attend the future king’s International Sustainability Unit’s meeting in February this year.
Prince Charles spoke at length about the threat coral reef faces and the impact climate change will have on future generations.
“It is a common phrase now that rather than borrowing our present from future generations, we are stealing it.,” the Prince said at the event.
“Well, the speed of the ecological marine cataclysm that we have engendered is such that not only will our children be faced with the monochrome legacy of the graveyard of destroyed reefs and the collapse of marine biodiversity, but the majority of us alive today will stand witness to the process.”
Prince Charles delivers a speech about the ‘nightmare’ of plastic waste in January (Getty)
Last year, Prince William warned that overpopulation is ruining the natural environment by putting wildlife under ‘enormous pressure’.
The prince is also patron of The Tusk Trust, which aims to protect African wildlife.
“We are going to have to work much harder, and think much deeper, if we are to ensure that human beings and the other species of animal with which we share this planet can continue to co-exist,” the prince told an audience at The Roundhouse in London, according to Business Insider.
(https://uk.style.yahoo.com/prince-harry-reveals-teased-school-habit-prince-charles-taught-102500517.html5.00pm accessed on 6.11.18)
Photo shop fabric random repeat with a reverse section to go at the bottom of Tote bag/ shopper bag to give it longevity.
