New Abstract Under Way

After having so much fun on the last abstract quilt, I’ve started on another one.  I’m allowing the first to inspire the second, but making LOTS of changes.

This was my starting sketch.

I thought I’d probably ROUGHLY copy the background, but with plenty of alterations as they occurred to me.  Right off the bat, I knew I wanted to add some undulation to the central vertical shape, and I also thought it would benefit from the addition of some yellow.  I spent  a little time studying the background, then I put the sketch away.  After all, I didn’t want to copy it!

I started construction by using scraps to create the central shape.  I left all the odd points in place, thinking they’d help me decide where to take the undulation.

That was just the start.  Next, I added more fabrics – this time very purposefully – to create the undulation I wanted.

MUCH more interesting, don’t you think?

Next, came the left background.  I used a couple of print fabrics to create a sort of soft/fuzzy edge where the two orange/rust and blue-green met.  (Sorry for the pathetic focus.)

After making progress on the left side, above, I auditioned some additional elements as well as color placement for  the background.  The skinny navy line and the orange squiggle near it did not make the cut!  I was doubtful that they would, but you have to make visual decisions visually.  You HAVE to do some trial and error!

I added white and yellow and worked on the background on the right side.  It was coming along nicely.

I finished the background, but wanted to add some little squiggles of color.

However, the orange above took over.  Not a good choice.

How about yellow?

Ah, yes.  That’s much better!
Did you notice that I changed the shape of the yellow on the right, too?

At this point I considered the background complete.  It was time to consider the design elements.  Clearly, I’d need to repeat the white and orange.  Per the sketch, I thought I’d need a good bit of orange in the bottom right corner, to balance that in the opposing corner.

Ellen Lindner
P.S. Just for kicks, scroll back to the top of this post to see how much I deviated from the sketch.  But, that’s FINE!  As a matter of fact, it was my plan.  The sketch – especially with abstract designs – is meant to be the starting point only.  All of this is very fun.