Changing the Surface - adding and subtractingCourse Full
Tutor: Janet EdmondsCourse Code: 0821-01
Summary
Many textile artists are drawn to materials and surfaces weathered by sun, wind and rain, and that are transformed over time into an aesthetic beauty of decay. Close observation of the patination on old, disintegrating surfaces will be the inspiration for this workshop. The act of selecting textures that are changed by the ravages of weather and time such as crumbling stonework, peeling paint, dry plaster and decaying wood, of looking, considering and recording their details, will result in intensely worked surfaces on paper and fabric
Description
A variety of processes and techniques will be employed to record the peculiarities of each subtle change and variation of surface. Painted and printed papers will be subjected to scraping, sanding, scratching and tearing to achieve that sense of elapsed time. Surface marks will be bitten and eroded away. These surfaces will be further changed by cutting, folding, rolling and manipulation to give dimension and form, providing ideas to inspire and develop future work. The addition of fabric and stitching by hand will add detail and definition to these worn surfaces.
Please bring with you
Please bring a design source, either photographs or drawings to show weathered and disintegrating surfaces to provide inspiration.
A variety of papers to include cartridge, brown wrapping paper, tissue, some coloured papers, copy paper, painted bondaweb,.
Drawing materials: variety of pens and pencils for mark making
PVA glue, water pot, palette, variety of brushes, old credit card for scraping, craft knife, cutting mat, colouring medium such as acrylics, inks, markel sticks if you have them, gesso, small piece of sponge
Kitchen towel for cleaning up
Baking parchment
Apron and disposable gloves.
Sewing kit, variety of thicknesses of threads to compliment your source material,
Fine cotton fabric, either sheeting or calico, any fabrics that you have that break down easily such as bandage or fine scrim, muslin and chiffon.
Two pieces of A4 paper that have been sewn with a grid of machined lines, about 3 or 4mm apart. Use copy paper, newspaper or brown paper. Optional: If you wish, you may bring a sewing machine to do this task on the course but it will save you time to do it in advance.
Level
Suitable for all levels
Course Location
Missenden Abbey
Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire HP16 0BD
Tutor
Janet Edmonds
Janet Edmonds is a freelance medal winning textile artist, author of several books and experienced tutor, exhibiting and delivering courses to adults nationally and internationally. Her practice involves experimenting with surface and structure using hand and machine stitching. She is a member of the Embroiderers Guild and the Textile Study Group.
Tuesday to Wednesday
Enrol on this Course
Timetable
Tuesday | |
9.45am | Students arrive |
10am-1pm | Teaching session |
1pm | Lunch for all - residents may check in |
2-5.30pm | Teaching session |
6.45 for 7pm | Dinner for residents |
Wednesday | |
From 7-9.15am | Breakfast for residents |
9.30am-1pm | Teaching session |
1pm | Lunch for all |
2-5pm | Last teaching session |

"Lots more like this, please" (November 2019)
"Janet is an experienced tutor who always provides excellent examples of her work, which I personally find very inspirational." (November 2019)
"Refreshing and stimulating - a year's work to do at home!" (June 2019)