Final Bark Color Mixing Experiment
I tried one last experiment with creating bark and color mixing. I showed you last week my attempt with color mixing with a drum carder. And there was another experiments here. I had part of the mixed batt left over from last week so I decided to combine all of my techniques and see what happened.
First I split my batt in two layers. You can see the felted piece from last week on the right. I then added two layers of green wool over the surface of the bottom batt.
Then I cut up the felt piece from last week and placed it over the green wool. I wanted more green migrating through between the felt pieces.
Then I added the other layer of batt over top of the felt pieces. With everything layered up, I was ready to wet down.
I wet it down and then did a lot of rubbing. I worked carefully between the thick felt pieces in the center of the sandwich so that they would stay in place and there would be a nice indentation between. I also fulled the felt very hard to get lots of green migrating through the top surface.
And here is the finished piece of bark. (Edgar is helping me take photos.) Finally, this is the look that I wanted when I started this experimentation. It has a wonderful texture and the color mixing is what I envisioned. So a combination of carded batt and layered colors with thick felt in between did the trick. Yay! I will have to decide if I am going to add any stitching or other embellishments to this piece or just leave it as is. What do you think?
10 thoughts on “Final Bark Color Mixing Experiment”
This is my favorite so far! Nice one. I would leave it alone, but that is just me.
Thank you, I am leaning towards leaving it as is.
Edgar makes a good photography assistant!
You’ve achieved bark and it looks great – it doesn’t need anything else done to it.
The felting journey was bumpy but the destination proved it worthwhile.
Thanks 😊, Edgar is always “helping” me. I’m glad I took the time to experiment with different options, definitely worth it.
I agree with Arlene, this is certainly my favourite too Ruth! The experimentation has paid of and you’ve achieved a wonderful bark-like texture. I’m sure you can guess what I would do next if it was mine…..I wouldn’t be able to resist adding some Colonial Knots to represent lichen.
Thanks Karen, if I add anything, it would definitely be hand stitching to add a bit of moss or lichen. I always have to look up Colonial knots since I usually do French knots.
We are all forming a consensus….definitely your best interpretation of the bark. It has colour definition & plenty of ‘rugged’ texture.
Whether to stitch?
Mmmmm….I think the question is – do you simply what to represent bark, if so leave it alone, or do you want to create art with a story perhaps? If it is to be an artistic piece showing life, such as the suggested lichen possibly, then embellish.
In passing….I remember a long time ago a discussion here about Karen’s colonial knots v French knots. I checked them out & I too have become a convert to Colonial – somehow they seem neater….we are never too old to learn!
Thanks Antje, you are right about thinking of what I’m really trying to represent and what the end goal is to be. At the moment, it’s just a sample. I will determine if I want to take it further at some point 🙂
I know I have done a Colonial knot before so I will try it out again soon. I think I remember that discussion.
Definitely the best yet. I like it the way it is but depending on what you want to add it top or for it to be part of you may want to stitch or embellish it. It is always best to have an assistant.
Thanks Ann, I will decide on embellishments at some point. Yes, Edgar is a good assistant.