2D but 3D

I came to a stand still with the 3D patterns, and decided to go back to the start.  My tutor had suggested sculpture to me which at first confused me... After a brainstorm I came up with the idea of 2D but 3D.  Drawing the idea from my 2D but 3D anaglyph patterns.  I created these sculptures, concentrating on simple angular shapes (again inspiration has been drawn from architecture).  The sculptures are almost flat; shapes look as though they are emerging from the page.  Again shadow plays a great part in this work as it hits certain surfaces making the work look more 3D.

Anaglyph Patterns

Anaglyph glasses needed... or not.  I like these patterns with or without the glasses.

Patterns in Cut Out

My finished pieces; cut out on the laser cutter.  Shinning a light directly into the middle of the cylinder at 90 degrees to the flat surface creates an even, repeat light pattern around the edge. 

Special thank you to Alastair for holding the lights for me for so long!!

Project BA4

Repeat Pattern...

some initial designs based on art deco architecture.

Laser cutting session booked next week - so excited.

Final developments of this and other patterns will be cut out.  Going to create some sort of spinning light to create changing light/shadow patterns.

Main problem so far is getting the pattern to link both ends - the pattern has to flow in a complete circle so each end has to fit! :-S

Also working on moving images with the same drawings - will post some of this once I have experimented more.

Final Design

Photos below of my final design, I had to think how my designs would fit into the industry.  I thought lighting.  But how great would it be if this was a walkway/tunnel!!

Experimenting with Tunnels

Looking at tunnels currently, still linking in my paper cut outs.  I like the idea of channeling light through my cut outs to create shadows.  Some of my experiments so far in images below:

I love the reflective surface of the clear film but I don't like how you can see my hand through it, I have tried to solve this problem as shown in below image...

Turning the Page

Decided to create another tree cut out with some more of my paper so I had a new one to work with.  Image Below.  My paper is made from 50% old magazines and I love the texture of it.

Noticed this as I turned my page in my sketchbook... Great!!

Inspired by the image I took whilst shopping (in previous blog entry) I put my cut out in a bowl in the sunlight and drew the results.

Experimenting With Light

Here are a few images from my experiments tonight with a torch and one of my stencils.  The torch mage the image bulge and distort which I really liked!

I loved these silhouettes so much I created some line drawings from them; I drew around the shadows.  

Think I may create more cut outs from these...

Homemade Paper - First Results

Here are my first experiments with the paper, I especially like the tree one.


I found that with the delicacy of the paper the knife tended to drag and rip the paper but I quite like this effect.

The below image is  not the best looking but  decided to experiment with a couple of ideas, bleeding ink into the ripped edges and laminating the cutout (but with an iron and a poly pocket).  Still undecided as to wether I like either effects, I think I need to try some more of these.

Put my paper through the printer, pattern created on photoshop (shapes inspired by birds).  Then cut out some of the shapes.  The light reacts differently to the paper which has been printed on, which is a great effect.

Homemade Paper How to...

Decided to take my cutting further and make the paper I cut into.


Turned out to be harder than I thought but I think I got some good results.  I brought a basic A4 paper making kit from amazon instead of creating my own mould etc.

Soak Paper overnight in warm water, once the paper breaks apart in your hands it is ready to use.  I used about 10 sheets of A4 printing paper.  Thicker papers may take longer.

Put soaked paper into blender (all i had was hand processor which works fine) and blend with enough water to create a runny porridge consistency.

Fill bowl/sink (container needs to be big enough so the frame can lie flat and be wiggled around a little) with warm water and add blended pulp.  Also add about a tablespoon full of PVA glue.  Stir mixture up to bring pulp to surface.

Place gauze between 2 wooden frames and hold at 90 degrees to the water.  Slowly scoop the frame under the water.

Bring frame to the surface keeping it flat and wiggling slightly to even out pulp.

Lie on a flat surface and open up frame to release gauze.  (no picture for the next bit sorry)  Place towel on floor followed by gauze removed from frame pulp facing upwards, cover with drying board and something flat like a book or chopping board.  Stand on the board for around 10 seconds.

Peal away drying board from gauze, the pulp should stick to the board.

Leave to dry overnight

Hope this makes sense, if you want to know any more please let me know :-)

Shopping for Inspiration

Went shopping today in bury and instead of clothes managed to find inspiration for my current project.  This glass bowl in Debenhams creates really lovely shadows.


Apologies about quality of picture only had my phone on me at the time.

Alastair Jubbs

Dedicating this one to my boyfriend who was named a L'oreal ID artist yesterday. WELL DONE!!


Alastair works for Gloss Salon in Diss.  Below is an image showing the look he used to get through.

Paper Weaving

Attempt 2 of paper weaving, the paper is actually grey inside to create a greater contrast between light and shadow.

Paper Cutting Workshop

Images created in cutting workshop at university last week, I am really happy with the outcome :-)

The final image is my favourite, the different amounts of layered paper let different amounts of light travel through.

Paper Cutting Project 1

Some examples of my work as I am just starting out at NUCA, most of my work is about paper cutting, layering and light/shadow.

The first image is a cutting created from an observation of Elm Hill Norwich.  After I had more of these cut outs I layered them up and created patterns by cutting out some of the shapes created and relplicating them.