WATER COLOR AND WEAVING IS WONDERFUL!

    This 3-step process moves from color splashes of water color painting, to its monocromatic rendering, and finally to the intermingling of both in a variety of warp and weft weaves. Everything changes, sometimes very dramatically and the original work is greatly modified into new color rhythms and pattern. Sometimes, the result is a subtle and more placid composition.

This Bi-Unit of water color and weaving was a very successful experience for Introductory to Art level students with little or no art background.

Let's Begin With the Background

The background "warp" is the new home for the watercolor paintings. Two simple alternatives are shown in contrast to the more intricate cut painting "wefts" to follow.

The background is 18"X24" colored or white format of choice. The left warp plan shows straight 1/2" measured cuts. The right offers curved warps. 15 to 17 dots are arranged on the top and bottom margins, and curved, rhythmic lines connect them. Only the vertical lines and margins are cut. NOTE: Warps are drawn and cut on the back of the format.

Let's Look At Wefts

Straight to curved or more angular and finally, "wrap-a-rounds" offer different weaving challenges. Each weft strip should be immediately numbered when cut for later assimilation. Warps should not be too wide or too narrow-- 3/4" to 1/4". Wefts can be wider and of course, are constructed from the paintings.(See below.)

Now--Let's Start At The Beginning!

We begin with two 9" X 12" watercolor paintings, the first in full color. This is copied to an identical paper and rendered in black and white washes.

Now comes the fun part. On the back of one painting, the WEFT design is drawn and wisely, numbered. The two paintings are temporarily attached together right sides up then turned over revealing the weft design to be cut.

Paintings are cut together and the 2nd one is numbered immediately after it has been cut. Reassemble the wefts of both paintings and save.