After putting all that work into the tracing template on Saturday, I finished up and then remembered that the text block itself will also need a border. I debated whether or not to just fill it with solid color inside gold edging, but was eventually persuaded to try and create a simple knotwork pattern that I could fit in the space available. After the gold edging is in place, I'll only have a band about a quarter inch wide to work with.
I've done knotwork before. I don't hate it, but I also usually work much larger than this. Even a simple pattern is going to be a real challenge here.
Here's what I've come up with so far:
Image taken from page 30 of George Bain's Celtic Art, a book I highly recommend if you can find it. I was interested originally in playing with the top band in this picture, but eventually gave it up and went with the bottom band instead. Here it is next to the tracing template, for scale and to see if they would balance:
It should work out okay. I just need to get the corners figured out, and also determine how best to join the end of the pattern to the beginning.
This will be the smallest knotwork I've ever done. I like to push myself a little and challenge myself with each project, but I've gotta admit, I'm hoping I haven't decided to push too far.
And finally, here's the border without any interlacing added just to get a feel for it and see if I could work out the corners.
Wish me luck when I tackle this again tomorrow! It'll be time to make yet another tracing template. In the meantime, I'll be over here whining.
Edit: after lunch, I came back and made the template today. Here it is, by itself and beside the other template for comparison:
I think it'll look okay once the text is filled in...
Or maybe I'll put the text on the right!
Decisions, decisions...
No comments:
Post a Comment