Viewpoints: A Quilter’s Perspective
with Susan Brittingham

Description: Bring the art of perspective, one of the most important of an artist’s tools, to your quiltmaking as you learn to create the illusion of depth in your work. Plus, learn to make eye catching three-dimensional frames to border your quilts. The simple techniques we study are essential for creating realistic landscapes and interiors. We will practice some exercises in linear perspective, and how to create floors and walls with a dimensional effect.  This is a process class in which you will learn new skills to use in your own quilts. 

Supplies:

• Drawing paper for sketches and exercises, approximately 9" x 12"
• Pencils
• Gum eraser
• a clear ruler --- this is a thin plastic ruler (Clear-View) 2" x 18" with blue or red lines, commonly available in quilt or art supply stores. It is not the same as the rulers you use for rotary cutting.
• a yard or meter stick may be helpful
• Fabric options for floors, try one or more:
1. two contrasting colors of fabric (simplest)
2. a 6-8 step gradation* of fabric (100% cotton) in a single color family to create a floor with perspective. 
3. two contrasting colors, one black or neutral, the other a 4-6 step gradation*

• Four or more additional fabrics (fat quarters tohalf yards) which coordinate or contrast pleasingly with the floor fabrics
• Tear-Away Stabilizer, preferably on a roll (optional)
• A piece of fabric with a printed landscape or other scene
• (optional) Large paper for drawing and sketching. I use tracing paper, which I purchase in a roll.  I recommend this if it is available to you. You may also use newsprint.

*Gradations of fabric do not need to be closely matching hand-dyed gradations. You can look to your fabric collection, if you have one, and select fabrics in a single color family, which range from light to dark.  Try to select low contrast fabrics and tone on tone types, not calicos or high contrast ones. You may need from 1/8 yard to over 1/4 yard of each color in a gradation.

I would recommend trying to work with the fabrics you have on hand for any exercises you wish to complete in class, before purchasing large amounts of fabric especially for this class.

website: www.susanbrittingham.com