I finally started on the third quarter challenge for the Felting and Fiber Studio which is using Monet’s work as an inspiration. I originally thought I would use on of his floral/landscape paintings but changed my mind after I looked at more images of his work. I’m sure you’ll be able to guess the inspiration once you see the pattern.
To start, I needed to make some blue prefelt. I used merino wool that I had previously dyed with indigo and then carded into batts.
I made the prefelt and left it really soft. I then made a pattern out of freezer paper to cut out what I needed for the Monet piece.
I ironed the freezer paper to the prefelt and then cut it out. Have you guessed the inspiration?
Perhaps you can see in the close up how soft the prefelt is. I want it to just sink into the background. It has two layers, one light blue and one dark blue. Hopefully that will give it a more mottled look.
And here’s the prefelt all cut out. For the background, I am planning a solid piece of white or yellow felt. Then I want to make a break down screen print to go over the surface to give all the color to the piece. I’m not sure how it will turn out but it should be a fun experiment.
Ruth Lane Art 
Your Monet challenge project looks like an ambitious piece, but it looks like a process we will all learn from. Will look forward to hearing (and seeing!) more about it.
Thanks Cathy! I hope it works out as planned but we’ll see 🙂
That skyline looks familiar! 😉 Look forward to seeing the finished piece.
Thanks Kim – me too 🙂
Really looking forward to seeing the effect of screen printing on felt – it has been on my list of things to try for months but now I have an opportunity to live vicariously through you! 😉
Thanks Teri – I screen printed on my last challenge piece too. It worked great. This one though I am want to try breakdown printing which I haven’t done on felt yet. So we’ll all experiment together!
It should be fabulous – your plans are great and you’ve made a good start (that was a fiddly pre-felt cut!)
I’ve never used freezer paper – does it peel off the pre-felt easily when you want it to?
Thanks Lyn – it wasn’t too bad to cut as it is fairly large. The freezer paper peels right off no problem. Doesn’t disturb the prefelt at all.
Really cool idea Ruth. I look forward to seeing the end project.
Thanks Marilyn!
It sounds like an interesting plan, Ruth 🙂
Thanks Zed – we’ll see how interesting as I go along.
This is going to be an interesting project Ruth. Getting a sharp outline on such fluffy felt is challenging, however the outline should be perfect for the misty atmosphere of “The Houses of Parliament” ???? 🙂
Thanks Judith – I’m sure that the outline will be much less than perfect. But the mistiness should cover a lot 🙂
Hello Ruth, i enjoyed seeing how you made your prefelt. It sorta looked like a castle reflecting into a pond. I look forward to seeing what it becomes. Hugs Judy
Thanks Judy – you are definitely on the right track. If you look at Monet’s work, I think you’ll find the inspiration easily.