Kestrel's Quilt Brain Bootcamp
- Five hands-on lessons to develop your creativity in designing quilts, including an introduction to Kestrel's quilt formula.
This full-day workshop focuses on teaching students how to think creatively, demonstrates the importance of design elements, and teaches the first rule of Kestrel’s personal design formula. Kestrel will guide students through a series of hands-on exercises:
Lesson 1: Idea Generation
Students will go through series of exercises that will help students think of subjects and settings from nothing.
Lesson 2: Learn to Draw Like an Artist
Pulling from her own formal training, Kestrel will guide students through a series of drawing exercises to develop drawing ability. (Note from Kestrel: I've encountered a recurring sentiment that some art quilters don't consider themselves to be artists because they can't draw. Although I don't agree with that opinion, I understand why someone might feel that way. This series of exercises will work for anyone who wants to learn to draw.)
Lesson 3: Color Combinations
Students will learn about color harmonies and practice applying that knowledge to a design. Kestrel will share examples of color arrangements as they appear in her own art.
Lesson 4: Highlight, Midtone, and Shadow
Students will learn the first rule of Kestrel's personal quilt design formula and practice implementing that rule on a simple subject first. Kestrel will share how this formula applies to all of her own work. Students will begin work on applying the formula to a design of their choice (students may bring a pre-printed photograph of their choosing or use one provided by Kestrel. Photo subjects should be simple: A pet, a flower, a single object, etc.)
Lesson 5: Picking Fabric
Students will participate in an exercise in choosing fabric based on Kestrel's design formula. This final lesson is intended to prepare students to turn their design (from Lesson 4) into a finished quilt at home.
