Composition and design
with TESS NEWALL
Lesson 18 of 32
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Before moving on to the projects within the course, Tess gives an important preparatory lesson about how to plan your design and test out your different ideas.
From the Lesson Workbook
Colour and Design
Composition and Design
Planning out your design, whether it's a mural or painted furniture piece, is really important. It's a great opportunity to test out your ideas, as well as work out exactly what you need to do to bring them to life.
Planning Your Design on Furniture
I find it particularly important to create a mock-up when painting furniture, as space is limited and your placement of motifs will be very much dictated by its shape and structure.
Consider how your design will enhance the existing features of the piece, such as keyholes, drawers or panelling.
Use this time to nail down and test out your colour choices. Try painting different swatches together on a piece of card, as well as testing them out together in a mockup of your design.
The planning stage is also a great time to spot any ideas that aren't quite working or don't look right when mocked up. It's much better to catch these now, rather than when you're painting the actual piece.
Planning a Mural Design
I will rarely make an exact plan when sketching for a mural design; instead, I create sketches with the intent of conveying the atmosphere and concepts.
These sketches are a great opportunity to play around with compositions and colours and can serve as a springboard to work from. When on-site, I like to work instinctively with the space and not be limited by a prescriptive plan.
Further Reading
The work of illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans
Images of Bemelmans Bar, New York
Mexican Otomi embroidery
Sourcebook
Secondhand serpentine chest of drawers
Examples of Suzani textiles
Tinsmiths fabric shop
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Your Instructor
Tess Newall
Acclaimed artist and set designer specialising in hand painted homewares and decorative painting.
Tess Newall is a decorative artist based in Sussex, specialising in hand-painted bespoke murals and furniture. Following a decade of experience as a set designer and painter in the film industry, Tess has mastered how to bring a creative vision to life. She often draws on historic patterns and aims to capture an artisanal feel, where textures and brushstrokes add to the atmosphere of a room or to the character of a furniture piece. Tess and her studio team work with interior designers and private clients on bespoke commissions for both commercial and residential projects, as well as collaborating on homewares collections with brands including Liberty and Matilda Goad.
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