I’m finishing out my second year of threadpainting and I think I have reached the level I have been aiming for, where I can get what I see in my mind’s eye down, more or less. Human faces were the hardest thing to get. We automatically notice anything wrong with a face, no matter how tiny. There were plenty of failed tries!
These three are my best pieces so far. These are good enough to go on the wall in the living room, an honour I do not bestow lightly.
I found the best source for patterns I think, adult colouring books. Everything is already in outline and they are very inexpensive. I even colour them first to work out what colours to use where and then use the page as a reminder (along with the original piece (if it was of a painting). So many of the patterns available are just flowers. I adore the flowers but I am most attracted to more lively subjects.
“Klimt’s Kiss”, Embroidered by Renata Bursten, 2023
The pattern for the piece above came from a colouring book from the Klimt Museum.
“Mucha’s Byzentine Blond Has Gone Red” Embroidered By Renata Bursten 2023
This pattern was from a Mucha colouring book. There are MANY of those, some better and some worse so it pays to look for a flip through on youtube. Cleopatra by Leyendecker (below) is from a colouring book too.
“Leyendecker’s Cleopatra”, Embroidered by Renata Bursten, 2022
I’m afraid that my needle has been idle for a while now, real life interfereing and a move to a new home have sapped my energy. Hopefully I’ll get my mojo back soon. And it’s a chance to work on the three (used to be four) pairs of socks on the go!
Wishing you happy crafting!
Baba Stringthings aka Renata Bursten