I choose to work on a high count, good quality fabric. I don’t pre wash the fabric because I need the sizing to assist with the ink. I’m not too sure how it works, but it seems to prevent the inks from bleeding.
In this photo I have traced the image onto the fabric with a mechanical pencil.
I outlined the image with a .5 black pigma ink pen.
You can see, I get a crisp line with no bleeding. The ink actually is dying the fabric, not sitting on the surface.
I used Derwent color pencils and just lightly formed a base for the eye.
I added a little orange
Dark green at the top, graduating down to a lime green. I could add more color but with the layers of pencil it gets a little waxy and I want to add pen on the top of the pencil so I kept the layers to a minimum.
I’ve added fine lines and dots with a .1 black pigma ink pen. (for those of you living in Australia,) I use a mitsubishi Uni pin pen, you can purchase them at office works.
finally I outline the eye with the .5 black pigma pen. It gives depth and a softness to the eye.
White Tsukineko all purpose ink adds the flash.
Thes are the pens and pencils I used….
I tried using watercolor pencils first, but I don’t have as much success, as soon as you add water to the fabric, it bleeds.
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing your technique for eyes with us! After seeing the pictures I think I could try it myself. That eye is amazing!! Do you also make bird eyes? When I applique birds I am lost at making a realistic eye. Any tips? I love your blog and subscribe so I keep up with all the posts. Your rhino blows me away. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Ruth You’re welcome… one day I will do a bird eye and a human eye.
I second Ruth B! Your Rhino is awesome – I’ve been following it’s progress. Thank you so much for sharing.
Pam this has been a wonderful journey of learning from the first sketch of the rhino, now this wonderful eye lecture. You are a VERY generous quilter. My morning always starts with your site. Thanks again for been so generous with our art & time Cheers Glenda