s which inspired her critical thinking techniques. She combined many kinds of materials and worked with various fabrics with unusual surfaces. These sketchbooks are interesting (other synonyms) because they serve to illustrate her passion for textiles.
Primarily, the craft of textiles derives from the tradition of domestic embroidery. Dennis is a designer who is highly proficient at using combinations of colours, employing various palettes, which balance warm and cold colours. Colour is an important element in her design work. Colours tend to generate a specific response or association from the viewer, and an understanding of these reactions will help the designer create effective colour combinations that will enforce their intended message. (Ambrose, 2005:24) However, fabric and thread are the main factor in Dennis’ work. By combining different colours of thread, new shade can be created, for instance red thread and yellow thread can make orange. Colour and contrast can generate a myriad of design effects when applied to textile design. (Clarke: 2011:144) The tone of colour is affected by how the fabric is perceived by the viewer. From observing Dennis’ sketchbook, it appears that she used 30 : 70 percentage of colours balance between warm and cold, which refer to the temperature created by the visual impact of a colour. However, at times she used monochrome to differentiate between dimensions and complex surfaces. Therefore, it could be said that, colour is the main factor that Dennis used to create and enhance the beauty of her fabric art works.
Furthermore, Dennis’ sketchbooks showed that she was interested in ancient art, for instance the art of ancient Mexico, Maya, Aboriginal arts and American Indian arts. Most of her work in the four sketchbooks have many references to these civilizations, for example symbols and lines are used to replace text; continuing curves referring to the rhythm of water. Geometric form is frequently used in her work, and circles, squares and triangle are common forms found in this part of her sketchbook. From that point, they show diversity of forms from the international cultures that influenced her ideas. Dennis tried to merge the international styles together. She used some part of the ancient arts to improve her design. During this period of her life, she focused on developing these ideas, which combined between difference cultures and civilisation. She produced many fabric samples to develop the colours and composition. Dennis adapted her design by using initial sketch and fabric sample to create the real piece. According to Wilson, Textile designers use their creative and technical skills to translate ideas into reality. This suggestion that Dennis is a curious person who never stop to learn new things. Drawing’s caption and her sketch are proved that she attended to focus on her project. Dennis developed her work as step by step, which complete at the end.
However, Dennis’ sketchbooks give an inspiration about work techniques. First of all, method of element of design is a rudimentary skill. She used line and grid to make a composition and balance. Horizontal line and zigzag line is used to add a high degree of dynamic to the design. Second of all, stitches technique are the movement of needle from back of cloth to the front and back again. (Clarke, 2011:110) This technique is used to create two-dimension pattern, which is one of the smallest motif in embroidery. However, there are many type of stitches, which use to produce the pattern for instance, chain stitch, herringbone stitch, blanket stitch, feather stitch and cross stitch. Dennis used cross stitch to produce a diagonal stitch by using X-shape, which showed in the file of fabric sample. Moreover, needlework technique is created a different surface. Dennis used various kinds of fabric to represent picture, which mix of smaller and large pieces of fabric. The contrast between texture and colours is made an interesting art work called “appliqué”. Lastly, painting in difference surfaces are produced interesting textures. Dennis