Understanding Composition

 Adding detail to your world.

Over the last three weeks, we have been discussing color and technique in hand embroidery and it’s time for it all to come together.


Very few teachers talk about attention to detail in hand embroidery I have yet to find any tutorial, video, or blog post discussing this subject. So, here we go...


In today’s article, we will discuss why attention to detail is important in any artist's work; across the board from painting on canvas to hand embroidery and we will discuss some ways to accomplish detail in hand embroidery.


What is Detail, within a work of art?


Here’s a word… Composition. As in the artists’ world, to embroiders this word means making the important parts of a work stand out. Detail is the isolated elements within a work of art; be it an oil painting or a piece of hand-embroidered wall art.


To be absolutely honest, composition and the time it takes to achieve it can be a never-ending chore when finishing a piece. However, no work would give the artist or the beholder the satisfaction that a finished work does, without it.


The Two Main Elements of Composition


Detail... areas in the work that draws and holds the eye. The focal point of the image.


Resting Points... areas surround the detail areas that remain without detail.


In the composition of a work, it is important to have both the detail and resting points. The composition can be achieved within a piece of hand embroidery with the combination of color, technique, and these two elements. Why is this important?


Why it is important


“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” they say and so it is with a work of hand embroidery that presents detail in appropriate measure. The beholder feels gifted by the intricate detail and your picture comes to life.


By focusing on details you are inviting others into your world and inspiring them. When you create a work of hand embroidery your focus will be on things of beauty around you (nature etc.)... Working from a pattern, you give it your undivided attention and the detail that you accomplish will nurture an appreciation for the world around us and the world of the artist.


Focusing on details also builds in the artist's patience, fortitude, resolve, and steadfastness. Taking the time to get the correct perspective, the accurate structure, the varied shades, the shifts of light, and the folds of cloth improves our capacity for patience. It develops respect for authenticity, cultivates a love of beauty, and keeps our imagination growing.


How to Execute Detail in Your Work


1. “Less is more”… the thought that not every inch of your work has to be covered with detail. If every inch is covered, your picture will be boring and uninteresting. So, complete coverage is a big NO. instead use detailed and un-detailed areas; soft edges and hard edges, and cool and warm colors.


2. “Quiet the outer noise” of your work of art by concentrating detail around the focal points of the picture and gradually reducing the detail toward the outside of the picture.

The background can be just a plain color with a very detailed focal point.


3. Elements of detail in your hand embroidery will include shading with color and stitches; 3D elements; lace and patchwork; and the all-important working from your pattern.


4. Putting all this together takes practice. So, never pass on an opportunity to add detail to even the simplest piece. Choose patterns that give you at least a little shading detail so you can put your technique into practice.


Composition gives you the opportunity to make your art come alive. Including detail and resting points with shades of color, and stitches in your pattern will give your embroidery realism and life. 


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