Costuming Journals
8/26/13
BLOG TOPIC: Discuss how you see design by God’s Hand in the world around you.
Even in the way that things fit together, such as the Fibonacci sequence and the golden shapes. God’s fingerprints are everywhere in how he has created everything with a place and a purpose. Our bodies work in ways we still don’t understand completely and perhaps never will. It amazes me how much people take for granted, when all they need to do is look at their own bodies to see evidence for a Creator.
8/28/13
BLOG TOPIC: Have you ever dreamed up an idea for a costume or outfit for yourself? Tell us about it.
I’ve always wanted a set of rogue’s gear. It’d be a full set of leather armor with a cowl and cloak. Unfortunately, I lack the leather working skills or equipment to actually be able to pull it off. But it would be done with vegetable dyed leather, probably in shades of brown and grey. It would be an amazing costume, but it would be a tremendous undertaking.
9/4/13
BLOG TOPIC: As you researched your play, what did you learn about costume and makeup design that you didn’t already know?
There’s a lot more detail in it than I had thought, especially with the planning. I always knew how many characters were on stage, but didn’t realize the sheer amount of paperwork involved for each side character such as the ensemble members!
9/9/13
BLOG TOPIC: Sometimes rendering seems like a very scary task. Discuss your feelings as we approach rendering in costume class.
I’m confident in my skills as an artist, even if I am out of practice. But, I worry that it won’t turn out exactly as I want it to. I think I’ll be ok with how it all comes together. I just always struggle with not making things turn out exactly how they were in my head.
9/11/13
BLOG TOPIC: Rendering the human form reminds us of how intricately and accurately our bodies are designed. Discuss how perfectly God has created man and woman. Use scripture references if possible.
Psalm 139:13- For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. Job 10:11- You clothed me with skin and flesh, and you knit my bones and sinews together. The human body is perfectly designed to function together, and God created it perfectly. The proportions work well and follow sequences we can’t even begin to imagine.
9/16/13
BLOG TOPIC: As you have begun rendering, what struggles have you had? What was easier than you thought it would be? What was harder?
The sketching was relatively easy. I had a clear concept in mind so I managed to transfer it to paper pretty clearly. It was more difficult to work with water color than I remember, but I think that was because I was trying to do it too quickly and I didn’t allow myself enough time to render well.
9/18/13
BLOG TOPIC: Now that you have really gotten a chance to render, what show would be your dream show to design and render? Why? How would you do it?
I would actually really like to re-design Wicked. As much as I love the costuming, I feel like it would be an interesting show to re-design and work with. There are many different patterns and textures and color choices that could be made to change the design a little and make it even better.
9/23/13
BLOG TOPIC: Today is the first test in the Costume Design class. Discuss what you have learned so far. Are you pleased with your progress?
I’m very pleased with my progress. It’s been a lot of fun to see about working with the design elements and how they apply to costuming. I’m realizing that it may not have been as difficult as I had first thought and that I could really enjoy the complexities of working with the medium of fabric and unlike most of the elements on stage, costumes are perhaps the closest to the actor and the movement they use is an interesting thing to take into account.
9/25/13
BLOG TOPIC: Now that you have seen everyone else’s work when it comes to rendering, what do you think about your own work? Discuss the different styles that set each student’s work apart from your own.
In looking at everyone’s work, it was interesting to see the styles of people immerge in two different ways. First, there was an interesting development with those who had more experience with sketching. But, putting that aside, everyone developed their own individual looks, even though some people used the same base model. Everyone did a good job and the work reflected the time and effort that each had put into it. I liked how people pulled from so many different sources and inspirations for their designs.
9/30/13
BLOG TOPIC: Today you are going to start tackling costume construction. What scares you about this? What are you excited about when it comes to costume construction?
I have a little bit of sewing experience, but not too much. It worries me that I won’t be able to do well with the consideration of what we have and that I will have to put in extra time to work on my sewing skills. But, on the flip side of that, it’s a skill that I really hope I can improve so it will serve me in other areas of life.
10/7/13
BLOG TOPIC: Blog about your thoughts when it comes to sewing. Have you sewn before? Are you scared? Nervous? Excited?
I have sewn before, but it was never a full project. So exploring in this class is a good chance to brush up on old skills and learn new ones. I’m really happy with how things turned out thus far in the class and I hope that it will go well.