i started 3d experiment. i wanted to make a half-sphere shape as curvy line is key element of this project. However, creating three dimensional sphere requires specialized skills unlike shaping cube i have done in term 2. i worked with a media student who hasn’t done 3d work like this. i discussed how to make a sphere shape out of the leather i bought. As i said it is almost impossible creating exact sphere with my skill for now so i needed ideas out of box. It was helpful to discuss with her. I was obsessed with making perfect sphere but what she suggested turned my thought to that it doesn’t have to be perfect.
deconstructed a basketball to see how the ball is structured. i attempted at tracing and copying the pattern of the ball. i realized that it is impossible to make exactly same structure due to the matter of time and. i just thought that doing anything is much better than thinking in a chair so i went to the school art shop and got some wadding-like cotton and calico. i kept thinking and searching about how to make sphere while i was doing work. i looked at few youtube and i found a video about wet molding.
In class, the tutor said this might not work because the leather is too thick. In this term, i made up my mind to focuse on my own study after i got early offer. So i will attempt it anyway. After the conversation with tutor, i searched about wet molding more specifically. i found some images who made a mask.
After i saw this, i feel like wet moding technique has lots of potentials to create a shape for garment. This will be a good opportunity to experience leather.
At this moment, i just started 3d experiment while some of classmates already started extracting design from their 3d works. i am aware of that I’m behind a bit. This is week 2 and i must finish bleaching, wet molding, flower print design and 3d experiment in this week.
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i tried wet molding. Fortunately, it works. As the tutor advised me, the leather is little thick so it was not as soft as the video but i successfully formed the shape. There are two things i need to consider next time when i try again: First, the fabric was not wide enough to cover the whole basketball. i have to consider spare width of fabric. Secondly, according to internet research, i have to leave it sit for 24 hours to dry. This is time i didnt know that so i removed the basketball underneath the fabric after 5hours. Im not sure if it affected the result or not. i will take my times and wait for 24 hours next time.