The beginning stages:
To begin with this project I first begun searching the web for inspiration directly from the frames in the film. I enjoyed finding certain themes in the designs that stood out to me such as flowers, stars and varying celestial patterns and ornate crown molding from the castle and the towns the film was set in.
Drawing from the concept art was also helpful because it allowed me to think about the bare bones of the design and how I could begin to simplify the process into rhino into a design that would not be too ornate on the cutting bed, which could run the risk of loosing details or causing a fire. In the end I decided to come up with a sketch for the first section of the tapestry, which ended up evolving several times.
I also chose to research tapestries from the same era that the film was set in, I decided that the main element I wanted to appropriate was the boarder from 19th-century English hard point tapestries designed to be hung directly from the wall.
I particularly enjoyed how the flowers and leaves from the pattern within the boarder flowed across the edges but still managed to look intentional. This is largely because of how the patterns repeat themselves by mirroring each side and adding the same motif at the corners. I chose to replicate this formula by using the same flowers on Sophie's hats from the hat shop, with them flowing in and out of the swirls.
I also continued researching the Japanese art of paper cutting, Kirie, given its connection to the process of laser cutting paper and creating large tapestries to be on display. Although Japanese paper cutting is done on one single paper, I worried that I would not be able to do so given the restraints that the Trotec machine operates within, so, I layered each of the papers onto one another to create the same level of detail.
With this knowledge, I began recreating several of my favorite elements from the film into Rhino, with ease. But unlike creating hatchings and linework that would function on the laser cutter, which I found easy, my main concern was solely around the flow from each design element to the next. The composition changed many times, and I did struggle with coming up with something that looked like more than just "fan art" and instead a piece of fine art.
Evolution of design
This is the first rendition of my design. It features large hatchings with minimal detail and poor flow from one design element to the other.
Second rendition: Each element is in harmony with one another, and several more details are added, such as Calcifer, Howls' curse and the moment that they struck a deal with the fire demon, the reoccurring spirits in the film, and lastly, the tulips from my favorite scene.
I also had to adapt my design to accommodate the laser cutting process. The first try was a struggle. Several areas of the paper were not cutting correctly because of the settings. I also had far too many areas that were too detailed, which would result in the laser melting away the support structures between each cut. Overall, several attempts were made on the laser cutter to develop a functional prototype.
I also found that because several areas were not cutting as intended, I had to pop out sections or trace them over with an exacto blade, which in some areas damaged the paper or ruined the design. This was incredibly tedious and frustrating.
Finally, I adjusted the settings several times and found a process that would work for my design, which finally led to the end result. I think it is incredibly successful and beautiful. It captures the overall themes and design elements from the film but leaves enough room for my own personal interpretation. I also feel that the object itself, despite being made from paper, had enough body and weight to itself that it is functional as a tapestry and also has its own life as a piece of fine art. This project was incredibly humbling and was much more difficult than I originally anticipated, but I could not be any prouder of the end result.
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