Henna Inspiration Towards Final Design

These are some henna designs that I have created. As I have been applying henna for a long time it just didn't occur to my mind that I could used it as an inspiration for my final design. I just went for a wedding and while applying henna, it just struck my mind as an inspiration for my lace effect and design. As I am planning to do a lace structure over the eyebrows in my design from looking at my previous research, in my opinion I think that henna doses mimic a sort of lace design too.

These are henna designs that I have tried out on my family and peers. Looking at these deigns the all have a series of different patterns within them. The image on the top left and bottom right almost have an Arabian design to them with the pointy geometrical shapes that are going on in the designs.

However, the designs on the top right and bottom left have a more floral pattern to them. The shapes are more rounded than pointy and have a smoother look and more of  a flow to them. I also noticed that all the designs have a different texture to them.

Some have a thicker more pasty texture while the others have a more thinner texture with the lines and the formations of the shapes. I feel like the floral designs have a more harmonious look to them as they have a blending smoother looks as the design flows throughout.

Seeing the different textures, I now am thinking of all the different textures of lace that I could use for my final design and which one suits the look better. I can look at thick laces that are thick or thin, the design of the lace and the patterns of the lace. In my opinion, I think the floral henna designs will best match a lace design as I want the design for my final assessment to have a continuos flow.

Henna and Lace

These are two types of lace designs that I came across and they both have different patterns. I feel like they both have two very different motifs. The lace on the left hand side has a floral design, which I can relate back to the floral henna design. While the lace on the right hand side has a more geometric pointy shapes within the pattern. 

They both also demonstrate two very different textures. The floral patterned lace has a thinner texture to that of the other. I feel like even though the lace on the right hand side has the geometrical shapes it wouldn't look that appealing while on the face especially because it is going to go over the brows and it could be a little hard to shape it as I would have to be careful of the patterns when cutting out the lace. 

I would go for the lace on the left hand side as it has a more delicate look with really precise detailing. I also like the fact that it might be a little easy to handle, however I can only tell once I have worked with it. I need to practice with the texture  of the face and see what would suit my design and what would actually work on the face. 

Henna and Elizabethan Patterns 

I found this at the V&A Museum. It is a ribbon that was made in the 1600 and was used by Elizabeth 1. She would wear it over her gowns as an embroidery piece. As the ribbon has flowers, a weeping eye and a heart with a bow going through it, this relates to symbolism of the Elizabethan era, as in the Rainbow portrait Queen Elizabeth has eyes and ears on gown which symbolised the fact that she knows and see's everything that happens around her.

However, in this case I am looking mainly at the patterns on the ribbon rather than the symbolism it portrays. The pattern has lots of shapes and textures in one piece. For example it has thick lines along with thin. As this is a piece of fabric and the pattern is embroidered using thread, even by just looking at at the image you can tell about the different textures and I just imagine what it would feel like seeing it in person.

Linking this back to henna designs, I feel that it comes under the floral designs rather than the geometrical designs. This is because the pattern has a smooth continuos flow to it. Also, looking back into Tudor cosmetics henna was used as part of hair dyes.

Ref
http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O10418/ribbon-unknown/
Sherrow, V.2006. Encyclopedia of Hair: A Cultural History. London, Greenwood.

After looking at all the henna designs I decided to create a face chart. I created this design incorporating henna designs in it. As the deign goes on the sides of the face, I could bring it down on the sides of the neck just to elongate design. As I think it looks kind of odd by how it just stops next to the chin.

I also think that if this design was to be done on the face, the henna design has to be very precise. It has to be thin in texture, yet have all the detailing that actually make up the design.

I have created the design in black and contrasted it with the red lips. I also think a strong contour will also look good with this design. In all I like this design however I also think that it will be too complex to complete in an hour and  half.