Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
Cross hatch Twig Armature
- 2 October 2019
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Design Note: Cross hatching is a sketching technique used to add shadow and dimension to drawn objects by drawing lines that crosses over each other to create a darker effect.
Trace a large circular shape on paper.
Cross hatch the outline to determine where you want the twigs to create a shaded area
To make it easier to remove the armature once glued cover the outline with either plastic or glass. For my design I simply placed the glass container back on the paper sketch and glued my twigs over that. Take care not to glue the twigs to the glass or the plastic.
Cut the twigs into snippets and start to build up the pattern.
My rule is to glue each twig in at least three places to another twig. This is the best way to make sure the armature is strong enough to carry the weight of the flowers.
Continue to fill in the outline shape. Glue in more twigs to the cross hatched section.
Add in shorter twigs and cross hatch them with the longer twigs.
Extend a few twigs over the disk shape so that you can complete the circle on the lighter side.
Be mindful of where you want the most twigs to add shade to the shape and just a few twigs on the opposite side to add the light.
Carefully lift the armature from the outline... it's ready to design with.
For contrast I broke up the straight twig pattern with some tendrils and vine branches...
And as you add the floral details make sure to add some colourful bits to peek through from the back.
And after adding the flowers and dried Chinese lanterns, I glued in a few more branches to extend over from the front to finish the design.
I dried the lanterns and placed the flowers in drinking straw water tubes. Here are the Tutorials:
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Tutorials
When you need to keep a tiny stem hydrated this is just what you need. If you can't find a suitable drinking straw... I also have an upgrade: tiny food grade pipe water tubes.
Every Autumn we see the beautiful Physalis pods everywhere but they are easy to dry and preserve to use year round.
Wire a sturdy cloud shaped armature to hang a heavier water source for thirsty Wisteria flowers.
By making a very secure armature, it is possible to stack and suspend loose twigs on top of it building on the stable foundation
Glue a few twigs to display Autumn flowers and foliage on
This is a great way to use all those bits of twigs and sticks in your design room to make a floral armature
Favourite Flowers
Chinese lantern, cape gooseberry, Peruvian cherry, Inca berry
Inca lily, Peruvian lily or lily of the Incas
Related Designs
A clever trick borrowed from art techniques to add dimension to a bright and colourful Autumn floral design.
Armatures are great (budget friendly) spacers for creating large floral designs without using an enormous amount of your resources.
Soft minimal Fall armature making it easy to replace the flowers as the season progress.
Exploring two soaking techniques for a subtle early autumn design
A delicate winter twig armature to show off the delicate beauty of these early spring coloured tulips.
This was my last two designs for my It's High Time for Tea Floral Craft and Art Demonstration at The Capilano Flower Arranging Club meeting
A twig and stick design with sweet dumpling pumpkins and rosary vine (Ceropegia woodii). I also made a cherry twig and skeleton leaf Stick Insect
Celebrate the bright colours of autumn with lilies and Chinese lanterns
