Witch's Consort

Witch’s Consort, 30" x 14", #5- and 6-cut wool on monk’s cloth. ©Tish Murphy, 2012. Designed and hooked by Tish Murphy, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2012. Kit or pattern may be purchased at www.tishkitsrughooking.com.

A well-executed portrait in any medium sets a mood. The expression in the eyes, the slope of the mouth, a tilt of the chin—all of these facial features provide clues to the person’s character and story. Another tool for creating character and mood in a portrait is the interaction between the primary figure and another person, creature, or object, sometimes referred to as the “foil.” That interaction provides a narrative for the viewer and suggests deeper qualities or intent. As with most of my character rugs, a relationship is an essential element of this Halloween design. It informs the mood of the piece, which in turn informs the color planning process. Once I determined the foil (the raven) for the main character (the witch), I was able to develop the full design.

This article is from the September/October 2013 issue. For more information on our issues, check out our issues page.