What's the String Art

What Is The String Art

October 14, 2022

When people’s access to basic material life is guaranteed, why not pursue spiritual life more? In today’s life, we have more time and energy to do handmade things, even art. Art also occurred everywhere and gradually integrated into all aspects of life. For example, clothes, jewelry, embroidery and mosaic, etc. By chance, I found another one— String Art. As my understanding of it increases and continuous practices, I realized that I can never take the good feeling of that art back.

Before starting my formal representation, the relevant data queries are necessary. String Art has its origins in the ‘curve stitch’ activities invented by Mary Everest Boole at the end of the 19th century to make mathematical ideas more accessible to children. It was popularized as a decorative craft in the late 1960s through kits and books. (Excerpt from Wikipedia).

However, it is Petros Vrellis, the Greek artist and engineer, who pushed that art to a new level. He published a video on Vimeo. Using a circular loom, 1500 meters of thread, and a uniquely programmed computer algorithm, he came up with A Whole New Way to Knit and weave together some portraits.

Back to the present, String Art or pin and thread art, is characterized by an arrangement of colored thread strung between points to form geometric patterns or representational designs, sometimes with other artist material comprising the remainder of the work.

In addition, another byname, the nail winding drawing is well known by us. Design the pattern in advance, then fasten nails on the outline, finally use thread to wind around nails in an orderly manner. According to those threads stacking layer upon layer and color assortment changing to create a masterpiece. It’s comprehensive creation form by combining drawing with handmade. Simultaneously create a novel perception of texture and visual. To be brief, use nails and string to confirm artistic creation.

Characteristic of String Art

01 Stereoscopic: As we know, the traditional decorative drawing is flat visually. But the string art can achieve stereoscopy effects by stacking threads layer upon layer with threads. It’s very obvious to the geometric pattern. Every layer is separated independently in an orderly manner and is non-interference with each other.

02 Matching: If you are tired of those nails and threads, we also can try to match it with other materials. The classical case is the hollow vase. It’s very beautiful when you put a bouquet of fresh flower or dried flower, then hang it on the wall. Or else twine string light at the bottom of threads, which can build a romantic and warm atmosphere.

03 Color Superposition: Changing patterns and colors with threads, it is the same as embroidery. Apart from this, string art can overlay multi colors with threads. For example, If I want to make some rhombus pattern as decoration in the following works, It will be easier to use yellow as embellishment after the white as background. But it’s very hard for embroidery.

04 DIY Kits: If you are worried about the insecurity of hammering nails to your kids, parents can purchase hobnail and foam board to finish that art. The pattern is just not exquisite, but it’s enough for kids. As for string art beginners, the merchant has prepared comprehensive string art kits. The pre-hole board, hammer are also included. When getting the package, you can start to enjoy the happiness of handmade. After becoming proficient in skill, you can design your own pattern and match materials you like to make a unique string art.

05 Beginner Friendly: In my earlier articles, there are several winding ways introduced. Have to say it’s really easy. When it comes to embroidery, there are numerous stitches that need to be memorized in heart. And it’s especially hard to turn back when a certain stitch is wrong. Unless we want to create the geometric string art pattern, more often, we just fill with iregular figure by using randomly twine. It greatly lowers the threshold to string art beginners. Whether you are a young boy or elderly, you will have a chance to enjoy string art. Please remember, randomness is the biggest secret to completing it.

Material of String Art

The magic of handmade is to blend lots of material together, with the help of tools, creating a materpiece. The same as string art, it usually uses a board, nail, string and hammer. Apart from these necessary materials, other supplementary tools are also needed, which yield twice the result with half the effort. According to our requirements, it is a winding pen, scissors, and lighter, as introduced in my string art tutorials. Here are article with a detailed introduction for materials and tools.

What Materials are needed: Wood Board, Nail, Thread or Embroidery Floss

What Tools are needed: Hammer, Scissors, Winding Pen, Lighter

According to pictures and its accompanying essay, I guess you are already excited and can’t wait to try. There is no hurry. Read my next article, How The String Art Works, I will make a detailed introduction for beginners on how to start with string art. Come on, let’s use threads and nails to string wonderful artworks.

Hello, I am Mary, a handicraft enthusiast from China. At the same time, I am a mother of two children. Last year, I had my twin babies, who are so cute and interesting. Hope in the coming days, I will have more time to accompany them. Like all of my followers will accompany me.