Needle Felting – Painting with Wool on Wool

Whether you’re creating landscapes, portraits, or abstract designs, this technique allows you to “paint” with wool fibres, much like using a brush on canvas. Who knew Needle Felting; painting with wool on wool was so amazing?!

I really loving painting with wool on wool! Needle felting is a unique and beautiful form of fibre art that involves layering and felting wool fibres onto a base fabric to create some type of picture. This technique is also known as 2D needle felting or ‘wool painting’. Since I have worked as an illustrator for decades & been an avid crafter with fabric this form of art especially appeals to me. In my mind I see so many ways to combine techniques, so exciting!

The Wool Base:

2D Needle felting can be applied to a variety of base fabrics. Since the barbed needle needs to poke through the fabric thousands of times it is key that the fabric is strong enough and also allow the needle through.

In this example I am using a piece of an old wool blanket that was dyed naturally with leaves using the Eco printing method. It seems perfect since it gives my subject matter a soft background without the need to make the entire scene.

The wool is quite a loose weave so it will allow the felting needle to easily pass through and also anchor with the needle felted wool fibres. The colours in this fabric developed from the Tannins in the leaves and become permanent with the use of a mordant like iron. Check out how to make your own wool prints. Feel free to use other wool like felted sweaters or pre-made felt fabric. Linen is another very strong fabric that stands up to all the poking.

Materials:

• Wool roving or wool fibers
• Felting needles (different sizes)
• Felting mat, wool mat or foam
• Wool base fabric/blanket (can be a piece of felt or another wool fabric)
• Scissors
• Frame (optional)

The Wool ‘Paint’:

Colourful wool fibres can be found in various forms. Long combed roving or carded batts can be used. It isn’t always necessary to have every colour imaginable.

How to transfer the image to the wool

Transferring your idea or picture is a crucial stage to making a great start of your art project. The transfer stage has always been a vital part of illustrating in any media. You can sketch outlines freehand if you choose but I do like the exact planning instead.

Things like carbon and transfer papers do not work that well on a wool fibre since it is too loose but may work on a felt or linen fabric. Available transfer pencils allow tracing the image (mirror first) and then ironing onto the fabric. Is key to have a fine weave fabric though, test first.

My chosen image was made using a digital picture and some tracing using the Procreate app. Ypu can also use a photo and trace with tracing paper. I then printed it at the size of the final image.

This hole-poking method uses the dots made by poking holes through the paper. (see video above) Small sections are poked through and dots connected with a fine marker. Make sure the paper (tape in place) is secure to prevent moving of the image.

Poke, poke, poke, lift and draw the line… Not every small detail needs to drawn, as the reference image can help with those.

Areas that do not have a defined edge were dashed, like the tail section in case the wool does not cover in the final stage. Once you have all the edges needed you are ready to begin.

Start the Wool Painting:

Applying the wool ‘paint’ can be achieved in various ways similar to the methods artists use. Make sure to have a felting mat or foam piece under your work. Depending on the type of image, areas of colour can be applied in small sections, much like paint. The theories are very similar to painting; apply large areas first and then add the definition and details. Since the wool is very fine different colours can be mixed to adjust as needed. Visually the eye sees the mix instead of the individual colours.

Colour mixing can be made following colour theory (use the colour wheel). The fibres can be blended by hand or using small carding tools or dog slicker brushes.

Similarily to the way watercolour paint can be added in layers so can layers of wool. Areas of lighter tones or darker can be added as needed if you keep them transparent. This will give more realism, dimension and shading than full areas of flat colour.

I vividly remember my art college teacher telling us to work over the entire painting piece rather than just filling small areas (even though it was over 40 years ago!). This helps us to see the relationships of the colours and values as it builds. If there are any areas that do not seem right you can pull the fibres out with a pair of tweezers easily, paint was not that easy…

Wool is perfect for Animal fur!

If you have ever tried to paint or draw an animal you know how difficult it can be to replicate the fur. Using the wool is much easier since it can be layered with the different colour wisps of the fur. Look closely at the picture to see what colours layer in the fur. Small twisted sections work great for the fluffy squirrel tail even for beginners.

A grey squirrel is actually a mix of dark and light colours in the fur. The smaller defined details like the creases in the fur, the toes and ears are added with pokes of very small wisps of wool.

The whiskers are very fine so they are made with sewn in with long stitches of regular thread.

I liken this art to a type of fibre art ‘colouring book’, once you have the image transferred. I am actually surprised at how quickly this came together, in one afternoon! Give it a good steam pressing and snip away any excess fibres.

Finishing & Framing:

Just like canvases are stapled over wood stretcher bars you can stretch this piece. (sometimes I take off the stretched canvas or just leave it) A floating frame allows the stretched art to sit in place without any glass. An embroidery hoop also works well.

Maybe you are an experienced felter or hoping to take your craft wool adventures further… I will definitely make more with the eco printed wool! If you want to work smaller you may want to make some mittens. Happy felting!

If you’d like to see needle felting a dog portrait; my pup felted on linen also includes a video of the process.