Workshop 28TH September 2015

In todays workshop I felt I got a good idea of what paintings and methods worked well. Although I struggled with finding inspiration of where to start my drawings; we chose words to work from such as random, simple, painted and erased. I felt I didn’t have any visual research that was appropriate to work from as my aim for this unit is to focus on the materials and objects I use to paint and draw with and see the designs from them rather than looking at pictures of primary research. I was also working with my brief of complex and minimal and seeing how I could use the same object to reflect these ideas too. Using found materials as paintings tools worked well and developed my original ideas, also working on tracing paper to create double sided drawings and different layers on one piece.

RICHARD LONG

Using mud as his media to create large scale paintings. Using his hands as his main tools for theses drawings which is the easiest and most effective drawing tool there is to be able to touch the media full on and arrange it how you want. Using basic motions and creating simple shapes in his work and not over complicating the design.

Creating sculptures from selected material especially dry stone, he again works with a simple design and shape but makes the space within it the focus point of looking at the natural design and shape of the stone. I feel looking at Longs work helps me to focus on textures that are created and to work on a bigger scale as it has more effect when designing abstract and contemporary work. 

BARBARA ROURKE

Barbara Rourke inspires my own work by looking at design in horizontal lines, building up layers of pattern along each other. Also looking at how Rourke has used different materials and fabrics in her weave which creates different textures and thicknesses which would be a nice translation and would work well in a print design. The colour scheme also works really well with plain and natural colours which makes the technique of the weave and materials stand out more. 

CY TWOMBLY

Cy twombly's paintings have a lot of hidden detail, layers of paint covering up designs and then worked over again on top. These paintings inspire me as there is much more to the drawings up close, abstract detail is hidden all over the paintings like notes, small sketches and scribbles which make these large scale paintings a lot more interesting and experimental. Theres a purpose behind Twomblys designs and ideas but his work is about making mistakes and been experimental, mixing all types of medias together and creating layer after layer on his work which brings through all different colours and design. 

Group Tutorial 21ST September 2015

Discussing our work from over the summer, the feedback I received was that my strengths are definitely mark making, been able to use different materials as drawing media to create all different designs and creating texture on my work. I mostly stuck to making marks from materials I found around me at home using veg and plants from the garden, also creating a colour scheme of the eggs we collect from our chickens, which my group thought was a good colour scheme to stick to. Areas that I could improve on are layering up my compositions, mixing different marks together and having a wider range of media to paint and draw with, I have mostly stuck to using acrylic paints but I could incorporate a few medias together which would build on my textures and build up my designs. 

My work could be linked to a lot of techniques, definitely with both digital and screen print, I feel my work could definitely be created into a weave as some of my pieces have been designed in horizontal lines and colours. As well as embroidery with french knots and plain stitch which would add more detail and texture to a printed piece. The overall concept of my work has started off really well with good designs and been experimental, I just need to develop and push my ideas further. 

Brief

This unit I am going to be working with the theme of Complex/Minimal. 

I will be working towards defining my own work through concept, process and context using techniques and method from digital and screen printing, taking risks and experimenting to find a style and design of work that works for me. 

I will be working on my holiday work and extending my ideas from more research and inspiration I am able to find around me in Manchester. Mark making been a main part of my designs and influence, I will be focusing on the materials and objects I can use as drawing media and seeing what marks and design can be made from them. I am going to continue to extend and develop on these techniques and use various drawing methods and colour to enhance my ideas. 

I want to develop my work in the context of fashion and aim it towards woman’s wear and accessories, looking at designers like burberry and print artists like Ashley Goldberg for inspiration to  create a portfolio of samples, ideas and outcomes. 

BURBERY

Burberry’s Autumn/Winter 2014 collection, is very print based using an abstract pattern on a large scale. The designers have used a lively print thats built up of what looks like a mark making design, that shows different textures and techniques such as brush strokes and watercolour paintings. I feel I can look at this collection for inspiration to see how such an impressionistic print can be put so easily onto garments and accessories for fashion. I also feel this can inspire me by looking at how to scale a print on a garment and that a print like this works well covering the whole body rather that sections and using prints on prints.

ASHLEY GOLDBERG

Ashley Goldberg creates vibrant prints created from a variety of abstract designs, made with mixed media and printed textures. Strong, bold colours are used all over designs with some subtle marks that are made and layering of shapes and colours adding detail to design. These prints are very abstract and minimal with design, repeating marks and symbols. I feel these prints can influence my work and design by using block colours, working on large scale prints and layering up techniques. 

MICHAEL CHASE

Brightly colourful and visual photographs, Chase creates textural pieces that show layers and movement within his designs. I am looking at chase’s work for inspiration as I feel this is a style of work that I would work towards, mainly looking at the layers and textures that he uses and the style in the way he has created these mixes and a loose effect of the media he uses.