Sunday 23 March 2014

Mixed Media Collage

I'm about six months into my visual arts diploma and so far it's been an eclectic mix.  My latest short course went under the heading of mixed media collage A nicely vague title which could cover almost anything!  What it actually turned out to be was a few days of glorious fun printing, painting, cutting and sticking in a sun filled orangery at the centre of a crocus strewn lawn. You see how I suffer for my art!!
We started with printing inks, rollers and self-made stencils, layering up interesting backgrounds on tissue paper.  The acid-free, conservation grade stuff is surprisingly strong. 


A favourite colour palette.














There is actually more green in this than the picture shows.















Next we had a go at making printing blocks, my lino cutting has not improved since school days but I had more success with the 'cut shapes out of stuff and stick them on cardboard' type of block.  In fact I made quite a few of those for future work.  We used the blocks for adding yet more layers of print to our tissue backgrounds.

With the left over ink in our roller trays we were shown how to do monoprints.  This was entirely new to me and I got slightly hooked on the technique.  It really is quite addictive.


Just a few lines scratched in a tray.


















A few drops of water added when the ink is gone.



















When I had quite a few prints I started cutting them up and reassembling them on card.

Just playing.















Closer detail.












I could have played happily for hours, but time was short and we were supposed to be learning collage so I reluctantly swapped the paint for scalpel and glue.


A few small samples.


 I came away with some work in progress for a bigger piece incorporating fabric and stitch. which I will work on now that I've finally caught up with organising all my loose bits and pieces into a sketch book.


Very early stages of a background.
Stencil ideas.























Sunday 16 March 2014

Fifty Shades of Yellow!

Crazy Daffodil ... Rip van Winkle





Marsh Marigolds at the edge of my pond
Golden Crocus all around




























Winter Aconites holding on for the Spring




















Cowslips on the bank by my pond




















Primroses in my woodland glade

















Iris winogradowii - paler than the earlier danfordiae
















Celandine with bronze leaves ... Brazen Hussy


















Crocus Cream Beauty

My garden goes through phases of colour.  Mid March seems to be its yellow phase!  Even the butterflies are on message, with Brimstones fluttering by whenever the sun appears.  Sadly my photography skills are not good enough to cope with the speed at which they move.  Flowers are easier ... they sit still!