I went back to basics and relearned drawing, and the strategies used to perfect the representation of the figure.
I learned the intricacies of negative space and what it is used for. I also learned the aligning with a kebab stick. And top tip note to self remember to imagine there is a plate of glass in front of you.
I also learned to insert scaffolding in the drawing to ensure you get the proportion right. All the things they didn’t teach me when I worked towards my A’level art all those decades ago. At least I cannot remember them teaching me. Perhaps when I was aged 15,16,17, I wasn’t listening to what I was taught. But the pictures below show.
I am listening now.
I am listening now to instructions about getting the proportions and balance of my lines right.
I was filming my art and editing the MP4 files for a long time (see picture below). Then after a week, I decided that I wouldn’t say I liked the movies and thought these images of the painting as originally imagined being placed (see the project showcase (https://homeofficecharm.com/portfolio/snaps-of-the-lampshades-in-situ-as-imagined/).
I used Camtasia to edit movies for reels but didn’t publish them in the end. I think IG might have an easier editing function. I’m sure Camtasia is great for other things.
All the editing gave me time to reflect. I make the paintings small so that people like me still doing online teaching or online meetings can adorn their shelves with some backlighting that will sit on the shelf. I know that as an artist, it is a big no-no to consider the end user. But I cannot help it. Just as you consider the support for the artwork, I believe you should also consider where your artwork will be placed in your home or office, probably because of my business background. And thus, I’ve always found it easy to imagine where people might place my art.
I recently did an intense course at CSM. It was nice to return to UAL, but to be a student this time.
It made a nice change to discard my old identity as of teacher there and allow some time to learn new mixed media techniques and sharpen my painting focus.
The images show the canvases I am working on and the development of ideas.
The work includes photo transfer, collage, dropping, pouring, oils acrylic, resin, quartz, sand and using paint skins. It was good to have an established artist give voice to my ideas and my approach. I feel more confident in labelling and placing the context of my artwork and how it fits into artworks that have gone before.
Three of the four mixed media I created on the course
Mixed media with pouring, skins with resin pools
Mixed media tools
Products for making the board.
I learned and developed my technique so much. It was fascinating to note how the choice of support, whether canvas, board, and the type of gesso, are also part of the media as they impact the overall effect and desired look and feel of the painting.
My work area for 2 weeks at CSMEven the floor is crafted at CSM with small blocks of wood on The Street runwayAfter pouring before the resin
Watch this space (project showcase) for how the course will influence my future paintings. I’ve got so many ideas and cannot wait to share them with you.
On film
The college’s media person captured my making process and came back to ask if I would do an interview that they would film. I declined the interview for a range of personal reasons. But I am happy to say you might catch sight of my hands painting in the future ads and social media content for Central St Martins when they promote their courses.
This week I have been developing my mixed media practice by doing an intensive full 10-day course at CSM. More on that in a later post.
However, the weekend took my sister and me out to explore our local high street, introducing her to all the amazing colourful things the different shops provide.
I took her to our local cinema, an art house cinema converted into a cinema from an old library on the high street. It also has an art gallery which you can see in the featured picture, above. They do life drawing sessions there on a Wednesday.
I was one of the founding members. During covid, I donated more money than I would normally to a project or charity because I love film and I like my local high street.
The cinema developers/ organisers then rewarded us by calling us early donators, The Founder Members. And to express their appreciation, they recently put our names on a plaque in the cinema doorway.
The plaque at the doorway of Act One cinema celebrating and thanking donators
Recognition
It was a delight to see my own name on the plaque. I remember them asking how we wanted our names in an email. I can see other people who asked to express themselves, their groups, or their family. However, I am with just my name on the plaque. It is nice to get recognition and public reward for giving to the arts.
Raising funds for another screen.
The cinema has another goal to get a second screen. If you would also like to give to the arts, here is the link for their current fundraising round. https://www.spacehive.com/actonesecondscreen
I recently saw the David Remfrey exhibition at the Royal Watercolour Society. I was invited to the exhibition by my old friend Rick who knows the artist. Rick was pleased to see his likeness in a couple of David’s paintings.
The images below show my friend Rick pointing and repeating the pose in the painting “What the Night Tells Me,” which is normally in someone’s private collection.
We also met another watercolour artist at the exhibition (viewing David’s work, I think he was from New York). We had wonderful conversations about the different characters found in David Remfrey’s work. My friend was very proud to see his portrait in the painting, and the back story was wonderful to hear. I had heard the story before but seeing the painting in real life while he explained how he knew David and his partner made the tale more significant and profound.
Left: The Dancers is my favourite painting by David Remfey. Right his 2022 book
Visiting the exhibition was a real treat for me as a dance and art enthusiast. I was delighted to be given a signed copy of David Remfrey’s book there (it was my birthday). Book title is David Remfrey Watercolour by Royal Academy of Arts and Royal watercolour Society 2022.
I loved how exquisite the paintings were. The impromptu gathering of people was magical. It set off an intriguing, informative and interesting conversation about watercolour art. As someone that uses acrylics mostly, the visit inspired me to try out doing a watercolour series of paintings/ creations at a later point.
I might link back to this post when I post the pictures of watercolour items I create at that later point.
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