DISCOVERING ART THROUGH EXPLORATION
Odilon Redon is probably not the most well known of European artists. He was/is grouped with the Symbolists who practiced art around the turn of the century. To put them into art history context they were a reaction against the Impressionists ideals and possibly laid down the blueprint for any succeeding movement that explored more... Continue Reading →
The technique used on Day 1, where the base layer was made up of cross-hatching colour, was so effective and interesting I adjusted today’s exercise to involve more of the same. Layering – all colours at once (using Staedtler Karan Aquarelles) This drawing was about applying all the colours at once from light to dark. One... Continue Reading →
Prior to starting this project I had to check if I actually had any watercolour pencils to use. There were a few random Albrecht Durer pencils and the remnants of my Staedtler Karan Aquarelles set which was bought used when I was a graphic design student back in the ‘90s. They didn’t get much of... Continue Reading →
When I started this project, colour pencils wasn’t something I was looking forward to. Matter of fact I was apprehensive – past experiences were that they’re a very labour intensive medium requiring a lot of patience and time. Even when I did a search online for colour pencil art I was suprised that practically all... Continue Reading →
It feels so long since I posted and I have definitely lagged in my commitment to this project over the last few weeks even months. I blame the World Cup – damn living in the southern hemisphere and all those early morning matches! Anyways, things are back to normal, I say with trepidation, the English... Continue Reading →
The design layout of this exercise also required some pre-planning. Again, I went back to the internet for real references of cupcakes and teapots. I then arranged them on a page to make sure they all fit with equal spacing around them. If I hadn’t of done this, I would have drawn the first couple... Continue Reading →
Paul Klee A favourite artist of mine. He is so different from the usual mob I swear undying fealty to – Caravaggio, Frans Hals and all the other Baroque gods. His work is quite magical and maybe he creates colour envy within me. As mentioned before, I struggle with using more than three colours at... Continue Reading →
I’ve never formally studied fine art or art history but ever since I was introduced to the works of Degas and Toulouse-Lautrec by my high school art teachers I’ve passionately tried to absorb as much as I can. When I handpick artists to reference for these exercise it's coming from accumulated knowledge and familiarity with... Continue Reading →
I don’t recall ever buying a colour pencil set, they were always birthday or Christmas presents, so I’ve had my collection since I was ten! I never liked colouring-in as a child – too many memories struggling to get colour to adhere to crappy colouring-in books printed on newspaper print. Testing Before I set off... Continue Reading →
This medium is an enigma. With all the exercises I’ve undertaken you would assume I’ve developed an understanding about how it works, yet it is a complete mystery. When I think I have it sussed it collapses on me, when I give it no prospect it comes up trumps. It does my head in. I’ve... Continue Reading →