Out of the list of artists, I chose Rex Ray and Sandhi Schimmel Gold. Because Rex Ray's work shows a lot of bright and colourful colours, including the unusual shapes he uses to create these magnificent pieces. He would create and use his own pieces of paper in his work. Furthermore, he always believed that working in a bad light, brings out the colours very well and you can see the piece from together. Along with Sandhi Schimmel Gold, her work is all about using unwanted paper and put them together to create a portrait. Mainly in her work was magazine's and newspapers. Firstly, she would cut up unwanted pieces of paper into square shapes and begin sticking them onto a blank canvas.
When I got all the research, I needed for both of my chosen artists. I started creating some critical studies in my sketchbook. Starting with Sandhi's work, I chosen a image called 'Ghost Horse'. Beginning by sketching out the horse and the background. It did take me 4 attempts to get the horse, actually right. Then once I was satisfied, I started collaging. I am very happy with result, because with it looking actually like the image. Also to say it was a practice, it is a very good piece.
Next, I chose one of her portraits of a model called Twiggy. Sandhi called this piece '1967', various colours was used such as; reds, oranges, pinks, yellow and blue.
To re-create this piece, I started by drawing out the portrait in pencil.there were many attempts of drawing out this image. Because some times the scale of the head wasn't accurate, or the neck and shirt wasn't correct. Eventually, I was happy with the image and then began searching through unwanted pieces of paper. Like magazine's and newspapers, cutting them into square shapes and then sticking them down. On myself imager, it doesn't quite match up to Sandhi's version. Because my version, I have drawn the head a lot longer and chin a bit square. Also swirl patterns were added on top and bottom of the portrait, but instead I left them out with the being small and fine detail to add. Overall, I am pleased and happy with the finished result.
Next, I decided on creating a portrait of myself in Sandhi style of work. To experiment, if the results would try out exactly like Sandhi's style. I looked through many photos of myself, until eventually I found a old photograph from secondary school. Which shows myself, smiling and having my year 11 school photo taken. It has a good and clear background, easy to draw out then collaged on top.
Again I searched through many magazine's, newspapers and any unwanted paper. To cut up into squares and matching the exact image, I am recreating. The background was to be collage first, from there I worked on the hair and rest of the image. Hardest part for me was the skin tone. Because on the image it shows a thew light and dark tones.
After I was starting to get used to collaging. I had to have at least 2 artists sheets. During this time, I was wondering about one of the artists I had chosen, which was Rex Ray. Because with his style of work, I didn't think I could be able to produce that sort of work. So instead I went and searched for another artist. This time I can across a artist called Samuel Price. His work is all based on portraits of pets. He has many fine and outstanding pieces of work. I felt really positive about this artist, with his work based on pets. Which I could do work on myself, with having 2 dogs at home.
Here is my first artist research sheet, about Sandhi Schimmel Gold.
Next is my artist research sheet, about Samuel Price.
Researching and looking more into Samuel's work, I decided to create a piece of one of my dogs. At the time we only just got my second dog Sandy, so I had to take a few photographs of her. Evenetually, I took a photograph which was simple and big enough scale to collage.
At first the photograph had a lot of darkness to it, so i edited it on a app called 'Lumia Creative Studio' which was already based on my phone. Previously, I went and bought various materials at Poundland such as; metallic strips of paper. Reason why I chose these metallic strips, were because they have vibrant colours and excellent textures. Ending results, I am pleased on how effective the image brings with the metallic strips. Furthermore, they show a completely different view on the actually image itself.
Afterwards, I went back and re-created another image of Samuel's work. The piece I chosen is called 'Sunny', which is a border collie dog. Samuel created this piece by using scrap paper. He starts by sketching the image on square paper, so it's easier for him to stick the pieces. I did find this image a little hard to re-create. Because it took at least 2-3 days to finish, also it was hard to find the exact pieces of scrap paper.
Previously, creating a collage portrait of my second dog Sandy. I thought about creating a portrait on my first dog Smudge. This time, instead of taking photos in the ordinal colour. I changed the effect to Black and White. Because I thought about the outlines and a different view of the image, in Black and White which might look great. But then I thought about having a photo of Smudge, in Black and White then showing what the photo would look like in colour. Furthermore, with the image being a smaller scale, I sketched out the image to a bigger scale just showing Smudge. From using magazines and newspaper pieces to collage with, I thought about challenging myself to using a used carrier bag. Using the carrier bag was hard, with the texture being a slippery and crunchy. It was hard to stick the PVA glue onto the pieces of carrier bags, but eventually they managed to stick down and brings out a great texture on my collage.
From all the sketching and collaging, I have been working on. I was told to try a easier option, to save myself time and experiment a little more. The advice I was given was to look at some photographs of portraits. Chose one of those images and then try editing that image, into different effects or possibly collage on top. I viewed and downloaded many apps, that can edit your photos in any form you chose. In my opinion, the best app for editing photos is 'Befunky App'. It has plenty of styles, effects, colours, patterns, borders and text to choose from and add to your photo or photos.
The image I selected is a image of myself, posing and smiling at the camera in my bedroom. Reason why I chose it, was that the image is clear enough. I tried 3 attempts on editing my photo, to make it easier to collage. Here is my first example;
On this image I used the effect called 'Tiles', which has given it a look of collage. But not as good as I thought it would look. Even though this effect shows a similarly look, to how my chosen artists create their work with squares. Next is my second attempt;
This effect is called 'Sketch', which has given the image a ruff outline. But then I thought about adding another effect on top and was curious with the results. So I added another effect 'Charcoal', which gave this finishing look. My final attempt;
Overall, I still wasn't satisfied with the image and how it looked. Until I came across the effect called 'Blur'. This effect blurs out a lot of the black outlines on the image. And gives it a smooth look, which by then I was finally satisfied. Because finally the image is easier enough to start collage on to. Final result;
I am very pleased with the final result and to say it was a photograph, being collaged on top. Still makes the piece look amazing. It did take a few patience to create, especially in the area of my face. Having to cut small pieces up and shaping them into their positions. I used black card and metallic strips of paper, I didn't collage all of the image. Because I thought I may ruin the image, just by sticking loads of materials on top. So I left areas out, which brings out the image a little more.
Afterwards, I thought about some celebrities I'd like to collage. From working on dogs and family photos. Instead my mum has many photos of Elvis Presley, a.k.a 'The King' of rock n roll. Also, she is a huge fan and I wanted to create a piece for her. Going through many photos, until eventually I found the perfect one. With the King himself, posing directly at the camera. In a bright red jacket, shiny black hair and a nice background setting.
Previously, using the metallic strips on paper. I decided to use them for the background and then any old, scrap paper for the rest of the details.
My choice of second celebrity is Dakota Johnson a.k.a actress and well known for her role 'Anastasia Steele' in 5 shades of grey. Reason why I chose her is because she is a beautiful and inspiring person. And I strongly believe she would look greater, in art.
I went online and viewed loads of photographs of Dakota. Until I found a good image, with her posing and smiling. But looking away from the camera, also the background suits her image.
For this collage I tried a completely, different method. Which was to use a hole punched, instead of cutting up squares or pieces. Pretty much preferred this way, with it saving time and showing a great collage. Similar style to mosiac.
My third choice of celebrity was Robin Williams. Because he was my childhood comedian and a legend throughout. I have seen many of his films such as; Robots, Night of the Museum, Jumanji, Nine Months, Toys and so many more.
Instead of choosing one image, I thought to try and push myself by creating another at the same time. During that time and once I chose my images. I was told to try a different shape and experiment a little more with different hole punches. Top image I used a heart hole puncher and a regular, circle hole puncher for the bottom.
From previous projects, I had loads of calico material left. Calico was used to create my canvas's. And then I had the idea of using calico instead of paper to collage on to. I was curious to find out, if you could stick pieces of paper with PVA glue on the material. Before I started collaging, I had to decide on a photo to work on. Going through my sketchbook, I noticed I haven't done any pieces on either myself or family members. So I looked through my mobile for any family photos, instead I chose a photo of myself and my boyfriend Matthew. It's a really good photo and always makes me smile, when I look at it.
Instead of sticking to Sandhi's and Samuel's method of collaging, which is to cut unwanted pieces of paper into squares. I chose to use a regular hole puncher, which makes a circle shape. Because it's a different shape and small. I stuck to same colours on the image, but it was hard. With the PVA being very liquidity, i did struggle to get the pieces stuck down. Eventually, I managed to finish the collage and was so impressed how it looked. It reminds me of mosaic type of work, I am very pleased with the results and experimenting on different materials.
From there I thought about some sheet work, producing A3 sheets based on artist research and development designs. My first sheet was a moodboard, showing critical studie drawings in the artist chosen media. On my moodboard, it's all collage media with various colours. This moodboard shows work from Sandhi Schimmel Gold. Furthermore, this is my best sheet out of them all.
SecondIy, I decided to create a artist research. My first artist research sheet, I based it on Sandhi Schimmel Gold. Firstly, beginning by collecting images of Sandhi's work. Then, later by drawing her work for critical studies. But I am not very pleased with this sheet. Because in my opinion, it looks a mess and with myself constantly changing, adding things.
My second artist research sheet, based on Samuel Price. This artist research sheet is my best so far. Because the critical studies I drew then later collaged. Which were portraits of dogs, looking very well detailed. I started by adding some coloured, tissue paper to the background. I am very pleased with the results of my sheet, including myself knowing that I can create portraits of dogs.
My last sheet is a development, design sheet. Showing my ideas of various collage styles. Such as; buttons, tissue paper, newspaper, magazine's and metallic strips of paper. The image that is collaged is my two dogs, Sandy and Smudge. I tried showing various ways of collating and how they would look. My favourite is the bottom right, with the circle magazine collage. Giving a mosaic look also a tile. The least favourite is the buttons. Because they don't show the image well enough, also it took a long time to sew them on.
Lastly, here is my chosen photograph I used for my final piece. Showing my nephew Kian, with a big red teddy bear behind him. I chose this photo, cause of how clear it is and a great photo. Before I started collaging, I tried editing the photo. By brightening it up a little and try to add effects onto the photo, which might show a good collage effect.
Furthermore, I tried photocopying different backgrounds such as; newspaper or various collaged backgrounds from the internet. Onto my chosen photo for my final piece.
Previously, I'd bought 2 A5 canvas's which I decided to use for my final piece. Beginning by sticking down the photo, onto the canvas then later adding background colour. With various metallic strips of paper. Including, shadows and other details needed filling in. But instead I chose to sew buttons onto the canvas.
My last and final anvas, I chose a photo of my second dog Sandy. Perviously, I took a photograph of Sandy. Laying and facing the camera, which is a excellent shot. But the background was dull, so I decided to brighten up the background. From the coloured, pattern paper dividing the background into 3 sections. Similar to Samuel's style of work.
Same as before, I stuck down the image and then collage on top. Keeping Sandy looking the same, by sticking to the colours and depth of the unwanted paper. Furthermore, adding a little more detail using buttons and a hole puncher. To create different styles of collage.
I am very satisfied with this canvas, I strongly believe it's my best work possible. And was a decent size canvas to work on. Hopefully, in the future I will be working on bigger canvas's.
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