Collagraph Attempt Two

Here is my second attempt at collagraph printing. My first attempt didn't go so well. Because of the colours i'd chosen. For my second attempt, i did the exact same layers for each shape i did. Only this time i'd mananged to create one collagraph print in the colour Blue. Because i wanted to see if i would get the same results like my previous collagraph, when i used a darker colour first. This time when i covered my collagraph in Blue water-based ink, making sure every corver and shape was covered. Next i used some magazine and paper to wipe off any left over ink on my collagraph. I was then ready to move onto the roller machine, which rolls the collagraph onto a piece of paper to create a collagraph print. Finally, once my print finished rolling on the machine. I was really pleased that i'd managed to create a collagraph print, especially you can just make out where the shapes have come through. Even though we were asked to create loads more of collagraph prints. I was happy with the one print i'd created and i didnt have much time left. Because i'd had various other tasks to finish.

Collagraph Mistake

After many lessons working hard on my collagraph, making sure there was enough layers on. Also, my collagraph was dry from varnishing it. Futhermore, finished sticking different materials down such as; cardboard, brown paper, black card and cartridge paper. I finally was able to move onto my next step of my collagraph, which was to start printing by using water-based inks. By spreading a colour water-based ink onto my collagraph, making sure every area was covered. Before we started spreading a colour water-based ink, we were asked to try and experiment with two colours. Because our collagegraphs will look more effective. When i tried to add two water coloured-based inks to my collagraph, it didn't go exactly how i thought it would. Because i had to constantly add a big amount of ink onto my collagraph and try to cover ever area, with a small piece of card. Futhermore, the colours i chose was Brown and Black. Because i wanted to have a Brown background and Black outlines showing were i have added extra layers. To give my collagraph a really good effect. Once i added the coloured water-based ink, Brown and managed to cover up all the areas on my collagraph. Next i had to get either newspaper or magazine and wipe down all the ink from the collagraph. So the layers am wanting to have a different colour, doesn't have the previous colour on them and that they're dry. Then, once i thought my collagraph was dry and ready. I rolled out the coloured water-based ink Black and then began to roll the Black, onto the layers i am wanting to colour. Unfortanly, the collagraph i was wanting to create didn't turn out as well. Because the Black coloured water-based ink didnt go onto the layers i was wanting to colour. Instead it went all over my background colour Brown, which made my collagraph very messy and look untidy. I wasn't really happy with the results i got, but i was determined to carry on with my collagraph prints. Once i had my two colours on my collagraph, i was then ready to place my collagraph onto the bench. Which is a machine that turns a huge roll and places alot of weight onto the print, you're wanting to create. Once my print came out from the otherside of the bench, i took out my collagraph but my print was stuck. I tried many times to carefully, release my print but at the end i ended up wripping my print. So i throw away the print and then i wasn't really intrested in collagraph after that. Because of how my print turned out also the colours i used. Lastly, when i returned to the classroom. I took some time to relax after getting annoyed with my results of my collagraph. And began to create another collagraph, to see if i get the same results again.

Tour de France worksheets

The first worksheet i was asked to create, was a moodboard. With all of my inspiration and ideas of The Tour de France. Firstly, i got my secondary research which is taking images from the internet to use in my work. The images i used were just basic and simple images based of The Tour de France. Such as; bike riders, french flag and the Yorkshire Rose. Futhermore, once i had my secondary research. I was then ready to stretch A3 sheet onto a board. Using gumstrip, blueroll or toilet roll and water to stick down the A3 sheet onto the board. Then when my board was dry enough i was then ready to stick down my images and start some sketches. My sketch ideas came from the images i printed off earlier and some taken from my sketchbook. The media i used on my moodboard was, watercoloured paint, gouche, coloured pencils, pencil and little bit of collage. I do think i could have been more creative. By drawing sketches with more detail and making them bigger. Also there are some areas where i could have go back to and went over with. To make them more eye catching and at a great standard.

Second worksheet had to be an artist research page, their work had to been from the topic Tour de France. It did take me a while to find an artist who's work really stood out to me. Eventually, i came across an artist called Eleanor Grosch. Her work is simplified, playful illustrations and bold, colorful design work. Which is she is very well known for. She enjoys drawing animals, the nature of her work inspired artwork for band posters. Like Wilco, Edwin McCain, Elefant, and Dave Matthews Band early on. The reasons why i chose Eleanor's work. Is because she uses simple and crazy shapes to create either an animal, human or place. And her use of very bold colours makes these shapes stand out and create the image, Eleanor is making. I strongly believe that this worksheet, is my best sheet i've created. Because i've used all the page up, with no white spaces showing. Futhermore, i have used different media such as; gouche, watercoloured paints, coloured pencils and collage. On the right side of my worksheet i did an impressive sketch used in collage. The collaging took me a while to complete, with me having to use different maganzine's and colours. Especially, with my sketch drawn out large. I am really proud of the collage, i have created and now more confident with using collage.

Lastly, my final worksheet had to be a visual sheet. Which means taking all ideas from sketchbook, moodboard and artist research. And then put all my ideas onto another A3 sheet. Once i stuck down an A3 sheet down onto a board, i thought about having a background instead of starting to put my ideas down. Eventually, i decided to use an ink and paint background by putting my paintbrush into ink and making spalt effects onto the sheet. Then do the same method again, instead using paint. Once my background was dry, it started to look effective and a great background. I began my sketches with bike tyre patterns, pieces of Eleanor Grosch's work and various other sketches such as; UK flag, finish flag and the Yorkshire rose. Another sketch i added was the words taken from an image i printed off earlier "KEEP CALM AND TOUR DE FRANCE." I re-created these words in collage, the colour i used was Blue and does look good. But i strongly believe that, if i used the colour Black instead the words will stand out more. But i already used Black for the bike tyre patterns and perfered to mix colours around to have a bright, creative visual sheet. There are some sketches i do believe i can go over a little more such as; French flag, jerseys, bunting. Because they don't really show up as much on my sheet. These sketches mostly blend in then stand out. Futhermore, there are some areas where white space is showing and i will need to continue adding more visiual sketches. Finally, the media i used on this worksheet is pastels, soft pastels, watercoloured paints, gouche and collage. Throughout all my worksheets, i am really glad and impressed with myself for using more media and being more creative.

Tour de France

For this project it was all based around The Tour de France. We were told to make a sketchbook with many annotations, Photographs and drawings of either bikes, riders, maps, (3x) artist research and anything of our choice based on the project. In my opinion i wasn't really interested in this project at first with it being all on Tour de France. Specially with just bikers riding so many miles through towns and villages. But eventually when i started getting ideas what to draw and design in my sketchbook, i started to enjoy the project a little. I decided to do A4 Sketchbook, because i perfer small paper when am drawing and with me not interested in the project i didnt feel up to it. During the time of The Tour de France, we visited a bike show at The Civic in town. Inside there was many displays showing The Tour de France over the years. Especially, models of bikes and tires. Furthermore, there was alot of good information and images to help me with this project. I took many photographs while i was there, it was really helpful visiting the Civic. For my first page of my sketchbook i designed a simple and basic front cover with just the title 'Le Tour de France' in very big letters. Also i only used black paint for the colouring of the letters. Secondly, i decided to have a mind map for my second page. I added alot and many good facts based on The Tour de France, i do think i could have made my mind map more colourful and outstanding. Instead of, writing basic facts on the subject. Thirdly, i decided that for my third page i was going to do a simple collage from a newspaper we were handed from the Civic. I cut out jerseys on what the bikers wear, bikes and the main title 'Bike Show.' My fourth page wasnt at a good standard in my opinion. Because i'd drawn a biker on a bike, cheering after going through the finish line. With a photograph of a biker years ago stuck at the corner then on the other side i stuck a saying based on The Tour de France saying 'A LIFE LONG LOVE OF ALL THINGS PEDAL POWERED.' I strongly agree that i could have done better on this page. The fifth page in my sketchbook was really good and more outstanding in my opinion. Because i'd drawn from a image online and re-created it in watercoloured paints. The image was seven bikers on the road, racing for The Tour de France with sidewalks at the side. This page is my favourtie so far. Because of how i concertrated on the colours and details of the image i was re-creating. Sixth page in my sketchbook i made a collage. Of a famous biker called 'L'ORTOLAN.' It took a long time to collage, but i was really pleased how it turned out in the end. The seventh page in my sketchbook i looked online for images based on Tour de France and found a photograph some took of a road with the direction to The Tour de France and with a field and road in the background. For this page i decided to be more creative and push my comfortable state with using different media and i decided to use pastels. I dont use pastels often because i hate how they smudge and make a mess of work afterwards. But at the time that was the only different media i could use, once i completed the drawing and coloured it in with pastels i was really impressed with myself how i used the pastels. The next page of my sketchbook i did a drawing of a painting which showed a village area and the bikers in the distance. It took me sometime to re-create this painting. Because there was alot of detail in this painting also i had to mix watercoloured paints alot to get the exact colour. Next two pages i did some more collaging. Because i dont really do collage and with the photos i took from The Civic i decided to stick the photos down and make a collage. My last page i did a drawing of a sculpture in a tree done in Harrogate. I re-created this image in shading pencils. Because i am confident when shading and drawing in pencil, with it being easy to rub out mistakes and keep going over it.

Vintage Project Evaulation

For my chosen era I chose to research on the 1950/1960's. Because I know a little history between 1950/1960's with The Beetles, Elvis Presley and specially the ROCK N ROLL times. My mum is a huge fan on Elvis Presley and she has many items on Elvis such as; photographs, paintings, t-shirts, cups, films, books and even a cardboard cut out. So mainly Elvis Presley was my main idea and era to look at. The research I began with was every topic in the 1950/1960's time such as; clothes, music (records, jukebox) dancing and even hairstyles (Elvis Presley). My main aspect while looking into the 1950/1960's is the music (ROCK N ROLL). The main cultural influences for this era was Elvis Presley and Grease. Because Elvis Presley I've watched and listening to his songs and films. Also my mum is a huge fan on him. For my knowledge and research on Elvis Presley, I created a research page in my sketchbook about him. With images of Elvis himself and various items he used and worn. Futhermore, Grease is a well known 1950/1960's film set out in vintage. With ROCK N ROLL, colourful flair dresses, greasy tall hair, leather clothing etc. I had to create a mind map on my chosen era, I used a variety of images chosen from the internet based on my era I have chosen. I was really pleased with my mind map. Because of how many ideas I came up with and the drawings I produced. The media I used on my mind map were watercolours paints, coloured pencils and felt tips. To make my mind map little more interesting. When I completed my mind map, I then had to take some ideas from my mind map and create 4 bunting designs on A2 paper. Firstly, before I began designing my buntings I had to stretch A2 paper onto a board and create a background. For the first sheet background I decided to have ink. Because I wanted to have a really creative and bright buntings. The ink colours I used were green, yellow and orange. And then I poured little amount of ink onto my sheet, used a straw to blow the ink into different places to have a strange effect. Once my background was dry and ready, I then could start designing. I used a triangle template, similar to a pizza slice. And then drawn out 2 bunting shapes onto my sheet then began drawing. My first choice for my bunting was to start with clothes, such as draw out the clothes people wore back in the 1950/1960's. On the bunting I drawn, a flair dress, hat, spotted tie and shoes. Next bunting design i chose to do records, back then they didn't have CD'S they called them records. Records were a big black, round disc which played music. On the second bunting i drawn records all over my bunting and in the middle, i had drawn a record in a gold frame. Showing how records were shown back then. I used acrylic paints for my media. Because with the background i have, using watercolours or coloured pencils or even felt tips. These sort of media wouldn't show to good on ink background. With acrylic paints they stand out more from the page, bringing out the image more. Then once my first bunting design sheet was completed, i started my second design sheet using same method as before. Firstly, i couldn't design what background to use either have a bold, bright colour for my background or just leave it plain. But then i came up with the idea of getting different coloured paint onto a paint pallet and simply flick the paint onto the sheet. Making it look all crazy and colourful. It did take some time though to dry, Eventually, i could draw out my bunting template and start my last 2 designs. My third design was Elvis Presley. Because i had a lot of research and knowledge about him, so simply i used ideas taken from my mind map. I started off with a bold title, which was his name. Then below that i drawn some images of him and one of his first ever records. I wasn't too happy with the media i used for this bunting, which was coloured pencils. Because i didn't use the right artist coloured pencils. Instead i used my very own, which were quite cheap and useless in my opinion. Because you don't get much colour out of them and leaves the image you colour a mess. Lastly, for my final bunting design i came up with a idea of using Peter Blake style of work. Taken from my artist research because i am really fascinated by his work and how he shows it. So i created on of his grid designs with various things in the vintage times. Such as; the England flag, united states flag, rainbow (peace), red star and black and white. But i do think i could of added for of Peter Blake's work. Because in some areas of this bunting were empty. But in the areas what were empty, shows my background off very nicely. Futhermore, when both A2 sheets were done and had all 4 designs completed. I was then ready to heat transfer my buntings, which it was the easier solution with the little time i had. Before i could heat transfer my buntings, i had to go downstairs and have my designs made onto magic touch paper. So that when i do heat transfer my designs they will simply go straight onto the calico. When the magic touch paper was done, i was then ready to use the heat presser machine. The temperature had to be at least 180 degrees, for the design to fully heat onto the calico. For each design i heat pressed, i quickly had to peel off the magic touch paper away from the calico. Because it would make the design fade. This time using the heat presser i felt more confident with using it. Because before i had to have someone use it for me and i didn't do it to the right temperature. Furthermore, when i used the heat presser for all designs i then had to use crocodile scissors instead of ordinal ones. Because the crocodile scissors while stop the calico from shredding and it gives the bunting a nice pattern along the sides. My time management throughout this project was handled okay in my opinion. Because with other topics and work we had to do, i lost time for this project. Also i was getting too busy and focused on other work, i could have improved my time management by getting equipment for Art. Because when i take my work home some occasions i couldn't complete my work, without the proper equipment. In my opinion it was a challenge this project, having to create and complete it all for a client. Doing this project for a client has showed me what work is like when being an artist. With getting things done and ready on time. Overall i am satisfied with the designs i came up with also that i created some buntings. Because when it came close to handing it the work, i was worried that i wouldn't be able to have my buntings ready. But eventually, i managed to get other work completed and had time to get my buntings completed. I wouldn't change anything for this project, it's been a challenge and interesting to be part of.

Evaulation Fine Art

For the start of this project I began by creating a mind map on the topic "Yourself." On my mind map I wrote many things about myself such as; hobbies, interests, family, friends, holidays I've been on and my future. Also on my mind map I added photos of myself from a younger age. After my mind map was completed I then started my 4x sheets on the things that either make me happy or things I like. My first page was about me and my best friend Tasha. Because Tasha is a very special person in my life and we've know each other for many years. Me and her have shared and created a lot of great memories. The media I chose for this page is watercolour paints. Because the photo I chose to re create of me and Tasha, the colours were dark and simple. Secondly, I chose my family because I have a wonderful family and we've shared some great times together. Media I chose for this page was coloured pencils. Because I wanted to make a change of my media. Thirdly, I chose my dog Smudge. Because he's my pet and been apart of my life for a long time. The media I chose for this page is collage. Because I wanted to show how creative I am also I wanted portrait of our smudge to stand out. My last page is about me and my boyfriend Matt. I chose this topic because he's very close and special person in my life. The media I chose for this page is pencil, I haven't done much work in pencil (shading). For these 4x pages I drawn from photos. Once my mind map and pages were completed. I then had to come up with designs for my final project, which meant I have to create another mind map for me to have an idea on my final design. For my final design I came up with the idea from my Prom. I went through all my photos from Prom and came up with an idea of creating a portrait of me, posing to the camera while sat in the car before I went to the prom. Because it is a really good photo of me and the image was captured perfectly. I printed the image off and then started to describe my thoughts and reasons why I chose Prom as my final design. Once I was sure on my idea I then began drawing out my photo into my A2 sketchbook. When my portrait was all drawn out, I then had to decide what media to use. Such as; acrylic paints or watercolours. But in my opinion acrylic paints are bright colours. And the only thing what was bright on the photo was my dress, which was purple. Furthermore, am not really good at mixing colours, so I decided to go with watercolours. Because I am really confident with watercolours and watercolours are easily to blend. I am pleased that my portrait came out very well especially with skin colour, I had to blend yellow, orange, pink and brown to get a nice brown, orange skin tone. Second part for the fine art project, we had to do a observational drawing on objects what are close to us. I decided to choose my earphones, my purse and a teddy bear which belong to my granddad. On this teddy bear it has the spade, heart, diamond and club. Because my granddad loved playing cards and all card games what were about. Therefore, there were the only things what were close to me in my opinion. Before I could start this observational drawing I had to position my objects into a good place were I could easily and simply draw the objects. I finally chose were I wanted my objects and then I began my observational. It did take me a while with adding shading and detail. I had to create 4 observational sketches from my objects, they had to be 4 different areas of my objects. Also in different media, the first drawing it had to be the whole observational drawing also done in shading. Second drawing I chose to zoom in on my teddy and were I placed the earphones over my teddy. The media I chose were mixed media, such as; green and purple tissue paper, red and black card and newspaper. I used the green tissue paper and newspaper for my background and newspaper for the colour of my teddy. Because my teddy was a grey/white colour. Also I used the red and black card for the shapes of the spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs. Lastly, I used the purple tissue paper for the colour of my earphones. My third observational drawing I decided to have a ink background with the colours yellow, orange and red. Because I wanted a bright background compared to a basic white background. This time I decided to zoom in on my purse but also have some of my bear showing. So the drawing doesn't look bare. Futhermore, for our third observational drawing we had to use coloured pencils. Lastly, with our final observational drawing I chose to draw bottom of my purse and my earphones with my bear's foot showing. And the media I had to use were coloured pastels. Using the coloured pastels, it went well then what I expected. Because coloured pastels are a messy media and my drawing was small to colour in. The artists I looked at through the tasks and this project were Peter Blake and Hennie Haworth. I chose these two artists because Peter Blake has a colourful side when creating his work, he doesn't use dark colours he brightens up his work with colours of the rainbow for example. And his work is usually set out in a grid which is unusual and not everyday art you see nowadays. Hennie Haworth has a bold and basic way of showing her work in my opinion. Because she doesn't use any colour in her work only black. But her work does look interesting and catches your eye because they look just like a drawing apart from no colour. I have used Peter Blake's style of art onto my final piece for my observational drawings. Which was similar to how our observational drawings were set out, 4 drawings set out like a window frame. And I took little parts of my observational drawings drawn them out and then coloured them in acrylic paints. Just like Peter Blake uses bright colours in his work. The things what went well throughout this project was that I was always on task and was carefully planning out and took my time creating some great sheet work. Some point during the project, I started losing my time to get work up to date and completed. But eventually, I managed to get work I needed to do completed and finished. By staying behind after class getting work done or either take my work home. Throughout this project it has been a challenge and very interesting with various topics we were looking at. In my opinion I don't think anything needed changing. Because the project has been quite hard and challenging which makes it more interesting to do also projects like this help me to work on my timing to get things ready and completed on time. Also to look at things I have never heard or come across before. Overall satisfaction for this project is good. Because I prefer challenges and topics which make you study more and learn new ways and things. As it will help me, develop and become better for future projects. Things I have learnt during this project is creativity and especially timing.

Experimental portrait evaulation

For my experimental portrait i strongly believe that my time management was handeld really well. Because i was really into the project and working on protraits. Plus, i show a really creative side when i work on something i am intrested in. Even though we only have 2 hours on Monday's lesson. I still managed to get my experimental portrait finished and done upto a outstanding standard, in my opinion. I didn't finish the experimental portrait straight away, once the porject was set it took me a week to get it fully completed. Because i had other work set and needed doing before the experimental portrait project ended. I chose Amy Critchley for my experimental portrait. Because on the table i was sat at, Amy and Zoe had already made decisions to draw each other. But, i decided if we did each other such as; Amy draws Zoe, Zoe draws Me and i draw Amy. Once our choices were final on who's drawing who, we then had to get a camera from Media on floor 5 and take various photos of each other. The only photos we could have were from the head to chest only. We took 10 photos at least of each other, once we took the photos we headed back upstairs. From there we then had to chose only 4 photos. The 4 photos we had to chose, had to be good. Finally, when i chose my best 4 photos of my model i then had to come to a decision which photo i would like to draw for my experimental portrait. In my opinion i could have chosen a better photo of my model such as; pulling a face or hand covering face. Because the photo i chose of Amy was a simple and basic photo of her, were she was standing and looking straight ahead at the camera with a smile. Before i could start drawing my model photo, we could use a easier way to draw a portrait by using a method called 'Grid method'. In my opinion, i perfered to get on with my portrait. Because if i used the grid method, it would take me ages to get my portrait completed with filling in all the small squares. But, with me drawing alot at home i feel alot more comfortable without the grid method. So i began straight ahead drawing my model photo. When i got all the outline and detail done and accurate. I had to decide where and what techinques i learnt in various lessons such as; ink, black paper with brown paper and newspaper, emulsion, black paper. I tried making my portrait crazy and outstanding as possible by using all these techiques. Firstly, i had the idea to have a ink background but the ink didnt look right for the background. So instead i put emulsion all over the ink back ground. But i did have ink effect on my model, so i decided to keep it like that. Because in my opinion, it makes my model stand out and looks really effective. For her hair i chose coloured pencils. Because with coloured pencils they're a nice media to use especially, for hair. It really brings out colour and effect. Also, if you didnt like the colour you could just simply get white or bright colour to bring the image back out. With her jumper she wore, i did perfer to just paint it how the jumper was. But, i was told that i could be more creative and use newspaper, brown paper and black paper and collage it. So i did, but also on the photo she worn her line guard. Which is, Red. So i decided to stick small pieces of black card. It really brought out her line guard with her jumper collaged. I strongly believe that the only challenges i faced was time and decisions on media i was gonna use. Finally, i didnt face any problems during this project.