Some Images from the Autumn Term

I managed to take a few photos towards the end of term of some of the group working on their final projects.

Here is Martin working on his concertina book illustration of Cambridge.

Lyn works on her canal journey scene in acrylics.

Rosy is producing a series of large scale mixed media pieces based on shells.

Gourds have been Kate's subject matter producing prints, a chalk pastel drawing and an oil painting and here she works on an oil pastel piece.

Emily is working on lino printed book covers which she makes up into hard back hand made books.

Working from one of her own plant photos, Julia is producing a chalk pastel drawing.

Using inks, Jenni is working on illustrations for her own hand lettered book.

Many thanks to all this term's group.

Artists Who Create Books

Catherine Nash

Based in Tucson, Arizona Catherine travels widely and specialises in mixed media drawing, encaustic painting and handmade paper.

Often working in various book forms, such as concertina, her work is atmospheric and evocative.

Jill McKeown

 This artist from Northern Ireland bases her work on the passage of time and memory. She uses photography, print and handmade books

Art Bus - Galleries Night

If you don't get much opportunity to visit local art galleries, this event is for you. On Friday 30th October between 5pm and 9pm there will be special buses providing a shuttle service between mac, The Barber Institute (Birmingham University), IKON, Parkside Gallery (Birmingham City University), RBSA and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. All the galleries are opening late for the event. Click on the link to each gallery to see what's on. View the timetable here.

Artists Who Use Collage as Texture and Tone

Collage can be used in many ways. It can simply be a background texture or tone. Carefully selected newspaper cuttings can lend some extra meaning to an artwork. Cut or torn paper collage can become part of the image itself and in some cases create the whole artwork. 

Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) and Georges Braque (1882-1963) 

The pioneers of Cubism started to experiment with collage around 1912, using cut and torn paper as a background surface.  Juan Gris (1887-1927) was influenced by their work and took the process further.

Kurt Schwitters (1887-1948)

Kurt was known as the 'Master of Collage'. He fled the Nazis, travelling across Norway and eventually settled in Britain. Throughout his travels he collected newspapers, bus tickets, receipts even pieces of wood that he incorporated into his paintings.

John Piper (1903-1992)

Many of John's landscape collages were made on the spot, using collage materials that he carried with him. During WWII he worked as a war artist recording buildings threatened or damaged by bombing.

William Kentridge (1955- )

The South African born artist often works on a large scale using newspaper backgrounds for his charcoal and ink drawings.

Mark Hearld (1974- ) 

Mark is inspired by British flora and fauna, and uses collage to create texture in his illustration and print based work.

Concertina Sketchbook Project

You have been given a small concertina sketchbook to work into over the next few weeks. A concertina sketchbook allows you to think of your sketchbook drawings as a continuous process rather than as separate entries. I have shown you one I am currently working on as an example but there are different ways in which you can approach the idea of continuity. This can be continuity of perspective - a panoramic view of a room, a street or a landscape, or could be continuity of time - perhaps a drawing done of the same thing over a period of time i.e. everyday at the same time. It could even encompass both ideas and be the record of a particular journey, on foot, on the bus or train.

The following are some examples of artists whose work may give you some inspiration.

Stephen Wiltshire's incredible panoramic cityscape drawings:

Maryclare Foa's 'Walking Drawings':

 (obviously take care if trying this idea!)

Alfred Wainwright's guides:

Richard Long's records of landscapes walked:

Stephen Taylor's drawings of a single oak tree made over three years:

Claude Monet's 'Series' paintings of the same subjects in different light/weather conditions:

If you simply google 'concertina sketchbooks' then lots of different examples will come up. You can use photography or collage as part of your project, but try to incorporate as much original drawing as you can. You can cut away parts of the sketchbook pages, but make sure you keep the integrity of its structure.

Artists Who Collect and Arrange

Most artists accumulate collections throughout their working lives, for many the collection inspires their practice, for some the collection becomes part of their work.

Sue Lawty (1954 - )

Sue is a textile artist who works with natural objects, such as small stones, fossils and beach-combed wood. These objects are arranged and woven into intricate patterns that feel as if they reach back to our primeval past.

Peter Blake (1932 - )

The eminent British Pop Artist continues to work today and is famous for his vast collection of art curios, toys, memorabilia, postcards, folk and fairground art and pop ephemera. His collection has both inspired and become his art throughout his long career.

Sonia Delaunay (1885 - 1979)

Born in Russia and living in Paris, in 1911 Sonia used her traditional skills to make a hand made quilt for her baby son from scraps of collected fabric. This is often seen to be the key inspiration for a whole art movement, Orphism, which she co-founded with her husband Robert. Strong colours and geometric shapes prevailed throughout her painting and textiles.

Joseph Cornell (1903 - 1972)

Joseph would wonder the street markets and junk stores of his native New York and collect Victorian bric-a-brac, old post cards and books. Inspired by the Surrealists, he began to place selected items in glass fronted boxes that the viewer could interpret in their own way. He became the foremost assemblage artist. His work is currently on display at the Royal Academy until 27th September.

Peter Randall-Page (1954 -)

Peter is inspired by the structure of seeds. He produces sculpture and large scale drawings of the incredible geometric patterns on the surfaces of these tiny natural objects.

 Vanley Burke (1951 - )

 Born in Jamaica, Vanley moved to Birmingham in 1965 with his family, he came to be regarded as one of the foremost recorders of the Black British community, through his renowned photography and a personal archive that fills his flat in Nechells. Much of the contents of his flat is currently on display at the Ikon Gallery (until 27th September).