Monday, 11 August 2008
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
Friday, 4 July 2008
Wednesday, 2 July 2008
New Approaches to Mixed Media
This six week course, run by Julie Gowers, completed the Society's studio programme for the year. The aim of these sessions was to demonstrate how new technologies, such as digital cameras, scanners, printers, certain computer software and other devices can extend creative options when used in combination with more traditional media and processes. Members began by producing starting points using a variety of conventional materials and methods, which they then developed further using electronic processes, such as scanning or taking a digital photograph of what they had created. Some of the results were then manipulated using the digital imaging software, PhotoShop.
Two sessions were carried out in a room equipped with computers and not only were some basic PhotoShop tools and commands practised but members were also shown how to research images on the Internet and access the Society's own website. Apart from discovering how to combine and build upon artwork produced in either physical or electronic media, those who attended the ICT sessions also experienced how digital tools can be used independently to produce artwork with its own particular characteristics.
Most of the activities however, were intended to focus upon the equivalents that can be identified in each area, so tasks involved collage, the creation of semi-transparent layers and a wide variety of techniques and effects.
Over the weeks, those who attended the sessions became more willing to experiiment with the electronic devices and increasingly comfortable in using them. The different activities were succesfully blended with more familiar art and design methods and some very exciting and original pieces were achieved.
Artists always seem prepared to try something new and then use what has been experienced to realise a personal outcome. It was a great pleasure to see what had been produced at the final session and the many different ways each person, irrespective of their past experience with ICT, had applied what they had learnt. Here are a few examples.
Coloured rectangles were photographed using a slow time setting and the camera moved during the exposure. The image was then manipulated in PhotoShop and used later in combination with other images which had been created using both electronic and traditional media.
Gradients were created in PhotoShop and used as backgrounds for other superimposed images.
Collages and drawings created from traditional media were combined with digital images.
Photographs, were combined with both traditional and electroonic images using a copier. The images were superimposed to build, layer upon layer, complex pictures.
These examples show how a starting point, a collage or other conventionally produced image can be extended using electronic tools, such as digital imaging software, a digital camera, copier and printer .
Anna began with a collage from magazine strips, photographed it and transformed the image in PhotoShop. She applied further tools and commands to produce a result that could resource a block print.
Irene photographed one of her watercolours of lilies, modified it in PhotoShop and then placed it on a gradient background. She selected an area from the image and enlarged it onto watercolour paper. She used the digital image to inspire her use of colour and effects, coming full circle through her use of different tools and media. She has shown how both pysical and electroinc media can successfully interact.
Two sessions were carried out in a room equipped with computers and not only were some basic PhotoShop tools and commands practised but members were also shown how to research images on the Internet and access the Society's own website. Apart from discovering how to combine and build upon artwork produced in either physical or electronic media, those who attended the ICT sessions also experienced how digital tools can be used independently to produce artwork with its own particular characteristics.
Most of the activities however, were intended to focus upon the equivalents that can be identified in each area, so tasks involved collage, the creation of semi-transparent layers and a wide variety of techniques and effects.
Over the weeks, those who attended the sessions became more willing to experiiment with the electronic devices and increasingly comfortable in using them. The different activities were succesfully blended with more familiar art and design methods and some very exciting and original pieces were achieved.
Artists always seem prepared to try something new and then use what has been experienced to realise a personal outcome. It was a great pleasure to see what had been produced at the final session and the many different ways each person, irrespective of their past experience with ICT, had applied what they had learnt. Here are a few examples.
Coloured rectangles were photographed using a slow time setting and the camera moved during the exposure. The image was then manipulated in PhotoShop and used later in combination with other images which had been created using both electronic and traditional media.
Gradients were created in PhotoShop and used as backgrounds for other superimposed images.
Collages and drawings created from traditional media were combined with digital images.
Photographs, were combined with both traditional and electroonic images using a copier. The images were superimposed to build, layer upon layer, complex pictures.These examples show how a starting point, a collage or other conventionally produced image can be extended using electronic tools, such as digital imaging software, a digital camera, copier and printer .
Anna began with a collage from magazine strips, photographed it and transformed the image in PhotoShop. She applied further tools and commands to produce a result that could resource a block print.
Irene photographed one of her watercolours of lilies, modified it in PhotoShop and then placed it on a gradient background. She selected an area from the image and enlarged it onto watercolour paper. She used the digital image to inspire her use of colour and effects, coming full circle through her use of different tools and media. She has shown how both pysical and electroinc media can successfully interact.
Sunday, 29 June 2008
End of term "Show and Tell"
Julie ended her successful Mixed media and Photoshop sessions, by reviewing the amazingly varied output of the members who had attended. There was general agreement that the sessions had promoted innovative techniques with new technology, forcing us to question any prejudices we may have held about using a computer as yet another artists tool.
Monday, 26 May 2008
Exhibition Info.
For everyone interested in artist's books, there is a free exhibition at The V & A Museum entitled "Blood on Paper, The Art of the Book".
It shows how artists have used almost any medium to create a book, such as basic pigments used by Richard Long in his hand prints compared to lazer-cut paper by Anish Kapoor.
There are historical works alongside contemporary interpretations of the book which make this an intriguing exhibition.
It continues until June 29th.
Friday, 23 May 2008
Using The Blog!
If you would like to contribute to the Society's Blog by posting examples of your artwork, recommendations about an exhibition you have seen, a place you have visited or anything else you think other members would be interested in, give your email address to Julie Gowers and you will soon be able to post messages and download images here. There is help about how to do this on the site or Julie can give you some basic info.
Thursday, 22 May 2008
Exhibition at Brentwood School
The Society has been invited to take part in an exhibition of artwork at Brentwood School, where the group holds its bi-weekly sessions.
The work, which can be unframed, should be brought to the school on Thursday, 12th June.
We are delighted to be taking part in this event, which occurs in our fiftieth anniversay year and the Committee looks forward to support from members.
The work, which can be unframed, should be brought to the school on Thursday, 12th June.
We are delighted to be taking part in this event, which occurs in our fiftieth anniversay year and the Committee looks forward to support from members.
New Approaches to Mixed Media
Julie Gowers is currently running sessions on combining conventional materials and processes with electronic media on Monday evenings at Brentwood School. Tasks include collage using found materials and the use of digital cameras, scanners, and inkjet printers.
The aim is to experience how traditional and modern methods can interact and reveal new creative possibilities. Some sessions take place in a fully equipped ICT room where the software PhotoShop is used to extend and resource traditional methods as well as learn how to generate original digital images. How the Internet can be used for research is also demonstrated.
The aim is to experience how traditional and modern methods can interact and reveal new creative possibilities. Some sessions take place in a fully equipped ICT room where the software PhotoShop is used to extend and resource traditional methods as well as learn how to generate original digital images. How the Internet can be used for research is also demonstrated.
Painting Weekend in Sevenoaks
The May painting weekend this year took place in Sevenoaks, Kent and was led by Dominic Kennedy. Despite the wonderful warm weather of the previous week, as soon as the group arrived in the grounds of Knole House, paintbrushes in hand, the rain began to fall. Some who in a bygone age would have starved in a garret for their art, braved the downpour and sat beneath trees and in sheltered corners to apply the vision of Cezanne, as encouraged by our tutor, to their impressions of the lush green park, within which the grand house stands.
Less hardy members huddled in cars and peered through steamy windows, only emerging for lunch at the tearooms and to explore the National Trust shop.
The next day, although still cool, was sunny and the beautiful location, where the garden designer Vita Sackville West was born, and where tame fallow deer roam freely, colud be enjoyed and studied in more comfort.
In the evenings the group met for meals in The Bull at Otford, whch provided an exellent menu. As always the weekend was an enjoyable social event, as well as providing a glimpse of a place some had not visited before and the chance to celebrate the artwork of others.
Less hardy members huddled in cars and peered through steamy windows, only emerging for lunch at the tearooms and to explore the National Trust shop.
The next day, although still cool, was sunny and the beautiful location, where the garden designer Vita Sackville West was born, and where tame fallow deer roam freely, colud be enjoyed and studied in more comfort.
In the evenings the group met for meals in The Bull at Otford, whch provided an exellent menu. As always the weekend was an enjoyable social event, as well as providing a glimpse of a place some had not visited before and the chance to celebrate the artwork of others.
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