Monday
I will talk briefly about my journey as an
artist showing examples of my work starting with my early figurative work and
culminating with my current abstract work. I will ask participants to introduce
themselves and talk about why they wish to develop their skills in
the abstract, their individual direction and what they hope to
learn from this course. This will be followed by a brief discussion and
questions. After this I will present a slide show consisting of a collection of
random contemporary and historical abstract paintings. Then we will proceed
with a brief course outline with its aims and objectives and material choices.
For paint I suggest we use a good acrylic paint mainly because it is most
similar to traditional oil but it is less toxic and has faster drying
properties.
During the week I will talk about, and
show examples of the work of various historical and contemporary painters
in order to help you find your direction.
Students will also be encouraged to consider
the appropriate scale to their work, be it tiny or huge, and to experiment with
scale. Suggestions for mixed media will also be discussed. Different surfaces
will be provided and students will be encouraged to experiment with different
coloured grounds and the use of different textures. Attention will be paid to
colour, tone, line and composition.
3 Exercises will be suggested as starting
points to be carried out during the course of the week, culmination in one
large final piece to be exhibited at the end of the week.
Exercise 1. A collection of natural objects
will be provided and students will be asked to do a series of loose, rapid,
timed drawings. Small sections of these drawings which be used to
do a final study, on board.
Tuesday
At the beginning of days 2, 3 and 4, I would
like to start with a talk and slide show on the work of a famous abstract
painter. I would like the participants to bear in mind that they need to make
choices in terms of how they would position themselves as an abstract painter.
Do they see themselves as expressionist, spontaneous or a more analytical
artist?
A talk with slides about the work of famous
English painter William Turner, whose later work laid the way for future
abstract painters.
We will then consider exercise 2. Spend the
rest of the day developing and resolving the study.
Exercise 2.
Choose a photograph from a magazine. Tear up
this photograph and assemble/glue these pieces onto a piece of A4 paper.
Choosing an area of this collage as a starting point do an abstract
painting.
In the process of considering these solutions
I will talk about visual problem solving, line, tone, colour, texture,
materials, surface, surface ground and composition. All these issues can be
contentious in regard to the abstract. For example, one can substitute
traditional brushes and palette knives with sponges, twigs or any other tool.
Paints could be traditional artists' materials but similarly they could be
commercial paints and glues etc. Colour can be a difficult starting point for
the abstract artist. The artist's palette could be "borrowed” from the
figurative world or chosen from commercial paint samples.
In the afternoon we will look at the work of
John Golding.
Spend the rest of the day developing and
resolving the study on a small canvas.
We will then proceed with talking about
exercise 3
Exercise 3. This exercise will be a free
choice exercise and students will be encouraged and guided to
develop their own directions on board. Proceed until the study is
resolved.
After the lunch break we will look briefly at
the work of the French Impressionist artist Claude Monet 1840 - 1926
whose work was influenced by the later work of William Turner. The rest of the
afternoon will be spent painting.
Wednesday
This day will start with a talk on the work of
Ben Nicholson and a look at his work. The day will be spent developing
their final solution. This colour study will be done on card and the day will
be spent developing their idea. Students now have 3 possible solutions to
choose from, one of which they must choose and start working on to a larger
scale.
After the lunch break we will look at the work
of the contemporary British painter FayeBridgewater. The rest of the
afternoon will be spent painting.
Thursday
We will start with a talk on the work of
Stella Hidden and then we will look at her work. At this point the work produced
so far will be hung and students will be encouraged to review their work and
talk about the plan for their next and final piece. Students will then with
guidance and discussion start on the final piece from the colour studies.
Students will be free to work on a scale appropriate to their chosen direction,
be it bigger or smaller.
After the lunch break we will look briefly at
the work of the contemporary painter Betty Franks Krause. The rest of the
afternoon will be spent painting.
Friday
This day will be spent finalising the final
piece and then presenting the work to be appraised by myself, the artist and
the other participants. The final piece will belong to the students and they
will take this with them, after hopefully allowing me to photograph it.
We will then conclude the course and I would
welcome feedback on the week.
Equipment Required
Basic tools and materials will be supplied,
but you might find it useful to bring a mobile phone camera or other camera
with you as well as an apron/overalls and your favourite tools and materials.
Background Reading List
Any reading on Abstract painting would be
beneficial as would be reading on any of the artists mentioned.
