Life studies Life drawing in ink
Life drawing was a new experience for me , and I found it a very interesting to study the human form in its most raw and natural form - the shape of the figure not warped by any garments or outfit . I started the session with a few warm up sketches to get to grips with the form and shape . I started off by just using charcoal to give a very free and expressive stroke , the first piece focused of the line of the model and I tried to get the accurate proportions of her limbs and head . I then did another quick study using light grey ink and we focused on just tones this time , I found it a challenge to distinguish between limbs especially those of the same tone and it was hard to resist the temptation to outline the different forms . To create a more extended piece I combined these two techniques starting with the charcoal and then adding the ink to add tone and shadow . Finally I then drew the model in a different position over the top of the original one to create a more layered and interesting piece . I then repeated this process for another study using three layers .
My first piece has the ghostly outline of the model in a standing positing which is very simplistic and light done with light ink . The second form over the top is of a darker hue and is much more detailed , this one is done in charcoal and includes line and tone . The composition works well as the two figures are of very different style and the composition is not too messy . I also didn ’ t try to depict the facial features of the woman because I wanted the main focus on the piece to be the shape and form of the figures . The over all piece is very calm with the soft figure behind and the almost Buddha like position of the main seated pose in front .
The second piece as a little more messy as there is a more detailed ink sketch under the detailed charcoal one and then there is an even darker more detailed charcoal one on top of that so there are three sketches in three different positions in total . The composition is confusing as it is a mix of limbs of different hue , however I think it portrays much more energy than the first as it is more complex and I have used much darker aggressive line . Where the other was calm this piece as busy and chaotic .
Skulls in Ink
In Brooke Walker ’ s collection ‘ Bone paintings ’ one of the pieces to the top right depicts a skull on a deep red background - it is done in oils . The main skull seems to have a yellow light shining from behind it casting deep red shadows on the delicate frame of the animal skull . The extremely rich colour pallet gives the painting a real senses of depth and warmth - it is unusual to see a skull drawn in this colour pallet . The position of the skull gives the form some life , as it is as if whatever animal the skull belongs to is sniffing the air , and something about the set of the jaw makes it seem as if it is smiling - laughing even . The light white lines along the top of the skull give a refreshing spark light in the deep rich colour pallet and the contrast emphasises the depth of the shadows .
Furthermore , in the piece to the bottom right , the skull is once again on a deep red background however the character of this skull is quite different . In a similar way , it is brought to life by the expression on its face , but this is one of pain , even terror . The animal skull seems to be screaming with its mouth open and its eyes wide . This piece also seems darker as there is no yellow light , even the white highlights on the top seem grey and the shadow cast make the skull seem menacing .
Bone paintings Brooke Walkers collection
Still life ’ s by me
Kate Nicholls
Negatiev / positive - Tim Baker Gabriella - Tim Baker
Skull heads in ink and chalk by me
In negative / positive by Tim Baker we are presented with two nude forms , they are both darwings of the same figure but the When creating my skull still life I started with a similar process to that of the life drawings except these were done in are opposite , the one on the left is done in ink pen and have a very scratchy instinctive feel , the one on the right is done also only ink . I started with some warm-up initial quick ink sketches , one focusing on the silhouette , one on line and one on in ink but drawn with a brush and so seems smoother . The figure on the right is darker but with a lighter background where the tone . I placed a skull of a sheep under a lamp so that it would cast some interesting shadows on the skull . I found that as the one on the left is the opposite . The artist has used this contrast to express the different forms of the model - to show adding lots of ink and water so that it would spread could create an interesting shadow effect . I then did a more extended piece combining all these techniques and then I finished it off by adding a small amount of yellow ink along the top in the just the figure and shape of the body in the left and to show the shadows and tone of the flesh on the right . The simplicity of lightest part and I found that this created a warmer feel to the piece and the flash of colour that is so contrasting with the the figures has a calming effect on the viewer and this is emphasised by the seemingly meditative pose of the figure and finally greyscale adds a point of interest . this theme of meditative spirituality is shown in the title ‘ Negative / Positive ’ which links to the idea of the yin yang and even To create my final piece I started on yellow card and built up the ink on the top of it - letting the yellow shine through the contrasting colours of this piece remind me of the symbol . In some sense this work is similar to mine as I had done two in the lighter bits . In the very lightest bits I even added some white chalk . I found that with a mixture of the yellow separate versions of the same model - one for line and one for tone in my work I had layered them on top of each other background and some light grey ink I could create a mottled midtone which had a good resemblance to the texture of
Oscar Petter
Edie Sackville-West
“ Nature ’ s Energies ” Karen Benedetti
Karen Benedetti creates abstract encaustic pieces , such as the two pictured “ Nature ’ s Energies ” and “ Surf Splendor ”. I was inspired by these pieces to create my encaustic pieces in a number of different ways . The abstract nature of Karen Benedetti ’ s pieces , creature a more expressionistic feel , which is what I tried to emulate in my pieces . The chaotic nature of the work lends it self to interpretation of the audience . For “ Nature ’ s Energies ”, the cool colour palette and flecks of light over large areas of dark , accentuate the energy from the title of the piece . The layering of tones creates a certain dynamism of the piece , with the illusion of mountain shapes in the background , adding to the natural and elemental feel of the piece .
“ Surf Splendor ”, by Karen Benedetti , as a more varied colour palette than “ Nature ’ s Energies ”. This piece has a range of cool and warm tones , but with the title “ Surf Splendor ”, and the idea of water or waves , the warm tones are the most unexpected and slightly incongruent with the theme , which adds to the mysterious atmosphere . This piece is also abstract , which allows the audience to use their imagination as to what they think the piece represents , retaining the audience ’ s interest in the piece .
Inspiration for the combination of the lithograph and the encaustics work for my piece came from artwork by Susan Derges . These pieces , “ River Tam Blackthorn ” and “ The Steens Alder ” inspired the monotone lithograph prints , and the rippled effect of the water inspired the encaustics in my piece with the rippling of the lithograph piece underneath .
The choice of branches as the subject of Susan Derges ’ pieces , create an ominous feel , as the delicate details of the branches are overwhelmed by the tumultuous reflection of the water rippling . The perspective of being underwater is also interesting , as it is slightly disorienting and mysterious . The water effect fuelled my interest in the layering of water-like images or materials , over works of art .
Ellie Vowell |
Isobel Wild |
“ Surf Splendor ” Karen Benedetti |
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Sophie Wilkinson
“ The Steens Alder ” Susan Derges
Karoline Woggon Lucy Zuo
Photography : David Merewether . Design : Andy Solanky . Printed by Pureprint .