I have twice heard of study where a group was split into two,one group asked to make a single magnificent drawing, the other asked to make many drawings, they (the second group) would be judged by the pound or weight of their work at the end of the study time. In both studies, the group that worked by weight created better master pieces than the group that worked on only one. I'm sure mistakes were made, corrected in subsequent work and many lessons learned from the faster working group. With that in mind I began some collage work. Over painting the pages in two small books, I began with a collage or two a day. As with anything, my incorporation of elements came and went. My long ears, or horns versus long skinny legs changed as I tired of them. In one book I painted the pages black, the other cream. Interestingly I found it was easier to work in the black book than the cream one. Intimidation comes from whiter pages - maybe?
Making collages is so varied, my trigger was a class by Lynn Whipple. Her work makes me laugh, which is exactly what I wanted. Faces are generally used, in this case old cabinet cards are scanned, the foundation for characters that are driven by the papers you add around them or just their expression. I have almost filled both books with a one in three satisfaction rate. I like one for every three made. The beauty of all of this is that you can then photograph them and add more digitally.
Here are a couple that I have liked.
To better understand how it works, here are 2 with before and afters.
My intensive study of anatomy helped with appendage detail.
I know it looks like child play, but for the artist it's a study in negative and positive space. The key is to ignore the business that's underneath and create negative space. You're supposed to use a large paint brush and just let it flow. Which is the hardest part, the brain wants to fight your decisions. But even as you feel confusion as you move through each one, there is a subconscious element. Colors and elements do something together that you didn't realize.
Lynn Whipple emphasizes that the movement of your hands, making something physically, will make you happier. Decidedly different than using the computer. I've already bought two more books to alter. Like I said, I'm caught in collage.
Comments