Reflection - ‘peep show’

For our first project ‘peep show’ we were asked to make ‘windows’ out of boxes/ containers, inspired by artists such as James Hyde, Joseph Cornell and Jessie Brennan, and use these windows as a basis/ structure for our drawings. We had to consider the light source in relation to our window, whilst making the drawings. I decided not to put objects in my window because I didn’t want to ruin the luminous effect that the torch produced on the inside of the box. I decided to rip the rather than cut my box neatly because I like the physicality of its appearance when ripped and torn and also wanted to minimise the amount of light entering my box so I only made narrow tears rather than cutting a large shape out of it. I used silver foil to add some textural depth to my window and I ripped it similarly to the way I ripped the cardboard box.

Several artists inspired my window and my drawings; I had a discussion with my tutor who told me to look at the works of Oscar Murillo who’s work I really liked because of its physicality of the use of paint and layering as well as bright colours over dark surfaces and use of mixed media. My work also made me think of Gerhard Richter’s paintings that I saw at the Tate Modern because I used a sponge, wide brushes and a pallet knife to move the paint a cross once the surface of the paper which is one of the techniques that he uses and so the effect is similar to his. My tutor and I also discussed the paintings of Helen Frankenthaler because she uses colour and the paint itself in an interesting way, by using the ‘soak- stain technique’, this technique involves using thinned- down paint to create abstract paintings. I explored this in my work but with acrylic paint instead for faster drying time.

While you were making this work what ideas were you thinking about? What thoughts did you have in your head?

I was thinking about painting in a physical way, as well as different ways to use the same medium such as watering it down, layering it, using different application tools (sponges, brushes, pallet knives) I was also thinking about scale and working on a really large scale with huge gestural movements. I considered artists work which I had seen/ researched (see above). I thought about the lilac light that was created inside the box as well as the darkness of the pastels on the inside of the box and decided to make this light/dark the focus of my paintings.

While you were making this work what did you learn about materials and processes? What did you discover about the way you like to work?

I learnt that I like to use large brushes and different application tools to apply the paint and that I like the effect produced when working on top of paint with mixed media such as oil pastels and chalk.

While you were making this work, what went well? What didn’t go so well and why?

I feel that the representation of the light and dark through colour went well as well as the experimentation of layering different media. It would be better if I added some other materials and experimented with painting on top of them, around them, with them etc.

While you were making this work, what future possibilities looked interesting? What could you develop/ change?

The possibility of working on a larger scale and incorporating other media/materials looked interesting. I could find alternative ways to focus on light and dark and also start using mixed media or incorporating different materials into my work.

Part 2: fine art painting specialism

Part 2: fine art painting specialism

1 day project - Peep show

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