Andy Goldsworthy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Andy Goldsworthy is an extraordinary, innovative British artist whose collaborations with nature produce uniquely personal and intense artworks. Using a seemingly endless range of natural materials—snow, ice, leaves, bark, rock, clay, stones, feathers petals, twigs—he creates outdoor sculpture that manifests, however fleeting, a sympathetic contact with the natural world. Before they disappear, or as they disappear, Goldsworthy, records his work in superb colour photographs.”

-Taken from VisualMelt

http://visualmelt.com/Andy-Goldsworthy

 

Elements and Principles of Design

IMG_1799_2 Pattern involves repetition of similar motifs on a surface, which creates rhythm.  Pattern can be used to organize or unify an object and/or to create a visual enrichment.  Pattern can be created in an organized way or be created in random fashion.

 

IMG_1800_2 Texture refers to surface quality. Texture can be real or simulated. Actually texture can be both seen and touched. Simulated texture cannot be interpreted by touching; it must be seen. Some exampled of words to use to describe texture are shiny, smooth, rough, coarse, gritty and granular.

IMG_1801_2Movement is achieved by manipulating the elements to imply motion, to move the viewer’s eye in a decided direction as he or she looks at an image. Movement may be implied through recognizable images in action and may also be implied through abstract, non-representational marks such as diagonal lines, broker edges and gradation of tones.

IMG_1802_2Colour (another name for hue) refers to the naming words we use to identify specific wave lengths of light such as red, yellow, orange and so forth. A colour wheel can explain the origins and relationships that hues possess (specific descriptions of colour vocabulary may be found in the glossary). Colour may be descriptive, decorative and symbolic. Colour has both tone and intensity. Some words to us to described colour are bright, pastel, warm, cool, in harmony and discordant.

IMG_1803_2Emphasis refers to the focal point or centre of interest in am image. Emphasis implies both dominance and subordination and can be used to call attention to specific areas within a work.

IMG_1804_2Contrast involves opposition and results from the juxtaposition of qualities that are unlike one anther. High contrast can be used to emphasize, dramatize add variety and surprise. Low contrast can be used to soothe, settle harmonize and comfort.

IMG_1805_2Balance refers to the equilibrium of various elements and involves a sense of order. Order may be achieved in a variety of ways. Order may be symmetrical or asymmetrical, formal or informal or rigid or random. Imbalance can create a feeling of awkwardness or discomfort. it can be used to create an exciting visual response.

IMG_1806_2Shape described two-dimensional area that is defined in some way. Shapes may be open or closed, positive or negative and free form or geometric. Some examples of words to use to describe shape are solid, organic, repeated, symbolic and proportional.

IMG_1807_2Form occurs when a three-dimensional quality has been achieved in a shape. Form may be implied by the use of tone and/or shadow or form may be actually three-dimensional. Some examples of words to use to describe form are routined, squared, angular, textual, volume and mass.

IMG_1808_2Line is the path of moving dot, where a dot is extended in some manner to determine a line. Line is used to symbolize direction, imply movement, outline forms, suggest mood and determine boundaries of shapes. The quality of line can vary according to the tool and method used, the amount of pressure used and they way a line related to other elements. Some examples of words to use to describe line are jagged/smooth, think/thin, weak/strong, curved, straight, wavy and diagonal.

Printmaking

   Print Making!
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Print making uses ink. Unlike paint, this will stick to your clothes etc! Also, unlike paint, you only need a tiny amount. We use rollers to roll the ink onto our stencils. You know you have the right amount of ink on your roller when it makes a “kiss” sound, if there is no sound you have too much ink!

Stencils were made by drawing on paper, then tracing those drawings onto pre-cut squares of Styrofoam using a ball-point pen. The ben tip rolls nicely over the styrofoam surface, and doesn’t require much pressure to make indentations.

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After the stencil is complete, ink is mixed to the desired colour on a board, and rolled onto the roller at the appropriate thickness. Then, ink is applied to the stencil using the roller.

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The stencil is “stamped” onto paper, and then re-stamped rotating the piece so that the inner corner touches its print. See our examples below.

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These are some of our finished products

 

 

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Visual Journals

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On our first day together we worked on our Visual Journals.

– We were first asked to rip up pages in our book

– Then work with pencil crayons and markers

– Then we were asked to re attach the paper we ripped out

– Throughout the class the teacher periodically introduced us to new material to use on our visual journals. These materials included pastels, hole punchers, stickers, glue, and yarn.

Our group found this activity refreshing as it was a change from the art we were used to. We were not given directions on what to do for our visual journals. We were free to do what ever we wanted and how ever we wanted. This was a change from art we were used to growing up which was always a set project with a criteria.

Some of us struggled with it in the beginning as we didn’t know what to create. We were so used to being told what to make in art. This activity helped us appreciate and value the freedom to create art without direction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visual Journal Reflections

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We were asked to create a reflection of our visual journals with minimal wording. We were asked to do a visual reflection of our visual journal. It was interesting how different all our reflections turned out.

Clay Work

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On the same day as Slinkachu we also got to work with clay! We were each given a piece of clay and asked to play with it and create anything we liked.

-We were taught how to cut and handle clay.

– Then we were shown how to mould and create pieces with clay.

-We were also shown how to slip and score the clay to join pieces together.

Majority of the group enjoyed working with clay and created wonderful pieces as seen above.

 

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Slinkachu

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In class we looked into a UK artist who’s work features miniature figures fending for themselves in the bustling city, where they are then photographed and left to the abandon of their urban environment.

“These figures embody the estrangement spurred by the over-whelming nature of the modern metropolis, and incite a renewed perspective of the everyday urban experience to those who find them. This sense of isolation and melancholy, however, is accompanied by sense of irony and humour that makes Slinkachu’s commentary all the more poignant.”

 

 

-Photos and Biography taken from Andipa Gallery

 

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http://www.andipa.com/artist/slinkachu

Painting

 

 

 

IMG_1759  Colour Theory

There are 3 primary colours, from which other colours are made by mixing.

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We were introduced to all kinds of colour wheels, and then set free to play with mixing.

IMG_1760  Colour mixing explorations

We used the Primary Colours to make other colours, including thought towards darker/lighter shades.

 

 

IMG_1761  Make a colour wheel

We decided to make the centre of our piece lighter, and the edges dark. We began with the primary colours, and then worked them outwards towards each other to achieve

IMG_1762  Or in splatter form…

Each group had a very different final product, all showing the colours arranged in a circular pattern.

20150306_161653  Final Product!

Collage

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On our first day together we worked on Collages.

– First we were given a stack of magazines and asked to rip out anything in our colour (Green).

– Second we were asked to create a monochromatic gradient from light to dark.

– Then we were asked to create a picture out of the monochromatic gradient. We created a tree as shown in the pictures above!

– Then our teacher asked us to create a picture that matched the theme of under the sea!

As a group we had fun working together on the collages. Some of us found the ripping of paper therapeutic and enjoyable. We were giving scissors to cut up the paper but majority of us didn’t bother with the scissors.

It was great having the gallery walk and being able to see what each group came up with for their colours.