Print Making Week 5 and 6 – Concertina book
Category: Printmaking
Print Making Week 3 and 4 – lino test and block printing
Print Making Week 2 – Hand cut stencils
Abstract Stencil with “BIDJARA” – Experimenting with layers to gain an understanding of the process. The white areas are the cut out sections of the stencils showing each layer. I used spray paint.
This image features the word “BIDJARA” created using spray paint of 3 cut out stencilled layers.
Purpose:
- Typography Exploration: The piece emphasizes the artistic potential of typography, transforming letters into visual forms that engage the viewer.
- Layering Techniques: The use of a stencil allows for a clean application of colour and shape, highlighting the contrast between the cut-out letters and the background. With practice I will be able to better align the shapes and have a clearer application of spray paint. As this was an experiment, I wasn’t too worried about the overspray and alignment.
- Illusion of Depth: The shadowing technique adds a three-dimensional quality, making the letters appear to pop off the page.
- Visual Contrast: The interplay of light and shadow creates a striking visual contrast that captures attention.
- Dynamic Composition: The angled shadows create movement within the piece, adding energy to the static letters.
- Colour Play: The use of gradient colours enhances the visual complexity, making the text more engaging.
- Bold Visual Impact: The strong colour contrasts and sharp edges create an eye-catching focal point.
- Graphic Quality: This piece leans into graphic design elements, merging art with typographic style.
Description of Process:
For these hand-cut stencils, I used Mylar and plastic sheets to create the geometric designs, and paper for the Bidjara stencil. Each design was carefully cut with a craft knife to achieve clean, precise edges. The Mylar worked particularly well because it was durable yet flexible, allowing for multiple uses without tearing. I found that the layering of colours, especially when using spray paint, produced interesting depth and dimensional effects. One of the main challenges was maintaining control over fine details while cutting and preventing the stencil edges from lifting during spraying, which sometimes caused smudging. I fixed this by taping down the stencil and using thin, even coats of paint. Overall, the process was effective in exploring texture, repetition, and pattern, and it helped refine my technique for achieving crisp, professional stencil prints.
Conceptual Reflection:
Through these stencil experiments, I aimed to explore the relationship between structure, repetition, and cultural identity—particularly through the use of the Bidjara text as both a linguistic and visual symbol. The geometric stencils reference patterns found in traditional design such as the V shape symbol and natural formations, while the layered spray paint and texture convey the blending of cultural heritage with modern visual language. This process has encouraged me to think more critically about layering as a conceptual device, using transparency and repetition to represent overlapping narratives of place and identity in my resolved work. Looking forward, I see potential to apply this technique in installations or large-scale mural projects, expanding the conversation between surface, pattern, and meaning. This process is similar to the work of Gordon Bennett and Reko Rennie, who use abstract designs and repeated patterns to explore cultural identity.
Print Making Reflection – Layering and Collage
Reflection on the Collages
Creating this series of collages has been a transformative and enlightening experience, allowing me to explore the interplay of colour, shape, and composition in a meaningful way. Each piece serves as a unique exploration of themes related to nature, emotion, and visual harmony.
Exploration of Colour
The use of vibrant colours, such as pink, yellow, red, and purple, has been integral in conveying different moods and feelings. For instance, the pink flowers evoke a sense of cheer and innocence, while the red flowers introduce an element of passion and energy. This exploration has deepened my understanding of how colour can influence perception and emotional response.
Layering and Composition
Working with the concept of layering has been particularly rewarding. The repetition of floral motifs, combined with the playful use of outlined bubbles, creates a dynamic rhythm within each collage. This process has enhanced my ability to think critically about composition and how different elements can interact to create a cohesive visual narrative.
Nature as Inspiration
Drawing inspiration from nature and the little wild flowers found in my area, has allowed me to connect with the beauty and simplicity of the world around me. Each floral arrangement reflects an appreciation for the diversity and intricacy of natural forms. This thematic focus has encouraged me to observe and appreciate the subtleties of my environment more keenly.
Personal Growth
This project has also been a journey of personal growth. Engaging in the practice of collage has encouraged me to embrace experimentation and playfulness in my artistic process. I have learned to trust my instincts and allow the materials to guide my creative decisions, fostering a sense of freedom and exploration.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this series of collages represents a harmonious blend of artistic expression and emotional resonance. It has reinforced my belief in the power of visual art to communicate complex ideas and evoke deep feelings. As I continue my artistic journey, I am excited to further explore the possibilities of collage and the rich narratives it can convey.
Print Making Week 1 – Layering and Collage
Description and Purpose of the Collages
Image 1: Circles
The first collage consists of concentric circles, one on a black background and the other on a beige background.
Purpose:
- Exploration of Contrast: The juxtaposition of the dark and light backgrounds emphasizes the shapes’ visual impact, allowing viewers to appreciate how color affects perception.
- Focus on Form: The repetitive circular shapes create a rhythm that draws the eye inward and outward, encouraging contemplation of symmetry and balance.
- Layering Techniques: This piece serves as an exercise in layering, demonstrating how different backgrounds can alter the mood and interpretation of similar forms.
Image 2: Landscape
The second collage presents an abstracted landscape featuring layered shapes and patterns, including hills, a tree silhouette, and various textures.
Purpose:
- Visual Narrative: This collage creates a sense of place, inviting viewers to interpret the landscape. The use of varied patterns suggests complexity and richness in nature.
- Color and Texture: The combination of colors and textures enhances the visual depth, encouraging exploration of the interactions between different elements.
- Creative Expression: By utilizing organic shapes and contrasting patterns, this piece showcases the artist’s ability to convey emotion and atmosphere through collage, highlighting the beauty of abstraction.
Overall Reflection
Both collages emphasize the fundamental concepts of color, shape, and composition, allowing for exploration and experimentation in visual layering. They collectively demonstrate the versatility of collage as a medium, while also challenging me to think critically about visual relationships.
Description and Purpose of the Collages
Image 1: Pink Flowers
This collage features multiple pink flowers with green leaves arranged against a textured light background.
Purpose:
- Repetition and Variation: The arrangement highlights the beauty of repetition while allowing for subtle variations in flower positioning, emphasizing harmony and unity in composition.
- Color Exploration: The contrast between the vibrant pink and the soft background draws attention to the flowers, inviting viewers to appreciate the interplay of color.
- Nature’s Simplicity: This piece celebrates the simplicity and joy found in floral motifs, evoking a sense of cheerfulness and warmth.
Image 2: Yellow Flowers with Bubbles
In this collage, yellow flowers are interspersed with outlined circles against a similar textured background.
Purpose:
- Dynamic Composition: The combination of flowers and bubbles creates a sense of movement and playfulness, engaging the viewer’s eye in exploration.
- Color Contrast: The bright yellow flowers stand out against the lighter background and the contrasting outlines, enhancing visual interest and depth.
- Whimsical Elements: The bubbles add a whimsical touch, suggesting themes of joy and lightness, reinforcing the overall cheerful aesthetic of the piece.
Image 3: Red Flowers with Bubbles
This collage mirrors the second, featuring red flowers with outlined circles, maintaining a playful composition.
Purpose:
- Color Dynamics: The red flowers create a striking contrast against the background and outlined circles, emphasizing vibrancy and energy.
- Visual Rhythm: The repetition of shapes and patterns establishes a rhythmic flow, guiding the viewer through the composition while sustaining engagement.
- Contrast of Warmth: The warm tones of red evoke feelings of passion and vitality, inviting emotional connection with the piece.
Image 4: Purple Flowers with Bubbles
Similar in structure to the previous collages, this piece showcases purple flowers with outlined circles.
Purpose:
- Exploration of Hue: The choice of purple introduces a different emotional tone, often associated with creativity and tranquility, contrasting with the warmer colors of previous works.
- Layering Techniques: The use of outlined circles continues to create depth, reinforcing the theme of visual layering and complexity within simplicity.
- Unified Theme: The consistency in format across the series allows for a comparative study of how different colors influence perception and emotional response.
Description and Purpose of the Collage
Image : Hibiscus and Botanical Elements
This collage features a prominent hibiscus flower, surrounded by botanical elements, creating a lush composition.
Purpose:
- Focus on Central Motif: The large hibiscus serves as a focal point, drawing immediate attention while the surrounding elements provide context and richness.
- Nature’s Diversity: The combination of various botanical shapes and colors celebrates the diversity of nature, showcasing the artist’s ability to blend different visual elements harmoniously.
- Symbolism and Emotion: The hibiscus, often associated with beauty and exoticism, evokes feelings of warmth and tropical landscapes, inviting viewers to engage with a sense of place and emotion.
Overall Reflection
This series of collages explores the interplay of color, shape, and composition, demonstrating how different elements can evoke varied emotional responses. Through repetition, variation, and the use of floral motifs, the works invite viewers to reflect on the beauty of nature and the joy of artistic expression. Each collage contributes to a broader narrative about visual layering and the transformative power of collage as a medium.
