This week (week 5), is based around practical workshops. Working within the techniques of; printmaking, sculpture and digital graphic design work. Personally, I am enjoying moving onto practical workshops and pushing our own specialisms and chosen movements/charities but working within designated design workshops.
PRINTMAKING – AMY’S LESSON
Mind Map work (primary images, taken from sketchbook), overviewing the aspects of printmaking. Printmaking can be; singular colour Lino print, reduction Lino print, dry-point etching, relief mono print, linear/trace mono print and collagraph. In my opinion, I am fond of dry-point etching the most and that is the technique I chose to develop.
Dry-point etching; Drypoint, an engraving method in which the design to be printed is scratched directly into a copperplate with a sharply pointed instrument. Lines in a drypoint print are characterized by a soft fuzziness caused by ink printed from a burr, a rough ridge of metal thrown up on each side of the furrow of the drypoint line.
ARTIST RESEARCH
Sue Brown
http://suebrownprintmaker.blogspot.com/2016/06/lino-master-class.html
Sue Brown has been a professional artist for 15 years. Her work is inspired by nature and been driven by exploring intaglio printmaking techniques. In 2009 Sue embarked on a 3 year part time MA in Multi-disciplinary Printmaking at the University of the West of England, graduating with a distinction in 2012. Her work inspires me with the use of patterns and designs built up to create naturalistic scenes. Reviewing colour, Sue mainly produces singular coloured prints that are usually deep and dark shades printed onto a white or lightened base. However, on some occasions, Brown has use the reduction Lino technique – by using two or more (multiple colours) by laying colour on the Lino on each stage of cutting. Personally, I prefer the reduction Lino prints as the more colour used the more life the print has and using lighter or darker colours brings out highlights and shadows. Also, the more colours printed is effective as it stands out and is visually appealing. Sue Brown’s work is based upon nature and species – so her work visually is extremely floral, decorative and flower-patterned. For my own point of view, I could interpret my own movement/cause inspired by her artwork by using marine and underwater species and life. Reflecting from the plastic pollution left in our waters and oceans.
Angie Hoffmeister
https://www.angiehoffmeister.com
Angie Hoffmeister is an artist and freelance illustrator who lives in Duesseldorf, Germany, where she studies in the Kunstakademie Duesseldorf. Differently from Sue Brown, Angie specialises in portraiture and facial structures – approaching different moods, emotions and feelings a human being experiences. Angie experiments and mainly uses the techniques of mono and dry-point etching printmaking. Analysing the colour usage, she used black intaglio or relief ink (depending on the print method) and prints onto a dull, bland background. The use of monotonous, tedious shades for the background – means the main and only focus is the facial structure and there is no excess distractions.
In my opinion, I am extremely fond and have a vast interest in Angie Hoffmeister’s artwork due to the accuracy and her eye for detail and precision. Overall, my favourite section of her artwork is how she has printed her etching or mono material – after printing it once onto the base layer, Angie continuous to print another layer onto the same paper but with a slight-off centred print from the other one. Having this (her signature technique) creates life, motion and movement into her facial structures by making it seem like the heads and twisting, titling or just moving. This inspires me for my own work to look into repeating my prints on the same piece of paper or card to produce layering and movement into my own work. I could do this by repeating a print of underwater species that are affected by our plastic pollution problem and show what our oceans and waters could look like if we decreased and discarded our plastic intake. By showing movement and life in our oceans from a print – this could be known as advertising recycling or using reusable hardware or just making it a known realisation to how much we are destroying our Earths waters.
Planning Stage
Before moving onto any practical work, I sketched out a few ideas for my dry-point etching piece. Personally, I was mainly focused on using words on my piece and taking a graphic design approach rather than just using imagery. I would use phrases such as ‘PLASTIC’, ‘SUSTAIN’, ‘RECYCLE’, and ‘SAVE OUR OCEANS’ to express a positive statement and effective communication to spread awareness and a sense of light for my chosen theme of marine plastic pollution.
This is a collage of the images and text I used for my dry-point etching piece. Before carving any letters into the plastic, the words must be flipped and reversed so when it is printed the words or phrases are the right way round and readable. For this, I used my collage I create with secondary sourced newspapers, magazines and articles from a previous workshop. This was produced by using the photocopier and flipping any imagery placed in.
PRACTICAL PROCESS
This was the first stage of the practical process of my printmaking piece, I decided to follow through with the text design to communicate the on-going plastic waste issue. Creating a graphic design styled print. I experienced no setbacks or difficulties, however carving out the singular letters was extremely time consuming in the process.
Materials used; thick piece of plastic to etch onto – it is sturdy enough to go through a printing press and to not crack but can also easily be carved and engraved into. Etching needle – these metal points are ideal to create a fine line on the surface. Creates different shades depending on how soft or hard the needle is carved – alternating on how much ink is in the engravings. For this workshop, we could either use an etching needle or a scalpel to produce different outcomes but Roulette Wheels and Scrapers are also etching tools that can be used in the process.
Looking at safety precautions and the hazards; the etching needles are sharp at the tip so individuals who use them need to take caution when carving as it could cause minor damage to the surface of the skin. The same as, the scalpel has a deeper cut so that could have a more serious damage caused if used wrong or been used without any precaution. The plastic material has no known hazards.
3D SCULPTURE, SUSTAINABLE ART – MIKE’S LESSON
In this workshop, we are creating 3-dimensional mixed media structures inspired by the work of French artist Gilbert 1, who originally started creating Graffiti based artwork in the 1990’s – then starting to involve into 3D sculptural experimentation, mural commissions and installations often working from interesting surfaces in location. He uses a range of media and materials such as; paper, wood, plastic and painted surfaces.
For our own work, we need to produce a 3D structure that has to include; wood, plastic, cardboard, pattern that I have created/made, block colour that you have painted, imagery linked to my own theme and statistics or quotes linked to my project theme. For my plastic waste issued theme, I planned to produce a piece basing upon shades of blue as blue is the obvious colour associated with oceans/water/plastic.
For my first stage, I used thin pieces of wood as a base layer. Using super-glue, I stuck two large pieces together to create a 90 degreed shaped base to work and build onto. For paint, I used light blue acrylic paint and a sponge to apply colour onto the material. I produced unsystematic sponge-marked placements on the elevated platform and had a light blue block colour on the ground piece. I chosen to use this colour as it was a different shade to my own materials I planned on using and it was there to reflect on any water/ocean aura.
Displayed above, are 12 close up primary photographs of my final piece zooming into specific areas of the sculpture – taken on an iPhone camera. Looking at materials I used; laser cut wood – stating the phrases ‘CLEAN – UP’, ‘ENVIRONMENT’, ‘PLASTIC’ (fits with my chosen theme). Then using the laser cut as a stencil for spray painting – I used black spray paint on wood and blue shaded fabrics, the fabric experiment turned out much better. I used black and white secondary sourced imagery found and taken from Google of plastic bottles – this created a collaging effect. Also, I used a white paper cut-outs of plants and stuck these around the surfaces of the structure to fill any white, empty space. Carrying on, I used materials used as plastic bottles and packaging, tin foil and straws glued onto the wood to create the sense of plastic pollution. Finally, I added a large piece of light blue cottoned fabric and used super-glue to produce a scrunched and rippled effect on the bottom of the structure – this generated a water and oceanic atmosphere and aura.
This is a primary photograph of my final piece covering mixed media structure in a short practical workshop – taken with an iPhone camera. My sculpture covers the materials that were required to fit the mixed media styled technique. Looking at the whole piece; the main colour arrangement is different shades of blue, but there is tones of grey within the tinfoil and the monotone imagery and hints of neon pink from paint to add an opposite and controversial colour tone. In my opinion, I am personally not pleased and not satisfied with the outcome of my artwork. I approached a collage and graphic route and the art is reflecting plastic waste and its ongoing, current issue. But, I believe my piece visually appears messy, boring and too simplistic.
To improve this, I could off laser cut the base layer into an interesting and appealing shape or design such as; a marine species, an outline of a plastic bottle to make the final design more creative. I could have also spend more time producing a design focusing on textiles and print that I would have systematically repeated among the 3D piece. Or, used my own primary sourced images instead of using secondary photographs that I found. This was all accessible but it would not have been achieved due to time management as we only had around 2 hours to complete this artwork. To elaborate, I could off used a wider colour range such as green and orange – green symbolising the plants and earth, orange shades to represent the sand/bottom of the oceans and waters. Finally, I could have printed textures that are made from plastic materials and substances – plastic packaging, the ridged edge on plastic bottles tops, etc.
DIGITAL WORKSHOP – STEPH’S LESSON
In this lesson, we work digitally looking on how we could develop our text, headings and subheadings. This was created by making any subjects 3-dimensional and in a systematic pattern. Looking ahead upon the workshop, I was looking forward to experimenting with the Adobe software and developing any skills digitally.
Adobe Illustrator; Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor and design program developed and marketed by Adobe Inc. Originally designed for the Apple Macintosh, development of Adobe Illustrator began in 1985. Along with Creative Cloud (Adobe’s shift to monthly or annual subscription service delivered over the Internet), Illustrator CC was released – secondary information, taken from Google. Personally, I don’t have that much experience on Adobe Illustrator – I was unfamiliar with all the techniques we used and learnt about in the workshop.
PROCESS PHOTOGRAPHS
In the lesson, we had to experiment by creating ;different three-dimensional fonts, repeating patterns with image and text, slogans and symmetrical placed circular placements. For my pieces, I mainly used blue colours and shades to link in with the marine plastic theme and idea. However, on the ‘TO PLASTIC POLLUTION’ slogan, I used a range of different colours to emphasise a bold statement and an eye-catching visual scene.
FINAL TEXT AND FONT EXPERIMENTS
In this image, I used a selection of the bubble inspired pattern as the centre placement – I did this instead of a plain colour as it appears less dull and bleak. Throughout the whole experimentation, I used the colours of blue, light blue, green and black. Green and blue to reflect an environmental and earthy aura and the black coloured font to emphasise a bold and clear statement. The text stated – ‘SUSTAIN’,’SAVE OUR OCEANS’,’PLASTIC OF FOOD?’, ‘RECYCLE, SAVE OUR PLANET’,’BE THE SOLUTION, TO PLASTIC POLLUTION’. All these slogans are from a previous digital graphic lesson and the slogans are simplistic but also reflect an importance. Personally, I am fond of this design as it is interesting whilst also referring all around information and words. Using an unusual and uncommon way of presenting text in a circular form is pleasing to the eye. Also, as the text is repeated around the circle multiple time it produces an urgent and vital aura and projection.
This image is a cropped version of the design above – displaying a closer viewing of the written text. In my opinion, I am pleased with the subject placements – due to the different sizes creating heights and uneven levels across the design it almost creates a sense of layering.
Text identification- Wine Cellar JNL Regular, Jeff Levine Fonts. I used this font due to its simplistic features and the wide spacing between each letters making it easily readable and easy to follow through from the smaller to vaster sizes. For the text, I used all capital letters to reflect and urgent, critical and vital aura meaning the topic is an important and vast issue.
Zoomed in screenshot of the pattern I created – using the design of a bubble effect to match with the marine and oceanic theme. Using the selected pattern, I displayed it in circular shapes to pursue with the water atmosphere. Looking at colours, I used a block medium blue shade as the base colour for the bubble. Then, a lighter shade of blue on one edge of the circle to show highlights and reflections. In my opinion, I am pleased with this outcome as it is easily associated with my topic however, it appears quite boring, bleak and uninteresting.
This is my first text experiment- looking at singular words and transforming flat, two-dimensional words into a three-dimensional form. Personally, I am pleased with this minor outcome as it adds a sense of depth and dimension into text rather than the subject being flat.
This is an experiment looking at visually creative ways to express writing and information – I found secondary images taken from Google of bubbles by searching ‘Animated bubble outline in colour’ – saved as a JPEG and uploaded onto Adobe Illustrator. The ‘TONNES YEARLY’ is in a three-dimensional form in a lightened grey shade which contrasts with the other dark and light blue pigments. The ’27 MILLION’ is in a tall, slim typeface in a darkened blue tone which is repeating the blue colored theme.
In the primary images above, I used a section of my slogan “BE THE SOLUTION, TO PLASTIC POLLUTION” in a white, tall and slim typography in a tight format/layout. Differently to the blue themed designs previously, I used a range of bright and primary colors. Colours used; light purple, illuminating yellow shade, red, dark blue and jet black. Blue, yellow and red are the three primary colours, so I used these as an eye-catching connection between the design and the viewer. Then, purple – a secondary color as it widens the color shade range. Lastly, black shape and white background – both the most neutral colours and the sense of darker colors creates depth into the piece. Personally, I am fond of this repeat pattern design using typography and shapes – the text is placed on a range of colors but it still is easily followed and read. Also, I am pleased with the layout of the design as the shapes are all different heights and sizes which produces a sense of dimension and unevenness in an appealing visual aspect. To improve this design, I could of add some shadows or highlights onto the text or the shapes to create a more three-dimensional piece. Also, I could of created a ‘motif 2’ reading the words ‘BE THE SOLUTION’ above this design so the full slogan is included – also so this pattern is more understandable.
Displayed above, in several different formats (to download, PNG and a screenshot) is all my art-boards experimenting with typeface and the combination of text, imagery and shapes. Out of all these designs I created, I am most pleased with the circular text motion around a shape – it creates an unusual layout and arrangement to display information either in different placements or in a range of set sizes. To improve any ideas, I could like to produce a collection of slogans, text and information in different fonts and sizes into a shape of an outline of a plastic bottle. This is so, the imagery reelected is linked to my theme and also the text included in the space is all connected.
Continue of Printmaking
Continuing in printmaking – I finished my dry point etching print of primary images (the bottles) and slogans/logos that are secondary sourced from previous tasks. I am pleased with my outcome as it reflects a typography, graphics style and it also includes key singular words that are linked to the theme/advertise plastic reduction.
This is my etching plate printed onto a cut sheet of bleached, cottoned fabric with black intaglio inks. I used the ink colour of black as this shade is extremely eye-catching and contrasts well with the light background. For my other prints, I used oceanic colours such as blue and green to associate with my marine plastic topic. Then, more prints using black and red intaglio inks as these colours show importance. Red -associated with romance and excitement, this colour exudes power and ambition. However, it is also known to increase the sensation of danger, rebellion and violence (secondary sourced information, from Google). Black – black absorbs all light on the colour spectrum and appears heavy from a visual standpoint. This is why it’s used sparingly throughout art and design, though artists looking to make an impression or evoke a “darker” feeling tend to rely on generous amounts of the pigment. To elaborate, all these coloured prints were pressed onto materials such as collaged sheets, white cartilage, card and cottoned fabric. Out of all of the prints, I am most pleased and satisfied with the black ink prints on fabric – due to the material, it emphasises the inks pigments and stands out. This could be expanded, can be stitch onto or more materials/buttons can be included to increase the depth and layering of the piece. Looking at mistakes, I carved the ‘cannot live’ text sourced from a newspaper article on the other side of the acrylic. This meant, when I printed the plate this carving was not visible. Due to time management, I did not have time to re-do this text. In future to solve this mistake, I will be cautious of the correct side I am carving into.
Health & Safety
Using the printing press; be cautious that any clothes or hair are tied up or an apron is worn so nothing is caught under the press. Also, you need to be careful the screws are tightened or loosed to the correct thickness of the acrylic material. If the press is too loose, there will not be enough pressure applied and the ink either wont show up or will be faint when printed. If the screws are too tight, there is a chance the acrylic plastic can brake when under the pressure and it may cause damage to the printing press itself. To resolve any of these hazards taking place, wear an apron and tie any loose hair up. Also, screw the bolts slowly and see the pressure so the correct amount is applied.
Sketchbook Pages
WEEKLY REFLECTIVE
Overall, throughout this week I have enjoyed the digital workshop the most (Steph), using key information and words and displaying them in a creative and graphic-like way. I was fond of learning more on Adobe Illustrator and expanding any skills on the editing software. This workshop helped me by developing my typography skills digitally as for my final piece, I would like to work mainly with digital software. Out of all the techniques, I fond the repeat pattern and the circular text graphics the most interesting as it was an extremely unique and unusual way to present text. To carry on, I also enjoyed the printmaking workshop (Amy) as I got to chose my own printmaking technique (dry-point etching) and experiment with different text, imagery and layouts to fit onto the acrylic sheet. I am going to expand on dry-point etching and digital typography in my FMP, so these workshops were helpful to practice more.
For my prints; I used my own primary imagery of plastic bottles, text headings found from newspaper articles (had to photocopy and reverse the text so the text would come out the right way round when printed), logos from organisations working with plastic waste and also animal well-care (WWF and Surfers Against Sewage logo). Lastly, I used singular words such as ‘YES’, ‘!!’ and ‘PLASTIC’ to state a powerful aura/atmosphere and to reflect urgency to the viewer. Using these imagery and text – indicate a message to reduce your plastic intake by using phrases to make the viewer come to realisation. Also, using organisations own logos – shows the viewer where to find more information and ways to help.
Link from Pinterest – secondary sources.
I was inspired by a range of images, artwork I found upon Pinterest. All these artwork pieces use text and graphics to present information in a creative way. The images displayed above, influenced me to use text in a block format/layout as well as carving imagery into the acrylic sheet. If I was to do this again, I would create a digital piece on Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator and present any information/text in a more creative, graphic styled aesthetic.
Overall, I would like to develop both digital and printmaking skills. Using digital software to present any information on the issue of marine plastic pollution and experimenting with ways to display text and letters in a unique way. Also, I would like to develop my printmaking technique by adding layers of stitch or materials onto the dry print, by printing the plate multiple times onto the base material to produce a two-dimensional layering effect or by using any of my own digital typography and images so all of the print is based upon primary sources.
My personal set targets for next week, are to experiment further with other techniques to broaden my samples collection. To also, layer samples together to create depth and dimension into my work with series of my work on top of each other. This will improve any work as it shows a build up of work and how my work can come together from singular samples.
Mia Otway 
