Odilia Bird FDA

mono printing: We tried out collage mono printing during our Monday workshop. I decided to to for a combination of red and black ink because I believe that they are both bold colours that provide a contrast to each other. To begin with we placed the leaves onto a plate with black ink and put it through the press, this was to ensure that the black ink was on the back of the leaves and then we put them through again with the plate with red ink. I think that the first black and white print has a good contrast and the shapes and forms stand out.the edges are rough and seem almost childlike, but I believe that this gives the image character. However, I do believe that large white gaps that the leaves have left cause the print feel slightly empty and void, as if there should be something else there. Looking at the relate of putting it through with the red ink I can see that the shapes seem almost real, the veins and lines from the original leaves are viable and I believe that the use of blac...

The Burrell collection vs The Pitt Rivers: In our lecture we were discussing how spaces are used when displaying art and collections, two examples of contrasting space usage are the Burrell collection opened in Pollock country park in 1983 and the Pitt Rivers, founded in 1884.  The Burrell collection is based in the countryside, surrounded by parkland. The space seems light and open, the large windows allow the landscape and scenery to be seen by the visitors and the light streaming in compliments the white and brown interior. I believe that the brown ceiling makes a connection to the trees and landscape outside, and seems to allow aspects of the outside scenery to bleed into the interior. I think this provides a contrast to the white floor and walls, which on their own create a very minimalistic and clean cut atmosphere, the white makes the space feel free and spacious. However, paired with the brown tones I think that this grounds the space and brings it back down to earth and I ...

 Final Evaluation: Overall, I believe that this project has been a success. I believe that I have shown the use of a variety of different processes and media throughout this project, and I think that there is a clear development and progress to my ideas and work that showcase my thought process and highlights the development of my technique and skills. Two aspects of this projects that have helped me the most have been the artist research and the time that I was given for exploration and experimentation. I was able to work and discover at a comfortable pace and I believe that this really allowed my work to blossom. While searching for artists that connect to my work and used similar media I was inspired and motivated throughout this project. I was able able to see different media used in a variety of different ways and this in turn influenced my own work and inspired me to step out of my comfort zone. I have learnt new processes during this project such a Cyanotypes, and by learnin...

 Rene Magritte: Empire of light  While exploring the portrait of light within different work for my artist research I came across a painting by Magritte called 'Empire of light' which encompasses night and day in one image. When looking at this image I can immediately see the contrast between the light and dark areas, the viewers eye is instantly drawn towards the bright sky and the floating clouds provide a sense of depth within the image. I believe that this image invokes a magical atmosphere, as if the viewer is looking into a world where day and night happen all at once. I think that the top half of the painting is bright and fun, the clouds have been painted with soft, weaving lines and I believe that the bright blue combined with the white create a light and free atmosphere and the way that light has been conveyed allows the clouds to have depth and seem as if they are jumping out at you. I believe that the use of light within this painting has allowed the smaller detail...

 Joseph Wright of Derby: An experiment of a bird in an air pump  This painting by Joseph of Derby is a fascinating display of how light works with its surroundings. When looking at this painting I believe that it feels dark and moody, the crowd is gathered together around the light source and they are illuminated by this light. The way in which the light has been used creates a stark contrast between the light and dark areas of the image, the light dramatically fades out towards the edges of the painting and encompasses those sections in darkness. I believe that this piece is interesting and curious, it depicts a science experiment being conducted and when looking closely, the expressions on each individual face are visible. I think that each expression brings a new feeling to the painting, from intrigued to bored. I believe that the young girl covering her eyes with an older man comforting her invokes an atmosphere of youth and naivety, like a daughter getting her father to s...

Final exhibition piece: To finish off my final pieces for the Castle Exhibition and Light night I stretched my cyanotype prints over a wooden frame to create a stretched canvas. I really love how these two pieces have turned out and I believe that the choice to turn my prints into stretched canvases has allowed the details, shapes and forms to truly stand out and shine, as the print has been pulled flat not allowing for any wrinkles or creases to obscure the image. I think that my print now has an illusion of being 3d, the patterns wrap around the edges and carry on around the back of the frame, I believe that this causes my piece to jump out at the viewer, and the way the print wraps around the back creates a feeling of curiosity, leading the viewer to want to know what is happening behind the frame as well. When looking at this piece as a whole, I believe that the use of a symmetric shape with straight lines such as a square provides a contrast to the chaotic and busy print. It groun...

Cyanotypes and making wooden frames: For my final piece I printed off multiple versions of the three forest photographs onto acetate and cut, cropped and stuck them together to create a large template to work with, I made sure to adjust the highlights and contrast on photoshop so that there would be a stark contrast within the finished print. I measured and cut three sheets of calico and used the older cyanotype mixture combined with a small amount of the new one on one sheet and used a freshly made mixture on the other two. When looking at the painted calico I noticed a large difference in colour between the old and new mixture, the  new was a light yellow and the old was a darker green, and when looking at the results after washing them out there was a clear different between them. After washing the two that were made with the new mixture it resulted in nice blue and white contrast between the lighter and darker areas, the finer details were clear and noticeable and the different...