Mixed Media Projects with Colour Pencils, Collage & Watercolour, Oakey, May
OAKEY ART GROUP
May 21-22
This workshop is all about using colour pencils as part of a mixed-media project. You will learn how to create a series of simple collages which will become the background for the colour pencil art. The collage papers will be painted in an experimental style, using techniques involving watercolour and acrylic inks. The top layer can have applications of colour pencil either directly onto the collage or as a separate layer on drafting film. As the film is semi-transparent, the collage will show through.
Jan will also bring some ideas for unusual ways to use colour pencils, so be prepared for some surprises!
What To Bring:
Your colour pencil collection. If you choose to work on drafting film, the harder oil based pencils are particularly suited to this surface. Otherwise, any other colour pencils will still work, including aquarelle pencils.
Paints: You will need all your usual watercolour painting supplies including a variety of brushes, a palette, water pots, pipettes, an old towel, tissues etc. Gesso is also an option. Granulating paints are particularly suitable if you own some.
Granulation medium: This is important for the experimental techniques.
Inks: Must be acrylic pigment inks, not drawing inks. The more colours to choose from the better. Perhaps you could share with friends. Otherwise 3 primary colours will suffice.
Paper: Any 100% cotton watercolour paper will suit this workshop. If you already own 185gsm paper it could be used as it will be pasted onto the* backing board. Otherwise any type, size and texture will work. OPTIONAL: Bring a collection of papers in different colours, patterns and textures. Some suggestions are newspaper with small print, plain coloured craft paper, brown paper bags, old map books or street directory papers, book pages, sheet music, wrapping paper etc. Avoid anything too slick that won’t take layers of colour, if you choose to draw directly onto the collage.
Also bring some tracing paper or any other paper that is quite transparent plus a permanent marker. Black Sharpies are perfect, especially the ones with 2 different size points at either end.
I will bring the drafting film which is for sale for $4 or $5 per A3 sheet.
Backing board and glue: The* backing needs to be sturdy so that it doesn’t warp and preferably acid-free. Mat board (from framers) is particularly useful, or foam core. Canvas boards are also suitable. Any size from about A4 to A3 (no larger) would be best for the workshop. You will need 3 or 4 boards. I suggest that you bring Matte Gel Medium as an adhesive as it doesn’t dry shiny like other glues. I’ve found that some cheap ones from discount stores work fine.
Tools: Scissors, and an old brush for using with the glue. A pencil (B or2B) and eraser. A brush for brushing away pencil crumbs. Quality sharpener if you own one. A ‘dud’ photo or transparency for keeping under your drawing hand and something to stop your pencils from rolling off the table (old towel or container). Also, a sheet of graphite transfer paper if you have one.
This is going to be messy, so don’t forget an apron and an old towel or rags to catch drips and splashes.
Reference: Find references you would like to use as the top layer in colour pencils. If you find it hard to decide, I suggest that you find a close-up of a portrait - human, animal or bird etc, or a still-life, or a flower or a tree-something reasonably simple. The background will be colourful and textured so the drawing on top will need to be plainer.
You will need a colour print out of your reference as well as a photocopy (b&w is fine) that you can use for transferring onto the collage or the drafting film. I will bring a few extra references for anyone that has a printing problem, but don’t use that as an excuse to be lazy. :-) Haha!
Please book through Oakey Art Group.