COLLAGE AND PAINTING PROJECT.
A collage results from the manipulation of paper that has been cut and pasted together. The raw materials used are old newspapers, magazines, wrapping paper, old pictures, photographs and so on. First of all the artist looks for the contrast between colours, between textures and forms to achieve bold combinations. These, in turn, will later become harmonious or even unexpected combinations until the work is finished in successive stages.
TIMETABLE Day One: Introduction to collage and painting. Students will be given pages from magazines. These will be used to make a set of works on paper that mix collage and painting. Students will be required to explore the possibilities thrown up by the process - using paint to adapt or extend the collaged elements or perhaps repeat them in the form of a pattern or structure. The form of the works will be suggested by the found elements in the magazine source material. Works could be
organic or architectural in their form or perhaps explore suggestions of landscape and still life. When an idea for a collage comes into your mind, do not think too long about it. Sometimes it is much better to be carried away by a sudden impulse, by the attraction of a piece of paper, than to plan everything minutely. The aim of this first day is to play and experiment. Have some fun. Homework In the evening of the first day, make some very quick and simple drawings from something observed in the world. Perhaps an architectural or interior detail, or perhaps something from a familiar place or object. Also please feel free to bring in any materials you have at home that would be useful for collage.
Day Two and Three: The aim of these two days is to make a variety of drawings and collages that will extend the work made on the first day. Students will be asked to critique these works and decide which work best, which ideas are worth exploring more. Remember, paintings do not have to be rectangular or even hang on the wall. Also the history of collage extends into bricolage and assemblage in which three dimensional elements are incorporated into the work or form the basis of the work itself. You don't have to just think in terms of painting on paper by this time in the project.
Day Four and Five: The final days of the course will be dedicated to discover the techniques of Live Drawing with a series of different exercises.