Art

ARTIST AT WORK No. 21: John Gammans, Coda, acrylic on board, 102 x 91cm

Istart with a seed of inspiration; in this instance from a series of en plein air sketches of a fastdeveloping weather front. I break the silence of a plain, white board using a monochromatic layer of red and white paint to create a pink composition and establish tonal values, applied with a broad brush using dynamic strokes. At this early stage, I am not only establishing values but also the direction and energy that I intend subsequent layers to follow, by applying multiple layers of contrasting cool colours, predominately with large palette knives, blending with paint brushes, squeegees and a water spray. Encouraging small areas of the underlying colour to show through, I continue to maintain the tonal balance, composition and energy of the painting. The process becomes about the application and erosion of alternating layers. Applying thick layers, mark-making into the wet paint and when dry, scratching into the paint with coarse sandpaper to reveal some underlying history of the painting.

The combinations within this technique help me to construct the painting’s character, encouraging happy accidents to emerge throughout the process. I like that the end result can be open to interpretation, so long as the emotion and energy of the piece comes through, I’m happy.

Coda is available to purchase for £800

AN ARTIST’S VIEW Laurence Belbin

Ihave resisted more drawings and paintings of my garden, but instead have had two projects to work on during the continued lockdown.

Firstly, having obtained an old bike, I decided to create a ‘sculpture’ for the garden. It is wind-driven by applying tape to the spokes which in turn drives the peddles and the cyclist’s legs. It was an interesting project and still needs some minor attention. The cyclist was cut out from an old sign I had on my previous studio, at the railway station and now home to ‘Free 2 Cycle’. Working out the leg proportions was critical because they not only had to look right, they had to function too. Very time-consuming but very satisfying when you see it working.

The sculpture depends on a reasonably strong south-westerly wind, but not too strong as to flip the chain off, which seems to be happening every now and then. I had to get a spot of welding done on the sprocket and wheel hub because the wheel was undoing itself. Friction was my worst enemy, so all the moving parts - hip and knee joints – have spacers to help them move as freely as possible but still hold together. You can see a video of it working on my Facebook page, Laurence Belbin Artist, or take a stroll up Blackberry Lane and see the real thing!

The second project I have been working on is a signwriting one. In a previous article, I wrote about the pub sign I did for The Mitre Inn at Sandford Orcas. Well, I was asked to produce some more signs to help them through this difficult period. As a result of the restrictions imposed on pubs, they have ventured into the ‘takeaway market’, providing their usual good quality country pub meals to enjoy at home. I have sampled them; very nice indeed. So, signs were required to let everyone know the availability of this service.

Additionally, they needed a new sign promoting their garden and its bar, as shown here, for when things start to reopen. For this one, I wanted to go with a flower/wildlife theme, so included bees, dragonfly and foxgloves – all of which I’ve seen in the garden myself.

In all, I had seven signs of varying sizes to do. Preparing the boards, designing, and tracing out the lettering was first on the agenda, only then could I begin the painting. As one bit was drying, I worked on another. Slowly bringing them up to the finished state, ready to varnish. Working with the pub’s colour green as a base, I did all the lettering and kept in mind where I’d like the pictorial element to be placed.

The important thing I think about signs and posters is the message. I see so many with too much information that they fail to grab attention and therefore, achieve their purpose. So, ‘TO THE GARDEN AND GARDEN BAR’ had to be my priority; everything else was to enhance the overall effect. Painting the flowers etc was the only area which comes close to my normal way of painting, the rest was more on the graphic design side.

I have seen them fixed in place and they certainly catch the eye. A very pleasing job to have done. Now, let me have a look at their menu and choose my evening meal!

laurencebelbin.com