Description

Perhaps you haven′t had much experience of expressing your creativity with paper and paints - or you think that your picture must represent a real object or subject - don′t be put off. This project lets you jump in at the shallow end and have some fun with colour.

We think the essence of creativity is about having ideas and trying them out. If no ideas are flowing just do something simple like Strips & Stripes. Then ask yourself, can I do this in a different way? Change it - play with it - try it again. This usually leads to more ideas, often far away from where you started. The important thing is to GET STARTED.

Strips & Stripes is a great way to get started because it′s quick, loose, easy to change and we give lots of suggestions on how you can develop the idea and start the flow of your own creative juices. The project involves both simple painting and basic collage techniques.

Another Perspective

This project is deceptively simple and you may be tempted to rush ahead with your own ideas, but we strongly recommend that for your first attempt with this particular project you copy the instructions exactly.

We do have a reason.

When you have completed your piece you will probably find yours does not perfectly replicate ours. You could look at these differences as ‘errors’ or ‘mistakes’ or evidence that “I can′t do it”. We found when we looked closely at our ‘errors’ and ‘mistakes’ that they actually brought a different quality to the picture. For example when I tried to reproduce a straight line without a ruler I thought “I can′t do this”, but when I looked again I thought my wobbly line brought a lovely light hearted quality to the piece.

Look at the bits you got ‘wrong’ and see them as stepping stones to future pictures. Ask yourself “how can I develop these ‘errors’?” (or make them worse if you like!)

Description

Patchwork Squares was the first picture I made to put up in our house. I wanted a large bold splash of colour at the top of our stairs but couldn't afford to buy a picture. I knew that if I tried to paint a picture myself it would look amateurish. So I set to work with huge pieces of backdrop paper, inks and scissors and created 3 similar yet different abstract pictures to hang in a row. Very easy and simple but professional looking. What surprised me was visitors asking "who is the artist?" Apologetically I told them "although I made the pictures I am most certainly not an artist!"

This new version of Patchwork Squares involves both careless, random scribble with luscious water soluble crayons and careful, precise measuring and cutting. You can create a picture in glorious vibrant colour or subtle, sophisticated shades to suit your own taste, mood... or stairs.

Another Perspective

With Patchwork Squares you come face to face with the expression 'Artistic licence'.

Art is not an exact science! A square doesn't have to be 'exactly' a square; it must 'look' like a square.

This principle should be applied throughout your pictures. Don't get bogged down in complicated maths and calculations (unless you love doing it).

Stand back from your work and decide if you think it looks correct. That's what counts!

Description

Inner Circle is a really simple idea, very quick and easy to complete.

It's about harmonising colours and using them boldly. The soluble crayons are wonderful to use- thick & waxy with strong vibrant tones. There are many ways to use them and this easy project is a great way to try them out.

The project is fast and loose and a very constructive way to 'let off steam'. Although there is nothing to it the results are effective - an organised tangle of juicy vibrant colour. A real 5 minute wonder. You could do 2 or 3 within an hour, trying out several colour combinations, and because they're so easy to replace if you 'ruin' one you won't mind experimenting a bit.

Another Perspective

We recommend you follow the instructions for any project as closely as you can initially. While doing this you will absorb the principle behind the project.

Inner Circle, particularly, has the potential for more.

When you have completed a few try a far less structured approach. don't think at all about the colours you are choosing, just pick up whatever colour you like and start working with it. When you have had enough of that one pick up a different one that just takes your fancy, with no thought for if it harmonises or not.

Let your hand decide whether to be exact and careful or rough and random - don't think about it. Draw quickly and roughly or slowly and carefully - it doesn't matter.

Allow the sponge to do its work with no help from you - roughly, gently, very wet or almost dry.

When you have finished walk away; let your work dry. Try and mount it without looking at or judging it. Hang it on the wall and leave it till the next day before you have a good look at it.

What do you think you felt like yesterday? What mood were you in?

Description

The version of Swirlpool that we are demonstrating here is rich and opulent with lashings of gold paint and velvety texture. Of course you could paint a lighter, airier version if you choose by using white instead of gold. It's a very strong, sensory picture. Enjoy making large brush strokes with mounds of thick paint straight from the tube, sliding smoothly over the paper in wide arcs.

Swirlpool is a very good interior design project and looks at its best in a row of three - each one slightly different to its neighbour.

Another Perspective

I just love Swirlpool. I'm not sure which I love most - putting the thick paint down with easy sweeping curves or looking at it afterwards. I can lose myself for ages in the one on the front cover.

It never ceases to amaze me how things I didn't intend or even notice while doing the painting, become a major part of my enjoyment when looking at it afterwards.

It seems to me that if I was to have a clear idea of what I wanted to create, and be too careful while doing it, I would miss out on all the wonderful things which happen by 'accident'.

I sometimes wonder if they really are accidents or if there is some secret part of me that knows exactly what it is doing when I just give it the space and opportunity to express itself.

Description

Orange Tree is a fairly lengthy project with 5 or 6 separate stages, including stamping and stencilling.

It is simplified like this to make things easier for people who think they can't draw. Those who are confident could skip a stage or two.

The steps build up layer by layer to create a stylised but very convincing orange tree; impressive if you thought you were not artistic!

A pair hanging together look even better - make a lemon tree too.

Another Perspective

Before we publish these projects for you to try, we have a group of 'non artist' guinea pigs who test them on their own to make sure the instructions make sense and they can achieve a result. After we had tested the first 10 we asked them which one they liked the best. Orange Tree was chosen as a favourite. It seems that the combination of several completely different skills and techniques, and the satisfaction in the finished result, make this project a favourite.

Orange Tree is a very stylised picture which can be developed for many other images and subject matter. You will learn several techniques which you could have fun with on their own and in completely different ways should the mood take you. If one of the techniques here appeals to you, do your own picture using just that one. Play around with it and see where it takes you.