Course Review:
Mixed media meets Medieval Splendor! Enjoy three full-throttle days in the studio with Michelle and Lynne, and learn all of our favorite methods and techniques for creating high-drama results using low-tech supplies. Medieval relics, turreted architecture, regal crowns and headdresses, and chambered passageways…..All of these ancient touchstones will provide inspiration for an enriching art experience, plus endless ideas for your future work in art journals, collage, assemblage and more. Full-to-brimming with hands-on demonstrations, instruction, and brain-storming sessions; the weekend will culminate in an embellished architectural enclosure that houses mythic characters, imperial symbols, and mixed-media adornments. Grab the keys to the castle, and join us for a 3-day art adventure at the beautiful Interlaken Inn in the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut.
Agenda:
Class begins at 9:00 am. There will be a lunch break when the boxed meals arrive. Welcome Dinner follows class on Day One. Each day will have continual beverage service and a mid-afternoon snack provided by the Inn.
We will have 3 full days of instruction, so arrange your travel plans so you can be ready to begin work in the studio at 9 AM on Friday morning. Please plan to stay until 4 PM on Sunday. The studio will be available to us 24/7 during the event, optional for continued work in the evenings.
This year we will be working on a singular project that will evolve across the three days. Please read through the supply list of materials required as well as those that will be provided.
Pre-planning:
As we all prepare to embark on our art-making weekend together we need to prepare by gathering supplies, but we also need to get in the creative frame-of-mind. While we believe strongly in working organically and intuitively when you are “in process”, we also believe that a small dose of pre-planning plays an important role in any endeavor. The Gathering Phase of preparation sets in motion a productive vibe that is physical (as you organize your supplies) and intellectual (as you visualize the possibilities). Start thinking about how you would personally interpret “Crowning Glories”, and find material to use that will support your vision. There will be plenty of opportunities to build up layers of collage elements on the flat surface of the paper, as well as dimensionally on your medieval niche casement. You should give some consideration to both your color palette and your personal theme as you build your arsenal of supplies.
Provided Supplies:
We will be providing each student with a wood niche kit and several sheets of 11” x 14” heavy paper. The box and painted/collaged paper inserts will be an ongoing project over the three days in the studio. To give you an idea of the scale, the completed box is roughly 4” wide by 11” high and nearly 1-1/2” deep. See bottom for photo of the unfinished kit. We will also be providing a packet of images for you to work with, but highly recommend that you collect some of your own to make your pieces more personal.
Student Supply List – Please bring the following tools and supplies below, as well as additional requests for collage.
– Container of white gesso, one pint (16 ozs.)
– Container of acrylic matte medium, minimum 8 oz., (for paper collage)
– Small container of acrylic GEL medium (for heavier collage items)
– A selection of inexpensive acrylic paints (2 oz. bottles). Bring at least 8-10 colors, including black. Give consideration to your color palette and the projects you will be creating.
– Metallic paints – Lumiere paints (made by Jacquard) are especially good, and have a lot of opacity (which Lynne loves) — please bring along 2 or 3 of these.
– Portfolio brand water soluble oil pastels. Very inexpensive and available from Dick Blick online. This is Lynne’s favorite art supply, and she wants to give you a lot of ideas for how to use them. Please bring THIS brand – we will be working with them a lot.
– Palette for paints / Water container for brushes
– Spray bottle for water plus old washcloth
– A package of foam make-up wedges (not wafers)
– Masking tape
– Your usual mark-making tools (gel pens, Sharpies, pencils, colored pencils, etc)
– Pack of index cards, any size or color
– Scissors, and/or exacto blade plus cutting mat
– Bone folder
– Metal edge ruler
– Rubber brayer (Speedball soft rubber 4” brayer recommended)
– A selection of inexpensive bristle brushes (not foam) Bring a large 2” brush for gesso, and a selection of other sizes to use for paint and medium. Include a small detail brush.
Decorative stencils: We use these a lot! Bring exotic patterns, swirls, paisleys, geometrics, nature-themed, florals, etc. Try Michael’s Craft Store for die-cut scrapbook papers – they are very inexpensive and can be used for stenciling.
Stamps and punches: in addition to stencils, you may want to have some patterned stamps and ink pads, and decorative paper punches. If you are a stamp carver, you may want some of your supplies to cut a handful of stamps to coordinate with your materials.
Embellishments: More is more! (of course!) Bring things that are easily glued to the surface, and support your chosen theme. Fabrics, trimmings, small-mirrored tiles or faux jewels, Milagros or charms, tassels, braid, fibers, sequins, paper lace, cheesecloth, etc. Consider finding dimensional details to enhance your panels and your shrine – may include mini-brads, metallic tape, and metal findings.
For Collage: (bring enough to use and some to share – We will have a Sharing Table for this workshop – always a fun landfill of random stuff!) This project is ALL about collage papers and embellishments, so bring plenty of options to work with – pattern and specialty papers, trims, and fabric scraps. In addition to the blk/wht copies described below, please bring along a selection of decorative papers (text weight paper, not cardstock), gift wrap, marbleized, book pages, old correspondence, maps, charts, etc.
Photocopies: Be sure to read About Making Photocopies. We both like to use photocopies in our work and have plans to demonstrate methods for incorporating photocopied imagery into your work. Do some background research to find useful images that will support your personal theme. We suggest you find a selection of faces, and figures/characters that would support your narrative for Crowning Glories. You’ll also need a selection of images for build your crowns. For instance, bring images of jewels/brooches/badges, architectural details, patterns, tiles, etc. You might also want to bring some copies of text/writing/manuscripts/maps that support your theme.
Make your copies in multiples, and in various sizes. For example: If you find an interesting element in a clip-art book of vintage ironwork, make four copies of the original size, and four more copies at a reduced size.
The attached image should give you some ideas of what to bring, for collage elements. Keep in mind that each panel will be approximately 4” wide X 11” tall. (vertical)
Bring enough collage materials for at least 3 panels. Take a look at Lynne’s suggested images (see photo above) and start gathering images for collage. Some ideas:
***Bring along interesting faces/characters (male/female, your choice)
***Use your imagination, and come up with some ideas for offbeat “crowns” for each character. Suggestions: Architecture, ships, design motifs, script, archways, etc.
***Find some smaller elements to add to the composition: Costumed people, smaller architectural elements like windows or turrets, medallions, keys, etc.
Bring plenty of collage prints to use, and some to share. (We will have a sharing table for all the “extras” – always a great place to find unexpected treasures.)
NOTE: We will be prviding you with a packet of images to work with but we highly recommend that you bring along some of your own so that you work is personal to your own vision.
A fellow student shared this link with us. It is a terrific resource for vintage engravings of people and places. Be sure to convert to black and white, then make a toner copies as inkjet prints will not work. LINK: Wenceslas Hollar @ Wikimedia Another terrific link: ClipArtETC
ABOUT MAKING PHOTOCOPIES: When we talk about making using photocopies we mean TONER or LASER, NOT INKJET. Why TONER copies? All other copies will smear and blur when wet. Lynne will show you a lot of her favorite ideas for layering, and TONER copies are a must. Any copy center will be able to make toner copies for you. Make sure your copies are not too dark or murky – you want to be able to see the features of the faces. LOOK at my workshop sample……it should give you some ideas. Only bring toner copies. Also, if you want to be sure your copies will work – Go over the surface with a wet brush – if the images smear, they will not work for collage.
You may also want to bring your art journal or sketchbook for note-taking or additional work in class.
Optional: You might want to bring some bubble wrap to protect your completed artwork on the journey home.
Please start the gathering, and the brainstorming!!!! And write to us with any questions.
Lynne Perrella, LKPerrella@AOL.com
Michelle Ward, GRNPEP@optonline.net