Gattobravo

Gattobravo is a really interesting blog that demonstrates how effective simple, quick sketching can be.  The blogger describes the site as  "an illustration blog that focuses on the more important things in life; good food and wine, as well as the occasional feature on design, architecture and music. GATTOBRAVO is opinionated and partial and everything recommended on this site has been personally reviewed by GATTOBRAVO."

Sketching is a skill in itself.  Most of the time as artists we like to look at detail and take time over drawing, however at other times it's necessary to draw details to record visual fact or atmosphere at speed.  Gattobravo's style is interesting because it is simple, precise, detailed and colourful but not all at the same time.  The illustrator proves that observational drawing can capture specific parts of a skeleton-like whole.  The image below is a good example of this; why draw both doors in detail when you know both will be the same?  Get down samples of colour rather than doing complete painted studies.  Sketches with supporting photographs can give you a wealth of material to return to in the comfort of your own home, studio, or art lesson.  

It's all about the print

As some of you may have realised, I'm a bit of a print obsessive.  My ideal day would be spent printmaking, a bit of lunch in the sunshine, more printmaking, and then a couple of shandies.  Nothing pleases me more than different papers, ink, the turn of the printing press wheel, and the nervous excitement of pulling back the paper to see how the print has come out.  Intaglio or relief; etched, screen-, lino-, or mono printed; it's all lovely.

The following printmakers and studios prove that it's not all historical...

Tugboat Print Workshop
The people at Tugboat Print produce some of the most exciting woodcuts I've ever seen.  They're illustrative, full of pattern, colourful. technically brilliant, odd, and just generally beautiful to look at.  You can get similar effects with linoprinting if you'd like to have a go.

Follow this to see the process for the image above.

Trefeglwys studio in Mid Wales is run by printmaker Andrew Baldwin who has worked solidly for the past 10 years to develop less toxic ways of etching.  I first met him at Aberystywyth University where he was technician.  Since then I have kept in contact and attended his workshops, hoping to return to KEC with acid etching techniques to be used in college.
His own work is amusing and imaginative; playing with social associations and humorously turning them on their heads.

Norman Ackroyd produces magnificent, atmospheric landscapes full of extremes in tone, contrast, texture and weather!  He has explored a technique called aquatint which gives a watercolour or tonal effect, but in print.

Shropshire
1994 • 60 x 89cm •

Collographs are something we encourage our students to experiment with but rarely do we get people who really want to refine what they've done and explore the technique fully.  Bonnie Murray is an artist who has really accomplished this; proving that scraps of wallpaper can create wonderful contrasts, producing form through intricate arrangements of textured surfaces.

 I first met Luke Drozd on my Art Foundation course.  He is an exciting illustrator and has worked in a variety of mediums, including screen printing, for many years.  Recently he has been commissioned to do limited addition screen printed posters for Franz Ferdinand, Death Cab for Cutie, and The Black Keys. As an artist he has a stylised cartoon style which takes influence and inspiration from a wide variety of sources.    

                           

These are just some of my favourites.  Please post a comment and links if you've found some good examples too.

The following examples are official organisations and workshops where you can find more information.

• In the library we have the journal Printmaking Today which is full of news, reviews and technical information.
• Royal Society of Painter- Printmakers
• Birmingham Printmakers

Who knew vegetables were so artistic?

I imagine that if you're anything like me, you get inspired by and attracted to some pretty strange things, amongst them I take great pleasure in having packets in my kitchen cupboards and everyday items which are interesting to look at.  I first came across the work of Emma Dibben on Waitrose carrier bags.  Bags For Life are great, and the canvas and cotton ones are sometimes really pretty, but I actually wanted to buy a plastic bag when I saw these illustrations!

In 2004 she graduated from University College Falmouth with a degree in Illustration.  She started as a freelance illustrator and now works at Jamaica Street Artists Studios.   The module in Professional Practice which she did on her degree course has helped her throughout her career as it explains how to go about organising yourself as a creative and business person.

She's gone on to do the monthly editorial illustrations for Waitrose Food Illustrated and their own brand Essentials rang, amongst many other things.

I love her work  not only because it is beautifully messy yet controlled, but also her drawings explore a variety of styles and materials, and her use of watercolour and inks is stunning.  She displays sketches, illustrations, typography, and even includes her allotment blog all of which prove that life, work and art can exist in equilibrium.

                                                                                 

All images  : Emma Dibben

New start, new blog

The year 13s have left and it's a time of new beginnings and challenges for the Year 12 students.  It's quite a step up and a different way of working, which is sometimes daunting.  However, it's looking good so far.  We've reviewed last years work, which some people have found quite difficult; wanting to leave those Units of work behind,  but it's an important part of moving on to the next stage.  Looking back at work after even a short break can be surprising, almost as if it belongs to someone else, or that much more time has passed.
So now we're blogging, focusing on the positives, the work we're most proud of, that shows skill and accomplishment; thinking about what to carry on or leave behind; and how to explore our creativity in new and interesting ways.
I'm going to use my blog to highlight work and blogs that I consider show real talent and individuality both by students and established creatives.  Please read the updates from time to time, you might see something that inspires or helps you.
Let the blogging commence.