Weeks:
Studio Documentation
Week 2 (4th - 8th Oct)
Plaster Experiments
My aim for these abstract pieces is to create dimension and texture. I observed someone else's work in my class where she uses plaster on her textural canvas pieces.
I asked for her advice and started to experiment with plaster on A4 watercolour paper. To see how the application of the plaster reacts on flat surfaces.
Thin application
First, I tried to apply the plaster as thin as I could using an art knife to see how it glides onto the page and how quick drying the plaster is.
I think it created a good texture without much effort. It was straightforward to create texture marks on top of the plaster, but I had found that when working plasters, you have to move quickly while making intentional marks.
Mid application
I dug more than I did in the last experiment when scooping the plaster with my art knife. It was interesting to see a shape that's more pronounced. That can create a shadow on the page.
Since there's more plaster, I thought it would dry slowly, but I would say it's around the same.
Thick application
It was fun to add think layers of plaster. It was interesting to see how high I could build it up and adding lines and small cracks to create more texture.
I shaped it so it would be like a spiral shape. It mirrored the experiments that I did in the first week.
I think I will continue to do more plaster experiments but doing it on a bigger scale. Now I know the ratio between water and plaster as well as knowing how to work with plaster. I feel more comfortable experimenting on a bigger scale.
Digital experiments
I was watching Youtube videos of Clyfford Still's work explained and got to find out more on how he applied his paint. I thought that it would be done through digital painting. I made this experiment on photoshop using the painting tool. The idea was to use the colours of the original primary picture and create painting strokes like Still to create something abstract but familiar.
I tried a different approach to create recurring shapes by drawing the whole form from the primary photograph—still using the colours from the primary picture.
I decided that I would not continue digital experiments as the aim is to create textured and 3D. I do not want to limit myself by just focusing on a computer screen. I want to generate something with materials with my hand on which I could build on. I want it to be touched by people.