Welsh Art - Industry Clwyd Fine Art Trust and Joint Area Museum Education Service (JAMES)
Discussion Contents: Colour Mixing Drawing and Painting Images courtesy of Clwyd Fine Art Trust and Joint Area Museum Education Service More Pictures Exit
1. Discussion This image by Jan Boenisch depicts the steelworks at Brymbo. The artist has succeeded in reproducing the activity, heat and general environment of the steelworks. He does this through his use of quick, definite pencil marks and by using cold colours (black and blue) to contrast with the warmer yellow, orange and red colours. Jan Boenisch Brymbo Steelworks
By comparing them both we can see the decisions the artist made when choosing the most effective colours and while creating the composition. By using various shades of blue Roy Ostle has successfully created an atmosphere of dirt and claustrophobia, which is likely to portray the sensation of tunnelling. Here we see Roy Ostle's preparatory work as well as his finished piece. Roy Ostle Study, TunnellersRoy Ostle Tunnellers
Think of words to describe the paintings: light, dark, warm, cold, colourful, busy, exciting etc…
Where do you think the artist made this work?
Do you think the artist made sketches before making this work? Why do you think this?
Do you think the artist works quickly or slowly? How can you tell this?
What do the colours tell you about the picture?
How does the work make you feel?
Where do you think the artist made this work?
Do you think the artist made sketches before making this work? Why do you think this?
Do you think the artist works quickly or slowly? How can you tell this?
What do the colours tell you about the painting?
How does the work make you feel?
What is similar and what is different about the works?
Which do you like best and why?
Imagine what it might feel like to work in a quarry or a steel works. What kind of environment would it be? Think about colours to describe these words
Think about shapes to describe working in industry Think about objects you might find in industry Can you relate any of the words you came up with to the work of Jan Boenisch and William Selwyn?
2. Colour Mixing Materials needed: Paint, charcoal, white oil pastel, pencil, water pots, brushes, pallets, A3 drawing paper. Look at the words you came up with to describe industry. Using these words, draw a picture to describe how it might feel to work in a steelworks or a quarry. Your picture doesn't have to look like anything - just try to show feeling. Mix colours together to make new colours. Red + Yellow = Orange Red + Blue = Purple Blue + Yellow = Green Work out how to make different shades of these colours by adding more or less of the lighter and darker colours.
Once you have mixed the colours that you need, then paint the shapes you have drawn. You may find that you want to change some things in your drawing at this point - do it with a pencil but don't rub out your original marks. You will see that changing things without rubbing out can create very interesting shapes. When you have painted your drawing, leave to dry. Once dry, draw over it again with charcoal and white oil pastel - remember that you can smudge the charcoal with your finger to create a dusty effect. Group discussion Put all the class's work together. Each pupil can explain in turn what feelings they were trying to achieve in their painting. Compare the work and look again at Jan Boenisch and William Selwyn's workcan you see if they used any of the colours, shapes and effects that you used? Where can you see this?
3. Drawing and Painting Materials needed: Pencil, coloured oil or chalk pastels, charcoal, paint, brushes, pallets, water pots, white oil pastels, large drawing paper. (4 pieces of A 1 cartridge stuck together/roll of drawing paper). In groups of 5-8 look at various images of industry these can be old drawings, photographs, other artists' work etc. Look at the different scenes in the images, people working, machines etc. In your group you need to decide what kind of drawing you want to do, people at work, machines, factories etc. You also need to think about how you will draw this on the page - draw big to fill the page - remember not to worry about mistakes, just correct it but don't rub out. Use charcoal or graphite sticks, or both, to draw your image on the paper. Make sure you use the whole paper. Once you are happy with the image use the oil or chalk pastels to colour your picture.
You need to decide as a group what kind of feelings you would like the image to convey - choose your colours carefully to ensure that the picture shows these feelings. Make sure that you fill the picture with colour covering the whole paper. Once you have finished colouring you now need to use the paint - (Black- white-red-yellow-blue). You don't need to paint over the colours you have already put down - use the paint to create interesting tones and highlights in specific areas. Use the black to outline things and make them stand out. Use the white to show where light might reflect off surfaces. Stand back from your picture, look at the entire image. Are there any areas that need more detail? If so, use the paint to add more detail to those areas. Once you are happy with the picture, place it next to the images made by the rest of the class. Each group needs to explain how they made their picture, what decisions they had to make, why they chose the colours etc.
William Selwyn Granite Quarry, Penmaenmawr
Malcolm Hughes Composite Monsanto