Relief printing using stencils traced from previous sketchbook work

Printed oil based prints, using stencils from tracings of zoomed areas of my observational drawing of the Old Town Lanes in Chania, Greece. This collection of work is, I think, possible one of my favourites so far through this project for a variety of different reasons. Whether this is the organic texture and detail captured in the oil paints, or the layering displayed within these I feel totally inspired by both the process and outcomes of this workshop. The use of layering could not only just link to previous sketchbook work and my observational drawing (used as inspiration for the stencils), but also artists that I’ve researched in this project that use layering and collage. For example Gary Hume, Alex Brewer and the dada Movement. I also really love the outlines displayed through the use of second, negative, ghost prints and how this could link to the line art displayed again in my previous sketchbook work and the work of Gary Hume. All these elements giving me plenty of concepts I can look to develop, enhance and use as inspiration for future work and designs. I too carefully considered the colour schemes I chose for these prints, to work both harmonious and contrast, linking back to the work of Alex Brewer who also uses a variety of vivid and bright colour schemes to add interest to his unique work. These colour schemes could further link to colours in the nature, landscape, sea and sun from holidays back in Greece, helping me link back to my projects theme of heritage and my Greek roots. Lastly, I experimented with different papers and materials I could use, turning out to be something I really enjoyed and offered me a wide variety of outcomes. Doing this I trialled the way tracing paper would behave, turning out to produce much crisper outlines and also allowing light to shine through and reflect on my prints. This use of tracing paper could also linked back to how Hume uses transparency and layering to build and add detail to his work, something I could look to further develop and integrate. 

We also used extender to dilute our oil paints to allow for not just layering of colour, but also merging of colours and outlines. Something that I could look to utilize in the future and take inspiration from. Another key aspect that I am really glad has been presented in these prints is the contrast between geometric and more abstract and fluid shapes, a common theme that runs throughout my project to help create very unique and inspiring work that I can now use in the future. This concept of contrasting shapes and forms is something also displayed in Alex Brewer's work and designs, helping to once again create these important connections to previously studied designers.  Lastly, I really love my choice of building my layers slightly off centre, initially unintentional, however this is now one of my favourite elements within these prints, and something I’ll look to integrate into future work. Again helping me link back to the work of Gary Hume and how he layers his line art commonly of centre slightly to create very unique and abstract outcomes.

I personally now feel I can develop these prints further in a variety of different ways, whether that is working back into them both digitally or by hand to highlight and enhance, or by using them to create repeat patterns and prints for textile garments and designs for example. Alternatively, I could even look to take inspiration from the colour scheme, layering, outlines or silhouettes and shapes within these prints.

 Process pictures showing layering of colour and prints, helping to link to the layering used in both Gary Hume's and Alex Brewer's work, as well as collage in the Dada movement and layering within my own previous project work. These photos display my pattern formation, but also areas of carefully considered and intentional white space, integrated for balance within some of my prints. This white space is also seen in my stencils I've now inevitable printed onto. An element I could look to use and collage onto future work, or manipulate in some way to produce further inspired work. In conclusion this concept of balance, using white space, is one I really enjoy and feel inspired by to look to integrate into future work and designs. 

If I was to do this process again I may experiment with using my negatives from my stencils to get varied forms and images, as well as to avoid slight repetition at times within the shapes and figures in my prints. Alternatively, I could look to scan my prints in and layer elements of my negatives to trial how this may look. However, overall, I loved this process and seeing the layering and formation of my prints and patterns. Alongside the imaginative and unpredictability within the process, making it a technique and process I'll for sure be looking to develop and integrate into future project work. 

Previous research into the work of Alex Brewer I used to inspire elements of my prints. Whether this was though my: use of layering (also seen in Hume's work and Dada movement), vivid and baring contrasting colour schemes or contrast of abstract, fluid forms against more structured, geometric forms. All elements I really enjoy using, and have used in previous sketchbook work, and will continue to develop and integrate to future work.

Zoomed areas of previous observational drawing, from a self taken photo, inspired by the layering, line art, texture and transparency used in Gary Hume's work. Within these zoomed areas I've really tried to capture a variety of forms, texture, detail and line thicknesses to form my tracings. I then went onto use the photocopier to enlarge the tracings, finally going onto cut and create my stencils for my prints. A technique very new to me, by simple changing perspective and scale, and one I was amazed by how it can dramatically change your outcome and work overall. Keeping this all important link and development building throughout your project, resulting to be something I'll definitely look to use in future work.