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Friday 11 September 2015

Don't Make Bad Art


Oh the irony!

If only you knew the countless mistakes that went into creating this art journal spread. Not least my trying to fathom out how to use paint pens. Just the tiniest amount of pressure and suddenly a pool of paint is spreading out before you. And when you jump back, splashes of permanent paint land onto your jeans.

Right at the start, when I tried laying down a background using distress inks, it all fell apart at the seams. An indescribable blotchy, patchy, mess of rubbed on, dry looking ink stared back at me. Thankfully, after taking advice, I swiped Dylusion's paints over the top. First white, then turquoise. Removed all the evidence.

I drew the pink squiggle borders and then sat staring at the blank page wondering how the heck to fill it. The idea came to me to treat it like a wall and graffiti over it. I'd just been having a conversation about good and bad art. You probably have heard or read something along the lines of "There is no such thing as bad art".

Really? I see bad art all the time. Not least on my own desk and in my sketchbooks.

So ignore what the teachers, gurus and well-meaning say to you. And whenever and wherever possible, remind yourself. DON'T MAKE BAD ART. Then, if you are anything at all like me, $£@$ it all up whilst attempting this pretence of perfection :)

Works for me everytime :D


2 comments:

alexa said...

Oh, the struggles! But it has become a very vibrant page with those great contrasts. I remember hearing of an art tutor who told his first year university students: "You all have a thousand bad paintings inside you, so let's get started!". I always find this consoling :).

Michele said...

I would have loved to be a fly on the wall watching you creating this page lol! I can imagine that a lot of expletives were used! I think you've done a great job in disguising any mishaps - it looks fab! x