Biro and hairspray transfer.

Transfer techniques - Biro and hairspray.

The second transfer technique I explored in the transfer techniques lesson was Biro and hairspray. This allows for an observational drawing to be aged quickly as the hairspray morhpes the image by separating the ink in the drawing and allowing it to bleed down the page. With this technique you also create a ghost image on the back of the surface the drawing is on. 
The first piece i drew was an observational line drawing of a dead leaf, this allowed for a fair amount of Biro and line due to the many fold with the contorted leaf. I chose to complete the image in a rather abstract manner to add to the hazy and distorted effect that this technique creates. When spraying the hairspray onto the image the distance of the spray changes the intensity of this effect. By putting the hairspray close to the image the ink separates a lot and drips down the page taking the ink with it, creating drips down the page. Holding the hairspray further away lightly changes the colour of the ink but doesn't distort the shape of the drawing. When spraying the hairspray the page behind the image becomes translucent allowing light to come through the piece, while holding this up to light a sort of hidden image can be seen. This translucent image could be then traced or copied while wet to develop the image.

Biro after the hairspray was applied, creating a hazy and warped effect.

when held up to the light the hairspray creates a transparent effect to the page. This fabricating a hidden image when the piece dries, for example here a figure can be seen in the hairspray.

After spraying the piece with hairspray a ghost piece is transferred on the back of the paper. Only sections that the hairspray touched is transferred this creates a fragmented image. 

By experimenting with different colours of biro I was able to see how the colour effects the amount of ink that runs within the piece. With black ink the hairspray causes a separation in colour and purple and blue hues run from the pen. Using red ink there is very little colour disperses from the original piece, by taking this into account it could be exploited when used as a developed transfer technique. 

This style of image could be used within a layering type of collage to add areas of different texture to the piece. The hairspray in effect  makes the paper thinner and bobble and the surface which if to be painted on top off could create an interesting texture as the paint would pick up on the uneven surface. 

 

  

Artist research.

Artist research

Abstract expressionists

Jackson Pollock - Number 23 1948

Sam francis - Around the Blue

oil and acrylic on canvas 1957-62  

Willem De Kooning -

The visit 1966-7

oil paint on canvas

Landscape at Stanton station 1971

Lithograph on paper

James brooks

Boon 1957

oil paint on canvas

Franz Kline

Meryon 1960-61

oil paint on canvas

Robert Motherwell

Poet (1) 1961

Lithograph on paper

Martyn Jones

Mouthing streams

oil on canvas 200x290 cm

Paul Barter

130204

mixed media on board 65x122cm

Liz Pannett

14.1.79-8.80

 Acrylic, chalk & charcoal on paper 88.6x63.7cm

Cello-tape transfer.

Transfer technique lesson - Cello-tape transfer.

The first transfer technique I explored during this lesson was the cello-tape transfers. This transfer creates a translucent image of a photograph on cello-tape. This transfer relies heavily on using the right type printer or photocopier, using ink jet printers instead of using laser printers the image simply disintegrates when adding water to the image. 

Tape layered over a photocopied image
of a previous collage.

To begin the transfer a laser photocopy is taken and cello-tape is layered over the image, picture side up. When applying the tape it is important to make sure that there is a slight overlap between the strips as without this the tape pulls apart further on in the process. It is also important that there are little to no air bubbles as when the image is transferred this creates gaps in the image creating a section of blank space, however if this technique was used to age a picture this is something that could be taken into account as old photos gradually lose part of the image as they age. When this is complete a shiny layer is left over the photocopy.

The next stage is where it would become apparent if an ink jet printer is used. Taking a damp sponge to the back of the photocopy, gradually rub away the paper on the back. Ensure that the sponge is fairly damp while doing this as it makes the paper come away far easier. through experiment with this technique I found it works better to rub with the grain of the picture, meaning to rub in one direction as then it avoids accidentally pulling sections of the copy away. At this point you should see your image appearing through the gap where paper has been removed, it is important to note that images with a vast amount of white or light grey tints will rub away completely leaving the transparent tape, this is good to show high areas of contrast within a photo. When all the paper is removed a fragile and translucent copy of your image should remain on the tape. 

Image beginning to emerge through the paper at beginning of transfer.

transfer lifted to the light to show where sections of pale hues had become transparent.

   In my first attempt at this technique I developed a rip in the transfer, I put this down to the cello-tape not overlapping much at this intersection creating a weak point, which was then weakened by heavy handedness at removing paper. This is when I also discovered following one direction when removing paper worked better as no rips occurred following that technique.
To show the transparency of the technique I painted a bright yellow underneath the image to contrast against the red tone, to further this I could pair this particular image with green ink as green and red are complementary colours. I also smudged the colour on the page with a sponge and took some ink away to add some variety to the marks on the page. I do think the image was successful as the bright hue underneath the transfer made the pattern on the tape stand out more, it also emphasised the transparent nature of the piece. This technique works well as a component of a collage as the base of the piece can be seen through the image layered on top, it also could be layered with other transfers to develop depth to a piece.
 
I really enjoyed this technique and decided to complete another transfer with an image with more contrast to show how the pale hues are taken away. I chose to use an old photograph which suited this technique far better than the image of the collage I used before. Having an old photograph as a subject lends its self to this technique as slight errors in the process fabricates the illusion of an aged image. It can be used as a quick method to give age to a photo and also adds a different texture to the piece. 

Old photograph of a great aunt, at the first stage of the transfer. Layering tape over the copy. 

A section of the photo showing through, in the process of removing the paper with a wet sponge.

The completed transfer, I think this is rather successful and actually used the same image and technique to create further collages. Described in other posts
.    
To show the transparency of the image layered but not adhered to a piece of paper with yellow ink.

Birmingham, museum and art gallery.

Birmingham, museum and art gallery.

The last gallery I visited was the Birmingham museum and art gallery, of a the galleries visited on the 11th this one was filled with mainly older paintings and traditional nude sculptures. The entrance to the museum was dominated by an angelic sculpture and a decorative mosaic floor. 

Similarly to the Walsall gallery I then entered a section of the museum where there were cabinets filled with artefacts for all over the globe. Here the range of delicate ceramics illustrated the true skill of ancient civilisations as they managed to create such small and intricate objects without the materials and skills that we now take for granted. 

The next section of the museum I visited was a section based around faith and all the different religions. I feel that this was a really personal experience and was rather emotional. The room was sparse and dominated by a large colourful sand decoration of the floor and a large statue of Buddha. Covering the walls were quotes about what people believed faith was them. The collection was interactive and this is the part that truly got to me. There was a small washing line with small pieces of paper titled what does faith mean to you. These tiny pieces of paper were full of children's expressive writing about what their faith meant to them. Seeing how even small children have an opinion on faith and some believing in it really touched me. A small section of the room was closed away and inside this was a short film of people talking about their faith, this filed the room with sound and made it feel as if the voices of the children who wrote on the washing line was filling the room. The sculptures of Buddha was breath taking and emitted a presence due to it being positioned in the centre of the room just behind the large sand piece. 

 

The section that followed the piece on belief linked quite heavily to the theme that i have been exploring in the classroom. I have been looking at texture and often using thread as a medium for adding a different dimension to the image here there were many intricate sculptures made from thread intertwined within its self. From looking at this style of work I am interested in maybe working in a three dimensional style to portray texture and I can also explore the idea of shape and the way that can portray texture.

Within this section there were also images showing a similar idea of collage and paint to create a rather abstract but highly textured image. Seeing that their are artists that make this kind of expressive collage work on a professional scale has made me really consider carrying on this theme through my work and working towards my final piece for the faded memories and trace and time theme. 

 

The next section of the gallery is where I completed most of my observational drawing through this gallery as there were many sculptures of dancers and traditional busts. The form of these bodies made for a good subjects of my drawings. As there were many different positions it meant I could study drawing the human form from many different angels, becoming accustomed to the nature lines that follow the human body. As there were mainly female sculptures the images I drew followed curves and became quite organic.    

The last collection I visited before leaving the museum was the 'Room of Dreams'  created by Wendy Ramshaw an extremely influential jewellery designer. Her art for fine jewellery can be seen in the very delicate wire designs. Looking at her work has also made me consider adding wire to my work which maybe could incorporated into a three dimensional sculpture. 

 

Through this gallery the main subject for my observation studies was the nude sculptures previously mentioned. I also studied small aspects of some of the larger structures throughout the gallery. The gallery was also in its 130th anniversary so I decided to practice some of the typography I saw in the gallery.