Monoprint Collage Workshop

I have just finished taking another online workshop with the great Jane Davies. The workshop was Jane's Monoprint Collage.  We used the GelliArts gel plate (8X10") with acrylic paint (heavy body and fluid), stencils, mark making tools and lots of paper!! The first 2 lessons had us making collage papers using a variety of techniques - masking , stencilling, layering colours - lots and lots of different techniques....you were only limited by your imagination!  I used a variety of paper weights; 20lb up to 80lb.  I wanted to see what paper worked the best for printing and collaging with later. I made over a 100 collage papers and there were times that I wished I had more!  I have shown a few examples of the papers made below.

As we progressed through the workshop we worked with collaging, printing and adding paint to our images.  (A progression of lessons that built on one another.)

These are the open grids created with collage and printing with the gelli plate - with some cleanup using white paint. (Middle image is 10"X10" and the left and right images are 8"X10")

These are images that used main shapes created with stencils and printing.  Once printed we worked on the ground and could add more shapes if we wanted using more print and collage and line as well. This is an example of the start and the 'finished' image of one.  Image is 8"X10"

For this lesson we could start with printed images or collage and then print over the collage.  The image below shows the collage start and then the finished image that was printed, painted and had some line work added. Image size is 8"X10"

And finally the last lesson....using print starts and then cleaning up edges, enhancing or changing colours and adding collage and line if wanted. The images below show the start on the left and the 'finished' image on the right.  

I have only shown a small sampling of images created in the workshop, but I think it will give you some idea of the work involved and how the lessons built on one another.  When I started the workshop I told myself I was going to step outside my box and go with the 'flow'. Hmmm... I think I need to work on this a lot more! I am really looking forward to experimenting more with these techniques and adding them to my art practice. Jane's online workshops are so well done.  Each lesson has a 'written' lesson and a video demo.  A blog is set up (that can only be accessed by class participants) where you post your work and comments regarding your images for the particular lesson.  You can see other participants work and comment if you like.  The real bonus is Jane looks at all the work that is posted and provides individual comments to each artist about their work. I really do encourage you to check out Jane's website, sign up for her blog and check out her UTube videos. You won't be disappointed! 

On Line Workshops & the December Hare

I am falling behind!  Haven't spent anytime on the Dog Journal!  I had said I would try to do a page a week but it just isn't happening.  I am currently taking an online course - Monoprint Collage with Jane Davies.  This is a six week course and it is entirely up to you how much or how little you want to do.  Once a week we receive a written lesson plan and a video demonstration. You go through the weekly lesson and post your work and comment on it according to the guidelines Jane has set out. I have taken other online courses from other instructors and I would have to say that the online workshops I have taken from Jane (okay.....all that are currently offered on her website!) are heads and tails above anything else.  Jane comments on everything you post on the workshop blog (only open to participants of the workshop), offers constructive comments and answers any and all questions. Check out Jane Davies webpage for more info on her workshops and artwork - you won't be disappointed! Jane's videos' are also worth checking out, great demo's to get the creative juices going! And yes - I have learned so much from Jane and really do feel it has strengthened my art practice!

The Hare image is from a photo I took while on a week long workshop at Red Deer College (Red Deer, Alberta). She was enjoying a snack of some grass and wasn't too bothered by the clicking of the camera!  It is so nice to see them out and about, doing their thing. This is just a study. I had never used watercolour and acrylic paint together and I think it worked out okay. Not that keen on the background, so doing these smaller studies is extremely helpful. I am doing more 'studies' of images I would like to develop into larger work.  In the past I would have just gone straight to 'big'! And spent a lot of time struggling through the creative process!! Am enjoying the studies and taking the time to experiment with materials and techniques. Maybe in the New Year (hate to talk about that - seems a bit premature!) I will do a bigger picture. Want to exaggerate some of her features more - feet and ears - will have to do a few more drawings first though. 

9"X12"
Watercolour, Acrylic, stencils, white pencil
crayon, white gel pen and 6B graphite pencil
On Arches 140lb cold press watercolour paper