Rene Magritte

Picasso

Eyes 2

Calder: Wire Sculpture of Edgar Varase and Fernand Leger 1930

VIncent van Gogh: Starry Night

In his letters to his brother Theo, van Gogh wrote about how he thought each star was the soul of a poet.

Tempera Batik Project - Georges Rouault

This painting looks like it could have been made using the Tempera Batik method.  In fact it is an oil painting, but the style is similar.  The painting is called ‘The Old King’ and was painted by Georges Rouaullt (a Fauvist/expressionist painter 1871-1958).  He shows the King in profile, in the same way that  kings and queens are shown on coins or stamps. This is part of a long and historical tradition going back to the time of the Romans and Greeks.  The bright colours with thick black outlines are also similar to stained glass window designs, something we looked at when viewing Van Gogh’s painting of his bedroom.  Van Gogh was influenced by the Japanese prints that were popular amongst artists in France at the time. It may be that Rouault was influenced by these images as well, but we know that he studied stained glass techniques and was taught by a Symbolist painter Gustave Moreau.  He was very ill for a period before making this painting, and his art became concerned with human suffering.  This particular painting was started during World War I, as the old monarchies in Europe were threatened, and he finished it during the economic depression leading up to World War II. 

Tempera Batik: Process

Tempera Batik Process (AKA The Peter Process):

1. Draw a chalk or charcoal picture on sugar paper using thick lines and a simple design.

2. Paint inside the chalk lines using powder paint mixed with cellulous paste and use any color but black. Don't paint over the chalk lines.

3. Let painting dry completely. Use a  brush to gently cover the painting with one coat of ink. Don't overlap brushstrokes.

4. Let ink dry for about 30 minutes. Then place the painting on a board in the sink. Slowly pour cold water over it and gently rub away ink. (Do not allow ink to dry too long or it will be too hard to wash off.)

5. Set painting on newspaper to dry. The ink sticks to the painting in some places, just like batik, and even if parts of the paint peel off under the water, it is likely to still be an interesting image.

6.To protect the painting and bring out the colours, you can cover the surface with PVA glue when it is completely dry.

Drawing Eyes: Artist - M. C. Escher: Eye

M.C. Escher (1898-1974) is the famous graphic artist who we looked at in Year 10 when we were studying tessellation.  He was born in The Netherlands.  His most famous works are his 'Impossible Structures', where he illustrates rivers flowing uphill and endless staircases.  He was very talented and as well as his graphic designs, he also illustrated books, designed stamps, tapestries and murals.

Look at the detail in this picture and the way that he draws the eye-lashes on the bottom lid.

He has drawn his own eye using a convex (rounded) shaving mirror to magnify it and see the detail more easily.  In the centre of the pupil is 'the one who watches us all'.

Find out more on:

www.mcescher.com

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._C._Escher 

www.worldofescher.com/gallery/ 

Photography: Artist - Shadi Ghadirian: Untitled from the Ghajar Series 1998-1999

Remember out visit to the Saatchi Gallery in Year 10? This is one of a series of photographs by the Iranian photographer/artist Shadi Ghadirian (b.1971).  In her work she challenges international ideas about women's roles within an Islamic state, using her own experience of living within the ancient codes of Shariah law.  Her photographs describe female identity and traditional roles in a positive and homourous manner.

The Ghajar dynasty ruled Iran from 1794-1925. Photography was very popular and the photographic style that was used has influenced Shadi Ghadirian's compositions. She uses traditional settings and costumes but introduces modern technology and arranges her models in poses that seem out of place against these surroundings.  

Find out more on:

 www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/shadi_ghadirian.htm

www.artfacts.net

www.zonesero.com