“Explore the ways in which color impacts composition. Create a suite of collages in response to compositional problems, and use those studies as references for color interpretations executed in pastels. The work of modern and contemporary artists provides reference for our explorations. Mediums include color drawing materials, collage and mixed-media.”
When I read the description for Julia Ricketts‘ Abstract Composition: Color Studies weekend workshop at Gage Academy of Art, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew that so many of the things I love would be touched on somehow – color, abstract art, and collage –, but I wasn’t sure how it would all fit together.
Now that I’ve taken the class, I see that the description outlines it perfectly. The only thing missing is the part that says, “Melanie! This workshop will change your life!” Seriously. Julia taught me an entirely new approach to making abstract art. Rather than just jumping in and playing around with paper or paint until we created something, which is what I always do, we were more methodical. We started with studying examples of different artists’ interpretations of the types of abstract compositions we were going to create, followed by a demonstration by Julia. Then we went to our own workspaces to create the collage assignments and Julia came around offering individual feedback and assistance.
After we made our collages, we moved on to thumbnail sketching. This was completely new to me. We used two right angles to section off interesting bits of our collages, then sketched those slivers out alongside the original collage. We framed two or three parts and ended up with completely unique drawings. After lunch we chose color palettes from our boxes of Prismacolor Nupastels and decided how we were going to represent our small thumbnails on our huge pads of drawing paper.
Taking the time to plan my collages and abstract paintings before diving right in, even roughly, is something I’ve never tried before. I’ve always just worked and played with the materials until something came from the exploration process. I’m not saying that I’ll never create art like that again, but I’m so happy with the results of this new method that I’m going to make preliminary sketching and color studies part of my creative process.
And guess what?!
I’ve always wanted to go to art school and now I’m indulging myself a little. Today I signed up for Julia’s Abstract Painting I course for the fall quarter. I start in a couple of weeks and I’m so excited! While I’ve taken a few art workshops here and there, I’ve never taken a 10-week, focused class. I learned so much in two days – I can only imagine what 10 weeks will be like!
You can read more about Gage Academy of Art and see more photos of my weekend workshop experience next week on Seattle Refined. I’ll post the link here once the story has been published.