Abstracting Merton Park

Our Mapping Merton Park project continued last week by adding an abstract element. We looked to artist Shiraz Bayjoo, who ran our holiday course Mapping My World last Easter.

We looked at some collage artists and discussed ways to lay out a collage to give a message and look interesting.

We then looked at some abstract paintings and talked about creating an interesting background for a collage.

We then experimented with collage composition, using images collected from the area and our place within it. we tried several layouts before we chose the one we liked best.

We then went wild and experimented with abstract painting techniques to create our background. We used several techniques.

Wet in Wet paint

Masking using card strips to create lines

Sponging and flicking paint.

Using rollers

Creating a wash, letting it dry and painting over

Using thick paint to create bold lines and patterns

Our paintings were vibrant and beautiful

We then collaged over the top to create a final piece.

This gave our work an extra layer of meaning – we were really saying something about ourselves…don’t you agree?