The Origin Arts Challenge (September 2015)

Some of you may have already seen this on Facebook but for those of you that haven't, here is some information about the Origin Arts Challenge and how to enter your work.

We want to have a bit of fun with this so we are welcoming anyone and everyone to have a go at the challenges. This includes anyone online that sees this (yes, even you), as well as the Origin Arts class members.

We would simple like you to produce one or all of the challenges and upload them to either Facebook, Twitter or Instagram (@origin_arts) with the hashtag #OriginArtsChallenge and we can hopefully end up with a little gallery of challenge responses!

Here are the images and a little information on how to get started:

Field mouse

This may seem like the easy challenge but beware!!! 

The composition is essentially (on purpose) very drab. It is helpful in your design work that you learn to take an element from one source and an element source from another and bring them together to help you create what it is you want to say. In this challenge you have been given your central image however you will need to mix it with your own images to really make the picture come alive.

Fur is always a challenge and now is your chance to experiment with which of the many ways you can approach it and find out what works for you. Don't forget that the brown folder I bring to class is full of helpful hints and tips. This project may even make a great Christmas card.

St Ives - Two Point Perspective

This challenge is relatively obvious - two point perspective. However if you have already done the Porthleven challenge, which I recommend you do first, then you know you can do this! Two point perspective really isn't that hard - in fact I think it's much easier to grasp than our terraced corner in Porthleven! 

I have also challenged you with figures, I actually think that the figures are the story of this picture , so please don't get too focused on the technicalities - remember I want to see your response to the challenge.

There are plenty of new worksheets in the brown folder about perspective.

Still life

This is a still life at its best. It's meant to be a representation of Origin over the holidays for me!

There are several ways of going about this challenge

1) Do it yourself! Think, with some soul searching, about something significant you want to make a statement about. Above all if you are doing this independently it must be done with commitment - “Just because I like it” won’t do! Everything needs to be justified and make a symbolic statement that supports your central theme.

2) Take a chunk! If you are overwhelmed by the extent of the entire picture - take a chunk of it and concentrate on that. There is a great deal going on in this picture, it’s easy to take one small section of it. If you feel brave enough you may like to play with that section and abstract it.

3) Paint it! 

I have purposefully rubbed out the entire background on the photo. Yes, it took me a while! This is so that you are not distracted and are able to introduce and imagine your own background. This is a busy picture and represents many challenges not least size, light and texture.

Most of all, with all of the challenges, have fun! I look forward to seeing what you produce.



Please don't forget to upload with the hashtag #OriginArtsChallenge so that we can find your work.