Another early image, made using only tools within Paintshop Pro or Photoshop Elements. I still like this one, although to be honest, it works better on screen than in print form. I need to do some work perhaps to enrich the depth of colour, perhaps boosting saturation levels a little and printing on matt, watercolour style paper. The concept would also work I think as a collagraph or perhaps even as a solar etching.
| | | |
| |
Another early digital print, made from a photograph of the National War Memorial Gardens in Dublin, taken from across the River Liffey. More or less behind me is Phoenix Park. This is also an early example of my 'just because you can't see the colours in the scene, doesn't mean they aren't there' approach, hence the sky...
Available printed on matt finish art paper in two sizes. The A4 size includes a mount to fit a standard 30cm by 40cm frame (other sizes possible - let me know in the message to buyer). The A3 size is unmounted to keep shipping costs down. Price includes shipping to anywhere in the world.
| | | |
| |
One of my more succesful early digital prints, based on a detail from a photograph I took in Tinahely, in Co Wicklow. I made this entirely with the tools built in to Photoshop Elements (I hadn't by that stage discovered the wide range of add-ons available) but I think it avoids the 'one click and you're done' feel of many such pictures.
Available printed on matt finish art paper in two sizes. The A4 size includes a mount to fit a standard 30cm by 40cm frame (other sizes possible - let me know in the messager to buyer). The A3 size is unmounted to keep shipping costs down. Price includes shipping to anywhere in the world.
| | | |
| |
One of my earliest efforts at photomanipulation (as I called it then). To be honest, looking at it now, I find it rather too rough and ready, although I still like the concept.
| | | |
| |
Rather than picking images at random from my Flickr stream, I'm going to start working forwards from the earliest. It will be interesting to see if the work has changed much since 2005.
This one was actually made sometime in 2004, and uploaded in 2005.
Available printed on matt finish art paper in two sizes. The A4 size includes a mount to fit a standard 30cm by 40cm frame (other sizes possible - let me know in the messager to buyer). The A3 size is unmounted to keep shipping costs down. Price includes shipping to anywhere in the world.
| | | |
| |
Hockney uses several applications, including one called Brushes, to draw the pictures.
He prefers to use his fingers rather than a stylus. Different fingers are used for varying effects, and even though he is right-handed, he often draws with his left hand, giving the final works a quality that he'd have difficulty replicating with his stronger arm.
The results throws up questions about the very nature of "originals" and "reproductions", and the value - aesthetic and monetary - of the work. As yet, Fresh Flowers are not for sale.
The technology brings a new dimension to the gallery, and both he and the curator Charlie Scheips, believe that they are at the beginning of an artistic revolution for professionals and amateurs alike.
"Even though some of the tools may be too advanced for the novice or amateur, they are still extraordinary and well worth exploring," says Hockney.
And although the colours may not be as rich as that which he might conjure from oils with a paint brush and palette he still marvels at what can be achieved.
"It's a real privilege to make these works of art through digital tools which mean you don't have the bother of water, paints, and the chore of clearing things away," he says.
"You know sometimes I get so carried away, I wipe my fingers at the end thinking that I've got paint on them."
| | | |
| |
An image made some time ago using a program called Chaos Pro. I have no idea what I'm doing with it but love the effects.
I went on to use this image as part of a series I called 'Exhibits for an Imaginary Museum', which was posted on Flickr.
| | | |
| |
| | | |
| |
I have been making digital prints for quite a while now, although I didn't call them that at first. To be honest I don't think I called them anything but 'pictures'. I saw them as extensions of photography, since that was how they began, although they showed very little sign of that by the time I had finished making them.
Making this digital work seemed to awaken a wider creative urge however, and a chance opportunity to look around a printmaking studio led me to enrol on a Printmaking workshop at my local college. This isn't a course, but an opportunity to use much better presses than I could afford, to talk to other printmakers and to have access to advice and support from a tutor. I'm in my second year now, although last term was pretty much a waste of time because of illness, hospital etc (I still haven't written that post!).
I have up to now concentrated on collagraph and monoprinting although I have had a go at linocut and engraving too. I still prefer the look and feel of collagraph. At first I wasted a lot of time trying to get consistent inking in order to create an edition. That was largely a waste of time with a plate that in the nature of things is changing as you use it.
The picture below, available on Etsy, was reasonably successful however, although even this simple image exists in two separate forms, with one of those further modified by application of chine colle.
One of the other forms is also on Etsy.
I also began making monotypes at home, using acrylic paints and a hand roller on half sheets of watercolour paper. Within these abstract images I find tiny imaginary landscapes and scenes that I select to make small prints for mounting. Occasionally I can take a second impression, which is usually softer in character.
This one was created that way, although in this case from an unsuccessful larger monotype made in the studio with oil based inks. The selection suggests to me a flock of birds over a hedgerow.
I'm really enjoying this approach to printing. It is satisfyingly tactile and sufficiently unpredictable to be interesting.
Also, as I develop my skills in making the handpulled prints, ideas are beginning to spill over into my digital work.
This image for example started life as two separate acrylic monotypes, neither of which worked properly. The first impression was too dark, so I tried a second. This was too light! I combined the two in a sort of digital art version of HDR. It is not of itself a reproduction, since it is not a direct copy but it still began life as a physical image, not in the PC.
| | | |
| |
I've finally got myself organised to relaunch my Etsy shop so you can now find a range of stuff for sale here, including art prints, paintings, digital images and jewellery. Drop in and have a look!
| | | |
| |