I decided to warp the prints using the scanner as I thought it could create some interesting results. I also think this could reference how buildings, and building styles, are ever changing.
I quite liked how these turned out, and I think they could be used well perhaps as backgrounds within other pieces.
I decided to create some lino prints of the window from the Bowling chapel, as i really liked them.
I have tried lino printing twice now, and whilst my lines are still quite messy, I feel as though I am beginning to get more used to it, and I have better awareness of the pressure I am exerting with the tools than I previously did.
I would definitely like to continue trying to improve my skills in this area, as I enjoy the ability to create multiple prints of the same design.
For this piece I used a photograph I took at Undercliffe cemetery, along with some dried flowers, as I have used them in the past and like the shapes they create.
I decided to paint on the developer, as I feel it somewhat resembles sun coming through a canopy of leaves, giving pieces an almost dreamlike feel.
This developing technique, along with the negative space created by the flowers is my effect to create within darkroom, as I think it works well to create a complete piece.
For this one, I used the same image from Undercliffe, but this time I overlaid an image of some intertwined branches atop of it to create an almost hidden silhouette to the figure.
Once again, I painted on the developer, as I felt the branches could be too overpowering had I just allowed for it to develop normally.
I quite like this because of the interesting patterns that the combination of images created.
In this I used a drawing I did of a spire from a Victorian chapel.
I feel as though it is too bright, and would’ve looked better if it were darker, as I find the contrast off-putting.
For this one, I created another negative of a drawing I did of one of the windows at Bradford Cathedral.
I layered the drawing over the image of the branches to mimic the intricate designs seen within stained glass.
Whilst I like the effect, I don’t like how blurry the details came out.
I think that if I were to re-do this piece, I would invert the drawing to make more cohesive.
In this piece I combined an image of a block of flats with the same branch image, along with some dried flowers. I did this because I think it is very rare for this style of mass produced building to be around any sort of nature, so I thought the natural imagery would contrast with the manmade building.
I don’t really like this one as it is blurry, and I feel as though the building stands out too much.
I think this would’ve looked better if I had used the ‘painting with developer’ technique, as it would’ve added a less harsh brightness to it.
For this piece, I took cut out Woods ‘Humanity Overcoming War’, and put it underneath the branches.
I chose to use this sculpture as this style of art is what is most classically associated with culture, however it seems to no longer be produced- at least especially not at the same volume as it was throughout history.
I quite like this piece due to the concealed nature of it, and I don’t think there is really anything I would change about this one.
I think there is a real beauty to stained glass, and it seems as though it is absent within the majority of modern buildings. Whilst it tends to not have a specific purpose aside from religious buildings- I find it enhances the atmosphere of a space. Whilst it isn’t completely important, I do find the lack of detail within modern architecture to be an example of buildings no longer being made to be enjoyed, but rather used.
I decided to print my drawing of a window from Bradford Cathedral onto some tracing paper so I could fill in the windows with some designs.
The designs I chose were mostly related to greed/wealth. I chose to do this because I feel that increase in the materialistic mindset within society is one of the reasons for the downfall of beautiful architecture.
I don’t really like the way this looks, as I just find it to be rather messy. I think that if I were to ever do this again, I’d like to do it with either watercolour, digital art.
After seeing the Victorian chapel, I decided I wanted to visit the Bradford Cathedral, as I had taken an interest in the (once) stained glass windows of the building- and I knew the Cathedral would have more to offer.
I once again drew part of the building, this time opting for the stonework of the largest window, as I was fascinated with the complex designs of them.
After visiting Undercliffe Cemetery, I decided to visit Bowling Cemetery to see more historical graves.
It is here where I came across a small, abandoned Victorian Chapel, that I found to be rather beautiful.
I decided to draw the spire of the Chapel, as they tend to be one of my favourite features within buildings, which I find to often be missing within modern architecture.
I am quite unfamiliar with drawing buildings, so I did struggle with understanding the proportions and perspective- however; I quite like how this one turned out.
To start my project, I decided to visit Undercliffe Cemetery. as I wanted to see some historical graves for some inspiration on exploring historical mourning culture.
I found that a lot of the graves were far more intricate, and would fall into the category of art themselves. An amazing example of this would be this one, as it is so beautifully carved, and still manages to stand out amongst the rest.
The reason for many older graves, especially those of the Victorian era, being adorned in symbols is due to the different view on death at the time. Cemeteries were a place where people were encouraged to visit, and enjoy. It seems as though the graves were a way to celebrate the lives of those lost, opposed to the more modern idea of only visiting to mourn.
Another reason for the imagery is because a large population at the beginning of the Victorian era were illiterate, so the symbols often would be a better way to commemorate the dead.
Whilst culture has many definitions, I think the most encapsulating way to describe it would be ‘a way of life.’
Culture is an integral part of peoples lives, while they may not always be consciously participating in one. It is often a large part of a persons identity, which is why culture unites people, but it is this passion that also allows for it to divide them just as easily.
Culture can be described as a range of things, such as art, music, dance, film, language, and belief systems. It is essentially anything that humans collectively regard as good.
For the culture project I plan on exploring historical buildings around Bradford, and in other parts of England.
I have always felt as though architecture is culturally valuable, and often reflects the mannerisms and characteristics of the place it is in; however, that seems to have changed within recent years- especially when comparing the older, more intricate designs of buildings, with the more universally applicable modern style of building. In my project, I would like to take this idea of comparing new buildings to older ones, and I think using the darkroom to combine photographs and sketches would work well for this.
I plan on visiting Bradford Cathedral, as I find that religious buildings have more distinct features that I find interesting. I especially like the stained glass used within churches, and I would possibly like to experiment with that within the project.
I have also taken some photos of the desolate Victorian chapel which can be found in Bowling cemetery, as, despite it’s small stature, I can imagine it was rather beautiful when it was still in use. I have already been creating sketches of different features of the building, however I think the overgrown aspect of it would work well with watercolours, as there are many colours that have worked their ways into the stone throughout the years.
I would also like to use charcoal for this project, as I think the depth and contrast it can create would work really well for emphasising individual buildings’ characteristics.