Specialist Research Project - What have I learnt?

During my course module AA 4/5 which began in mid October, I have broadened my knowledge on the vast and growing industry of handpainted wall paper. It seems their is a lot of skill needed for this industry as many companies such as Cole & Son, A.L Diament & Co, Gracie Studio ... still use original methods of wallpapering to create their opulent designs.

Through out my project it was interesting to find out that most companies use the original large printing blocks or screen printing, instead of actually just handpainting the designs. I think these techniques are something I would have to learn and try out if I wanted to go into this profession, and I just don't really know when I would get time to do that!

Moreover, I've done a lot of thinking about my future career during this research project andthat maybe this isn't an area I want to go into, despite being so eager to learn about it at the start. There is no doubt that there is a great demand for handpaint wallpaper ranging from normal bars wanting to stand out, to the interiors of famous houses such as Buckingham palace and it would a lovely skill to be able to do. However, I feel I need to push myself in the scenic art profession and maybe I shouldn't think negatively about not getting work. Its been great learning about the history, techniques and the demand for handpainted wallpaper, but I know my main focus should be scenic art. Anyways come to think about it, their are so many production which need handpainted/hand printed wall paper designs so I guess I will picks up these skills throughout my profession.

So what have I been up to when I haven't er been blogging?

I have been very bad at blogging lately, and feel pretty bad about it as I should get back into the swing of it!

So the past couple of weeks we have been working on the next up and coming Shakespeare productions - 'Rome & Juliet' and '12th Night'

Cole & Son

Ahhhh I'm so happy that Sarah Crooks told me about the wallpaper company Cole & Son, I have been looking for ages for this pattern:

Gracie Studio

Came across this websitehttp://graciestudio.com/ the other night, it's really interesting and I never really gave much thought on restoring hand painted wall paper so think I am going to do a bit more research into it!

Uh Oh

Oh dear, I havent blogged in ages. Just got out of such a good routine, but no fear back to blogging!

Need to finish my map!

Stressing a little, I got told today I need to finish my map by Friday, but eeeeep thats only tomorrow and thursday as I'm going to see 'Swinging into Christmas' (the musical theatre students production) on Friday! Realistically I don't think I am going to get it down, as its so detailed - I sometimes wish i had a magnifying glass when I look at the reference!Think I am going to have to take it home and finish ... thats if it fits in my suitcase.

New Personal Project

Ahhhh, I haven't blogged in ages, the past couple of weeks I have just been doing touch up for panto, like painting chips in the paint, going over mistakes etc. I guess I just haven't wanted to blog as I feel so tired at the moment, all I want to do when I come home is sleep!
However, as panto is finished I have started my next personal project which is a world map called 'Orbis Terrarum' crafted by the Dutch astronomer, cartographer and clergyman Petrus Plancius in 1954.

Final Bits and Bobs

Lee wasn't in today so I got put on the face of the Demon Cave, which I was pretty scared about as A) I didn't want to muck up his work so far and B) its quite an integral part of the cave! Jude and Suzie did assist me at points to speed up the process as it had to be on the van at 2pm to take down to the set, and I think overall it looks really quite good!

Fly away Demon Wings

Yay! We got the wings done!

Hole School

Whilst researching my specialist research project I came across an amazing type of stencil street art nicknamed 'Hole School' by the Italian artists Sten & Lex who were the first to kick off this technique.

Tired - Brain also seems not to be working

So tired today, and I felt I was just not very good at painting today - my brushstrokes all just seemed a tad mental! We worked late today as the van to take the 'demon cave wings' comes on thursday at 2pm so we really need finish them! They are made out of a sort of strong foam material which was pretty hard to prime as it sucked up the paint like a sponge, however by 8.15pm I think we were all shattered that we called it a night ... so hopefully we shall get them finished tomorrow.

I also worked on the pyramid door today, it took me a while to find the right technique. To begin with I thought it looked like total rubbish but after some helpful hints from head scenic artist Sarah and my tutor Gary, Suzie and I managed to make blend the colours really well and I'm rather happy with the end result.

Gosh its only 21.41pm but I think I need to go to bed, I'm so tired ... can't wait for everything to be done - we've been working on Aladdin for 12weeks now!

Timorous Beasties

Psychedelic, tripping on acid and beatuiful are the words I would use to describe my favourite interior design company - Timorous Beasties (their website). It is this quirky company founded in the West End of Glasgow in the 1990s that made me interested in researching handpainted wallpaper. Okay, so technically speaking my research project is on hand painted wallpaper and er Timourous Beasties does use machines to create some of their designs but they still use handpainting approaches.

Paul Montgomery Studio

I've just finished reading a book/catalogue about the hand painted wallpaper company 'Paul Montogomery Studio' and their work is amazing! Seeing their detailed hand painted Chinoiserie, European Panoramics, Decorative Panneaux designs ... it just motivates me to be as good them and makes me all the more determined to understand the process of hand painted wallpaper.

Wahoo nearly finished panto!

I feel the whole  the scenic team is working really well together, we got so much done yesterday meaning that today wasn't manic and also meant we didn't stay late tonight :)

Long Productive Day

Yestreday started off a bit slow, there wasn't any work for us to paint again so I went back on my personal project for about an hour, and i just can't wait to be finished - all i need to do it finish off Erich Honecker's  (the man on the right) forehead and chin. 

The rest of the day went really well but it was so long as we stayed late but thankfully we got so much done and which meant we didn't need to stay late tonight or come in tomorrow! Lots of people helped out with the UV painting, I was offered a chance to do it but I was having so much trouble with painting the legs for the pyramid I just wanted to get them done and I had done some UV painting before in props so I just carried on painting away.