A Spring art challenge or project.

 

Part 1 - Subject and design.

 

This is for those people who are looking for something to paint or would like to try something different. Try your hand at a travel poster. We did this some years back and it was well received. This time its a little more specific. People may well find that they have already been painting in this style without knowing it. There are many examples on the internet - just Google "vintage travel posters". At this stage use the week to look for ideas. A poster is not a picture or a true representation. It is an advertisement or design to encourage passengers to visit somewhere.  It uses simple colours and is primarily a pattern of shapes and colours to attract the eye. Possibly viewed in passing.  If you have access to a printer print off a copy or two and turn them upside down to analyse them. They will then fall less as an actual picture and more into a design of coloured shapes. Also look at the colours used. Did they work? Its OK to have a purple sky! Alternatively use a photo but do a rough sketch or two of the main subject elements and move them about rather like arranging a still life.  Leave out most of the detail. Keep it simple.

Suggest that it be in portrait mode (upright) although its your choice. It's also up to you if you include words. Any medium will do but paint bold thick block colours. It would be nice if it was somewhere local but if you wish to copy an existing poster that's fine.

 

The exercise has several aspects.

 

It teaches you to reorganise and simplify a picture into something that is your personal design.

 

It helps you to leave out unnecessary detail.

 

It helps with colours - which one's work together?  Do they add to the effect?

 

Finally it suggests taking time well spent in design before starting your picture. Making decisions on what you want to put in and where.

 

 

Part 2 will give further details regarding the actual picture including using materials etc.