City and Guilds of London Art School

Getting on with developing the paintings this week. Here are a few snapshots from the studio.

Building the work gradually in washes of colour, and enjoying the juxtapositions. This slower way of working is new to me, but I’m growing to like it.

The timetable on my desk leaves no room for doubt. 10 weeks to go, it says. Anxiety is starting to build, but perhaps there is still plenty of time? At least one tutor seems to think so, citing a solo show for which he made most of the work in less time than we have.

I’ve been buying more new materials: Steel plate, spray paint, Japanese paper. These will be transformed into prints.

I’ve started work on two large doorway paintings. There’s much more physical effort involved. Climbing ladders, crouching down, mixing big quantities of paint. It’s sometimes tiring, sometimes exciting seeing a work take shape. I had to take a few days off after putting down the first layer on one painting: it seemed so much better after a break. I’m used to being able to make a painting in one go; this is an entirely different way of working.

Four tutorials in the last week, and four different opinions. Much of the advice is soundly practical. Some is encouraging, some less so. I listen, consider and carry on.

We’ve begun a series of professional practice seminars. How to make the most of the show? What might lie ahead for us? That’s a question I suspect is on everyone’s mind.

A highlight of last week was a visit to Alan Cristea Gallery to see works by Ian McKeever and Sean Scully, both influences on what I’m doing now.

Back to the studio tomorrow. 10 weeks to go.

A couple of weeks have gone by since the assessment. It went quite well and I’ve had some constructive feedback which helps set a direction for the degree show. Technical quality of my work is one aspect to focus on; another is a need to start thinking about curation. Preparing for assessment involved the curation of a mini show in our spaces, but we’ll have more space and flexibility when the show comes.

I now have two large canvases leaning against the walls of my space. At 2.7 metres high, they are the largest surfaces I’ve yet made. Stretched and primed, they are ready to work on, but I’m still doing preparatory work before plunging in to the larger project. It might take another couple of small sketches before I’m ready to make a start, as my ideas for them keep changing. The main idea is clear enough, but I’m still experimenting with different mediums and styles of brushwork to see what works best.

I’m also working in the school’s printroom from time to time. Working primarily with aquatint etching techniques, I’ve been trying to find ways of making prints that compliment the paintings I’m working on.

I’ve had in mind all along a particular kind of tonal effect, but until now have not managed to produce it to my satisfaction despite trying several techniques. Today I made a breakthrough thanks to Chris, one of the tutors. A combination of spray paint and steel plate seems to work extremely well and I’ll be exploring this further, along with chine collé techniques.

The show is now less than four months away, and each week seems to pass very quickly. Work seems to be going well at the moment and I’m just hoping I can get everything done in time.