I decided to go with abstract colours because they have more of an impact and allow you to be more free with the colours. When painting my modrock I found that it was quite hard to get an even coverage and white gaps where left over the whole of my tree, however I quite liked this effect as it gave more texture, I then coated my model in gloss to give it a shiny finish. I have decided that I am going to add some more dimension to the tree by wrapping wool around wire which I will attach around the gaps, which will eventually contain sketches.

Alternative Sketchbook

I have started making progress with my alternative sketchbook, and have completed the base layer of my tree using wood, wire and modrock and I have left holes in it to add sketches and to wrap wool around. So far I'm happy with the way it looks quite rough and textured, but I'm not sure what colours to paint it; either natural browns and greens or using inspiration from Trisha Kieman by using abstract colours instead...

Plaster Casting

We had a go at plaster casting the other week as part of our technique samples and I was really happy with the way mine turned out as the plaster picked up alot of detail and is quite easy to do. I also like the way it is quite free as you can make a cast of anything, so I'm considering using it for or as part of my final piece but maybe next time I can try using leaves and berries or other natural materials or maybe create a series of  different squares. I would also need to make sure that the edges where straighter to give the cast a more finished and professional look.

Trees

Following on from my artist research I took some photos of some trees for some inspiration and ideas on the detail, shape and texture of tree trunks, to help me when I continue to make my alternative sketchboook. I also took some in black and white to show the finer detail and patterns more clearly. I particularly like the close up photo of the fungi in the hole as it represents what I want to do with my tree by putting drawings inside the holes and gaps of the trunk to make it a little more interesting and intriguing!

Trisha Keiman

I have finally started on my alternative sketchbook and have decided to make a hollow trunk of a tree made from weaved wires and modrock and decorated with wool and ribbon to create texture and colour. I will then add sketches inside that you can take out, and maybe incorperate some sketches on my own butterflies inspired by Tasha Lewis.

Trisha Keiman paints many different subjects, but I particulaly like this painting because it includes bright bold colours and is quite abstract which makes it quite similar to Luiza Vizoli's work. I choose this painting because of the texture and intertwining roots and bark incorperated in the tree, which I can use to inspire the shape and look of my own work for my alternative sketchbook.

Luiza Vizoli

Luiza Vizoli is a contempary abstract artist who's work is big, bold and expressive. The first thing that caught my eye, when I came across her work on the internet was how much colour is in each of her paintings. She mainly works with oils and acrylics giving her work depth and texture by spreading the paint on thick.
My particular favourite is the 4 seasons painting which I first noticed as I love how it reflects the changes well and is quite free as she uses loose brush strokes to create her big canvases.

Luiza's work has inspired me to be a bit braver and bolder when it comes to my own art, by using loose and bigger brush strokes to create a more striking and expressive look.

Robert Buelteman

 Out of all of my artists Robert Buelteman is one of my favourites, because I have never seen anything like his work before! Buelteman specialises in "electrography" which is a process of sending 80,000 volts through plants and flowers and then painting on top of the outcome to add colour. I especially love how bright the colours come out from using this exciting and new technique. Although I wouldn't be able to carry out something like this myself at school, his work has inspired me to be creative and think outside the box as well as look into using bright and powerful colours in my own art.