DISCOVERING ABSTRACTION

A Kid Pix Design, a Program Designed for Children, was used to create this image. © R.Zachary

Exploring Simple Computer Design Programs

This was another innovation I discovered. I tried different programs for creating abstract designs; Kid Pix, Claris Works, Apple Works, and occasionally others.

The above image was created in Kid Pix. It is not limited to only geometric patterns, as you can see with the image below. It is possible to create outline drawings, and to fill them with textures and colors. There are many ways to paint and fill both geometric and organic shapes created.

Say What? An Experiment with Kid Pix                                                                        © by Ruth Zachary

What I also learned was how to control the random generated patterns when I liked them, that is to stop them in the process of repetition and to save them. I made a manual of all the things each option offered, and created and saved patterns that occurred during the process.

The low resolution images created in one program can be copied into another. Some programs have better drawing tools, some have better paint tools, blending tools, shading, etc. That is why there is an advantage to taking one image into a different program.

One image was created in Kid Pix, using both linear geometric, and curved organic shapes in that program, and then copied  into Photoshop which can be made into high resolution images, and then further work was added to the design that started as a small image. See Below:

Backyard Gardens, Study for Collage.               © by Ruth Zachary

I planned to continue the process from the design I liked, by printing parts of the design onto good paper with colorfast inks. 

My usual approach is to play with different arrangements of the printed elements until I find a composition I want to use for the final version of collage. This would be adhered to a primed Masonite panel or to a primed canvas, using Acrylic medium, and finally adding a layer of varnish.

 This finish allows the image to be framed without glass or mats, and if necessary, it could one day be cleaned to remove dust or stains if they got on the surface.

One of the most important benefits of starting with a small format image, such as those found in low resolution programs like Kid Pix or AppleWorks, (or others) is that it is easier to look at the whole, and whether the space and textures and values are in balance, and to decide if it is worthwhile developing the general image into a larger compostion. If it works in a 5x8" or a 9x10" space, it may also work well in a much larger composition. These studies are the equivalent of thumbnail sketches. in a sketchbook.

Writing and Images are the Copyright © of Ruth Zachary.

COLLAGE APPROACH TO ABSTRACTION

Perhaps the simplest way to abstraction and to composition is to use torn and cut out shapes of paper, and arrange them until the combination appeals to you. Collage involves gluing or adhering the shapes to a foundation board.

My first experience in collage was in a college class. We came in with an unfinished painting on a canvas, a panel, or a board. Most of us did not see things as abstract shapes, until Mr. Roberts gave us semi-transparent colored tissues and we were told to lay the areas of color over the established images. I had started with a drawing/painting of a house, and I laid ribbons of tissue over the house, to create layers of color, which became nearly transparent when saturated with medium. Diagonal bands were perspective lines to a horizon. I began to see abstract shapes in everything!

Soon I learned magazines, printed and painted papers and more could be used to create a collage.

Collage of Tulip magazine photo, painted papers, and colored tissue.

These disparate images and colors and textures were glued to white matboard. Many years later, I learned to use the computer, and scanned the simple collage as an image. Next, I cut out and repeated the shapes in a revised version of the collage in my computer Photoshop document. (Below)

"Just an Old Fashioned Girl" in different fonts was written in different colors and layers over this collage design © by Ruth Zachary. This was conceived as a design for wrapping paper.

It is valuable to consider using both irregular shapes with torn edges, and cut out geometric shapes of different sizes ranging from small to 1/2 the area of the full format. Placing the edges so some are vertical or horizontal tends to flatten the image, while diagonals and angles suggest a sense of depth. Create horizontal and then vertical compositions. Experiment.

Collage is an exciting medium! And it can be executed in a short period of time.

If you want the creation to last, though, use good materials. Don't use other people's photos if you can create your own photo images and textures. Create your own hand made papers with good pigments. Tissue collage needs to be color fast so it won't fade. Use color fast inks if you use the computer. Acrylic medium and pigments will bond papers to your (acid free) primed board, if adhered properly.

One techique I use is to coat the area where a paper is to be placed with medium. Often I saturate the paper with water before laying it down, and then work the medium into the paper from the top. Water in a sprayer will help retain the moistness as long as you desire it. This helps avoid wrinkles and bubbles. It helps prevent loose areas and air pockets, because the wet paper shrinks into the layer of medium underneath.

On the other hand, wrinkled tissue or rice paper creates a wonderful texture in a collage. You can usually paint over areas you don't like if they are still smooth. A final layer of medium or varnish finishes the creation. If to be left open to the air, be sure to varnish. Otherwise, use framed glass on your masterpiece.

Acrylics are hard on brushes, so keep them wet in plenty of fresh water until you are ready to clean them thoroughly with a strong detergent.Then leave soap in the bristles until before the next use.

Writing and images are the sole property and copyright © of Ruth Zachary.