I also enjoy working in mixed media and for me at the moment this means, perhaps, photography, charcoal, biro. I am interested in the contrast between thick charcoal lines and thin biro, the matt dustiness of charcoal, the shiny glow of the ink.
Recently I visited the GV Art Gallery (49 Chiltern St, Marylebone) where there was an exhibition of William Utermohlen's work. (He was part of a couple that were friends of a relative, so there was some interest, there.)
In 1995, William Utermohlen was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. His final portraits, that explore his reaction to the diagnosis, have received great critical acclaim.
This, his Imaginary Portrait of Francis Bacon, 1967, altered 1997, in watercolour and oil, on paper, is remarkable.
He created a cycle of paintings based on Dante's Inferno and in the exhibition there was also an interesting series of lithographs that reflect his interest in the Vietnam War.
What interested me most were his charcoal drawings that were mixed with bright, thick paint. It was unexpected.
I also liked the unusual technique that gave a scratchy surface quality to certain pictures.
At the moment, I find that my work usually stems from photographs I have taken of people at train stations, or of train stations. I'm thinking of working at a very big size and at a very small size.
I'm thinking of visiting the 270 tube stations and taking pictures of any details that interest me at each one, then combining them with paint, perhaps fragments of plastic, giving the images a grimy effect, like looking through the window of a tube, framing them.
People say it's not interesting to paint or draw from photographs, but for me, it is interesting and the result is as different from a photograph as usual.
Looking at the skin I want to emphasise every tone and shadow on the face.
I am now thinking in terms of ink and sticks, different-sized nibs, plus definitely charcoal and paint.
I've also had the idea of collaging my photos then drawing over the top in biro...
