Colour and Texture Observations

After my observational drawings using a range of media I decided to experiment with chalk and try to explore colour in an exciting and obscure way, working alongside colour theory.


I began by creating different textures using collage and white emulsion and then drawing on it with chalk.


In my first piece I used newspaper to collage and used a light layer of emulsion to create a rough texture. With the chalk drawing I stuck quite close to the original apple by using red but within the shadows I used blue and green to create the shaded effect. I chose blue and green to create the shading as these colours contrast against the red

I think this is a successful first attempt as it breaks the boundaries from my previous pieces while still depicting the shape and tone of the object.

After my first experiment I repeated this method but instead used different colours to represent the apple. I used yellow, orange, green and blue and these colours both compliment and contrast each other. In addition, I also used red tissue paper instead of newspaper as I wanted to have the colours stand out against a more colour background rather than black and white.

I found this experiment more successful as the colours are harmonious with each other while also contrasting against the other colours. I also find the depiction of the apple successful as it still represents the apple but in a different and exciting way. The main colour is yellow rather than red which then brightly stands out against the red which wouldn't have the same effect if it were newspaper.



I wanted to carry on with this technique and so in this experiment I used a light background and a dark colour to contrast my previous experiment. I used a yellow background with a combination of purples, pink, green and red. The combination of these colours created a really interesting piece as different areas had different concentrations of colour, with the top having lots of purple and below having a large amount of red and green added.

I do think this was successful however it is not as well balanced compared to my other experiments. The colours used when looking at certain areas are interesting but as a whole there is too much happening within one small circle.



In my final experiment I went back to my original technique and used four colours (yellow, pink, orange, and purple) as a response to my previous piece. I feel this piece is more successful than my previous one as it is more compositionally balanced due to the blending of pigments, in addition the light blue background contrasts the pink well and makes the whole piece stand out.