Concept Art

Frottage

Max Ernst used the technique of Frottage to try awaken the subconscious mind. He created such works as Forest and Sun by placing paper on top of various textures then rubbing the surface with a pencil or crayon. Using the textures, he then transformed them into images of things such as landscapes, creatures and objects. Even though the final images were made from uncontrolled experiments into the technique of Frottage, he made a series of works that were extraordinary.

Here is Ernst's work Forest and Sun, 1931. Made using graphite frottage on paper.

After researching the technique of Frottage I decided to explore different textures which I could use for future work. 

Here is also an example of the textures I found.

"The drawings thus obtained steadily lost the character... of  the wood."

Decalcomania

Decalcomania is most commonly used in the way of applying paint on paper and folding it over, putting pressure on it the unfolding it to reveal the mirror image. However, this is not the only way. Another way is mixing paint with water and layering it onto a surface mixing the watery substance around to make a mix of different colours. I personally prefer this way because I think it gives a more unique effect.

This technique is most commonly associated with surrealists such as Max Ernst and Oscar Dominguez. These two artists used this technique to work to produce a finished product in the hope they can make it into something like a mythical beast or a landscape.

Although I like the monochromatic colour scheme on Oscar Dominguez’s work above, when trying this technique I decided I would try a pastel colour scheme in an attempt to show softness through the textures created.

By using a pastel colour scheme I found that it became easier to work into as I almost got the idea instantly to add in ghosts because the smooth textures worked well with the thin shaky lines and the balloon like shapes. For this piece I took my background and went over in Photoshop digitally using the pencil tool, this gave the line a feint effect.

Soufflage

Another surrealist technique that I researched was the work of Jimmy Ernst, Max Ernst’s son. The technique is simple. You start by putting ink on a surface then blowing it around in various directions to create texture. By using this technique you can also create layers and new colour combinations. I found that by using this technique I became easily light headed but it reminded me of doing art in school when I was younger, it shows how simple this is to begin with.

The artist Jimmy Ernst who came across the technique works with a textured base and layers other with paint.

After looking at Jimmy’s work I decided to reminisce by doing my own piece of soufflage. I am fond of the way the colours mix together making dark and light areas on the paper, my favourite is the strong blues which mixed well with the white creating a layered effect. 

Biomechanical

Biomechanical art is an interest of mine as it is used in anime, films and comics. My favourite use of biomechanics in anime is for the film ‘Ghost in the shell’ which features the main character who is made completely out of machinery and A.I. technology but is covered with human skin. An artist which I found particularly interesting was H.R.Giger who was one of the concept artists for ‘Alien.’ He is very famous for taking the human body to obscure and exaggerate features and forms. One of the concept pieces he did during alien that I liked was the image below. There are still remnants of the human form despite the fact it looks like something which could cause fear to the viewer. 

After looking at the concept art of H. R. Giger and other artists, I was inspired to add mechanical elements to the human form which I created with fine liners, I found that the block colour and the line I have used made the wires look more realistic. 

Bibliography and References

Backus, J. 2014. Beyond Painting: The experimental techniques of Max Ernst. [Online]. [Accessed 18 November 2016]. Available from: https://www.artsy.net/article/jessica-beyond-painting-the-experimental-techniques-of-max

Nuovo, G. 2002 – 2007. Decalcomania, [Online]. [Accessed 18 November 2016]. Available from:http://www.spamula.net/blog/2004/02/decalcomania.html

Tate. 2016. Decalcomania. [Online]. [Accessed 18 November 2016]. Available from: http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/d/decalcomania

Decalcomania Project. 2012. 

Decalcomania Project Website. [Online]. [Accessed 18 November 2016]. Available from: https://decalcomaniaproject.wordpress.com/decalcomanias/art-2/

Tate, Frottage. [Online]. [Accessed 19 November 2016]. Available from:http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/f/frottage

The editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2016. Frottage. [Online]. [Accessed 19 November 2016]. Available from: https://www.britannica.com/art/frottage

Modern Encaustic. 2016. Portfollio items: Frottage. [Online]. [Accessed 19 November 2016]. Available from: http://modernistencaustic.com/portfolio-items/frottage/

Rimrock Foundation, 2013. Jimmy Ernst info website. [Online]. [Accessed 20 November 2016]. Available from: http://jimmyernst.net/

Koppleman, L. 2015. Soufflage Tutorial. [Online]. [Accessed 20 November 2016]. Available from: http://www.thecheekychipmunk.com/blog/2015/8/6/soufflage-tutorial