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Barbara Shelly
Colour on the Couch
April 3-7, 2010

Hello everyone!
I guess you could say that together, during our Loon Lake experience, we will put the Subject on the couch, and try our hand at Analysis! I am not implying an experience in psychiatry, but rather, one in passion. Colour, of all the elements of art, is an enigma to most people. Come on this journey with me, and we will unravel the mysteries of colour interaction so that you can apply the principles to your own work. The use of Colour as the building block to composition will be examined in historical masterworks, and this too, is applicable to your own creative expression.

We will work in paper. A complete set of Color Aid papers is supplied to each of you, as well as mounting cards of uniform size and colour (bright white). (Colour Aid and mounting cards included in the workshop costs)

Basically, your supplies fall into these categories:

  1. Cutting and measuring:
    • pair of paper scissors!
    • Optional: a sharp cutting tool such as a retractable x-acto knife and small cutting board marked in inches (translucent art cutting mat 9x12 is under $10 at Opus - 12x18 might be more versatile later0
    • measuring tool/ruler in inches, and a centering ruler (only if you already have one)
    • a small set square, (clear Plexiglas right angle triangle) (Staedler Set Square, 10" 45' $5.50 at Opus)
    • a few sheets of tracing paper
    • a sheet of carbon paper
    • sharp pencils and soft eraser
  2. Gluing:
    • a clean and effective paper glue, one that provides flat, even coverage over an entire shape. "YES!" is a highly recommended water based paste, but is VERY expensive. "Lineco" glue is also recommended and is available in small quantities. For either of these choices, you need a small flat, inexpensive brush such as Opus Capella #278 flat ¼" @$5.50, and a jar for water and a rag or paper toweling. If you use rubber cement, bring the appropriate clean-up eraser.
    • lots of scrap paper for use as a gluing surface.
  3. Organization:
    • a binder with 3 or 4 tabs
    • approximately 25 3-hole, 8 ½ by 11" non-glare sheet protectors
    • peel and stick labels approx 2-3" by 1"
    • black ink pen and notepaper for your binder
  4. Display:
    • a working display board that can be propped on the floor, of a material suitable for pinning paper exercises i.e. 2" thick styro-foam
    • clear or white push pins, or sewing pins with ball heads
  5. Inspiration:
      6. If you have any coloured reproductions of masterworks, graphic art, advertising or art photographs that you deeply admire and would like to analyze, bring them.