annastollery.blogspot.com: December 2010

Assessment task: Conceptualising your own work.

The ability to be expressive and having the courage to use impasto confidently is something which I really revere in the work of Frank Auerbach. By using a large paint brush to create bold marks with the paint he seems to achieve the desired effect effortlessly. It is interesting in the way which Auerbach uses black and white in contrast with each other in order to create marks that really stand out. It can be argued that the restricted palette reflects a narrative thread of sorts in the work. I think perhaps the artist is trying to get across the idea that the subjects within, in this case people, are colourless or possibly that their lives are colourless and driven through negativity.

Although some may only see a distorted and somewhat overworked figure painting, I can really appreciate the precision and meaning behind each mark that has been made. Line seems very prominent and important in Auerbach’s work with the artist using bold marks to create important structures within the piece such as jaw lines or necks.

I think it is often quite important to have such a distinctive style and technique when it comes to painting and even art in general. I believe the way in which someone is able to walk into a gallery and immediately identify the artist of a piece of work really shows originality and the impact of the artist’s work upon society.

In terms of my style and technique of painting, I have, in the past, been unable to work past the idea that something should always be a polished final piece. I believe that the picture of the final finished outcome that resides firmly in my head, throughout the process of creating, really has tended to hold me back. Especially in terms of painting, where it takes great skill and patience to create a piece of work that looks like a photograph, the need to be expressive and to experiment has recently become of great importance to me.

In my more recent paintings, I have relished in applying paint thickly, quickly and more expressively. I believe the outcomes which have come from my new found courage really do emulate the way in which I have learnt to work with the paint rather than against it.

It is not only the way in which I apply the paint that has changed but also the confidence to use bold colours that contrast greatly together.

Although my pieces are at present quite experimental, I’m excited to take this new found confidence and create larger paintings in which I can really express the emotion of the figure within as well as my emotion towards my work. By using a more expressive approach to my painting I want to be able to give meaning to every brush stroke and really push the boundaries of my painting ability.

Through looking at the work of Frank Auerbach, analysing it, appreciating it, I believe I really have entered into a new era in my artwork. This is an era in which experimentation is considered just as important as the production of a final piece, with every initial drawing, photograph, and mock up being a contribution. I have been greatly influenced by expressive painters such as Auerbach and Jenny Saville and I plan very much to continue working and developing my painting skills in this manner.

Anna Stollery

Tutor: Andrew Vass

Word count: 564