h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well, seven years (almost to the day startlingly enough...) after graduation, I am back at school. Art college to be exact.

Every year I promise to devote time to doing my painting, in the vain hope that I'll actually improve, and not have to spend 2 days cursing and swearing before I can actually paint something worthwhile because I'm so out of practice. Every year I don't. Work takes over, apathy takes over, Pink Floyd mysteriously ends up on the hi-fi, or some other mind stealing activity seems more important.

But not this year! I'm going to Summer School at the Glasgow School of Art. So, for just a week I get to be a grubby student again! I got my new bag (the sort of record bag type which seems to have overtaken the backpack-on-one-shoulder approach from all those years ago; and my whole screed of art materials (for which I got a - sharp intake of breath - student discount!) and I'm ready to learn and absorb.

This week - Urban Landscapes.

So, I've spent the last two days (probably the hottest of the year) sitting in Gilmorehill Park drawing buildings (and the odd tree, and OK, maybe a pigeon or two). It's not my usual style but it's fun, and terribly relaxing.

Next, it's into the studio (get him - the STUDIO....) to paint it up, and since that's in the world famous Mackintosh building there'll be no stopping the inspiration flowing - that place is just astounding....

Progress reports ever so often.....

wow!

sounds like great fun

scan and show!

Er.... My 'urban landscape' is kind of big. It's currently on the wall of the studio, and I have no idea how I'm going to get it home, never mind scan the bugger in, but I'll see what I can do with the preparatory sketches

There are some other piccies on my website if you're interested. It's at www.psychochicken.com

Big Pics, doesn't sound like you

Yeah - giving up on the postage stamp stuff....

I'm just waiting to see which building he perches the dragon on.

What was that you said about students m'dear???

Zantic

Hi Psycho

Intriguing!
Fascinating!
What degree were you reading that kept you from painting?

Huge canvas?
Taking it home?
Please tell me more.

Go well,
AR1

Hi AR1,

Well I did Information Systems at uni because I didn't want to end up designing curtains and painting what other people told me to. I enjoy painting for friends and stuff, but I couldn't make a living out of it. And besides, I didn't exactly go to the kind of school where they encourage you to be artistic.....

Up until recently I had a job which took up all my time with travelling so I couldn't do much painting, but now I am free from that so I went to Summer School. I hope my next job will give me the time to do a night class or just spend more time at home.

The large picture from the class is now home but I don't like it very much so it probaby won't go on the website. It was fun to do though and I learned a lot in the process, which is kind of the point really.

trfn

Due to popular demand (well, a couple of people have asked...) I have put the results of my summer school class course up. They're not linked to the website properly, but you can navigate right to them at:

http://www.psychochicken.com/art/images/urban_sketch.JPG
and
http://www.psychochicken.com/art/images/urban_painting.JPG

Still, a sitting on the rooftop.........

The tutor wouldn't let me

ah well, I'm off to paint now, but it's only bookshelves.

Oh Pyscho chicken, theyre ace!

In a spirit of sharing heres some of my summer sketchbook, from my equally ill planned webshite

http://www.fivesevenyc.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/jenstuff/Pictures.htm



Jen

They're really good purplejenny. I really like the view from your windo (I like those sort of colours - might be the reason )

TPC - again I say, it is a really good painting. You gonna finish the tenement?

Go out and practice more...you have the time

Zantic

I like the paint effect you used for the geranium leaves, and the lighting's lovely on the sunrise pic. Excellent!

probably not to be honest....

a) They Geraniums are well good from my non-artistical viewpoint. By the same token b) I do like young Mr. Chicken's landscape