Places to visit

As an artist you should be gathering information constantly. One of the best ways of doing this is by visiting places that might help you with your research.

Take a notebook with you to record your information.
Take pictures if it is possible, but remember to get permission first.
Record whatever catches your eye – you never know when it will come in useful.

Here is a list of just some of the places that you could visit:

- historical buildings – for their shape, size, decoration and architectural features

- a zoo – for the movement, the colours of fur and feather- aquariums – the dazzle of movement, colour seen through water, mysterious shapes

- museums – for a glimpse of the way other cultures have seen the world

- galleries – for an artist’s view of the world

- parks – green on green, the effect of air and light on leaves, water and grass, sunshine and rain

- shops – for just about everything- exhibitions – to feed your imagination

- religious buildings – for a sense of spiritual beauty and of touching something people see as holy and mysterious.

Historical buildings

When visiting historical buildings, look carefully at both the interior and exterior structure and shapes. Try to find out as much information as possible about the history of the building and about the events that took place there, and the importance or relevance of the events to the building. This will give you an even better understanding of it significance.

Tip: Consider how time and culture might shape your own thinking and artistic response.

Religious buildings

When visiting religious buildings, look at the shape and structure, the arches, spires, towers and domes. What do the shapes represent, and what religious relevance is there to the shape? How does the architect try to convey a sense of the spiritual? Try to compare various buildings from different faiths, and see if there are any similarities.

Tip: Consider the inner life of your art. Spirituality can mean different things to different people.

The zoo, an aquarium

Look at colour, texture and the shape of the animals, and the environment that they live in. Consider the way that different animals, birds and fish move.

Tip: The patterns and subtle colours and outlandish shapes of animals can, when recreated in design, create a sophisticated and magical backdrop.

Museums, galleries and exhibitions

When looking at artwork, think about the use of colour, shape, form, line, texture, space and composition. When looking at embroidery, look closely at the stitches used, the colour combinations, patterns and symbols. By looking at other people’s work in this way you will be able to develop your own style and approach.

Tip: The more you look at the art of other people, the more you will see connections, histories, and similarities of thought and design. Many artists reflect on these past artists who have created these amazing works, and produce their own innovative, modern work that owes something to the creative past.

Parks

When visiting parks look at how the space has been used. Look to at how colour, texture and the layout of the area work to create a composition. How does green on green show itself? What does a single flower in a sea of green do for you visually? What does it make you feel inside yourself?

Tip: Nature is a great artist. And she doesn’t mind you borrowing from her great artistic sense!Here goes the page content