Blog Archives - Page 4 of 18 - Karen StamperKaren Stamper

Escape to Zanzibar

Mar 9, 2020

There was always a plan, to escape the allotments in the short dark days of February.

Zanzibar has always been a magical word, I just love saying it, so we went, in the hottest month! In between lolling around listlessly and eating the best seafood, I managed to fill my sketchbook – I didn’t read the five books that I packed, just too much effort!

Stonetown is a bit like Havana and Essaouira, crumbling walls, small shady streets, wonderful doors, scaffolding made from sticks, and with the smiliest people who just want to pass the day having ‘social conversation’ with you. I didn’t sketch the first few days, it always takes time to acclimatise and get one’s bearings, and Stonetown has a maze of streets to get lost in.

I began to find my feet more in the south of the island. The local fishermen and boys, showed me their catch, and inspected my sketchbook and asked Man United?? Early morning was the coolest part of the day, but nothing helped my watercolours that had turned into sticky blobs and my posca pens that overflowed with the slightest touch – and they both took a long time to dry, but I quite liked the new marks.

I hope that you enjoy the photos, and that they give you an insight into the beautiful island of Zzzzzanzzzziiibar! ?

Allotments development with Emily Ball

Feb 18, 2020

This week I spent three days working with Emily Ball. https://www.emilyballatseawhite.co.uk/

It is a full on painting workshop for twelve artists that I organise every year, in February. Where else would you rather be on a grey weekend??

We were set homework – a lot of drawing, which I had incorporated into my allotment studies. We were encouraged to use these drawings to find our subject, not to copy them. I am happy and confident when making marks with the delights of charcoal, posca pens, inks and artgraf but slippery paint is a different beast and it takes time to learn it’s language. A lifetime!

Our job was to animate. I wanted to intensify the detritus of the allotment and tried to get the paint to give this back to me in a relevant language that is exciting and painterly. I am on the journey, but still lots to do!

Allotments – rip it up!

Feb 11, 2020

This week it has been finger numbing cold and now we are on the end of Storm Ciara, so I have focused on drawing from drawings, in my studio. Top right is upside down, but I quite like it this way.

All the images have another drawing ripped and collaged on top. I love the freshness that this brings, especially if the drawing is fine – but not exciting yet. It also opens up white space.

At the end of the week I remembered my Greek sticks! These can be found in abundance on a beach in Crete, they are mainly bamboo, I think. This little stubby root fits so snuggly in the palm of my hand. You can see little clips of these in action on my instagram @Karen_Stamper_Collage where I have been asked ‘Is that a chicken’s leg? A kangaroo arm??”?

Allotments 3 – colour mixing

Feb 4, 2020

The truth – I headed to the allotments at the beginning of the week, but boy was it cold! My fingers were numb before I got there and the plan was to colour match, in acrylic, on location. So I wimped out, collected a bag of leaves and branches and headed back to my studio.

A cup of tea, heater on, quick photographs taken I then set to trying to match the colours of my collection. What fun, just making marks and letting colours and shapes overlap, sit together and jump out from each other. This is just round one, there is a lot of matching to do yet!

Allotments 2 – juicy oil bars

Jan 28, 2020

January in Cambridge has been gorgeous, with big beautiful blue skies, little wind and low sunshine. Perfect for drawing outside, and I have rediscovered how much I love being outside, and in January of all months!

As well as mixing and matching colours on location I also collected a few plants and brought them back to the studio (do you remember the nature table at primary school?) What really suprises me is all the beautiful purples! Decadent damson, Melazane, Deepest plum, Pelt are some of the names from my paint sample cards.

On location I just took about 20 oilbars, big bold Sennelier bars (a gift from @Nicholaswilton and his @art2life programme – thank you!) They are soft and juicy, easy to work with when squatting in the allotments.

Again, I was totally absorbed, just me and the birds. Happy days!

New Year – New Project – Allotments 1

Jan 14, 2020

Do you live near some allotments?

I would really recommend that you take a little time for a walk through them – even in January! Even if you are not an artist the calm and quiet is wonderful food for the soul.

I am spending as much time as I can this month drawing in my local allotment. It is only five minutes away, I load up my bike with a box of drawing materials, pull on many layers of clothing (including a hat and fingerless gloves) and pedal off looking like an eccentric Cambridge artist!

Each February I spend three days working with Emily Ball, this year I am preparing for her workshop with these studies. All I am doing is getting to know my subject by repeatedly drawing, responding to the sights, smells and sounds around me. I don’t want to make nice drawings, I want to explore the scratchy bushes and alien like sprouts; the shy brides hiding under their veils, the balloon like bottles, the arching frames.

Every day I see more and more exciting shapes and lines, I am never disappointed. I urge you, go and have a look!

A sketching break in Italy

Jan 10, 2018

Farindola, Abruzzo, Italy

A shy and secluded village clinging to a majestic mountain, Farindola lies on a hilly outcrop overlooking the high valley of the river Tavo. Farindola is 1 hour drive from Pescara (flights from Stansted) and 20 minutes from the small town of Penne. The village is famous for it’s cheese ‘Pecorino of Farindola’ See and listen a morning view here https://youtu.be/Y1EW3vQF58I

In 2015 I spent two weeks in Farindola as an artist in residence along with 9 others as part of the first Farindola International Arts Festival. I fell in love with the people and the place, so I invite you to come back and sketch with me each September. Click to read my blog posting http://karenstampercollage.com/blog/farindola-international-arts-festival-italy-2015/ You can view more of my sketches on my Flickr page https://www.flickr.com/photos/8813416@N07/

My sketchbook holidays are for the independent sketcher who would like company too.

They are ideal for beginners who need motivation, as well as those with experience but looking for fresh inspiration. This is not a taught course, there will be no step by step demonstrations in one particular style; each morning we will wander to find our own viewpoints and then meet for lunch to share sketches and ideas. Afternoons are free for more sketching or exploring, followed by a get together to share ideas and techniques around 5pm.

The rewards are immeasurable, by being totally absorbed in a beautiful, stimulating environment, with shared experiences and ideas, you will broaden your horizons and open your eyes to new ways of sketching. My aim is to provide a break where you can sketch but in a supportive surroundings.

” I have produced more in 4-5 days than a whole year at home! It is amazing, I started the first morning a little apprehensive and by lunchtime I was totally absorbed. The time just flew by.”

Drawing on the sense of community and new friends, you will also find encouragement when you share your work and ideas with others.

“I did not know what to expect from this holiday but I must say it has gone very quickly and was really special. It has provided me with an opportunity to break from my hectic routine and tune in to my creative side.”

This a short break from Saturday evening to Thursday. The best way is to arrive on the Ryanair flight Stansted to Pescara.

All you need to bring is your sketchbook and favorite drawing materials. I will have a small collection of materials too. From the village there are stunning views across the valley: in the village there are gorgeous crooked streets, two cafes, churches and so many roof top views.

Each day will start with breakfast, then it is sketching time until lunch. The afternoons are free for you to continue sketching or explore the area. There is an afternoon meet up time (5pm) to share sketches, ideas and techniques.. Early evening is the time for aperitifs and a well earned, wonderful dinner.

There are only two ‘hotels’ in Farindola. Rooms are booked first come first served. Both are up the hill from the main square, Altrocanto is 5 minutes gradual hill, Cuccomella another 10 minutes steady climb along the road.

Altrocanto, a beautiful boutique hotel with five double rooms, run by Thomas and Marco, (bed and breakfast). For three of the evenings we will eat together at Altrocanto, (four courses plus wine) leaving one evening free for you to choose. http://www.altrocanto.it

La Cuccomella, a simple, clean friendly restaurant with rooms above and dramatic hill top views. views.https://www.facebook.com/lacuccumellafarindola/

Dates for 2020

Sketchbooking in Farindola Saturday 5th – Thursday 10h September ( Sketching Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday)

Accomodation

Altrocanto 440 euros per person in own room. 380 euros per person – couple/two friends sharing

Apartment 4200 euros per person in own room. 360 euros per person – couple/two friends sharing

Prices include transfer, accommodation and three evening evening meals (four courses plus wine)

Prices are in EUROS

Extras: Flights (£60 – £150) the best way to travel is Stansted to Pescra. Departing on the 6pm evening flight and leaving Farindola Thursday lunchtime. www.ryanair.com If everyone travels on this flight we meet in the departure lounge.

I have organised a transfer from this flight only. Pescara airport to Farindola

Creative Concertina Sketchbook Workshops and Holidays

Dec 18, 2017

I have two workshops booked for 2024 at LUND STUDIOS 2/3rd July and 8/9th October. (Contact Steve at Lund for information and booking)

I am excited to announce that I have joined up with The Blue Walk to offer a holiday in Italy 14-21st April 2024. If you wish to join me on this collage sketchbook journey in the sun please have a look on The Blue Walk website for full information. Places are filling fast!

My workshops are fun and hardworking, you do not need to prepare anything, just come along and develop your sketchbook pages in a supportive environment. We will work with inks, pens, pencils,paint and collage to develop 4-10 pages on a theme. We will be responding to the collage elements and mark making, as in my sketchbooks.

Please contact me for more information Karen@karenstampercollage.com