Alan Hargreaves

My objective is to show some compositional techniques made possible by the new electronic medium. The images are divided into three sections reflecting different technical approaches. Any comments/criticism would be welcomed.

Alan Hargreaves: May 95

Email: alan@vmax.demon.co.uk

Address: 66 Close Lane, Alsager, Stoke on Trent ST7 2UA

Tel: 01270 876196

1. ATMOS series

An exploration of atmospheric effects as applied to geometrical objects.

Geometrical constructions are often considered sterile from an artistic point of view because of the lack of complexity. The random and ethereal nature of the atmosphere is used to soften the hard-edged and simplistic character of geometry. These images were directly drawn and not derived from photographs.

Atmos 1

A clear blue sky diffuses into solid forms.

Atmos 2

A sunset has a wide range of colours which are modulated by neutral colours in the objects.

Atmos 3

Stratospheric clouds are thin and wispy. Here they are used to break up geometric outlines. This image is to some extent a reversal of Atmos 2 in that the objects have saturated colour while the background is neutral.

Atmos 4

A seascape with a disturbed stormy sky combines with tranquil simplistic shapes to produce a surrealistic effect.

2. SYMMET series

A set of techniques for constructing patterns with a limited palette suitable for fabric printing or weaving.

Symmet 1

This pattern started as a random series of blobs and thick lines which were 'smeared' but without colour mixing. A small rectangular are was selected and outlining was used to create borders. The pattern was then reflected in X and Y to create symmetry.

Symmet 2

A graduated fill was used to create a basic striped element. This was then outlined in black and stamped down at random all over the image area.

Symmet 3

This mosaic effect was made by using a small spot with a grid option turned on. The grid was chosen to be slightly larger than the spot size so as to leave small gaps between. The spot was painted down using a colour cycling option to create the different colours. Then a section of the pattern was rotated and reflected to create a symmetrical result.

Symmet 4

This quilted effect was made by drawing a series of intersecting thick lines. The lines were filled using a graduated fill and then the enclosed triangles were completed using a highlighted fill. The fill had a dithering option to limit the number of colours to a range suitable for printing.

Symmet 5

Here the effect of a coarse fabric was created by scanning a photograph and extracting a suitable section. The colour range was then reduced and the pattern replicated across the entire image.

3. THREAD series

The human mind specifies a set of primitives or 'design rules' to be carried out but without being able to visualise the possible results. After the computer creates the image, the power of the human mind to discriminate is employed to select results or change the rules.

A set of 'snapshots' is taken from a computer program which simulates the visual effect of a weaving loom in operation. The pattern scrolls up the screen and changes continuously, never repeating itself. The colours are introduced as threads which widen into stripes and then narrow gradually before disappearing.

Thread 1 Thread 2

Thread 3 Thread 4