This Wednesday a new solo show by our programme director Jonathan Gibbs will be opening to the public at the Curwen Gallery in London.
The show will feature work commissioned by Hamish Hamilton, Penguin, Whaleback, St Jude’s, Jonathan Cape, Folio Society, Techné and Granta.
Also shown will be studio prints on a variety of themes with a series of drawings and paintings in oil and watercolour.
Not to be missed!
In the Grass and River Mouth.
First year illustration students are really getting to know Edinburgh now, and this week they completed a unique map-making project. They were set the task of creating a map that would communicate their relationship with the city. The maps did not have to be geographically accurate and could depict any area or aspect of Edinburgh as they have experienced or perceived it.
We began by visiting the Central Library on George IV Bridge and were treated to a look at some of the maps in the library collection. We then explored the various passageways and rooms around the library and sketched the views of the city from these vantage points. We also visited the ECA Library to look at the fantastic collection of artists’s books. These gave students inspiration for the physical format their map might take.
The students then developed their research drawings into maps of their own. The class produced a varied body of work, including intricate hand drawn ‘memory’ maps, digitally made board games based on their adventures around the city and fabric collages incorporating hand-stitched routes and motifs.
Proud to announce the book launch of ECA Illustration grad Maria Stoian’s new graphic novel Take it as a Compliment!
Blackwell Bookshop, Edinburgh
24 November at 18:30
Take is as a Compliment! illustrates the experiences of victims of sexual abuse in a powerful collective graphic memoir.
Do come along!
See more of Maria’s work here:
http://www.mariastoian.com/
Okularki is the first in a series of books called Small Catastrophe that celebrate family life.
When she’s not making beautiful illustration Kasia teaches here with us at ECA Illustration.
Have a look at her amazing portfolio here:
http://www.kasiamatyjaszek.com/
Okularki. Written by Ewa Madeyska, published by Dwie Siostry
Our studio is busy this morning with a pop up crit for a project led by Harvey Dingwall and visiting lecturer Jim Hutcheson, creative director of Birlinn. As part of their studio practice our third year students are presenting their work in progress and receiving valuable feedback from a publishing expert.
Students were asked to illustrate a section of James Hogg’s ‘The private memoires and confessions of a justified sinner’. A dark gothic crime novel with an innovative structure written from the perspective of the editor or sinner himself. Written in 1824 it is reflective of the passion and innovation of the period.
Each student was given an about a 3000 word section of the book to illustrate over x4 A3 landscape pages ie x2 double page spreads. From this they were to select pull quotes or small blocks of text to be placed alongside their illustrations. The challenge is to create a dynamic and engaging layout.
Talented ECA illustration alumni Holly Sterling has been going from strength to strength since her graduation in 2013. She has illustrated two published picture books to date; Nativity Story and 15 Things Not To Do With A Baby, written by Margaret McAllister and published by Francis Lincoln. Her beautiful illustrations for the latter of these books has resulted in her being nominated for the 2016 CILIP Kate Greenaway award.
Hardworking Holly has a further six books set to be published next year. In addition to her illustration work, Holly frequently visits schools to hold drawing events and workshops, as well as giving talks to art college students.
Check out her work on her website:
http://cargocollective.com/hollysterling
Congratulations Holly!
A new group of first year illustration students have arrived in Edinburgh and begun to explore the city. Their first project was a pattern making endeavor, and we decided to head to Edinburgh’s Botanic Gardens to gather observational drawings and inspiration. We spent the morning drawing flowers, plants and naturalistic forms as well as the architecture and characters populating the gardens. Students also collected leaves and paraphernalia they found along the way.
We returned to the studio and began to research the history of pattern design, looking at motifs, colour palettes and techniques from all over the world. Students gave presentations on their findings before trying out various techniques themselves. We also looked at the ways in which patterns may be applied, including furnishings, textiles and books.
After demonstrations in relief printing and mono printing, we looked at how to make a repeat pattern by hand and using digital methods. The students then developed their drawings and prints into patterns of their own. The students embraced the new techniques with enthusiasm and as a class they produced a varied and impressive range of repeat patterns. This project involved the first of many observational drawing trips and was a great start to the semester.
A number of our very talented fourth years recently exhibited artworks made in response to the works of Luigi Pirandello.
Pirandello was a dramatist, novelist and Nobel Prize winner whose tragic farces were written with great spontaneity and dealt with identity and fear of materialism.
The exhibition was organised and curated in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh Italian Language department, as well as with the Society of Pirandello Studies.
Felix Miall’s image for Henry IV
works by Molly Soar, Saskia Cameron and Peony Gent
The exhibition is available to see in the Languages department of the University of Edinburgh in George Square.
At Somerset House with his work and his award and his glass of wine.
Doesn’t he look handsome?
Meet Sarah Bissell, artist in residence here at ECA Illustration.
Sarah’s work uses a combination of the hand-drawn and hand-cut to create striking and intelligent images.
Have a look at her portfolio below:
http://www.sarahbissell.co.uk/
