How To Start A New Project

I am just about to embark on a new project using some different materials. The plan is to come up with some designs to print on fabric for my new brand. I joined the local printmaking studio, Megalo, to learn some screen printing techniques and to run a few tests. 

Table With Art Materials, 2015, photo by Aria Stone

I have often been asked how to begin a new project...

When you have no concrete ideas and you would like to start a new body of work or project, one suggestion is to go to the art shop and look at all the materials on display. Pick a medium that you have never worked with before. Pastels, acrylic paint pens, oil sticks, art markers, aqua pencils, wax crayons, charcoal and watercolour paints are but a small selection of materials that may be of interest. 

Take the items home and start running some experiments. Don't have any fixed idea in mind. Just start playing and see what happens. Create numerous studies with freedom and surrender to the process. Don't be precious about wasting the materials or making a mess. Have fun!

If you are used to being fastidious in copying the visual world precisely, try drawing with your eyes closed. Taping some charcoal to a long stick will also free up your mark-making. If you are always loose in your drawings, you could have a go at doing some fine detailed work within your drawing. 

After a few weeks of working with your new materials, you may find some interesting ideas emerging from your studies. From there, pick a favourite image and create a body of work on canvas or board based on your preference. 

All artists have different ways of working and entering into a new project. It helps us grow to try different techniques and experiment with mediums and materials. 

Below are a couple of examples of my playful experiments. 

Aria Stone, Study No. 2, ink, acrylic and pencil on canvas,
52 x 41 cm

Aria Stone, Study No. 3, ink, acrylic and pencil on canvas,
52 x 41 cm