New Year's Eve Creation

Yesterday was really good. As it was the last day of 2015, I didn't want to work all day on the university modules, instead I just wanted to have a rest and research other great artists.

Then suddenly I recalled one of my tutor, Matt email which was about a competition. Students are invited to submit work or ideas for Cultural Campus an exhibition in the Old Fire Station in February 2016.

"This brief focuses on Salford’s campus and the varied range of activities that take place in and around the University. We are encouraging students to explore the campus (including MCUK) and our immediate surroundings such as Peel Park and The Meadows, Salford Crescent Station, Manchester Ship Canal etc. and to highlight or respond to some of the more interesting, overlooked or plain curious aspects of the area."

My favourite university campus is Media City. I really like its modern, glassy, sleek style. I have always been attracted by the modern architecture. I especially like the water disposition. It looks great when the buildings lights reflecting on the water. I just love it.

I decided to create a painting of one of the best part of Media City UK. I have chosen an A2 paper size which would look good on the wall if I will be chosen to the exhibition.

I found a great picture on the internet which shows the area most recognisable buildings such as BBC and the sky and buildings lights are reflecting on the water. It's really colourful and nice.

I thought I could make a nice painting and make the area alive with my painting style.

CREATION PROCCESS

First, I drew the picture basic elements:

Then I started to paint the colours:

I wanted to make a bit abstract painting using of one of the brusher shaft to make scratches. I really liked this new technique because the water more alive on the picture.

I also have used some pastel chalk to get strong colours. During the painting creation, I was struggling with the water, especially with the reflection colours.. I never liked it, I changed them in every 30 minutes. When I thought I'm done, I continued working another 2 hours. :)

This is one of the best version which I made. I like the colours of the sky but the red was too strong on the water. After this, I had to use pen and pencil to highlight the bridge.

This is the final version of my painting of Media City UK. Unfortunately, this picture is not of the best quality as we have a very weak light in the living room, it doesn't show the colours realistic.

This is another picture of the final painting. To be honest, I would change the water colours in every minute. I have to confess it's really hard to paint a water! :)

After this stage, I just sat down on the sofa with my computer. I wanted to chill a bit, but my mind didn't allow me it. I wanted to take the image of the painting to Photoshop and see what more could I do. It was such a good idea as I discovered new tools in Ps and I made the painting more realistic.

So I thought I will submit the photoshopped version and I can call it Mixed Media artworks as I painted everything but I added some elements with computer too.

The very final version is:

MediaCityUK is one of my favourite place in Manchester. I love the area’s modern glassy architecture features and I wanted to represent its fabulous atmosphere with a creation of painting. The artwork shows its one of the best and recognizable buildings, such as BBC and the sunset’s colorfulness on the sky and its reflection on the water.

The creation is made by mixed media. Hand painting, chalk, and computer rendering. The original painting size is an A3 paper.

I will do some more experiment on the computer with this image but I have already ordered a large glossy print format which I could take to the exhibition (of course if I will be chosen).

Hopefully the judges will like my work and take it to the exhibition and more people could see it which would be really great! :)

#mediacityuk #painting