Brian Clegg

Process

• Create a simple random pattern by squeezing the paint directly from the bottle onto half a side of a sheet of paper - use single colours, or a couple of different colours only

• Fold the paper in half onto its self, causing the paint to print, smear or sguidge

• Repeat this process several times using different papers and a variety of colour combinations.

• Experiment in the same way by applying the paint to a sheet of ace tate plastic or thick glass, then pressing the papers onto the painted surface, again allowing the paint beneath to print, smear or squidge

• Allow all prints to dry thoroughly

• When dry cut out shapes from the squidged prints following their natural outlines

• Using your imagination glue the cut out shapes onto a piece of different coloured paper to create collages, of either abstract patterns or realistic pictures of landscapes, animals or faces for example

• Experiment placing pieces of the painted acetates over the top of your collage for transparent effect

• It is possible to work back into these collages using heavier paint to create dream-like or “surreal” images as the 20c German artist Max Ernst did - these pieces are known as “frottage”

• These patterns also present an exciting and unusual base for graphic designs and an inviting contemporary background for the addition of text in a modern font style