Light Magic

Discover the magic of light

Materials needed:

  • One sheet of good-quality paper
  • A selection of watercolour pencils
  • A glass vessel filled with water
  • A torch
  • A paintbrush

Start by looking at the works of art listed below. We have suggested some questions that will help facilitate a discussion, then follow the instructional video to create your own work of art.

About the process

Discussion

Olive Cotton, Teacup ballet, 1935, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, Purchased 1983.

Olive Cotton
1911-2003, Sydney, NSW, Gadigal land
Teacup ballet
1935

About

Olive Cotton was a modernist photographer working in Sydney (Gadigal land) during the 1930s and 40s. Teacup Ballet is a photograph of a set of cheap cups and saucers that Cotton had bought from a Woolworths store: ‘Their angular handles suggested to me the position of “arms akimbo” and that led to the idea of a dance pattern’.

(Reference)

Discussion

  • What does the title 'Teacup Ballet' suggest to you?
  • How would you describe the shadows?
Discover more by Olive Cotton

Narelle Autio, Nippers II, 2014, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, Purchased with the assistance of Diana Laidlaw 2016.

Narelle Autio
Born 1969, Adelaide, Kaurna land
Nippers II, 2014

About

Narelle Autio is a photographer based in Adelaide (Kaurna land) known for her saturated use of light and fascination with water and how it informs an Australian identity.

Discussion

  • What can you see happening in this photograph?
  • How do you think Narelle Autio took this photograph?
Discover more by Narelle Autio

Artmaking Activity

The video can be watched before you begin artmaking, or it can be watched while you make with participants following along. We encourage you to pause or rewind as required.

Activity steps:

  1. Fill a glass vesel with water and place it on a sheet of paper.
  2. Shine a torch through the glass and observe the patterns that emerge.
  3. Colour the patterns with watercolur pencils.

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