Marks and Music
Experiment with mark making and discover lyricism in art
Materials needed:
- Large sheet of thick, high-quality paper (cardboard works well)
- One coloured pencil
- One coloured crayon or oil pastel
- A coloured acrylic or watercolour paint
- Paintbrush
- Cup of water
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.
Discussion
Elise Blumann, Storm on the Swan, 1946, oil on paper mounted on cardboard on composition board, 57 h cm, 67 w cm, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 1978
Elise Blumann
Born 1897, Germany. Lived 1938–1990, Perth, WA, Whadjuk Nyoongar land
Storm on the Swan
1946
About
Elise Blumann painted Perth’s Swan River and the native melaleuca trees of the region many times. Escaping the Nazi regime that devastated much of Europe, German-born Blumann came to Perth with her husband and two children in 1938.
Blumann had a modern approach to art and a desire to capture the ‘essential spirit’ of nature.
Discussion
- How has Elise Blumann used brushstrokes to evoke the feeling of a storm?
- How do you imagine a scene like this would sound?
Lesley Dumbrell, Foehn, 1975, synthetic polymer paint on canvas, 2473 h mm, 1998 w mm, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 1976 © Lesley Dumbrell/Copyright Agency
Lesley Dumbrell
Born 1941, Melbourne, VIC, Bunurong Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung land
Foehn
1975
About
Lesley Drumbell uses optical art techniques to capture the invisible forces of the natural world. The title of this work of art, Foehn, defines the hot wind that blows down the slope of a mountain.
Discussion
- How would you describe the way your eyes feel when looking at this work?
- How has Lesley Dumbrell achieved a sense of movement?
Roy de Maistre, Arrested phrase from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in red major, 1919/35, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, Purchased 1976. © Caroline de Mestre Walker.
Roy de Maistre
1894–1968, Bowral, NSW, Tharawal land
Arrested phrase from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in red major
1919/35
About
Roy de Maistre was a modernist painter and accomplished musician. His theory of colour harmonisation inspired several paintings that explored his perceived connection between the colour spectrum and musical scales.
Discussion
- Roy de Maistre believed that colours related to notes on a musical scale. Take it in turns attempting to hum a tune in response to this painting. Explain what parts of the painting caused you to rise and fall in pitch and tempo.
- Do you think the colours in this painting are harmonious to one another? Explain why or why not?
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:
- Play a piece of music.
- Listen to the music and respond with a pencil on paper. What marks will you make to imitate the beat or the melody?
- Experiment with different styles of music and different mediums. How does the experience change if you use crayon or paint?
Choose a workshop
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Explore horizon lines and play with perspective
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Play with found materials and experiment with pattern
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Discover the magic of light
