Talking Points: Kittie Jones
How can we use marks and materials to respond to the world around us as we experience it?
Kittie Jones is a plein-air artist who draws inspiration from the natural world. Working directly outdoors, she creates drawings that respond to the ever-changing environment, from shifting light and sounds to changes in the weather, capturing the atmosphere of her surroundings.
Watch the below video and answer the questions to discuss Kittie Jones’ work.
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Kittie Jones
Kittie Jones is a fine artist based in Edinburgh. She graduated from Edinburgh College of Art and Edinburgh University in 2008; she currently works from her studio at Coburg House Art Studios in Leith and regularly exhibits around the UK.
“My work is concerned with the experience of time spent looking and interpreting the natural world. I am drawn to places which have an abundance of nature – sea bird colonies, fertile coastlines and remote islands. On drawing trips I will settle in a promising spot and start to develop work from there. The energy in the work comes from the constantly changing elements of the natural world – birds moving in and out of vision and the shifting quality of weather and light. “ – Kittie Jones
Find a fantastic insight into Kittie’s creative process here on AccessArt.
Questions to Ask Children
What kind of atmosphere does Kittie capture in her work?
How does mark making add to the painting?
How do the paintings make you feel?
What other inputs do you think Kittie gets from painting outdoors? How do you think these impact her work?
Would you like to experience sitting and painting in the outdoors?
This Talking Points Is Used In...
Pathway: Mixed Media Land and city scapes
using sketchbooks to make visual notes
Show me what you see
Kelly D
January 20, 2024 @ 3:18 pm
Please can you explain what ‘layering colour’ is and how it is done? Thank you
Rachel
January 22, 2024 @ 9:30 am
Hi Kelly, layering colour can be done using any colour medium, but will work in slightly different ways. Paints like oil and acrylic are quick thick, and so if you layer one colour over another (once the first layer is dry or partially dry) it will cover over the under colour more effectively. Watercolour works more as a wash and so layering one colour over another will create a different aesthetic and have a more translucent quality. The best way to learn about how colours can be layered is to have a play and experiment, so if you (and your learners) would like to know more, I would recommend building some ‘play’ time into your art lessons so they are familiarising themselves with the materials and what they can do. I hope this helps!