1stAngel & Friends

James Jarvis and Phil Clay, who designed ‘The Arrow’ installation opposite The University of Northampton’s Maidwell Building, Avenue Campus and spheres throughout the Racecourse, will join local VIPs, staff from The University of Northampton and members of the Friends of Northampton Racecourse and Healthy Living Hub to celebrate their part in the project.

In 2007, the Healthy Living Hub team from Friends of Northampton Racecourse approached Product Design students at The University of Northampton with the brief to design ‘useable’ and vandal-proof installations for the Racecourse. James and Phil’s designs were selected and combined to create an arrow installation which has become popular as a place to meet and sit on the Racecourse and geographical spheres that are placed around the area.

Sally Crow-Matthews, Healthy Living Hub, commented:

‘Our overall aim was to involve all of the diverse communities which surround the Racecourse in the exciting projects taking place. It has therefore been very important for us to work with members of the student population, to take on board their ideas and to see them through to completion.

‘Our ambition of these pieces is to see them in many different ways - as seating, play, meeting point, talking point and, of course, merely pointing people in the right direction.’

Friedemann Schaber, Senior Lecturer, Design, School of The Arts, The University of Northampton, added:

‘In Design Studies, live client projects are enhancing the curriculum, challenging undergraduate students with ‘outside’ constraints and deliverables, therefore furthering their knowledge ¦in return, the community benefits from University links on various levels’

Student feedback on the project has been excellent with comments including: ‘I enjoy live projects and have developed new and improved existing skills as a result and Live projects have given me more clear ideas about the skills and knowledge needed in Product Design’

The official launch coincides with The University of Northampton’s Open Day which runs from 10am - 3pm at both Avenue and Park Campuses. Registration is between 10 - 11am. For further information or to pre-book onto the Open Day, please contact freephone: 0800 358 2232 or visit www.northampton.ac.uk/news/opendays

As well as finding out more about particular subjects and meeting lecturers, the Open Day also holds helpful sessions on key higher education student topics such as finance and accommodation.

This is another project I have started on, a Pen & Ink of my cat, Nari.

I made sure to put the reference photo I took of her, next to the pencil drawing. I always pencil in first to make sure my values are in proportion.
Also tried to make the penciling darker than I normally do, so it will be easier for you to see.

Here I am just starting on her eyes and the fur around them.
These are my favorite Pen and Ink tools. I am using my usual 140lb hot press watercolor paper in a 9″ by 12″ size this time. Pens I am using are the Copic Multiliner 0.03 and the Sakura Pigma micron .05. Also have my pencil and a high quality eraser to remove the pencil marks.
Bit more fur to the right side of her face and color to her nose.

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I had someone ask me what supplies do I use and recommend for painting in this medium?

For the Ink………..I use both ink & brush- India waterproof ink and Pens. The pens I prefer are the “Sakura’s Pigma Micron Pen” with permanent, waterproof, pigmented ink, in sizes 005 and 01 and for finer work, the “Copic Multiliner” 0.03 Pen.

The best watercolor pencils I have used to date are the “Derwent Watercolour Pencils“. Thay can be used dry or wet, on the paper or with a brush.

Paper is just important, maybe even more important than the mediums one uses. When I first started out, I used cold press watercolor paper which did not always hold up well. Then someone recommended to me to try a good quality Hot Press paper. Lets just say, I will never go back to cold press.

I found the best paper for the many layers of ink and watercolor pencil wash I do, is the ” Aquarello Fabriano Artistico” and I prefer their Bright White Watercolor Block. Is a nice smooth 140lb paper, that holds up very well and gives me no problems.

Have found many people become discouraged when the paper they use is not suited for the art they do. If you can, get the best qualtiy paper you can afford. I highly recommend Hot Press watercolor paper for this kind of medium useage.

For my Derwent pencil storage, I tossed the tins they came in and bought some nice pencils cases. Makes it so much easier to store and use.

Paint brushes..I use mostly sizes 00, 01, 02, 06. Believe or not my favorite brush is the one that came in the Derwent watercolor pencil set. Princeton’s are a cheap brush but hold up very well and are nice to use.

I have included some photos of my instruments of creating. In one photo you can see how I set up what I need, when I am actively painting.

If anyone has some favorites they like to paint with and why, please feel free to add a comment.

You can learn about Derwent Watercolor pencils, watercolor paper, and ink pens here.

http://www.pencils.co.uk/

Aquarello Fabriano Artistico watercolor paper

http://www.dickblick.com/zz101/44/

Sakura’s Pigma Micron Pen

http://www.sakuraofamerica.com/Pen-Archival

Copic Multiliner

http://www.fineartstore.com/Catalog/tabid/365/List/1/CategoryID/13848/Level/a/Default.aspx

Cases and Princeton brushes can be found at Dicl Blick and other fine Artist stores.

http://www.dickblick.com/

Top Whorl Spindle

I used to make these and they sold very well.

What you will need is….

Wooden toy Wheel
Dowels
ome kind of small saw
Marine grade wood glue
Sanding paper
a hook
Paint, brush and varnish if you want.

Go to any craft store and buy a wooden toy wheel, get the heavier wood if they have it.
Find a wooden dowel that will very snuggly fit into the Wooden wheel’s hole.
You will want about 8″ of dowel hanging out of the bottom of the Wheel.
Put glue on both the Dowel and the inside hole of the Wheel. Carefully push together until the Dowel is just above the wheel.
Wipe any excess glue from the Wheel and Dowel.
Let it set 24 to 48 hours.
Then sand the bit of dowel sticking out of the top of the Wheel until it is flush with the Wheel.
Mark where the center is.. this can be a bit tricky so take your time, as you want your Handspindle to whorl evenly.
On one side of the Wheel edge, mark an area with pencil to where you want to put a small and sanded indent. This way the wool has some place to sit.
Now sand the whole piece until smooth.
Wipe of any dust with a cloth.

Now you can either carefully put the hook in the top and call it good or Paint your spindle first.

If you paint your spindle, wait to put the hook in after the paint and varnish is on and totally dry.
You should be able to find the dent you made earlier.

This spindle is very cheap to make. Is not perfect but works well for the lighter weight fleece…and great for spinning lace weight yarn.

Here is a photo of them almost finished… painted and vanished..just have to put the hooks on.