In 2016 we have asked the artists to do more.. than the normal sketchbook exchange.
First they made the book, a concertina book of 24 double pages of various papers that could take a different range of media. Then they worked in groups of six artists.
Thirty six Open Studios artists have taken part in this years project divided into six groups :
Scale, Materials, Texture, Local History, West Berkshire places and Colour.
Each group had an overarching theme and explored it in six different ways. For instance the group that did Colour looked into primaries, contrast, white, muted colours, value and favourites.
As well as changing sketchbooks every three weeks, each groups had to design a poster that would summarise the essence of their theme. And they will print a silkscreen 25 copy series of their poster. A few copies of each poster will be available for sale during Open Studios to cover our costs and raise funds for next year's project.
The sketchbooks and posters will be on display at the West Berkshire Museum during May 2016 for visitors to peruse and indulge in the creativity of the artists and the different ways that they have explored a given theme. Each book is different and they eventually go back to the artist that started them.
Above some of the photographs of the sketchbooks work and below some of the first of the posters.
To experience the books in full glory the best would be to go to the Museum in Newbury and see them for yourself. It is open Wednesdays to Sunday from 10 am to 4pm .
