Exploring Camberwell College of Arts

My etchings. I used pencils in the beginning, which wasn't strong enough to bring a sharp intense effect of the textures I collected (even though I didn't necessarily have to create a sharp texture...but anyway). I later used oil pastels, which worked better to bring out the textures from Camberwell. I enjoyed experimenting with using different colours on different paper thicknesses. The thin newsprint was more flexible for etching and the thicker beige paper showed rough textures more clearly. The whole activity was quite enjoyable, especially when differentiating organic/irregular textures (like cracks on the wall) and symmetrical, orderly ones (e.g. rows of holes on the panels beneath the hand rails). 

                 Crack on wall: top left on red paper           Stripes on stairs: lower left on blue paper

The ceilings of old Camberwell College of Arts was unexpectedly rebellious. Interesting ones were hidden in corners of Camberwell with and walls around them peppered with graffiti and handwriting,

A classmate's hand. Clearly this is not a clean task!

The bridge connecting the oldest and the modernist building (also the coldest part of the college). I like the opaqueness of the bridge because it shows that the building is "live": inhabited with students of Camberwell.

Hidden, disheveled parts of Camberwell: deserted alleyway and backyard of garbage and scraps.

These arched semi-circle windows and doors remind me of The Shire from The Hobbits. They must really fancy the architecture style of the Arts and Crafts Movement too.

Stained glass windows featuring the four founders, almost like saints of Camberwell.

We also went the South London Gallery nearby, featuring Katherine Grosse's This Drove My Mother Up the Wall. I was surprised that they had sprayed paint directly on the interior walls of the building!

A direct comparison of the two Camberwell buildings. They are contrasting in form, shape and colour, but I am glad that both of them remained.

I did some more sketches downstairs at the Arts and Crafts building. I particularly love the combination of red/brown bricks, the unclean whitish, textural walls, vertical windows, and the wooden furnishings. They give a traditional but homely atmosphere which allowed me to relax and draw my observations.

Rotating staircase with half the windows.

Looking down from above

Flying buttress and cute round windows.