Talking Colour -Tian Song

For my Talking Colour and Pattern project, I spent time walking around different parts of London that I found visually interesting and inspired me, such as Brick Lane, Hackney, and Central London. I wanted to capture what interested me in these places, so I recorded them through photo and drawing, experimenting with different techniques and materials. I used oil pastel, watercolour, acrylic paint, pencil, and Photoshop to explore how colour and pattern can express the energy and the vibe of these places.
I was heavily inspired by the graffiti I saw all around London. I loved the way street artists used colour so freely and boldly. The bright tones and playful contrasts really stood out to me and made me think differently about how colour can communicate mood. I’m especially drawn to neon colours, which we don’t often see much in everyday life, but they always give me a vibrant, almost dreamlike feeling. In Photoshop, I experimented with different colour effects to create that neon “pop,” and I really liked the results.
For the pattern side of the project, I used real flowers and plants to make interesting textures and compositions. I liked how the natural patterns and organic shapes contrasted with the artificial, bright neon colours. This combination created a sense of tension between nature and urban life, which I found exciting to explore.
Overall, this project was something completely new for me. It encouraged me to look at my surroundings differently and to express what I see and feel through bold colour, experimental materials, and unexpected contrasts.

Reflection
Taking photos and drawing from them, as well as doing still life drawing, has been a hard task for me. I’ve done lots of paintings and drawings before, but rarely in this kind of format where I have to observe and translate what I see directly. This project really pushed me and challenged me to work in new ways. It made me step out of my comfort zone and try techniques that I wouldn’t normally use on my own or in my spare time.
Experimenting with different colour ranges instead of sticking to the original or realistic colours gave me a new way to see things. It allowed me to think more freely about how colour can be used to express feelings rather than just to represent what something looks like. I enjoyed pushing the limits of colour and seeing how different tones can completely change the mood of a piece.
Another part I really enjoyed was seeing my peers’ work. Studying with them and sharing ideas was very inspiring. I learned a lot just by observing their techniques, and it gave me new ideas and motivation for my own work. I realised that inspiration is everywhere. In people, in places, and even in the process.
Using a variety of materials was also something I explored in this project. Some of them were quite new to me, and at first, it was difficult to start. But once I became more familiar with them, I found it really interesting to see how different materials can work together. I still don’t enjoy using watercolour on its own, but I discovered that when I combine it with other materials like marker pen, it becomes much more fun and feels more like my own style.
Overall, this project helped me grow as an artist. It challenged me to experiment, to stay open minded and to keep exploring new things.