GB2337129A

GB2337129A - Method and apparatus for producing graphic art

Info

Publication number: GB2337129A
Application number: GB9801972A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Coe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-01-29
Filing date: 1998-01-29
Publication date: 1999-11-10
Also published as: GB9801972D0

Abstract

Method of producing an object of art in which the surface of a transparent or translucent material is marked before light is shone through the marked material onto a light sensitive material so as to produce an image derived from the marked surface.

Description

2337129 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING GRAPHIC ART is The present

invention is concerned with method and apparatus for producing graphic art. The well known, and long established, cover photographic process involves the use of a camera to capture an image on unexposed photographic film. The exposed film is then put through a chemical process to produce a negative. This negative is projected onto photographic paper through a colour.% enlarger. Photographic paper is then put through a further chemical process to produce a finished photograph. The negative colours produced by the camera on the film become, on the photographic paper, the original colours first seen through the camera.

Graphic art has also long been produced by marking a display surface by, for example, painting or drawing.

The colour photographic process requires a camera, and cannot easily be used to create artistic effects which are something other than a faithful reproduction of a particular scene. Established methods of producing graphic art such as drawing and painting typically require bulky materials, and cannot easily be reproduced or enlarged.

The invention is defined in independent claims 1 and 5 to which reference should now be made. The fair features of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention allow one to capture and create sketches qui'ckly and easily. The invention adds new dimension to the existing photographic process without the need for a camera to produce images.

1 1 The preferred embodiments of the present invention can produce images using either the standard photographic film or any transparent material of any size.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention allow a limitless number of colour, or black and white, images or pictures to be produced on photographic paper. The same technique can also be used to produce black and white images although the results are not so impressive.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, with reference to figures 1 to 9 in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a plan view apparatus embodying the present invention; and Figures 2 to 9 show examples of works of art created using embodiments of the present invention.

The preferred embodiments involve drawing, painting, scratching and/or smearing ink and special paint onto a transparent surface. A suitable transparent surface is exposed 35mm film. Different types of ink and special paint will deliver different results.

The image produced on a standard photographic colour enlarger is exposed to standard photographic paper using the processes well known in colour photography.

A preferred embodiment of the invention can be provided as a kit using the waste feed ends of used film arising from films mailed or taken into developing companies by photographers. A developing house can send back the waste ends with the developed film and supply a small selection of permanent markers with a stencil of simple pictures, shapes or patterns. The stencil and markers can be used to create patterns and pictures on the developed film, which can be developed using standard photographic techniques.

3 - Specialised finepoint graphic art pens and magnifying systems could also be used in combination with transparent or translucent material such as exposed photographic film.

The following tools could be used to produce images: permanent markers, small tipped scratching devices, hole punchers, embroidery needles, an artist's finger, nail varnish, compressed air, ballpoint pens. Any means of directly affecting the surface of the transparent sheet is appropriate. Different tools will create different effects.

Figure 1 illustrates a modified photography light box suitable for use with the present invention. A small standard light box 1 is provided with a white translucent plastic cover 2 placed over an opening 3 in the box. Two clips 4 on the top of the box 1, adjacent to the opening and plastic cover, are provided to hold a portion of exposed photographic film 6 (or other transparent or translucent material)over the cover 2.

A dimmer switch 5 controls the intensity of light produced by a light source within the box 1. The light source may be a small fluorescent bulb.

The surface of the transparent/translucent material 6 held in the clips is directly marked, for example, by painting, drawing, scratching to create images.

Referring to the examples of graphic art produced using a preferred embodiment of the invention and shown as Figures 2 to 9:

In Figure 2, a hole punch, small needle and feeder tape (blue transparent has been used to produce images.

In Figure 3, an unexposed film negative has been coated in permanent ink and a finger pushed down on the ink before it dries.

In Figure 4, a thin pen has been dragged across the surface of an unexposed negative to produce bamboolike effects.

In Figures 5(a) and 5(b), excess ink was placed between two sheets of perspex. The ink creates a cont inually moving and changing image until it dries. Shining light through the perspex/ink produces an image including bubbles and a feeling of depth.

Figures 6(a) and 6(b) show art produced by coating transparent film with permanent ink and then blowing air onto its surface so as to disperse the ink into different is designs.

Figures 7(a) and 7(b) show works of art resulting by using a method corresponding to an embodiment of the.present invention to paint an exposed and developed photographic negative. Scratching and painting over an existing image can allow one to produce interesting and unusual images based on photographed scenes. Over badly exposed negatives can be used in this manner.

Figure 8, shows a work of art produced by applying a number of different coloured inks and allowing them to dry before making further markings on the transparent films.

Figure 9, shows how an emulsion side of a strip of unexposed film has been used to produce a marble cracking effect. This contrasts to the silky finish which would be produced by using the non emulsion side.

The reproductibility requirements of this text means that it is only possible to supply black and white examples of artworks produced using embodiments of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the invention is particularly suitable for producing distinctive colour images.

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Claims

1. steps A method of producing an object of art including the of: providing a transparent or translucent material; directly marking a surface of the said material; and shining light through the marked material onto a light sensitive material so as to produce an image derived from the marked surface.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the said surface is directly marked by one or more of: painting, drawing, scratching, smearing or the downward application of pressure.

3. A method according to any preceding claim in which the said material is provided as a thin sheet of material.

4. A method according to claim 3 in which the said material is exposed photographic film or a clear plastics sheet.

5. A method according to any preceding claim in which the said marked material is placed in a colour enlarger, and the light sensitive material is photographic paper.

6. Apparatus for producing an object of art including: a transparent or translucent material; a hand-held marking means for directly marking the surface of the material.

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7 7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which said material is in the form of a sheet.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or Claim 7 in which the marking means applies ink to the material surface, scratches the material surface, smears the material surface and/or applies a downward pressure to the material surface.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the, transparent sheet of material is exposed or photographic material or a clear plastic sheet.

10. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanying figures.

11. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to any of the accompanying figures.

is Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1) Enables the user to produce artistic and graphic images by using felt tip Pens on exposed processed film and or other translucent materials. See Example 1 1.2) Allows the user to manipulate negatives using felt tip pens to make the developed photographs look more like paintings. See Example 2 1.3) Allows an original sketch to be produced by placing a clear piece of exposed f ilm or translucent plastic over the top of an existing negative and tracing the existing image. See example 3 2) By attaching self adhesive letters, numbers and symbols (Lettraset or other Such materials) on to clear film, translucent materials or on top of existing photographs the graphic element can be used to enhance existing pictures and graphic images independently- See Example 4 & 5 3) By attaching coloured acetate with spray mount or staples along with or independently from felt pens, blocks or shapes of strong colour can be added. See Example 6 4) By piercing holes into unexposed (Black) film or opaque plastics with a biro, hole punch or other small sharp implements and then dragging them through the light of an enlarger the impression of movinglorganic images can be produced. See Example 7 5) By trapping ink from felt tip pens between two pieces of exposed film or translucent materials you can create organ ic/changing form that can be used to continually create unique images that can be captured as a photographic print. See Example 8 6) Both sides of exposed film can be used to create different effects, one side repels the ink (see Example 1 & 9) while the other soaks it up, creating a cracked marble effect (See Example 10)