Talking Colour, Talking Pattern – Ella Sharp
Talking Colour
Oil pastel of grilled figs with honey, crisp walnuts and ricotta from Lucia’s in Hackney Wick.
Talking Pattern
Digital pattern created using sketches from sketches exploring colour contrast.
Combining watercolour colour exploration of mussel’s in hackney with acrylic ink experimentation digitally.
I began exploring colour through Emily Kam Kngwarray’s exhibition at the Tate Modern, where draped batik hangings and expansive acrylic canvases revealed how layered processes could transform simple motifs into complex, compelling images. Her dynamic contrasts inspired me to adapt her techniques on a smaller scale, translating her depiction of the Australian landscape and considering them in reference to my own urban environment. I created miniature watercolours that attempted to replicate the underlying colour stories within her work.
Collaborating with peers on a mixed-media collage deepened this exploration, revealing how others responded to similar motifs and prompting me to experiment. I used oil pastels layered over delicate washes of watercolour to achieve texture and depth. Through drawing sessions focused on warm and cool contrasts, I learned that a restricted palette could heighten visual focus, compelling me to make deliberate decisions about composition and mark-making.
Beyond the studio, sketching meals in local restaurants became a way to examine the interplay between texture and tone. Oil pastel studies of food against coloured paper created rich, tactile contrasts that mirrored my earlier investigations into layering. These experiments led me to realise that my true fascination lies not in colour itself but in the repetition of complimentary shapes to create movement and flow within a stagnant image.
I extended this interest through digital pattern-making and the use of acrylic inks, where layered transparency produces rhythmic imagery. Looking ahead, I aim to refine my focus, developing recurring motifs and surfaces created using further techniques, such as etching to capture detail and pointillism to continue to explore depth within colour schemes.
9th November 2025 @ 6:53 pm
I really appreciate Ella’s work, especially her first painting influenced by Emily Kam Knagwarray’s work. She interpreted the artist’s style with striking realism, creating an image that feels both vivid and personal. In the following pieces, Ella gradually developed her own artistic voice while maintaining a strong sense of observation and expression.
One of the most impressive works is her depiction of clam soup. Using markers, she captured the warmth and texture so vividly that the viewer can almost sense its aroma. Her study of maple leaves also shows excellent colour awareness—the warm-toned background complements the subject beautifully. I particularly enjoy the dessert painting on dark paper, which demonstrates her thoughtful use of contrast and atmosphere.
In her pattern studies, Ella deconstructed decorative motifs from a shop facade and recombined them into new designs. She also explored butterfly forms in different tones and abstractions, achieving a surprisingly balanced visual rhythm. Later, she experimented with collage techniques using maple leaves, adding playful green elements for contrast.
Throughout her works, Ella shows careful attention to colour relationships and material exploration. Her use of acrylic inks, watercolour, and acetate printing reveals a strong sense of curiosity and discipline. I believe adding more visible texture or brushwork could make her future pieces even richer and more expressive.