We were extremely fortunate that Garth Lewis, who teaches at The University of the Arts, Central Saint Martin’s, accepted our invitation to speak to GCSE and A level pupils on 18 January 2010.  Garth has recently had his book published, ‘2000 Colour Combinations’, an invaluable resource for all textile, graphic and craft designers and it was this and his own paintings which were the focus of the talk.

 
Mr Carter and I were particularly interested and honoured to have this opportunity as we were both taught by Garth at Central Saint Martins and remember his teaching as being particularly influential on our own work. We were even more surprised when we discovered that Veena Joseph-McBride, our new member of the JAGS Development team, was also taught by Garth whilst at Central!

The years fell away as we became absorbed in Garth’s presentation illustrating his digital printing, screen printing and hand painting, all combined within one work. He also produced two software programmes; Chromafile, a colour palette that simulates paint colours on the computer monitor and the Virtual Colour Course, a computer version of a studio based colour course which I remember following at Central, using the Chromafile colour palette. 

The presentation was highly informative and relevant, helping pupils to see how computers can be used as a highly creative tool in developing ideas and approaches to making work and I certainly came away uplifted by colour!

S.Payne
Head of Art