Art is a hobby or profession often given up with sight loss: it is visual after all. Yet as with reading there are often strategies that mean people can continue, even if in a different way. New technologies and modern art have also created new genres of art that do not rely on sight.

Art is a hobby or profession often given up with sight loss: it is visual after all. Yet as with reading there are often strategies that mean people can continue, even if in a different way. New technologies and modern art have also created new genres of art that do not rely on sight.

If you work with people who are interested in art, how can they continue in spite of sight loss? What solutions are there?

Organise the Work Area
- Labelling art materials may be useful with methods such as, dyno labels and tactile paint. Think about how to store colours in spectrum order.
- Working flat distorts perception of the image being created: an easel or drawing board may help people see their work.
- Light is essential as with any close task; natural light or daylight bulbs being preferable to increase colour and tonal contrast.

Dealing with Mess
- Use old clothes and have plenty of rags / kitchen towel handy. Floor can be covered with lino off cuts. Greaseproof paper makes a disposable palette to save cleaning.
- To reduce direct contact with clay, try rolling it out like pastry and make marks and patterns through greaseproof paper. Gloves are another option.
- For those with partial sight, the same can be done with paint (known as mono-printing). Lie paper over a painted tray and make marks through the paper.
- Dry materials can avoid mess. Also try acrylic instead of oil.

Strategies with low vision
- Equipment and strategies that work for individuals may relate to what they already use. Those used to magnification, could incorporate a CCTV or stand mounted magnifier / light into the work area.
- Used with a screen magnifier, computer painting / drawing programs may be an option (the most common being Photoshop). I’d be interested to hear of anyone who has done this and how accessible they find the programmes.
- Vision may affect the size that works best. As a very rough guide, people with peripheral vision loss may want to limit the size. Those with central vision loss could try A3 or bigger.

Choosing Materials
- Choice of material is important and there is a huge range. Choose those that give visual contrast.
- Try pencils in the 2B -9B range; these are darker than HB. Pen and ink is darker skill.
- Choose good quality permanent felt tips rather than coloured pencils. Marker pens are especially good for clear bold outlines.
- For a bright alternative to water colour, try coloured inks.
- Many colours of paper are available. Choose colours to contrast with materials: bright pastels on dark paper; charcoal or Conte crayon on bright paper.
- Soft pastels leave thicker lines and have brighter coverage than their harder equivalents
- Try using thicker brushes and pens to give higher visibility as you work.


Finding a style
Work with residual vision; try creating overall impressions by looking at patterns created by light and colour rather than detail.

Artists with a visual impairment could consider what they need to be able to see an image – and use this as a starting point to make work bold and striking. Sight loss can lead to a style that is individual and unique.

Art using other senses
Why does art have to be visual? Equally there are ideas that people can do with no sight, or not relying on residual vision. Sculpture and collage offer many possibilities.

Clay can be an excellent resource and there are many different types; some of which are less sticky. There are also modelling alternatives and art shops can be helpful here.

For art exhibitions, installation art uses a whole room; it involves the experience of being in a space and can involve all the senses.

Conceptual art is entirely different yet still creative: ready made objects have often been displayed in art settings, the most famous being Marcel Duchamp’s urinal. Vision isn’t needed to produce this ‘thinking art’.

Get Inspired
Contact other artists with a visual impairment through an organisation such as Arts in Touch or Blind art. This is useful to exchange ideas and give feedback.

Look out for types of art that you can appreciate for ideas. Some exhibitions are designed with accessibility in mind. Ask if they will provide gloves to touch works. Some galleries have audio descriptions or tactile versions.

There are many options should someone wish to continue art at any level from amateur to professional. All are possible with thought put into adaptations. In a similar way to reading, it may not be easy but it can be well worth the effort for improving quality of life.


Useful Organisations:
Art Through Touch
0208 675 2666
www.art-through-touch.co.uk

BlindArt
0207 245 9977
www.blindart.net