What have I learnt
In the beginning for Part 1, I wanted to experiment with digital drawing in the hope that it was a variation of medium to submit. But I became aware that submission of ‘physical’ drawings on paper gave my tutor more insight into my techniques, pressure, clear mark making etc and therefore my developing skills. Looking back I did acknowledge that nothing beats handling a piece of charcoal, a granite pencil or pen and ink.
Early on, I knew that I would be battling my need to create realistic pictures. The still life activity helped me relax a little. Negative space and how objects link was in my mind, even at this stage. I liked the description of the space that objects leave behind.
Conté appeared to be my favourite medium of choice at this point, along with blue ballpoint and the the rough drawings that charcoal produces. I would like to experiment more with the soft side of the charcoal, maybe adding fluid lines, like my figure in assignment 4, maybe with Odile Redon in mind.
In the negative space exercise, the digital attempts are what I visualised in my part 5 preparation, making shapes out of the spaces left behind. The concept of negative space continued to run through in Part 2. I never realised how much I was aware of it and used it.
I need to try about four different arrangements of composition before deciding on a final one.
I became more relaxed with mark-making, when the exercises were less restrictive. I like my mixed media and the oil pastel resist that I produced in a state of freedom! I enjoyed using monochrome pen and ink in the assignment in Part 2, I should consider more use of colour. With this though, I could probably look to use heavier paper and practise stretching it before working wet on wet.
Observing detail in trees was an enjoyable task. I enjoyed honing in and losing myself in it. Again, using the blue ballpoint enabled me to bring it out. In contrast, I also was very pleased with the results of the loose, conté drawing. Pen and watercolour helped me create definition and tone in a several landscapes and this was considered a strong point. I risked overworking the lines and hatching. I questioned my drawing style at this stage. I felt possibly a lack of definition but then am I trying for more detail too much? I am possibly missing tonal areas, am I aiming for atmosphere or quality of the drawing? I especially enjoy line work, creating tones in landscapes and water.
In part 4 I showed some good drawing in places, but obviously not consistent. Fabric and drapery is not my strong point but I don’t think I gave it the time it needed. I need to work on my measuring and triangulation with body proportions appearing not entirely accurate, even using a ruler/straight edge.
I should make more analytical reviews on my blog.
Assignment reworking:
Assignment 1 – not to be submitted but charcoal should be reworked, more tonal definition and fixative.
Assignment 3(ii) – rework pencil markings, using different grades.
Assignment 4 (i) – tape to board and put over blue wash on background.
Tea and Doodles 