Course Evaluation I am learning. And I still feel at the very beginning of my learning journey. Assignment one allowed me the opportunity to select still life objects of my choice. This was so important as I could choose ordinary pieces with detail I hadn't noticed before. This first step into the course was experimentation of media. Basic drawing practices that could gain the effect of detail, texture and tone. Assignment one resulted in a pleasing drawing that examined detail – The circular lines of the leek, volume of the apple, reflection of light on the brass vase. However elements such as the life and energy of the daffodil buds, the transparency of the glass were missing. What I gained at this starting point was a determination and enthusiasm to overcome obstacles. I dedicated assignment two to experimentation of a wide range of media. This process was unpredictable. I worked to understand the limits of each medium. I wanted to create an interesting and very di...
Posts
Artist's Statement 'The figure and face' and 'Your immediate environment'. An emotional response. Through a valuable reflection process of previous assignments I am aware of how dependant I have been on observing methods used by artists to mentor my way through assignments, a way navigating my way. A direction of learning that has produced better results than my starting point. Most notably, my study of John Piper for assignment three and my study of 'Expressive Figure Drawings by Bill Buchman for assignment four. Part four of this module has been the most challenging, with the most to learn and in truth, my weakest link. And as my reflection of assignment four reminded me, where I still have the most to learn. The end of assignment four, really only felt like a beginning, and certainly where I still had the most to learn. Reflecting on tutor feedback of this assignment, it was observed that my final drawings were bland, and I understand this is...
Assignment 5 Preliminary sketches & final drawing 2 minute sketches: I started by taking a look at my own figure in the mirror and roughly sketching out what and as far as I could see with a simple pencil line. As much as this is not entirely accurate, I did enjoy the very start of getting to know myself: Having taken so much interest in research exercises of Lucien Freud and the lack of intentional staged poses with favouring a more natural and seemingly spontaneous stance to draw and paint. I decided to revisit Part 4 Project 3 Exercise 4 'Energy' . I wanted to revisit movement , a key element in my self reflection. A way perhaps of escaping a bland figure drawing. I take a number of quick photos that capture me as I move from a curled up foetal position on the floor to the end, a standing tall and straight stance as I reach upwards. With ink and a brush line, I take a series of 2 minute drawings to try and capture this movem...
Research for Assignment 5 Self portraits - Self reflection Paula Modersohn- Becker (1887-1907) Self portrait on her sixth wedding anniversary (1906) "I am myself" Such beautiful words written in a letter of Modersohn-Becker's self portrait, painted at the age of 30 on her wedding anniversary to Otto Modersohn. Here she wears just a white cloth around her waist and amber coloured bead around her neck. She is looking straight into a mirror, straight into the eyes of the viewer - This is powerful and she is looking so confidently at me, she has nothing to hide here. Just a true reflection of who she is. Her breasts are on show and she cradles what appears to be a pregnant tummy. She appears at peace, confident, powerful and important. Her hair is neatly presented with a precise centre parting, this suggests a control of her own life and being. The background is a faded spotty wallpaper, a neutral coffee tone and does not detract from her presence. There is a ...
Assignment 5 Reflection of previous assignments Assignment 1 A still life collection of a vase, daffodil buds, a leek and a brass vase. This was a pleasing drawing. I chose charcoal which I found to be so delicate when working with the lines and tones of the leek and the buds especially. My items were placed in a simple, central position. I was focussed solely on a likeness, a drawing that wasn't too far removed from what I could see. I was nervous and determined to draw a still life that looked real and natural. My tutor commented on the pleasing look of the drawing. Her advise was to pay more attention to tone and the relationships of tones, how the dark I am considering compares to the dark in other areas. Tone is an element I am still working on and still trying to learn. Looking back at this piece, it was a good start. To improve, the composition could be more interesting. A sense of distance could be perhaps played with here. I could use m...
Assignment 4 1. Figure study using line (A1) - Seated model in an upright chair. I was inspired to work in line for Assignment three, following research into the work of John Piper. His work really helped me navigate my way through the assignment and I really enjoyed his way of working with line and watercolour but but only that, my learning journey was enhanced by this study. It bought me a sense of confidence to follow and learn from an artist, almost acting like a mentor. However, this assignment asks for an inventive approach. Working my way through part four there are artists that have inspired me through research that I hope will assist and guide me through this assignment. Tracy Emin figure drawings: Working with raw emotion, I have spoken of my admiration of this honesty on a sheet of paper. Every mark Emin makes on a page comes directly from her being. She is expressive and brave. I will take these attributes forward with me adopting an emot...