Part 5 Personal project

Self assessment

Reflections As I begin part 5 I am going to revisit my earlier notes on each assignment and I will add some new thoughts in italics. Any notes in bold are where I have taken on board the advice from my tutor.

Assignment 1

. During this assignment I used a range of materials and some for the first time. My techniques are developing and need to be practised more thoroughly. Observation is rising with each exercise. Visual awareness needs to be increased as sometimes I miss things. I need to be more confident in design and composition.

. The content needs to be more varied. My application of knowledge is somewhat limited particularly in organising my log/blog and coursework using WordPress. Discernment and conceptualisation of thoughts and ideas are emerging with each exercise but I have felt I’m only at the tip of the iceberg.

.I have begun to express creativity in a small way and experimenting with different papers and materials is helping to see what it means to develop a personal voice. I need to use my imagination much more and not feel bound by what I feel safe with.

. Research and critical thinking have been limited and I want to progress in these areas and reflect far more on their value in art. I often look at the art of others but neglect to reflect on what is being said.

It is very obvious to me now that apart from the required exercises, and work in my sketchbook, I didn’t do any planning drawings for this assignment. It was’t obvious at the time and I’m not even sure why. What I do know is that now I always plan a sketch and experiment with format, composition, materials,subject matter etc. this makes me realise that I have learned a lot so far in this course that will be a foundation for future work.

Feedback from my tutor for Assignment 1 suggested making a note when I come across a new idea or technique that will inform my future work, so this is my aim as I progress.

Assignment 2

During this assignment I have increased the range of materials used and explored some new techniques which I an beginning to use with more confidence. My observational skills are strengthening as I put more planning and preliminary experimentation into my work (as advised in tutor feedback). Visual awareness is increasing and became evident when working on interiors. I am becoming more confident in design and compositional skills.

Content is becoming more varied as the exercises pushed me to try new subjects. My application of knowledge is increasing. Presentation of work in a coherent manner is getting much better as I chose to write and draw in this A3 coursebook, keeping the work together in chronological order. Discernment is increasing with each project. Conceptualisation of thoughts and communication of ideas is a challenge which I welcome and seek to take forward.

Imagination and experimentation are emerging and I have sought to be more confident in making decisions which is sometimes a weakness when choosing a subject. Invention is emerging throughout the projects. I still lack confidence in developing a personal voice but I am excited about the journey of discovery.

I have enjoyed the research for this project and used the inspiration gained to inform some decisions in my work. Handwriting my learning log alongside the work has helped it to flow better and be more consistent. Critical thinking is developing and reading other artist’s blogs/diaries is helpful. Visiting galleries and engaging in conversations with other artists is a valuable learning experience. I often ask others to critique my work and I welcome their feedback.

This part of the course was so enjoyable when experimenting with different media and trying out what works and doesn’t. It widened my knowledge of materials and I was excited about colours and textures e.g Project 3, exercise 3 – Experiment with mixed media. I try now not to worry too much about the final outcome when beginning a project and I now benefit from experimenting, being inventive and gaining inspiration from others. As stated above * I hand wrote my learning log which I later regretted as I neglected to keep up with the online log already started in Part 1. This made it difficult to catch up when it came to submitting work to the tutor.I have since factored time into my week to update the log and be consistent in storing my work digitally.

This is one reflection on the tutors feedback for assignment 2 – Looking at the artist Kindah Kalidy – as recommended by my tutor. I’ve been encouraged to explore mark making and materials in a free way and consider whether I could build elements into my finished work to help tell a story or convey atmosphere. Words of wisdom here which have I am building into the work I do.

Assignment 3

Throughout this assignment I have constantly felt challenged and pushed to explore new skills in drawing. It has been the most difficult work so far and I have learned so much. Working with linear and angular perspective is something I need to work on, my rooftop drawings conveyed in some way the urban beauty I was attempting to show but the accuracy has weaknesses I feel.

I have been experimenting with using mixed media in my work and trying different supports but I need to do this more. My observational skills and visual awareness are improving although I am aware of sometimes drawing what I think I see rather than what is actually there. I have noticed that my design and compositional skills are increasing slowly as I work through the exercises and look at other artists work. I also am realising that the exercises are a guide and that I can use them to do further sketches beyond what is being asked.

The exercises with aerial perspective felt more enjoyable and I was able to demonstrate this more easily in the final drawing.

I can see that the quality of my work is improving and especially as I focused on using preliminary drawings to inform the final piece and present the work in a coherent way. This is especially evident in the assignment final drawing of rooftops. I also found the sketchbook walks exercise improved the quality of the outcome for the composition I did with acrylic inks. Discernment is developing with each project and conceptualisation of thoughts is something I want to develop as I become more confident and not worry about my drawings being carefully composed. I am seeking to communicate my ideas in a small way and this course is aiding that process.

I sought to demonstrate creativity particularly in project 3, ex 1, with experimenting in mark making to inform future drawings some of which I used for landscape drawings but not so much for townscapes. I tried to use imagination by recreating other artists work in my own style which I enjoyed and found helpful. The work for project 3 was my most creative and I experimented more with different media.

I have gained knowledge of other artists techniques through the research in these projects and made notes when finding a new technique that I want to try in the future (this was recommended by my tutor in the previous assignment feedback).

I am developing critical thinking and meeting up with local art groups, attending an OCA study event has been invaluable.

It became clearer during these projects that perspective was a great challenge to me and I researched many other artists and watched lots of tutorials to find answers. Doing this part of the course during the winter months was not easy as daylight was shortened and the opportunity to draw outdoors was limited. I tried to look at what was around me and use this in the work.

After receiving feedback for assignment 3 my aim is to take on board the tutors advice to use colour in the planning process of a drawing instead of leaving it until the final piece, this I tried in e.g ‘reclining figure’ assignment 4 . Also the suggestion to explore the range of ways that one type of medium can be used to bring visual interest. As suggested in the tutors feedback I looked at some of the work of Julie Mehretu I especially like the large paintings of American politicised landscapes https://art21.org/artist/julie-mehretu/

Assignment 4

I have learned so much throughout part 4 and this assignment. I continually feel pushed to explore new skills and techniques. Drawing on A1 has been a great challenge physically and I want to find more opportunity to do this perhaps by working outside in the warmer weather. Looking at the figure has caused me to be much more observant of bone structure and facial features. I especially like the technique for drawing a face using tone which I have tried in my final portrait. Observing figures – still and moving is an emerging skill which I want to develop. I have tried to keep in mind design and composition in some of the exercises and to use a viewfinder or grid was helpful in drawing the larger sketches.

I can see that the quality of my work gradually improved as I went along. I began to realise what a vast subject the figure and head really could become and felt I could spend years studying this part alone.It was helpful to keep a visual diary with drawings of different body features to inform the 3 assignment pieces and present the work in a coherent way. The quality of the outcome for the figure drawings has need for improvement , this has been my first experience of life drawing and I see the benefit of the opportunity to draw living beings in real time. Discernment is improving with each project and conceptualisation of thoughts is something I am seeking to develop as I learn from other artists. In this part of the course I didn’t focus a lot on communicating ideas as I was very taken up with learning the technical skills I needed to produce a believable likeness of figure or face.

For this part of the course I worked through the exercises in a different way to all the other parts due to waiting for availability of models and then the cancellation of Life classes due to social distancing. I used imagination and invention such as collecting old magazines and drawing over the photos of people or copying them e.g in the collage for project 5 – exercise 2 and also in using collage for assignment 4 ,1 figure study using line. I enjoyed experimenting with teabags to depict a crowd in an audience (also project 5 , ex.2). When thinking about developing a personal voice I look forward to it emerging and becoming recognisable in the future.

I have been informed by the techniques of other artists throughout this part of the course particularly as I reached out for help and information due to my lack of experience and knowledge in figure drawing. I regret only being able to attend 1 Life drawing class but was able to watch a virtual class (although I think nothing can replace attending in person) My learning log has become invaluable in helping me keep track of my thoughts and organise my work whilst completing the exercises in a different order. Critical thinking is something I need to develop more. I looked at some artists views whilst researching for project 1 and this provoked many thoughts on my feelings about figure drawing. I didn’t write as much about my research as in previous parts of the course because my time was taken up in finding models/opportunities in different poses, and I consider photographs/videos of lesser value. Many things to think about and consider from these projects that have sparked my imagination.

During this part of he course I became more relaxed about writing my learning log and adding to it regularly (as stated earlier) is the best advice I would give to someone just starting this course. At times I felt overwhelmed and under skilled in this assignment but I know I would not have attempted some of these suggested projects had I not been studying the course.

Looking at the feedback from my tutor for part 4 gives me lots of suggestions to work on and I would like to begin Part 5 with her recommendation to test materials on a larger scale other than thumbnails. I have been advised to revisit Project 3 Form- Ex.1 – foreshortening and do more research and make practical works.

Artist’s statement

My chosen option for this project is from part 2 – Intimacy. projects 2 and 3

The title is – Observing detail in vegetables through a range of patterns and marks, line and tone, using inks and coloured pencil and pastel. looking at the work of the young contemporary artist CJ Hendry –https://www.instagram.com/p/BgJqEsXlDu4/ and carol Sowden http://www.carolsowden.com/

Looking back at the work I did for Part 2, projects 2 and 3 makes me feel happy as I know this was the most enjoyable part of the course for me in terms of the success of the exercises and finished drawings but more importantly my development in observational skills. I do know now that the other parts were successful in that I pushed myself to attempt projects I would naturally avoid. After discussing this choice with my tutor I realised how timely it is to be looking at objects around my environment during this time of ‘lock-down’ and working from home. I have had time to focus on ordinary things we use everyday and I am particularly wanting to explore the patterns and markings we see in vegetables. As a developing artist I have begun to see the importance of looking more closely at things around me to help to communicate this through my work. Throughout this project I would like to experiment with several mediums which I used in part 2. I particularly want to use coloured pencil as the main medium for the final piece. My choice was partly influenced by the artist C.J Hendry and also from my work in part 2 which I wanted to explore further and attempt a more detailed work. I am aiming to use A3 size paper for the final piece as this is more manageable physically for me at the moment but I will use other sizes for experiments. I want to show a close-up/zoomed in view of the subject as I feel this will enable me to work in detail and depict the beauty of the patterns in a clearer way. This is seen in the work of both my chosen artists and I can learn from their example of taking time to observe and focus on my work, whilst also enjoying the process and sometimes being led by that process to develop a work further. I intend to make use of photographs taken from several angles alongside sketches that I make as a reference to use whilst working and also to touch and handle the subjects to really get to know them. I am interested in testing different viewpoints that maybe I haven’t done before e.g the subject not being in the middle of the page as is often the case in traditional drawing. I am also interested in testing out ways of interpreting some work in more abstract ways or even mixing this with some realistic features. Although my intention is to focus on vegetables, I don’t want to rule out other natural objects that I have in my everyday surroundings and I will try out ways of focusing on some that are appealing. I will also look at other artists work as I work through the project and I am keen to learn from others examples. Looking back through the previous parts of this course and my tutors feedback as a reminder of methods and skills I have learned will be valuable in this project.

**Line drawing with ink from Part 2 , project 3 , exercise 1**– I feel this was my most successful drawing in this part of project 3. I would like to adapt this drawing into something with colour whilst focusing on the patterns which here are depicted well in the use of various marks, dark and light lines.

Another successful drawing from part 2, project 3 – I feel the shape is good and the highlights show the sense of it being 3 dimensional. If I were to develop this I might try adding other shells with different shapes.

I started with the suggestion of my tutor to test materials on a larger scale and use playful experimentation. I taped two A2 sized papers to the wall near my work station and added marks with different types of medium to try out an interpretation of the subject I am observing. This was enjoyable and free from worrying about a perfect finish. I also then had it readily available as a reference throughout the project.

From my sketchbook- several studies of broccoli which are so interesting to look at when fresh. having time and head-space to observe in more detail makes us appreciate the goodness and beauty in some parts of nature that often get overlooked in our usually busy lives.

Testing on a larger scale – Close up study in pastel on A3 black paper using the photo on the left and previous sketches, also taking time to look at and handle the vegetable, feel the texture and observe the patterns.

Fig.1 *Squash (1924)* I like the way the artist depicts the shape and form of the squash. Using ink and watercolour to make soft edges, we can sense the smooth, roundness of the vegetable at the same time giving an aura of beauty and regality. I am trying to decide which medium to use for my final piece – I like the effects of ink to show line as in the drawing I did for **part 2 see below** – but I also want use colour to add warmth and show the variation in hues in nature.

Also tried this shadow method with a larger scale pastel drawing of the broccoli I had drawn previously to see how it enhanced the drawing and gave it a more depth.

sketch of a tomato in ink on A4 page of my sketchbook – really enjoy drawing these patterns I am considering the composition of the final piece and perhaps zooming in on the subject to give an interesting view.

limited edition giclee prints — Fig.2 Peach tree (2016) In this drawing the contemporary artist **Becky Blair** shows leaves in an abstract way which bursts with colour and life. I am undecided at this point whether to draw realism or abstract or a mixture of both.

Fig.3 *Vegetables in a Basket (2012)* This drawing shows a more realistic style than the one above. Both are appealing and colourful, I particularly like the patterns on the red cabbage which catch the eye as the white pops out against the deep red/purple. So which style suits what I am trying to convey through my work is my question to my self?

Tea has been a great feature in my life since working from home and I became interested in using what was around me as a medium. Wondering if it could be used as a background wash so I tried it on watercolour paper (cold pressed) wet on dry. I used the results of the process of these experiments to help depict a subject and looked at the possible shapes that I could outline. Looking at the veins in leaves is fascinating.

Research point – http://www.carolsowden.com/needleprick-drawing-skeletal-leaf.html I researched contemporary artists who draw nature as part of their work and came across the artist from Yorkshire – Carol Sowden. The skeletal leaf works are very detailed and precise and we get the sense of her dedication to observation and attention to detail.

I drew the 2 leaves in the top 2 sketches true to scale and life-like in pencil. Then below I interpreted each leaf zoomed in and in a more abstract way. The leaf on the left in with fine liners o.8 and 0.5mm. I wanted to show the veins as open canals that are the life-line of the plant. The hatching is used to depict the small undulations on the surface of the leaf which reflect light. The drawing on the right is with coloured fine -liner and unrealistic colours, I’n not too happy with the result of the marks I used but I do like the zoomed in view.

After the previous sketch I feel inclined to choose a close- up of my subject. This drawing is done on A4 paper with fine-liners in black and grey and various sizes as suggested in the feedback from my tutor for assignment 4 – the darker, thicker marks show the edges of the shadow and the lighter marks describe the highlights/lighter tones.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is mark-grid-for-broccoli-final.jpeg — After the previous sketch I feel inclined to choose a close- up of my subject. This drawing is done on A4 paper with fine-liners in black and grey and various sizes as suggested in the feedback from my tutor for assignment 4 – the darker, thicker marks show the edges of the shadow and the lighter marks describe the highlights/lighter tones.

Exploring other vegetables and focusing on their unique shapes and patterns-below is a frottage of the avocado skin which is something I did in Part 1,project 1, exercise 2 and I enjoyed re-visiting this exercise although I’m don’t think the avocado frottage is something I will use in this project.

Sketches of this vegetable on A4 paper to show the patterns from an interesting viewpoint which I often overlook. Using a lamp for lighting on the subject I began by drawing the basic shapes and then i sketched in tone using HB , 2B and 4B pencil and a putty rubber to add highlights. I then used coloured pencils in several shades of green and yellow adding layer upon layer blending each one in.

Fig.4 Beresford, J. (2020) My workspace. [Photograph, painting] In possession of : the author: Northampton. Whilst clearing out a cupboard I discovered a large amount of ground Paprika which had been there a while. I mixed it to a paste with water and painted with a brush- first as a wash on watercolour paper and then I drew shapes that perhaps could be used to depict vegetables or wood in an abstract way.

Here I wanted to experiment with other natural things in my surroundings to look at patterns, this is an impression of my garden – drawn with coloured charcoal on A4 black paper

I drew an imaginary garden on A4 watercolour paper in mixed-media – charcoal, ink, graphite, wax resist and leaf stencils using dip pen, fine liner pen, candle and twig from the garden. experimenting using things around me, the leaves were from my garden and I painted ink onto them and printed them onto the paper. L like the wildness of this picture and I added the yellow to depict a sense of hope coming through in a dark place. I drew this in mid April at the peak of the Covid 19 virus.

Fig. 5 Out of the darkness (2020) After drawing the previous sketch I researched contemporary artists who draw nature and came across Jo Starkey- ” As a nature lover, I try to depict the essence of nature and its magic, into my paintings.” (Starkey, 2020 ) I like the effect of the highlighted flowers coming out of the darker background and drawing our eyes around the picture.

I wanted to experiment further with coloured pencils after looking back at some my work in **part 2 , project 2,** **exercise 1 see next image below** – I also wanted to observe the leaves especially and note the different hues of green. It really helps in developing observational skills to look closely at not just the main subject (flowers) but also the surrounding vase and water.

I remember when I drew this that I enjoyed the way the pencils could be blended to make other colours and how they could be applied to show shape and form. This drawing is quite good at depicting the shape and form of the fruit and the highlights give a sense of depth.

Fig.6 Bamboo Shoots, from an album of vegetables (s.d.) I researched historical artists who had drawn vegetables and came across this piece in the Bridgman Library. I like the simplicity of the marks that carefully depict the head of the shoots and the close up view makes them look almost like landscape, very grand and majestic, reaching for the heights.

Research point – I looked at some images in the Bridgman library where artists had used coloured pencil and added them to a slideshow (first time I’ve done a slideshow) see link below -https://www.bridgemaneducation.com/en/slideshow/private/1a80ae6a4ad381d8efb432d547d422e2a3958bd9 I also came across a young contemporary artist who works mostly in coloured pencil and draws her subjects in great detail https://cjhendry.live/

Final drawing Now I am starting the final piece, having chosen to use a cut pepper (prompted by project 3 shown earlier and the brightness of its colour) a courgette because it is a completely different shape to the pepper and a cut through stem of broccoli because I really want to showcase the patterns,shapes,negative spaces and colours. I feel the contrast of red and green together will be interesting and add energy to the drawing.

Now that I have chosen which vegetables to draw I want to look at the composition and see what suits the subject framing. I feel the bottom 2 arrangements are overcrowded and too busy, I want to create an atmosphere of calm and slowing down, having time to observe.

I sketched out the basic shape after deciding on the arrangement in the top sketch. Landscape orientation suits the layout of the subject giving space to each vegetable whilst also showing the pattern of the wooden surface as the ground. I benefited from organising my work space to have easy access to materials and to pin to the wall some sketches, post-it notes, helpful methods that I came across which I could see everyday.

Starting a tonal sketch on A4 paper in pencil

Began with light a sketch in HB pencil for the underdrawing

I kept the subjects close-by whilst working, to be used as a constant reference alongside photographs. During this drawing I used a blending pencil to help to blend the colours smoothly. I then used a burnishing pencil (*which acts as a waxy* layer) for the florets on the broccoli- by using a circular motion over the first layer of lighter colour I was able to add a layer of darker colour whilst keeping the lighter colour visible and highlighted. This was more of an abstract way of depicting the florets and I am quite pleased with the outcome as I only discovered it whilst experimenting.

Whilst working my way through this drawing it reminded me of doing a jigsaw, taking time, finding the right pieces and putting them together to from a whole. It was extremely therapeutic in a worrying time to have something lovely to focus on.

Final piece – I grouped the vegetables together like this to show how different each shape is and yet they have a relationship to each other, i chose to view them from above, close-up and place them off centre so our eyes are drawn around the composition. At first i wasn’t sure about leaving a space empty to the left and toyed with the idea of adding another vegetable but I wanted to show the patterns of the wood which was also a living thing. I also remember from the course that still life works better with an odd number in the arrangement.

I am pleased with the result here and especially have enjoyed focusing on the negative spaces.

Finished work – A3 Graphite pencil, coloured pencil and fine liner on *heavy drawing paper*.

Reflection – After completion and as I was about to email my tutor, I read the guidance in the course book which recommended a final self-assessment check against the criteria. So I went back over this whole project and made several adjustments. I am glad I remembered to read it!

List of illustrations

Fig.1 Kuniyoshi,Y. (1924) Squash. [pencil,ink and watercolour on white paper] At: IMAGE numberIMA207270 TitleSquash, 1924 (pencil, pen, ink & w/c on white paper)CreatorKuniyoshi, Yasuo (1889/94-1953)NationalityAmericanLocationIndianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, USAMediumpencil, pen, ink and watercolour on white paperDimensions38.7×56.5 cmsCreditSquash, 1924 (pencil, pen, ink & w/c on white paper), Kuniyoshi, Yasuo (1889/94-1953) / Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, USA / The Robert and Traude Hensel Collection / Bridgeman Images (Accessed 04.2020)

Fig.2 Blair, B. (2016) Peach Tree. [Giclee print] http://www.beckyblairartist.co.uk/collaborations/limited-edition-giclee-prints/ At: (Accessed 17.04.2020 )

Fig.3 Thewsey,J. (2012)Vegetables in a Basket.[pencil and watercolour on handmade paper] At: THE1449321: (pencil and water colour on handmade paper), Thewsey, Joan / Private Collection / Bridgeman Images: Vegetables in a Basket, 2012, (pencil and water colour on handmade paper), Thewsey, Joan / Private Collection / Bridgeman Images (Accessed 04.2020)

Fig.4 Beresford, J. (2020) My workspace. [Photograph, painting] In possession of : the author: Northampton.

Fig.5 Starkey, J. (s.d.) Out of the darkness. [ mixed media on silk ] At: https://jostarkey.co.uk/index.html (accessed 17.04.2020)

Fig.6 Pien,S. (s.d.) Bamboo shoots, from an album of vegetables [ink on paper]At: MNS881091: Bamboo Shoots, from an album of vegetables (ink on paper), Pien, Shou-min (1684-1752) / Minneapolis Institute of Arts, MN, USA / Bridgeman Images (Accessed 04.2020)

Bibliography

Bridgeman https://www.bridgemaneducation.com/en/slideshow/private/1a80ae6a4ad381d8efb432d547d422e2a3958bd9

Hendry, C.J. https://cjhendry.live/

Kaupelis, R (1980) Experimental Drawing: (30th Anniversary edition). U.S.A : Watson-Guptill.

Sowden, C. (2020) Skeletal leaf. At: http://www.carolsowden.com/ accessed 24.04.2020

Part 5 Personal project

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