Assignment 3 – Art Journal

Draw an outside scene of your choice.

Preliminary drawings

**Experimenting with the composition – view A**

**Experimenting with the composition – view B**

**Practising graduated tone ( aerial perspective )**

With my A2 heavy cartridge paper taped to a board and surrounded by my preliminary drawings I sketched lightly in pencil where the main shapes and eyeline would be . I began with a layer of two shades of blue soft pastel and blended it in with a cloth.

**I then added layers of violet soft pastel and another shade of blue blended in with a cloth.**

I added several layers of grey and white soft and hard pastels for the clouds , violet for the distance and middle trees. The rooftops to the left and right are orange, red and dark brown soft pastels, white pastel pencil, terracotta drawing pencil. black watersoluble pencil and violet and grey soft pastel for the middle rooftop. A putty rubber was used to lift some areas of the clouds.

For the final layers I added the the straight lined objects . For the closer trees I used dark, mid brown, yellow and green soft pastels. The chimneys and cross are done with orange, red , cream and brown soft pastels and terracotta drawing pencil. I added the shadows last using black watersoluble pencil.

Assignment 3

Reflection

Demonstration of technical and visual skills

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.

Quality of outcome

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.

Demonstration of creativity

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.

Context reflection

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 try in the future (this was recommended by my tutor in previous assignment feedback).

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