The brief for this assignment was to arrange some items that trigger a personal response, including techniques practiced in previous exercises during this project.
I chose objects that mean a lot to me as they are a part of my everyday life.
- My favourite plant
- An eyeshadow palette
- A book
- Two of my favourite rings
These items vary in shape, size and texture, which gave me the ability to portray the shading and tonal ranges of the objects in different ways. I placed the items by a large window so the light that hit them was soft and natural. I much prefer the way shadows and reflections look in a raw light.
I used all of the techniques that I have worked on throughout this project for this piece – frottage, crosshatching, as well as using a range of tools to create light, mid and dark tones across the items. I used a different approach for the shadows of each individual item. For example, the shadow cast by the book was quite subtle, therefore, to recreate it I rubbed a piece of charcoal gently on its side to form a frottage effect. I really like the outcome that this created as I think frottage is an extremely powerful shading technique.
The plant pot was my favourite piece to create, as I loved experimenting with a variety of ways to form reflective light and shadows. The shadow cast by the plant and the pot is created using crosshatching, which I then subtly blended to create a softer appearance. Personally, I feel that this worked really well and I’m pleased with the way it looks. As this proved to be a really impactful use of shading for the plant, I used the same for the shading on and around the pot. For the shadows between the leaves of the plant I simply used a grey and black conte stick to smudge in the patches of shadow and shade dotted between and around the curves and edges of the leaves. Again, I’m happy with the outcome of this, as I began to see the sketch come to life.
Reflection on my progress
Demonstration of technical and visual skills
There were a few parts of this that I found challenging, but that I have also noticed real improvement in.
I’ve become very particular regarding the proportion of the items that I am drawing, as I am prone to thinking a sketch is of the correct proportion, but when I look at it at a later date or from a distance, I realise the lines either aren’t symmetrical or just don’t look the way they should. This is something that I find super frustrating, as I often get to the point where it’s too late to fully rectify any mistakes.
The one issue that I have with this piece is the makeup palette. It’s the kind of object where it’s very easy to spot a fault in the lining and proportion, as there are many parallel lines within it. Even now, after much altering, I can see that there are complications. It became very frustrating, as when one line was fixed, another one became disproportionate, and by the end of it I felt that if I continued to try to fix it I would spoil it.
During this I’ve had to repeatedly remind myself that I am new to this and I am still learning. Eventually, I will get there.
Quality of outcome
I feel mixed emotions towards the final outcome of this piece.
I really enjoyed creating it, however, there’s just something about it that doesn’t sit right with me, and I think it’s the aforementioned palette. I created this using very subtle shading and the whole sketch appeared very pale (as you can see below), but after some experimenting I darkened the shading and shadows, and I’m far more satisfied with the result.
Now, with Form and Gesture complete, I am reflecting back on my work and whilst I can see real improvement, I am able to identify areas in which I can better myself. In the future, I intend to practice, improve and experiment with shading skills, working out and putting to paper the accurate scale and proportion of an item, and a range of approaches in portraying the above.
Demonstration of creativity
The creativity used in the previous projects and the final assignment is a kind that I am unused to. In my own work I use a lot of dotwork and fine lines, my main drawing tool usually being fine liners. Getting used to thick, heavy tools such as charcoal and conte sticks was testing, nevertheless, I feel that I can see slow but sure development in both my work and my confidence.
I probably would not have chosen to practice using things such as charcoal, conte sticks and pastels if it weren’t for the tasks in Part 1, but I’m really happy with the fact that I’m expanding my creative horizons and branching out on the ways in which I design.
I’ve experimented a lot with frottage, crosshatching and the other forms of portraying tonal range on 3D objects to create a feel of realism, and without realising it I’ve managed to bring my own imagination into it and create a personality within my work.
Context reflection
I have taken a lot of inspiration from other students’ learning logs and have comforted myself at times of doubt when I see that my pieces aren’t meant to be perfect, and they won’t all look the same. We are all putting our own spin on our work and are all here for a reason – to learn!
It’s also been a huge support communicating with other students through the OCA Facebook group.
As mentioned, I hope to improve by continued practice and experimentation. Again, assuming I will immediately be fantastic at these skills is something that I had to repeatedly steer myself away from. However, I know that with time, perseverance, self-acceptance and understanding I will look back on this work and notice a real progression in what I am doing.
Jesy Gilkes 