For Assignment Four the tutor and I arranged a tutorial by Skype as previously. The tutorial raised some interesting questions and challenges and offered much food for thought for Assignment Five (Final Piece).

Samples – Key Points

  • A nice collection of prints with the use of colour being more reserved, resulting in a more thoughtful and ‘grown up’ series of prints.
  • Sense of playfulness and experimentation is evident.
  • The back-drawing exercise could have been extended with more actual ‘drawing’ with, for example, a pencil or pointed implement.
  • The stencil work was successful although the range of stencils used was limited.

The tutor felt that the collatype pieces were the most successful. The abstract fossil produced an interesting abstract design. The polyfilla sample (the 10-block mark-making samples) show good use of texture and successful exploration of colour.

Looking at the ‘woven’ samples, the tutor identified successful examples of composition and use of colour; using the page and location of the images to create interest made these samples feel like I was comfortable with the media and how to use it. The tutor also liked the use of both positive and negative stencils and the use of overlays to create interesting compositions.

Sketchbook work

The tutor felt that there was lots of experimentation in the sketchbook work and highlighted the lace ‘printed’ in polyfilla onto acetate as a particularly interesting sample. She noted that I had explored a good range of surfaces and that I am clearly attracted to texture and colour. She advised to keep experimenting, that print can be used as a drawing technique, particularly for abstract work. We discussed ‘drawing’ and how this will improve with practice; just keep drawing!

Learning Log

Feedback on the learning log was very positive; an excellent balance of imagery and text with good use of slideshows, research videos. There is a lot of information on the log but it is made easy to follow by good use of menus and a clear link structure. This will be useful at L3 where students are required to develop ways to promote themselves and their work.

Artist Research

The artists chosen were a good balance of both classical artists and contemporary practitioners. The tutor was pleased that I had identified a number of less well-known artists to explore as well as more familiar ones. I had used the artists’ work well to draw influences and to link to my own work and development.

The tutor encouraged me to drill down into an artist’s work more – select and image and really take time to analyse and describe it; reviewing a body of work is good but selecting images I am specifically drawn to will enhance my ability to critically review and develop my own work. For example, the work by Kim Major-George I could have highlighted the use of texture, size, scale, nature of the composition, does the image dominate the space, what happens when viewed up close, the shapes and use of colour. This is where using drawing with the blind contour technique can be particularly useful. It takes focus away from the drawing and encourages you to really look at what you are seeing, developing a deeper understanding of the artist’s work.

Research – Techniques

The continued research and use of techniques outside the course remit shows development,  increasing confidence and learning. The marbling/shaving foam samples were good examples of developing my own style, broad-mindedness and personal voice.

Sorting and Reflection

This was clear and well-explained and I had reflected effectively on previous feedback.

Reflection on Feedback

There were lots of positives to take from the tutor’s feedback and some very useful constructive comments for improvement and development. Clearly I still need to spend more time drawing but the suggestions to use an artist as inspiration for blind contour practice feels more do-able than sketching apples and vases of flowers! The tutor does have a way of tapping into ideas to get round my mental blocks about certain aspects of the course!

The feedback on composition and use of colour was very useful – in making samples, it’s easy to focus on technique and to lose sight of the big picture. With practice, I’m sure that extending these exercises and drawing on the other points raised will help develop my final Assignment and future work.