Research -Art Terminology 20/03/2010

I have seen on the OCA website that www.drawspace.com is a good website for students learning to draw. I really need to improve my vocabulary of art terms to help me analyse and describe my drawings and  other artists. I found some really useful pieces of information here and also came across a 'how to' guide which included facial features and ears in particular. Below are my first ever efforts of drawing an ear.

The first attempt is purely following the instructions. The second attempt is a drawing on my partner's ear. I am pleased with the outcome overal. There are areas for improvement particularly with the positioning of details and proportions. I am glad I did it, as it has helped my learning process with mark making and shading. The combination of hatching and blending has had a good overall effect.

Random Sketch - Lily March 2010

My main issue of proportions! I always struggle with that part....

Textures - Pens & Pencils March 2010

An experimentation of creating the perception of texture

Mark Making - Other Mediums March 2010

Here I have experimented with other mediums. I found felt tips to be very unforgiving and dramatic and would not like to use these. They do seem to wear the paper down. I like the effects the charcoal pencils created, they would be a good sketch tool, particularly when doing landscapes. The biro image is clearly my most comfortable medium for doodling, largely because this is the medium I always use to doodle. I then treid to create the same image in watercolour pencils. I really enjoyed using the pencils, they allow you to build up layers and also provide a more real representation of the object. Following that I moved on to pastels. I have never used these before and clearly need more practise. Although the image is very amateur, I do like the depth of colour I created and I love the grey and red together as it creates a nice pattern.

Exploring Mediums - Charcoal March 2010

Here I have experimented with charcoal and graphite

Box 1 - I have used a larger piece of willow charcoal. I like the way the charcoal picks up the grain of the paper as it creates a sense of texture. I mainly used the charcoal by laying it on its side to create a shading.


Box 2 - I am still using the larger piece here and have done a quick doodle as the texture of the lines created using the charcoal reminded me of a field landscape.


Box 3 - I have used a thinner piece of charcoal here. The circles were created by twisting the charcoal on it's point. I think it creates a very interesting mark and reminds me of leopard spots.

11/03/2010 - First Sketches

I started ‘Making Marks’ and experimented with different mediums. My doodles still mainly consist of boxes and trees. I enjoyed using the charcoal pencils as these provide a good variety in marks. I completed a sketch of my garden view and incorporated charcoal and pencils. I need to experiment more with mediums as I am not used to drawing with pens and charcoal. I am also going to look at other resources and inspiration such as books and maybe research online.  

First Log - Course Expectations 10/03/2010

Emotions: Excited / Scared / Apprehensive! Received pack today! I am really excited to be doing this course. I am doing the start drawing course as I am not a very good drawer. I am forever doodling , but they are always boxes, shapes and diagrams. I know I have potential, every now and then someone will comment on a good doodle for example. I remember at school I drew a good landscape of trees and a back garden. Looking through the course materials I am excited as I feel some of the assignments will be enjoyable and quite natural to do. However I am worried that I will not be any good at drawing people or animals. I have a ‘fear’ of this! I hope to prove myself wrong.  For the real life models, it would be a wonderful opportunity to draw my best friend whilst she is pregnant. I am planning lots of gallery and museum trips as a visual treat and research opportunity.