I got into my first class which was Exploratory Media and 2D Design for Print.  I was handed my brief for the term, and given the . . . → Read More: My First Day At College]]> Well, what a blur that was!  I’m absolutely exhausted.  I ended up getting under 4 hours sleep last night; I was far too nervous to sleep.

I got into my first class which was Exploratory Media and 2D Design for Print.  I was handed my brief for the term, and given the theme ‘Coast’.  For this, I have to produce an expressive sketchbook based on my theme, which can be interpreted in any way I wish.  For example, the seasons, coastal erosion and so forth.  I will use a variety of media including paint, collage, fabrics, etc., to show diversity in my work.  I will also have to annotate my thoughts, feelings and emotions in the sketchbook, and I can also use printed material such as poetry, stories, and newspapers.  What follows on from there are assessments in which I must produce 10 sheets of images, showing my initial research.  Then for the next assessment I must further develop my research and produce another 4 sheets.  My final assessment will be to produce a piece based on all the previous work I’ve done.

Now, alongside this I will be experimenting with a variety of printmaking techniques: monoprint/monotype; drypoint etching/intaglio; lino printing and collagraph.  I will then choose 4 different images from my ‘Coast’ sketchbook, and interpret each of them using the print methods.  My assessments will be of a similar vein to that of the sketchbook project: producing a number of prints then submitting final pieces after I have gone through the research and development stages.

And that’s just for one class!

So today, as part of this work, I picked out an image of some boats floating in the water.  I drew the boats in a variety of media such as oil pastels, candlewax, colour pencils, felt tip pens, and acrylic paints.  I then brushed over these with indian ink, Quink and coloured acrylic ink.  After that, I brushed some bleach over different parts of the images to produce some really interesting effects, and I was so pleased with how they turned out, that I decided that they would be the first images to go in my sketchbook.  I also got really interesting results from pouring PVA glue over plastic, then brushing in some Quink and then adding bleach.  Definitely something worth trying. You could even pour the PVA glue straight onto your paper, and it will give you a very cool 3D image.

My next class was Life Drawing.  There was no model as we were told it is crucial to understand the underlying skeletal structure first – obviously.  So for my first assessment I must produce studies of the human figure, particularly detailed studies of the limbs and of parts of the human head.  The second assessment is to draw the human figure in proportion, using all the methods that I employ at the moment, such as plumblines.  I will also have to produce tonal studies and several speed drawings, followed by 8 completed studies of the figure: 4 seated and 4 standing.

So this afternoon, I cut a full human size sheet of paper, then covered it in diluted black paint.  This is done just so that people aren’t intimidated by a large blank sheet of paper.  This is how I always paint anyway, as it establishes the midtones immediately.  Once I’d done that, I then very loosely painted the top half of the skeleton, laying down the ribs and the skull and arms.  I painted this in white, effectively giving me my highlights.  After that I was to very loosely sketch in some of the actual details of the skeleton with a pure graphite pencil.  I must admit, I was extremely nervous about this.  This was my first ever life class.  I had no idea how it was going to go, but having looked at everyone else’s work, I became rather more optimistic. My drawings were no worse than anyone else’s, and so I was immediately buoyed by this…and that was my day.  I was fit for dropping by the end of it.

I have been given another two briefs for tomorrow’s class, which is to take an item belonging to, and is representative of me, and I also have to take in an image relating to it.  The theme is ‘My space’, and I will also have to produce a sketchbook for that, but that is for tomorrow.  I don’t want to say too much yet, but so far…so good!  I’m going to now sit down and think of what item to take with me; I seriously have no idea!

Now I’ve officially started college, . . . → Read More: Portrait Drawing]]> I just started this piece about 15 minutes ago.  I thought I’d try to draw a face.  Some of you will know that I’ve really shied away from drawing faces, basically through fear.  Fear of the unknown; fear of making a mess; fear of getting a likeness.

Now I’ve officially started college, I think it’s about time I got over some of those fears.  If I make a mess then I think that will be ok.  It’s a learning curve.  I’m surprised at what I’ve been able to get down on paper in the space of 15 minutes.  It’s a work in progress, but thought I’d share the actual progress part of it.

This time I’m drawing Jean Fouquet’s Portrait of an Ecclesiastic.  I’ve yet to do the face detail but I’ve made a start on it.  The left eye is a bit out but I’m going to try to fix that.  I haven’t used my technique of plumb and horizon lines on this drawing – it’s purely based on my seeing skills, and mental measuring of distances.  Only time will tell how good or bad I’ve done but it’s not looking too bad for the moment.

My dad is home from hospital and doing better, and I’ve managed to sleep properly these last 2 nights – probably due to exhaustion!

My hand has been feeling better this week so today I sat . . . → Read More: Lower Leg Study]]> Finally, for the first time in about a week, I managed to do some drawing!

My dad is home from hospital and doing better, and I’ve managed to sleep properly these last 2 nights – probably due to exhaustion!

My hand has been feeling better this week so today I sat down and re-drew a drawing I had started about 2 weeks ago: Study of Lower Part of Female Nude (error in Anatomy Lessons from the Great Masters) St Michael The Archangel by Jacopo Pontormo.  When  I first drew this the proportions weren’t right, so I started again from scratch.  The proportions were really difficult to pin down.  I’m constantly amazed by what our eyes see.  I thought I had the proportions correct judging by what I was looking at, but I measured everything and they were just wrong in so many places.

I know it feels a little more mechanical when you start to add plumb lines and horizon lines all over a drawing, but I believe that they are essential – especially for a beginner like myself – in ensuring correct proportions.  I employ this technique, but also look at the negative space and the distance between specific points on the drawing.  It may not be for everyone, but for the moment, I definitely need it!

Image via Wikipedia

I’m still working on my hand theme at the moment, but I’m totally exhausted and haven’t got as much done as I wanted to.  I watched more of Matt’s anatomy videos and tried to draw (I use the term loosely) some of the bones in the hand.  . . . → Read More: More Drawing = A Tired Heather]]>

Image via Wikipedia

I’m still working on my hand theme at the moment, but I’m totally exhausted and haven’t got as much done as I wanted to.  I watched more of Matt’s anatomy videos and tried to draw (I use the term loosely) some of the bones in the hand.  I watched about an hour, then fell asleep for 3 hours until 5pm, and I haven’t been able to shake the tiredness since I woke up.

Anyway, I watched a bit more and roughly drew the hand.  Then I started reading more of Anatomy Lessons from the Great Masters to decide which drawing I should try tonight.  I decided on another Albrecht Durer drawing – his praying hands study.  I have to admit that I have found this extremely challenging.  I’ve just managed to get the outline finished now, and have started working on the shading.  I’m not going to get it finished tonight, as I’m really struggling to stay awake.

I’ve been drawing, reading about or watching drawing videos, pretty much non-stop for the past week or so.  I’m also trying to catch up on the lack of sleep over the past few weeks.  Coupled with that, I’ve had a busy week and exhausting hospital appointments and tests.  All of which adds up to a very tired Heather.

So, I’m going to put my books down for tonight, and watch some mindless telly and maybe get a good night’s sleep.  Hopefully, I’ll be more refreshed tomorrow and able to complete my study.

I should mention that I’ve taken lots of photos of my hand for further study.  Here’s a rough sketch of the hand I did earlier: