Say hello

This is the first assignment as an introduction to OCA Tutor. It is designing a greeting card about personal interests and inspirations.

This assignment is being developed alongside the work for the other exercises. At first I start with a general sketch with the intention to draw and paint a card. However as I build up my lists of interests, browsing through magazines I come across plenty of photos that relate to my list and so I decide to make a collage instead.

I am aware that later in the OCA “Key steps to illustration” course there are exercises on generating ideas through “brain-storming” and “mood boards”. However I have not reached those exercises yet and so I work with making a list. I make a list of my interests outside of work:- Reading, knitting, walking (local rambling group), music. I think about where I live in the Cotswolds although I am not “Cotswold home-grown” and so wish to include a photo of a steam train to represent the small railway town I grew up in.

The sketch above is a starting point, just mixing the images of thoughts together.

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I continue the process, drawing in figures of ramblers, adding a plate of scones, walking shoes and some musical notes.

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Thinking about saying “hello”. I consider the receiver. What kind of card would the OCA Tutor like and how would I greet the Tutor. I find this lovely photograph in the Country Living magazine. A cup of tea is always viewed as a friendly welcome.

However that is idealised beyond my practical lifestyle. Perhaps a nice cup of tea/coffee with the words of “hello” emerging from the steam would be better. I can link this with the steam train and the sense of journey with the start of the OCA course.

I spend time visiting a few newsagents and craft shops to see how I can decorate my card. Then an afternoon of designing and pasting follows. It is quite difficult to explain the process as once I begin I do not want to interrupt the flow by making notes. I overlap the photos, and paint over the edges so they merge.

To continue – I imagine having a chat with OCA Tutor and saying “hello” over a cup of tea, then I turn and introduce the county where I currently abide and walk through with the ramblers (eg Chipping Campden Church) and most churches are the centre of community. There are music notes, colourful textures, books. Although the person in the photo is not me, it does resemble a much younger version ! The laundry basket is a reminder that although this card is about my free-time, I still have the usual chores to do. I come from a family where hygiene and washing is high on the list !. Like most people I love the scent of fresh clean laundry.

I find a woolly felt sheep which fits in with the wool/knitting and the Cotswold being established on the wool industry in the past. Some sparkly OCA lettering completes the card. However the lettering is now becoming confused next to the church steeple so I shall readjust the height of the steeple with felt tip pen.

The card is complete. The church is smaller however just as central.

I shall send this card as a greeting to OCA Tutor.