The OCA tutor feedback from Assignment one is really encouraging and helpful. There is plenty of guidance and advice to follow and throughout part two coursework I am continually referring to the feedback.
I am showing examples now of illustrator’s work when discussing their approaches and trying to keep any collage illustration clear within boundaries of the most relevant elements. Where possible I am photocopying work and scanning to produce different versions to experiment with and this also provides copies to re-do if necessary.
In coursework two there is much to learn and new concepts introduced. I am aware it was initially suggested that it may be good to allow more time for some of the coursework sections than others however I divided the time equally across all the units and now hope to keep to that schedule so it does not over-run. However I am struggling a little with coursework two to keep to the plan as it seems quite an intense part of the course. Sometimes this may also be due to trying to be too “precious” with the exercises and the presentation on wordpress. It is as though I wish my blog to be an overall illustration in itself ! Although this means write-up is succinct for the reader, it is taking quite a while to settle to do the exercises as I am approaching them in “perfection” mode.
Related to this “perfection” mode I am aware I am not making sufficient space for “messy” sketch-booking, doodles, thumbnail sketches as I give so much focus to presentation and completion of the exercises. Perhaps I can progress more in sketching in part three course-work.
I have been looking at Sketchbooks: The Hidden Art of Designers, Illustrators & Creatives by Richard Brereton as recommended. My initial reaction if I am honest is “No, this isn’t my kind of book”. I flip through it and cannot relate to the idea of a book about people’s sketches. I think it is because I am accustomed to “finished” articles and so do not comprehend the reasoning of the book. I put it aside. However I find myself drawn back to it and (reminded of a poet who said you need to read a poem at least three times to really appreciate it), I persevere. And so too with this book, it is indeed quirky in places, but it is also interesting, intriguing, full of humour and genius – I keep finding different material in the sketches. The copy I have is also of high gloss finished pages in a rough textured cover and it is just lovely to pick up.
As recommended I really need to document my progress in sketchbook form and Richard Brereton’s book is just what I need to help. I am enjoying reading about the illustrators, their backgrounds and interests and am grateful that they are sharing their personal work in this way.
I am currently waiting for the book “Fifty years of illustration” by Laurence Zeegan and Caroline Roberts to arrive. I wonder if this will be as different as Sketcbooks when I first view it.
It would be good to put my work in for assessment at the end of the course however it is a question of whether the standard requirements are being met.
I have found Assignment Two especially challenging both in the course work and in the final posters. On many occasions some of the exercises could have become mini “projects” in research and design however it was necessary to move on in order to meet the timescale established within my remit and availability. Generally I could follow the steps in the exercises however when the “rungs” were removed for the posters I did feel slightly out of my depth and as result spent longer on the preparation (eg mood boards) than perhaps was necessary.
So generally where the exercises have specific steps in place eg, black & white, subjective /objective, etc I feel more confident in approaching and following through. I find it much more difficult where the instructions are more expansive & less directive eg 1950s reference and the final assignment. Although I appreciate this is the process in the learning and that the steps are really still there to refer back to in previous work.
6th May 2020 – Good news, Fifty Year of Illustration book has arrived. I am excited to open the packaging however will wait until the weekend…. it is like receiving a present after completing assignment two. I think of all the people involved in getting this book here – packing, labelling, tracking, delivering etc. It is very appreciated.
Adelaide Art 