I enjoyed the process finding new ways to build a stronger foundation of understanding how part four has asked me to do many researches and learning new challenges, which this shows me on how important that resources and images can give me a new direction on what’s going to happen in the next part. In this part four so far, it has broken some boundaries that I refused to go any further over my drawing comfort zone. For example such as I like to be very detailed in my drawings, but I had to forced myself to break away from being too detailed in some exercises and be a bit loose in my drawings, which this has made me to develop another comfort zone and therefore I feel stronger and relaxed in moving forward onto the next part. I have learnt to face the struggling challenges throughout drawing one so far and following my tutor advices with helpful tips from the previous assignments reports. So now I’m prepared to take another big challenging step into the next new part, which is part five, and learn to develop more ideas and sharing my thoughts in contexts.
Assessment Criteria Points:
Demonstration of technical and visual skills – materials, observational skills, visual awareness and compositional skills (35%).
For this part four so far has given me the understanding of developing new skills in the technical and visual side, with the use of different mediums. I also have placed myself in between the technical and visual skills by combining them to blend into each other together by allowing my observational skills develop more and giving my drawings more accurate and well compositional.
I made sure that whenever I struggled or made a mistake in a skill in the exercises, I will tell myself to go back and start it over again with the help of my visual acknowledge skills, that help to point me out to the skills that needed to be fixed or practiced a bit more, for example do more preliminary drawings.
Quality of outcome – content, application of knowledge, presentation of work in a coherent manner, discernment, conceptualisation of thoughts, communication of ideas (20%).
Looking back at the two A1 size assignment drawings that I have produced, which was a very exciting experience at same time with very strong communication ideas and thoughts that are developed by different materials and research resources. The most astonishing fact about the assignment four that has given me a new understanding foundation is that this was my first time doing larger size drawings, which I have never drawn anything larger than an A2 size since beginning of drawing one, part one.
I find the quality outcome as a strongly influenced by seeing other old and modern artworks from the research points that inspired me throughout part four and helped me in assignment four. My knowledge and presentation of the work in a coherent manner is developed by how much I understand which media will work in the final drawings and, picturing in my mind on how I want it’s final results to turn out in an interesting and expressive manner, that will show the viewers how much I have learnt from this drawing one course. There are areas within part four, that I wished to share it in contents and thoughts more in the assignment four, so for my next assignment, I will show the developing quality of outcome with the use of information.
Demonstration of creativity – imagination, experimentation, invention, development of a personal voice (25%).
In the part four so far, I have seen a great chance on the way that I layout my plans for the demonstration of creativity, with the use of different resources and materials, such as inventing different mediums and ideas in my sketchbook and writing down how I see my own imagination ideas relate to some inspired artworks from the research points.
I have created a new personal voice within the assignment four, which I see my voice as a freed and exciting style, I also started experimenting on a new skill which is to be less detailed and be more loose with using different expressive marks.
Context reflection – research, and critical thinking (learning logs and, at second and third level, critical reviews and essays) (20%).
I found it interesting in the research points throughout this part four, it has shared the same interest that I favour at doing, which is portraiture and figures. I find my essays have become less written information, which is good fact for not making it look too jumbled up with too many unnecessary words, but also not impressive as I have seen a weaken side in writing down the important facts that would make my essay a strongly interest to look at.
I try keep my critical thinking and critical reviews in a simple context and not making it overflow in a controlling way, I made sure that if I’m criticized for an drawing, then I don’t let it affect me as I will fix it myself. I find motivational critical reviews helpful and pushes me forward into a better direction. I haven’t had the chance to visit any galleries or exhibitions due to the outbreak of Covid-19, but my research points has given me a reflection on how I can picture these artworks and their information in a gallery or exhibition.
For this assignment four, it was very interesting at how all three drawings results came out. I find doing the preliminary drawing studies and notes with some research on inspiring artists as very helpful tips for this assignment.
For the A1 seated and reclining drawings, I used live models, who were friends of mine and were glad to pose for the assignment drawings.
1. Figure Study using Line (A1) – Seated Model in an Upright Chair.
First I did some look back at my previous studies and research points to collect ideas and inspirations. I came across a line style that I used in previous exercises called Cross Contour Lines, which seems perfect for my final seated pose drawing.
I first used my female friend Tessa as the model for the first view preliminary sketches, but then she couldn’t pose for the longer pose for some reasons, so I got my male friend Chad who was willing to pose for the view more preliminary sketches and the final drawing pose.
Here you can see the different line style preliminary drawings of Tessa, below.
First drawing is done with a blue and red colouring pencil in the A4 sketchbook on page 39, see in Fig. 2 “Preliminary Sketch of Tessa – Blue and Red Pencil in A4 Sketchbook, Page 39“, below.
Fig. 2 Preliminary Sketch of Tessa – Blue and Red Pencil in A4 Sketchbook, Page 39
For the second drawing of Tessa, I used black, blue and red gel pens in this drawing. See in Fig. 3 “Preliminary Sketch of Tessa – Blue, Black and Red Gel Pen in A4 Sketchbook, Page 40“, below.
Fig. 3 Preliminary Sketch of Tessa – Blue, Black and Red Gel Pen in A4 Sketchbook, Page 40
In this final preliminary drawing of Tessa, I used a 2mm graphite clutch 2B pencil in the A4 sketchbook on page 41, see in Fig. 4 “Preliminary Sketch of Tessa – 2mm Graphite Clutch 2B Pencil in A4 Sketchbook, Page 41“, below.
Fig. 4 Preliminary Sketch of Tessa – 2mm Graphite Clutch 2B Pencil in A4 Sketchbook, Page 41
Preliminary Drawings of Chad – A4 Sketchbook
When Tessa couldn’t pose for any longer for some reasons, I managed to have my male friend Chad to pose for the rest of seated preliminary sketches and the final drawing.
First sketch of Chad was done with a black gel pen in the A4 sketchbook on page 42. I love this pose view point as it shows great foreshortening, which I will use the same pose in the final A1 seated drawing. You can see it in Fig. 5 “Preliminary Sketch of Chad – Black Gel Pen in A4 Sketchbook, Page 42“, below.
Fig. 5 Preliminary Sketch of Chad – Black Gel Pen in A4 Sketchbook, Page 42
In the second drawing, I used a black Conte pencil and loved the medium, so looking forward to using it in the A1 final drawing. These show some of the feature areas with using the cross contour lines style. You can see it in Fig. 6 “Preliminary Sketch of Chad – Black Conte Pencil in A4 Sketchbook, Page 43“, below.
Fig. 6 Preliminary Sketch of Chad – Black Conte Pencil in A4 Sketchbook, Page 43
For the final preliminary sketch of Chad, I tried the black Conte pencil with sepia and navy blue acrylic drawing ink washes. I love how these mediums combine together and it shows great expressive feelings. I will be using these mediums in the final A1 drawing. See in Fig. 7 “Preliminary Sketch of Chad – Black Conte Pencil and Ink Wash in A4 Sketchbook, Page 44“, below.
Fig. 7 Preliminary Sketch of Chad – Black Conte Pencil and Ink Wash in A4 Sketchbook, Page 44
So finishing off with the preliminary drawings and updating my log book with written notes. Then I started on the A1 size final seated drawing of Chad.
Final Drawing (A1) – Seated Model using Lines
For the final drawing, I asked Chad to do the same pose as he did in one of the preliminary sketches as seen in Fig. 5 “Preliminary Sketch of Chad – Black Gel Pen in A4 Sketchbook, Page 42“, but this time, I used the natural sunlight source from the window.
I first painted the sepia and navy blue acrylic drawing ink washes on the A1 white cartridge paper 280gsm, which was mounted to a board. After doing the ink washes, I went to draw in the the big shapes like for example the chair and figure outlines with the black Conte pencil lightly.
After getting the shapes well proportioned, I then went into the figure with cross contour lines with the compression of the black Conte pencil or stick. Wide dark lines are for the shaded areas and light thin lines are the light areas. Bare in mind that my friend Chad is a short height person with a larger face.
Finishing this drawing was the best feeling and I love the outcome results of it, there is so much inspirations and techniques that stand out in this drawing. The way the cross contour lines follow the movement of the material and folds, has really well balanced the atmosphere of Chad’s figure.
There was a stage where I struggled in this drawing, which was trying to avoid of going into details with Chad’s face, because I feared that this drawing would end up as a portrait. But looking at it, all I can see is a seated figure who seems to have been very relaxed and enjoying the conversation that we shared during the 2-hours timeframe.
You can see the final A1 seated Chad using lines in Fig. 8 “Final Drawing of Chad Seated – Black Conte Pencil with Sepia and Navy Blue Ink Washes, A1 White Cartridge Paper, 280gsm“, below.
Fig. 8 Final Drawing of Chad Seated – Black Conte Pencil with Sepia and Navy Blue Ink Washes, A1 White Cartridge Paper, 280gsm
Here is a close up of Chad’s face and torso in Fig. 9 “Final Drawing of Chad, Close Up of the Details – Black Conte Pencil with Sepia and Navy Blue Ink Washes, A1 White Cartridge Paper, 280gsm“, below.
Fig. 9 Final Drawing of Chad, Close Up of the Details – Black Conte Pencil with Sepia and Navy Blue Ink Washes, A1 White Cartridge Paper, 280gsm
Here is also another close up of Chad’s face details, which gives a clear understanding of the cross contour line mark-makings. See in Fig. 10 “Final Drawing of Chad, Close Up of Face Details – Black Conte Pencil with Sepia and Navy Blue Ink Washes, A1 White Cartridge Paper, 280gsm“, below.
Fig. 10 Final Drawing of Chad, Close Up of Face Details – Black Conte Pencil with Sepia and Navy Blue Ink Washes, A1 White Cartridge Paper, 280gsm
Log Book Notes for the Seated Model using Lines
See in Fig. 11 “Log Book Notes“, below.
Fig. 11 Log Book Notes
2. Figure Study using Tone (A1) – Reclining Model.
For this reclining pose drawing, I used my artist friend Calista to pose for me as she was happy to do so.
I did some look back at my previous studies and research points to collect ideas and inspirational ideas. I found an inspirational artist known for his expressive tonal charcoal drawings, which was Edgar Degas, here you can see a charcoal drawing in the link here: https://dygtyjqp7pi0m.cloudfront.net/i/35689/30744696_1.jpg?v=8D5E8FC771EC0E0 (Accessed 17/10/2020).
You can see my ideas in my A4 sketchbook on page 47, see in Fig. 12 “Look Back Notes, Ideas and Inspirations – A4 Sketchbook, Page 47“, below.
Fig. 12 Look Back Notes, Ideas and Inspirations – A4 Sketchbook, Page 47
Here is also link from previous study in Part 4: Project 6 – Exercise 2, that I used the charcoal expressive style idea for the final reclining pose drawing.
Preliminary Drawings of Reclining Calista – A4 Sketchbook (Page 45)
I did a page in the A4 sketchbook of preliminary sketches of Calista and getting the idea of which view angle will work for the A1 final reclining pose drawing. I also found the willow charcoal stick still the best medium to use for giving great tonal values and expressive marks, which I will use as my final A1 drawing medium.
Here you can see the preliminary sketches in Fig. 13 “Preliminary Sketches – Charcoal Pencil, Black Conte Pencil and Graphite Pencil, A4 Sketchbook, Page 45“, below.
Fig. 13 Preliminary Sketches – Charcoal Pencil, Black Conte Pencil and Graphite Pencil, A4 Sketchbook, Page 45
Final Drawing – Calista Reclining Pose
I first had Calista to do a reclining pose, wearing her black pants and light cream jersey, she also was instructed to rest her right arm on a fabric draped cardboard box. The light source came from natural sunlight from the window for this drawing.
I first drew the large body shapes lightly with the willow charcoal stick, then after that I went and blocked in the mid and dark tonal areas by using the flat side of the willow charcoal stick. When finished with using the willow charcoal stick, I then used a putty eraser to lift up the charcoal in some areas where there was some light source shining on, for example the face and jersey.
I love the results of the shaded dramatic tonal background, it makes the figure to be the main attention of the audience. The tonal values are well balanced and seeing this drawing as less detailed information makes it a very interesting reclining subject. Her figure size is well proportioned and her character can be seen clearly as a gentle lady.
You can see the final A1 reclining pose drawing in Fig. 14 “Final Drawing ‘Calista Reclining’ – Willow Charcoal Sticks on A1 White Cartridge Paper, 280gsm“, below.
Fig. 14 Final Drawing ‘Calista Reclining’ – Willow Charcoal Sticks on A1 White Cartridge Paper, 280gsm
Here is a close up of the final drawing, see in Fig. 15 “Final Drawing ‘Calista Reclining’ Close Up – Willow Charcoal Sticks on A1 White Cartridge Paper, 280gsm“, below.
Fig. 15 Final Drawing ‘Calista Reclining’ Close Up – Willow Charcoal Sticks on A1 White Cartridge Paper, 280gsm
Log Book Notes
Here is my written log book notes for the reclining pose drawing, see in Fig. 16 “Log Book Notes“, below.
Fig. 16 Log Book Notes
3. A Portrait or Self-Portrait Combining Line and Tone.
For this part of the assignment, I chose to do a self-portrait, but in a different subject style.
So firstly before I did some look back at my previous studies or researches, this image idea came into my mind and the idea is a triple self-portrait.
The triple portrait idea was an artwork of one of my ancestors by the celebrated artist Sir Thomas Lawrence, who has painted a couple of portraits of my ancestors in his days, so this triple portrait of my family ancestor Emilia Butler, Lady Cahir, later Countess of Glengall (1776-1836) c. 1804-1805, was the inspirational artwork of my childhood. It such an elegant artwork, that looks like a mixed media painting and was done with charcoal, pastel and oil paint.
You can see my written ideas for the self-portrait part of this assignment in Fig. 17 “Look Back Notes, Ideas and Inspirations – A4 Sketchbook, Page 48“, below.
Fig. 17 Look Back Notes, Ideas and Inspirations – A4 Sketchbook, Page 48
Here is also link from previous study in Part 2: Project 3 – Exercise 4 that I used the sea blue green ink colour idea for the final triple self-portrait drawing.
Preliminary Drawing for Triple Self-Portrait – A4 Sketchbook (Page 46)
I did a preliminary drawing and test on the colours and mediums that are combining together for the final drawing. I plan to use old newsprint paper and tear them up to stick in the background of the triple self-portrait. My chosen ink colours are the sepia for light areas and sea blue green for shadow areas. I also planned on using a graphite 4B pencil and white coal stick for adding highlights on top the dried ink at the end of the drawing.
You can see the preliminary drawing with mediums for the final drawing in Fig. 18 “Preliminary Sketches – A4 Sketchbook, Page 46“, below.
I started drawing the big shapes in like my three faces with the graphite pencil lightly, at the same time I used a mirror to look at while drawing, but I used a photo reference for the side profile face. After drawing in the three face shapes, then next is the overlaying line marks and shading the tonal areas.
After finishing the graphite pencil drawing, I used fixative spray to fixative the graphite medium before going over with the two ink colour washes, sepia for the light areas and sea blue green for the shaded areas. The ink washes create a good sense of feeling, like there is energy exploding from three different directions.
Lastly was the old torn up newsprint paper that I wanted to combine the same colour of Sir Thomas Lawrence’s triple portrait background into my triple self-portrait. But doing the tear up effect in the background makes it more abstract with a twist of old colour.
You can see the final self-portrait drawing in Fig. 19 “Final Self-Portrait Drawing – Graphite Pencil 4B, White Coal, Ink Washes and Torn Up Newsprint Paper on White Cartridge Paper 37 x 58cm, 280gsm“, below.
Fig. 19 Final Self-Portrait Drawing – Graphite Pencil 4B, White Coal, Ink Washes and Torn Up Newsprint Paper on White Cartridge Paper 37 x 58cm, 280gsm
Here is a close up of the looking ahead face from the final triple self-portrait, see in Fig. 20 “Final Self-Portrait Drawing ‘Looking Ahead’ – Graphite Pencil 4B, White Coal, Ink Washes and Torn Up Newsprint Paper on White Cartridge Paper 37 x 58cm, 280gsm“, below.
Fig. 20 Final Self-Portrait Drawing ‘Looking Ahead’ – Graphite Pencil 4B, White Coal, Ink Washes and Torn Up Newsprint Paper on White Cartridge Paper 37 x 58cm, 280gsm
Here is a close up of the slight angle face from the final triple self-portrait, see in Fig. 21 “Final Self-Portrait Drawing ‘Slight Angle’ – Graphite Pencil 4B, White Coal, Ink Washes and Torn Up Newsprint Paper on White Cartridge Paper 37 x 58cm, 280gsm“, below.
Fig. 21 Final Self-Portrait Drawing ‘Slight Angle’ – Graphite Pencil 4B, White Coal, Ink Washes and Torn Up Newsprint Paper on White Cartridge Paper 37 x 58cm, 280gsm
Here is a close up of the side profile face from the final triple self-portrait, see in Fig. 22 “Final Self-Portrait Drawing ‘Side Profile’ – Graphite Pencil 4B, White Coal, Ink Washes and Torn Up Newsprint Paper on White Cartridge Paper 37 x 58cm, 280gsm“, below.
Fig. 22 Final Self-Portrait Drawing ‘Side Profile’ – Graphite Pencil 4B, White Coal, Ink Washes and Torn Up Newsprint Paper on White Cartridge Paper 37 x 58cm, 280gsm
Log Book Notes
Here is my written notes for the triple self-portrait drawing, see in Fig. 23 “Log Book Notes“, below.
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