Exercise: Managing Your Time

 Managing my time for this course will be a mixture of doing a couple of hours per day during the working week and sometimes a couple of full days here and there depending on life circumstances.

I have decided to follow an academic calendar for this course unit in order to have regular breaks as I have found in previous units I have a tendency to overwork myself and then take too longer breaks and end up in a bad cycle. I think this will give me more balance and allow some regular rest periods.

Exercise: Identifying Resources

 My work area will be my new art studio that we recently finished. It is part of our garage converted and fully insulated, giving me a dedicated place to focus on my studies and art without distractions.

I have a big desk to work from and a separate area for computer work and painting.

In terms of materials, I have built up quite a good supply of most art supplies, sketchbooks and have an iPad with Procreate and a drawing tablet to use. 

Socially I belong to the OCA Discord server and have found the students there to be very supportive in terms of feedback on work and also support in general. I find this quite an important part of my Uni experience, it helps to bounce ideas off each other and get encouragement when times are difficult.

I've recently been exploring OCASA and have already taken one of their webinars in the Lunch and Learn series. This has been really useful and I will continue to look out for the different events coming up.

Exercise: Say Hello to your Tutor

 My introduction with my tutor online was very encouraging. I talked about my history and the areas that are interesting me so far. We discussed my time management and agreed the academic calendar would be a good model for me to follow.

My tutor thinks this unit will be a good opportunity for me to experiment more and delve into my areas of interest such as narrative. The previous unit was very intense and I finished it feeling quite burnt out. Although I am proud of everything I achieved in that unit and saw a big growth in my skills, I am looking forward to a slightly more relaxed, experimental unit and focus more on developing my creative voice.

Part 1: Research Task - Where Do Good Ideas Come From?

 Watching Johnson's video about where good ideas come from, was thought provoking. In my own personal experience good ideas have come from various places, including a spark from places I've been, books I've read or experiences I've had, to brainstorming ideas, starting from mind maps and mood boards.

I think some ideas can take time to develop. In my last assignment for Illustration 2, my washi tape designs took several different styles before things started to click into place. It was only by trying different options that I got closer to what I wanted to achieve, but it was chatting to a friend that helped me to really piece my ideas together and finally come up with the designs I was happy with.

Johnson's theories can be relevant at different times, I wouldn't say they are equally applicable but certainly elements are true during different creative projects. I don't believe you can put a theory or formula on how creative ideas work, it's a mix of different influences, both internal and external that define how an idea is developed. Some ideas might be sparked in the middle of the night and some may take months or even years to come together. Some could be from a sketch you did a year ago that you suddenly know what you want to do with and others you might be sketching for a brief and it's the culmination of sketches through trial and error that you get to the best one. Sometimes you just know what you want to create and it comes together beautifully and other times it turns out totally different to what you first imagined.

Collaboration can be an important part of creativity but it's not essential. By participating in a collaboration you can develop ideas that you might not have thought about before. Trying different things and also merging different skill sets together.

If I could collaborate with another creative it would be a writer. I love to journal and read, it would be wonderful to combine a writers imagination with my own. Equally a musician would be amazing too. I have a passion for listening to different types of music so that would be an amazing collaboration as well.

From the student quotes listed, there were a few I resonated with. Sometimes I do start with an idea and think I know how it should look and then when it comes to putting it into practice it can go either way. Sometimes it's just as I imagined and other times it takes on a life of it's own.

Like one of the other quotes, sometimes I find it helpful to draw from life, several different sketches on the same subject and then I will take those sketches to the next stage and develop from there. I do enjoy observational drawing and quite often start my illustrations this way.

I used to have a more spontaneous approach, especially to my paintings. It would be quite an intuitive process, which I really enjoyed. I wouldn't know how the painting was going to evolve and most of the time that went to my advantage but sometimes it didn't.

Whilst doing this degree I've learnt the value of planning projects more thoroughly before diving right in but I have to say that does take the fun and excitement out of it for me quite a bit. I do miss the intuitive approach and would like to find a middle ground between the two.

Part 1: Exercise 1 - Thinking About Your Workspace

 

My Greeting Card Shelves, Cloud Mural and New Sofa.

My work space has been specifically designed for my working practice. I am very fortunate to have been able to move from a room in our home to our recently converted garage. I spent a lot of time designing the interior to be suitable for what I would need and also how it looks. Colour is really important to me and so I wanted a lovely bright, pink room and white and natural accents. 

I'm still finishing up this space and may add in a calmer colour to replace the white in my painting corner. Each element of my room was carefully thought over and planned and I can't wait to use it more. There is a desk for working on the computer, a sit/stand desk for creative tasks and order packing for my small business. Large storage shelves, which we made from reclaimed scaffold boards and then sanded and waxed them. 

Packaging and storage area.

Cosy in the evenings with fairy lights on.

Painting Corner.

Where I do all my computer and printing work.

Some small bookcases for extra storage and my beautiful sofa to sit and draw on or just rest sometimes. That was a big part of the design for this space. I wanted somewhere I could be really comfortable for times when I needed a softer place to sit. I wanted it to look great too so I could have a lovely background for my videos I film for YouTube. I decided to add a cloud mural behind it to break up the pink but also to create a more imaginative space to fit my illustrator theme.

Above the cloud mural I have shelves of my illustrated greetings cards. These really brighten the space, give it my personality and also seeing them there inspires me and reminds me of what I have achieved so far.

We are currently installing curtains to soften the daylight, as it has got a bit too bright in there to be comfortable. It took a while to figure out the heating but that is done now and as the weather improves I am sure it will be wonderful. The carpet we laid also helps to give it a cosy, homely feel, which I really love. When I come into the new studio, it's wonderful to put my slippers on and have that lovely soft carpet underneath my feet. Really adds to the experience of being in there.

This new studio space is a real blessing to me. I really needed a space where I could fully focus and have quiet. In the house I found there where a lot of distractions, noise, interruptions. Since moving into my new studio, my concentration has improved and it's also lowered my stress levels. It's wonderful to have a separate space to work and study in and yet still be so close to home. I do find it also helps with work/life balance which was very much needed.

Working on Assignment 1

In addition I have added not just my own artwork but also artwork from illustrators who inspire me and that I have become good friends with. An inspiration moodboard with pictures I am enjoying right now. My enamel pin collections from other artists and some favourite soft toys that make it feel like home.

I am quite a night owl and so find that I am generally better from lunchtime onwards. I've got into a routine of completing simple tasks, inspiration and maybe some sketching in the mornings, whilst I spend time with our two dogs and then after lunch I can then go into my new studio and focus on whatever needs to be done that day. I generally aim to go in there most afternoons, sometimes I do go in in the morning depending on my schedule and I know I can always stay a bit later if I need to. That is especially nice now that the lighter evenings are here and when I go to lock up it's still light enough to see what I am doing!

Time is fairly flexible for me right now, it's opened up more this year and so I can freely come and go, I tend to be really focused in the hours I have now and then make time for family, commitments etc around that and vice versa. 

Part 1: Research Task - 365 Projects

Bryan Eccleshall's 365 project was really interesting to see and hear about. I like the concept of taking the photos and then using them for reference later. I could relate to Eccleshall's macro focus for the subjects he chose. I took part in a similar project on a photo walk at Henstead Exotic Gardens, and found taking close up photos of the exotic plants fascinating. I went on to use those photos for my printmaking unit.

I also love the idea of having a reference and just drawing it. No other purpose but to do the work as Bryan says. Sometimes I get frustrated planning out projects and just want to draw for the enjoyment of drawing something and expressing it's beauty.

Eccleshall's drawings made an amazing collection at the end and it was wonderful to see the progression of his skills as the project went on. I admire his dedication to stick to doing a drawing every day.

For me I would like to build a big collection of reference photos and use the experience of taking a photo per day to get me back in the mind set of really looking at my surrounding more again like I used to. I fell out of the habit during the pandemic and I miss paying attention to the beauty all around us. Who knows what those photos could inspire for future projects.

Starting my 365 Photo Per Day:

Eccleshall, B. (2013) Forget inspiration. get on with the work - we are oca, The Open College of the Arts. Available at: https://www.oca.ac.uk/weareoca/creative-writing/forget-inspiration-get-on-with-the-work/ (Accessed: March 30, 2023).

Eccleshall, B. (2013) 365drawings. Available at: http://2013-365-drawings.blogspot.com/ (Accessed: March 30, 2023).

Parry, J. (2013) Drawing every day - Bryan Eccleshall, The Open College of the Arts. Available at: https://www.oca.ac.uk/weareoca/fine-art/bryan-eccleshall/ (Accessed: March 30, 2023).

Part 1: Exercise 2 - Good Working Habits

• What do you need to be creative?

To be creative I need to be cosy, comfortable and in a quiet environment to fully relax into the process.

• Are there certain factors that are important for you to develop your work?

Time to process and mull things over. 

• When, where and how do you work? How might you develop your work approach further?

My working process has recently changed and I'm dealing with some unexpected issues. Previously my studio was in our home and I could just go in and work whenever I wanted to. I came with a lot of distractions though and was too small. In the end I became very frustrated and felt like I outgrew the space. So we converted half of our garage into a new studio space for me to have a bit more room and a place I could totally focus. It definitely gives me the quiet I craved and the space to have things where I want except for all my painting equipment. I thought I might just work on my desk to paint but I miss my easel and working big. I am considering using the room in the house just for painting and keep my new studio for my main work. Painting gives me peace and a calming feeling, I think I still need that in my life.

Other ways I work are to take my iPad to the local cafe and sketch with a friend, but this has become increasingly harder to do. People who know us always like to come and chat and we end up not getting any drawing done. The cafe is also noisy at times which can really drain my energy.

Sometimes drawing on my iPad in bed is a good place to find quiet, calm and concentration. Now I have my new studio I should have much more time and focus to work in there.

I recently went to the OCASA Lunch and Learn webinar about Focus, Attention and Concentration. This was a really good workshop and helped me identify what I need to be able to function at my best and what things really affect my energy and concentration. In a way it helped me to accept my needs more and not to just shrug them off. Previously I've been trying to just work through noisy, distracting conditions for the sake of having company while I worked and also having a change of scene but I've realised it just ends up making me feel drained of energy, irritable and non productive.

During the webinar we were also given some names of apps to try out and I found the breathing one really good and have been using that daily since to help me relax.

• Given your creative process, how do you best document your work?

I mainly use my sketchbook to write notes, sketch ideas and draw in. I also like to take photos with my phone camera.

• What kinds of questions do you use to reflect on your work?

Is this the look and feel I am going for?

Does this have meaning beyond just being pretty or cute?

Is this finished?

Does it need anything else?

Has this answered the brief? If not, why not?

• How important is reflection to your process?

I think it is important and needs to become more important. I'll look at my work and make changes as I go but I think this is an area I could do with improving to make it a larger part of the overall making process.

• Can you develop new questions or prompts?

There is definitely room for improvement here, more questions and prompts. It's something I would need to spend time on and develop. Maybe seek advice from other artists about what questions they ask themselves for reflection.

• How does this reflection help feed back into your making?

It definitely influences the outcome, but sometimes I leave it too late to make changes, especially when it comes to Uni work. I need to perhaps develop some reflection during the process, when there is time to make adjustments. Although sometimes you don't know if something is wrong until you've actually made the work. 

• How would you describe your creative process?

It varies depending on the project. For my own paintings I usually start with reference photos from something from life that I've experienced or seen or been given. I then work out the composition and colours on the canvas. Sometimes I work these things out in my sketchbook first if it's a more complex piece but often I like the spontaneity and surprise of working it out as I go.

For illustrations I usually brainstorm ideas in my sketchbook, collect reference images, test out thumbnails and then begin working. I often draw in my sketchbook and then take a photo of it to put into Procreate on the iPad.

I'd like to try developing my sketchbook sketches and painting directly onto them or using coloured pencils more. It's something I've done in the past but not lately. It would be nice to do that again.

• What sort of stages do you go through to initiate and develop your ideas and work?

I use mind maps and bullet lists to get my ideas out. Sometimes I'll just write about my ideas, getting my thoughts on paper and then start doing some sketches. These are usually very rough and just quick sketches to get ideas out. I also do little colour swatches on a page and sometimes on the rough sketches too. I might do this on Procreate as well.

• How important are restrictions to the process?

I like to restrict my colour palette. Over the years I've developed a palette that I feel truly represents me and the my creative voice. It is born out of nostalgia, pastel tones, softness and calm. A lot of the colours I use have a slight grey undertone, which I love. Lately I've been adding in a few brighter, cleaner versions of these colours to go with the original palette. I've also experimented in using other colours but never click with them. I find having this colour palette helps to tie my work together and gives a recognisable style.

• Do you start with an idea or proposal, start making and see where it takes you, or work in a different way?

As I've talked about above I do a mix of both depending on the project. I like the spontaneity of just starting making but some projects need to be more thought out and planned.

• Do you have any strategies to deal with creative blocks or obstacles?

Usually doing something completely different helps me to feel better. I also collect reference imagery from my own photos and also royalty free images. I do prefer to use my own though. Reading through magazines like Country Living also helps get me inspired and visiting places with animals like farms and zoos.

• What does experimentation look like to you?

It looks like trying new art supplies, trying different compositions. Drawing things I've never drawn before.

• Where do you work, what kind of physical spaces do you need?

I've discussed this above.

• When do you work, and how best can you structure your time?

I mostly work during the day but sometimes like to draw at night depending on my schedule and energy levels. I usually split my work day into a few hours in the morning and then the afternoons, Monday to Friday. I like to have weekends off to recharge and spend time with family etc.

• How do you draw on inspiration to feed your creativity?

Part 1: Research Task - Flow and Play

 Not completed due to ill health.