Overall Comments
This submission seems more focused in terms of following the tasks. You have worked with the instructions more but there seems to be a constraint in letting yourself go with the media you use. You have used mainly black and white media and it is only in the assignments that there is evidence of an ambition and boldness coming through. You seem to have enjoyed some parts of the course. Technically you have been focused but there could have been more consideration in communicating your interpretations of the human form and characteristics through experimental mark making, colour and application of the media.
I understand your aim is to go for the Painting Degree and that you plan to submit your work for assessment at the end of this course. From the work you have shown in this assignment, providing you commit yourself to the course, I believe you have the potential to succeed at assessment. In order to meet all the assessment criteria, there are certain areas you will need to focus on, which I will outline in my feedback.
Feedback on assignment
(Demonstration of technical and Visual Skills)
(Demonstration of Creativity)
Proportions– it’s a tricky task to draw yourself in the mirror as you are constantly trying not to move but at the same time trying to work with the medium so it can be somewhat restricted. Your initial sketches are quite angular and although the proportions are working towards accuracy, they could be improved with more of a fluid approach. The most successful is the piece with your cat. The subtlety of your portrait captures a confidence with the media you have used. It reminds me of Egon Schieles work where he depicts grotesque gnarly expressions so really marrying up the media with the marks. Have a look at his work. The longer pose shows a good understanding of proportion and you are correct in smudging out the face because so far they need working on. Overall the tonal quality could have been varied with more light and mid-tones.
Form– this part has held you back. As you mentioned, following instructions restrained you in having a flow with depicting the essence of the human figure. What is good about this part is that you have used different media to depict different effects. However, try using the different media in an experimental way first. For example, doing mark making as samples so you can identity the potentials of the media. What can graphite do compare to charcoal? Pose 3, is good as it gives a sense of movement more than the other sketches. The tonal qualities need more work, although I know that this wasn’t the main focus, but try and depict the figure’s proportions without outlines and purely with blocks of tone.
Gesture– I can see that you have tried to delve into these exercises but again observing yourself restricts you. Although you enjoyed the ways of working and trying to loose your inhibitions these sketches could be developed more by looking at a model. You have tried to depict various poses, which show a small range but keep in mind the technical aspects of proportions. To show energy, have you tried working with coloured media or a media such as ink to show fluidity?
Anatomical drawings- it’s useful that you looked at anatomy as your figures need more accuracy in the =e finer details of the hands, feet and face. Although they are not as successful as they could have been, keep practicing so your overall figures have more conviction.
Structure– some attempts have been made in portraying structure but more attention is needed to the flair and fluidity of the figure rather than just the position. They seem a little too angular and cumbersome. Try the Kolbe technique and represent the positioning of the body parts rather than looking at tone. Build up your skills by doing basic outlines then adding in detail. Be careful not to jump ahead too soon.
The clothed figure- I can see that you tried to delve into these exercises and some of the depictions of the folds and creases are good. I agree that cross-hatching was not the best technique but this could have been overcome with different media, for example pen or ink. When you are cross-hatching vary the lines so there is more tonal range. Again, very angular marks rather than a range of curves and fluidly lines. You also seem restricted with the media and other options would have been useful to consider.
Portrait– the coloured pencil figure is the most successful as the others are quite weak and do not represent much depth. This piece shows some understanding of the proportions. Study the measurements of the features first before going into a more refined piece. The shape of the faces is satisfactory but the placement of the features is sometimes unbalanced. Again, perhaps loose yourself and do quick 5-minute sketches with a media that allows fluidity and a natural instinctive approach like ink and wash. Pencil can often be too technical and demands preciseness.
(Quality of outcome)
Assignment 4: Reclining figure: you have done many sketches for both assignment pieces and you have planned and considered different important elements such as composition, media, the application of the media and the colours. It is good to see that you have used color for these pieces, as you have been very safe so far. Each sketch improves. The colour palette is soft and subtle which matches the pose. The use of layering the medium and colours add a depth and this leads to its success in comparison to the other assignment piece. You still need some work on the face, hands and feet but you have realised that these are not your strong points so you have blended it into the background. The cross-hatching technique has improved with some good tonal qualities coming through.
Assignment piece: seated figure: again, detail in planning especially with the clothing and belt. The subtle lines, unfortunately disappear by adding the flat colour with the colour markers. It is ambitious of you to do two separate styles and this shows that you have taken the exercises on board and considered different techniques. The tonal quality could have consisted of more tone especially if you wanted to go for the illustrative style as you mentioned (comic books.) The face is captured well with the mood you were in at the time. Overall the previous piece is more successful as there is an interpretation coming through.
Sketchbooks/ Learning Logs/Critical essays (Context)
Your comments and log entries are detailed in terms of being self-reflective. You have focused on your strengths and weaknesses and have identified where your successes and failures are. You have been honest in your analysis but apply this reflection into more sketches. Even having a small sketchbook with you which you carry around and do quick observational work of things that inspire you or catch your eye in your daily life will break the mould of seeing the tasks as a to-do list.
More references to artists are needed especially when you are struggling for inspiration and have a blank mind. Go to more exhibitions and get lost in the works and hopefully this will inspire you. There is a fantastic exhibition on in London national Gallery ‘Facing the Modern: The Portrait in Vienna 1900) which will inspire you.
Suggested reading/viewing (Context)
• Henry Moore- use of medium to depict form and the expressive qualities created with the media.
• Balla- to capture a sense of movement (to follow on from researching dancers)
• Degas- subtlety but with colours and a sense of movement of the media. Sometimes you need to let the media do the work.
• Marlene Dumas- Fluid and subtle use of ink and wash to show expression on faces in a minimal way.
Pointers for the next assignment
Research artists as you are going along and this will help you work towards alternative techniques of exercises which are not going as planned.
Don’t forget the earlier parts where you experimented with all sorts of media. This submission is a little to safe with experimentation. Review your work so far and select your strengths and weaknesses. Try out different media and materials. Let go of the pencil and do a series of mark making with alternative media to loosen yourself up.
Please don’t feel embarrassed about what you are producing. The figure is a difficult topic and it takes practice to know the basic measurements before even moving onto a personal voice. One way to overcome this is to look at a wide range of artists. How have they used media, techniques and processes to depict how they see the human form? Egon Schiele would be interesting for you. As this is assignment 4, really push yourself with the last one.
Tutor name: Diana Ali
Date 30-11-2013