12th April Primary Research "Wentworth Gardens"

On Tuesday 12th of April, I started to complete primary research within my sketchbook that I obtained in my independent study and visits to galleries. In the studio practise I focused on my photographs that I collected from the visit to Wentworth Garden Centre and the historic gardens. The photographs that I have taken focused on a variety of landscapes and elements within the gardens which include trees, architecture and plants. I was excited to start presenting my primary research in my sketchbook because I am wanting to experiment with different layouts and materials which will present my work effectively. The task allowed me to experiment with a variety of materials to highlight and emphasise the photos I have collected in my sketchbook. Also, the task allowed me to create a variety of sketchbook layouts and backgrounds to place the photographs effectively but also create a theme. By completing primary research, it has allowed me to gain confidence and present my thought process and journey when collecting the photographs which relate back to my project “Unit 8 Structures”. Finally, the task allowed me to analyse a range of research sources to support the project “Unit 8 Structures”.

For my layout of the photographs, I wanted to present how different elements within landscapes and environments are combined together to create a “structure of landscape”. From my visit, I discovered that the historic gardens had hidden buildings and architecture that were covered in the environment over the years. For my sketchbook I wanted to incorporate both of these elements so I decided to build up the page and create layers with hidden images inside the sketchbook page. Also, by creating this layout, it allowed me to experiment with paper structures which combined all the images that I am going to explore and develop for the project. After creating the background and layout for my sketchbook page, I placed my photographs inside the different layers and started to build up my primary research from my visit. A problem I faced after placing the images into my sketchbook, was that I was unsure what material would be suitable to experiment drawing and transcribing the photographs. However, I solved the problem and decided to use different materials for each layer and combine all of them together for my last page. This allowed me to experiment with a variety of materials and present how a variety of different elements are combined together within “structure of landscapes”. Firstly, I focused on creating photographs of architecture and buildings for my first layer. To present all the detail and structure of the elements I decided to use a variety of shading pencils. This allowed me to develop my skills with using the material and create texture on my sketchbook page with the combination of different shading pencils. I enjoyed using shading pencils because it allowed me to continue to experiment with the material and develop my confidence further when using it. After creating the first layer, I focused on creating my second layer which included a combination of plants, trees and architecture. The material I used for the second layout was a combination of water-colours and coloured pencils as both of these elements combined create an effective outcome with has been explored previously in my research. By experimenting with these materials for my primary research, it has allowed me to develop my skills and adapt them to the research sources I have collected. I believe that these materials were effective for my photographs because it allowed me to emphasise the details and colours that each element present within the historic gardens.

Next, I am going to complete my last layout for the primary research page of “Wentworth Gardens” and continue to generate further research sources and contextual studies for “Unit 8 Structures”.


Here are some photographs from my visit to the Wentworth Gardens-

 

 

 

 

7th April "Rob Ryan"

On Thursday 7^th of April, I continued to explore contextual studies and specific contemporary paper cutting artists for my sketchbook and “Unit 8 Structures”. In the studio practise, I explored the works of Rob Ryan who is a contemporary artist that creates intricate paper cuttings. The task allowed me to continue to research contextual studies and specific paper artists which will inspire me to develop ideas for the development of my project. Also, the task allowed me to generate ideas from exploring different artists which will be taken further into my project and developed through experimentation. By exploring contextual studies through the studio practise, it has allowed me to develop my paper craft skills and the equipment I used to create this. Finally, the studio practise has allowed me to analyse an element within a range of research sources to support "Unit 8 structures".

To start the studio practice, I collected Rob Ryan’s pieces of work and identified how I am going to create them for my sketchbook. Rob Ryan’s work is very simple and explains a story through letters and pictures. I was curious to explore lettering within paper-cutting as I have never experimented creating lettering because I found the appearance of them difficult to re-create. However, I wanted to experiment with lettering so I focused on this element when exploring Rob Ryan’s work. For the materials, I decided to use variety of different coloured card because it is a strong material to create stable paper cut pieces but also it is good to work with the craft knife and the equipment I use. Throughout the studio practise I followed health and safety instructions to avoid the risk of injuries. I continued to use a cutting mat and ruler to allow me to cut safely in the direction I am wanting to follow. Also, I placed my hand away from the craft knife to avoid the risk of the blade moving and causing injury. All of these instructions were followed throughout the studio practise whilst creating paper cutting pieces.

Firstly, I focused on creating Rob Ryans “Clough Vase” and I collected black card and started to draw the outline of the shape and details within the piece. I problem I faced when drawing the font outline was that I couldn’t place the whole text that is on the original piece. To solve the problem I collected two sentences from the piece and placed it onto my design which still related back to the theme of the piece. Another problem I faced was that I found it difficult to cut out the intricate fonts and patterns on the surface of the piece. To solve the problem, I used a smaller craft knife to cut out the elements which allowed me to develop my skills and knowledge of paper craft equipment. After completing the piece, I focused on completing Rob Ryans “My Home”.

To start the piece I repeated the same process as “Clough Vase” and I collected pink card for my surface and drew the outline for my piece. I found creating this piece difficult compared to the previous work because it included more intricate elements which had to be cut out through the smaller craft knife. By exploring this element, it has allowed me to develop my skills with the new piece of equipment and to continue to practise using it for paper crafts. A problem I faced with creating this piece was that I found cutting out particular elements difficult to achieve which led to particular elements being damaged. To improve next time, I am going to keep practising with this piece of equipment which will allow me to develop my paper craft skills. I enjoyed creating this piece because a border was included in the layout which I found interesting to create. The final outcome is presented below.

Next I am going to continue further research of Rob Ryan and create a title page for the artist which will present a variety of work and my opinion of them.

5th April "Beatrice Coron"

On Tuesday 5th of April, I continued to complete contextual studies within my sketchbook for "Unit 8" structures. In the studio practise, I explored the works of Beatrice Coron who creates contemporary paper art and cuttings. The task allowed me to generate further ideas for my final piece that has been inspired by contextual studies and specific artists. Also, the task allowed me to develop my previous skills and methods of paper crafts which has been adapted to suit the artist. I have developed my knowledge of the equipment I use to create paper craft pieces and adapted them to my overall project research. Finally, the studio practise has allowed me to analyse an element within a range of research sources to support "Unit 8 structures".

Throughout the task I followed health and safety instructions to avoid the risk of injury when creating contemporary paper crafts and cuttings. Firstly, a cutting mat was used to allow me to cut safely but also to give me guidance when cutting specific areas. Also, a ruler was used to avoid my craft knife from moving away from the wrong direction and to avoid injuring myself. Finally, I placed my hand away from the craft knife to avoid the risk of injury. All of these instructions were followed throughout the studio practise and allowed me to create pieces safely.

To transcribe Beatrice Corons work, I used the material black card as the majority of her pieces consists of black paper cut silhouettes. When observing the paper-cuttings, I noticed that Beatrice’s pieces are very detailed and involve a variety of layers and intricate paper crafts. Before I started to complete the task, I was worried that I wasn’t going to create the detailed areas that Beatrice has created through my paper craft skills .However, I developed my previous paper craft skills and experimented with creating more detailed designs that I will take further into the project. By experimenting with contextual studies and the works of Beatrice Coron, it has allowed me to explore a variety of paper crafts further which will be developed through my project. To start crafting the pieces, I drew out the basic outline for each element and started to cut out the basic shapes. Then I developed the basic shapes and worked into them and highlighted the detail. A problem I faced when re-creating specific intricate details was that I couldn’t get my craft knife to work around some elements which damaged the overall piece. To solve the problem I placed a white background underneath the pieces I have created and used a biro to include specific details I couldn’t achieve with my craft knife. To improve next time I am going to continue to practise creating small intricate pieces within paper-cutting pieces. For my background of the sketchbook page, I wanted to emphasise the black paper cuts I have created so I collected newspaper and started to collage the layout. After collaging, I decided to paint the newspaper in white and grey paint to make the background interesting but also continue to emphasise the paper cuts I have created. Eventually, I placed all elements together to create a final sketchbook page. Next I am going to annotate and express my opinions of Beatrice Corons work. Also, I am going to continue research paper cutting artists which includes Rob Ryan.

 

Lake District

I continued to collect primary research and drawings through my weekend visit to the Lake District. I found visiting the area inspiring as the beautiful scenery’s allowed me to create drawings and take a variety of photographs from my visit which will be developed further into my project but also my final ideas. I collected photographs from different angles and perspectives through looking at landscapes but also specific elements within them that create the scenes. The specific elements included photographs of plants, trees and animals. I was lucky to obtain a primary photograph of a frog which was sat on a tree stump. This photograph is my favourite image because I was able to combine both animals and landscapes together within one image. Also whilst visiting the Lake District, I collected photographs from the greenhouse area which included tropical plants and pond life. I enjoyed taking photographs from this area as I was exploring a new environment which held elements of landscapes such as tropical plants and lily pads. The Lake District presented incredible forest scenery which I will take further into my project and also develop in detail for my final ideas and outcomes. I believe the forest landscapes will be effective for my project as they present a variety of elements that are combined together to create one landscape which is inspiring for my themes “Structure of nature” and “paper structures”. Whilst visiting the Lake District, I create drawings from the landscapes I observed which included continuous line drawings and quick sketches. I enjoyed creating these drawings as they allowed me to demonstrate a variety of drawing techniques in order to present the landscapes and elements I have explored. Also, I enjoyed creating these drawings as it allowed me to interpret my ideas and thoughts of the landscapes I have analysed but also use a variety of materials to achieve an effective outcome. All of my images and drawings are presented below.

 

The Ruskin Collection

On the 24^th of March I visited the Millennium Gallery in Sheffield to see the “Ruskin Collection”. This exhibition held the works of John Ruskin who was one of the main influences of the Arts and Crafts movement between 1880 and 1910. This writer was influenced by the works of nature and this is the key element of the Arts and Crafts Movement as all pieces and designs related back to nature and traditional methods. I decided to visit this exhibition to collect primary research images and analyse pieces within the gallery that explore the Arts and Crafts Movement. A key element of my project was to explore the movement and I believe that when I have observed pieces visually within the gallery, it has allowed me to understand and develop my knowledge of the movement in further detail which will be developed further into my project. I have previous knowledge of this movement and I believe that it will be a big influence to my work as the “Arts and Crafts” movement has been inspired by nature and traditional methods which relate to my theme “structure of nature”. By visiting the gallery, it has allowed me to analyse a research source to support my project “Unit 8 Structures”.

My favourite pieces from the gallery were the book illustrations that explored a variety of different plants and species of birds. I found these pieces interesting as they incorporated detail drawings into intricate book pages and used a variety of materials that I use which includes pencil and watercolour. I believe that I also liked these pieces because they were detailed illustrations that I am wanting to explore throughout this project but also for my future. I found the book illustrations incredible because they were preserved and presented the original book pages that were created in the “Arts and Crafts Movement”. These book pieces related back to the overall exhibition collection as they are inspired by elements of nature which are described and presented in detail. I believe that I will be inspired by these book illustrations and I will take ideas to develop them into my own work but also for my final project.

Sadly, the gallery wouldn’t allow me to take photographs of the other parts of the “The Ruskin Collection” because of copyright issues which was a disadvantage as I couldn’t collect more primary research for my project. However, I did collect some information and photographs which will be taken into my project and also be developed to create my own ideas and designs. All the images I have taken are presented below.

York Art Gallery

On the 31^st of March, I visited the York Art Gallery to explore the variety of artwork they present but also specifically research and analyse the “Lumber Room”. This gallery room held the works of Mark Hearld who I have explored within my “Unit 8 Structures” but also “unknown treasures” such as vintage items and antiques. Whilst visiting the gallery, I also explored the other rooms that the placed presented which included Ceramic areas and traditional gallery rooms that held paintings on display. For my research, I collected a variety of primary images but also I completed a workshop which was creating life drawings from objects that were given within the gallery. For my primary images I took a variety of photographs that explored pieces of artwork at different angles and perspectives. For my workshop task I completed my life drawing within my sketchbook that I took to my gallery visit. By visiting the York Art Gallery, it has allowed me to analyse a research source to support my project “Unit 8 Structures”.

When I visited the gallery exhibition “The Lumber Room” I was amazed by the combination of classic vintage antiques that contrasted with the bright colours and patterns across the room. As I analysed the room in detail, I found that the gallery included a variety of artworks and prints from Mark Hearld. This artist creates animal prints and sketches within his work and is inspired by “nature” which relates back to my project theme and inspiration the “structure of nature”.  I enjoyed analysing the artworks in personal as I could identify in detail what materials and elements he has used to create the pieces that were on display. Also, I enjoyed analysing Mark Hearlds work as he placed his sketchbook pages within the gallery room for the visitors to see. I found looking at Mark Hearlds sketchbook work inspiring as I could see the influence for his artwork and what has inspired him which is similar to my project sketchbook. I related to Mark Hearlds sketchbook pages as he is inspired by nature for his artwork which relates back to my project as I have explored the “structure of nature” because I found this element fascinating to explore in further detail. Also, in the gallery room, they displayed a variety of taxidermy birds and animals that were displayed in cabinets. I found exploring these figures fascinating as I could look into detail how textures such a feathers, build up the species to create a strong, unique structure. Also, within the “Lumber Room” I enjoyed observing the intricate 3D paper box scenes that were displayed in cabinets. I found observing this pieces inspiring as I am also exploring “paper structures” which allowed me to analyse how the pieces are built up together to create the scenes. Also, I found the intricate details and patterns within the paper scenes incredible as I was amazed by how the artist has made small illustrations to create an overall effective outcome piece. Finally, whilst visiting the “Lumber Room” I found the classic, antique rocking-horses interesting to observe as I was analysing how the toys were built up and placed within the gallery. I enjoyed looking at the pieces as I could see that they have been preserved over the years but still continue to present damages to the toys as an overall piece. Within the gallery room, I really liked how these rocking-horses were presented as they contrasted with the bold backgrounds and highlighted the theme of the exhibition “unknown treasures”. Overall, I really enjoyed collecting primary research from the “Lumber Room” as I believe the exhibition room related to my themes of “Unit 8 structures”. All the pieces within the room were inspiring and I believe that I will develop ideas from my visit and adapt them into my work.  

After visiting the “Lumber Room” I decided to visit the rest of the gallery which included Ceramic rooms and pieces. I found these rooms less effective as they didn’t relate to my project work and themes that I am exploring. However, I enjoyed exploring around the different rooms and especially looking at the large centre piece which held a strong architecture structure that I collected for my primary research. Also, I visited the traditional rooms of the gallery which held portraits and landscapes. Within the room, they placed a workshop which was a task to create a life-drawing from the objects given on the table. By completing this task, it allowed me to develop my sketching techniques and create an effective piece of work for my sketchbook pages. Also by completing this task, it has allowed me to continue to explore my theme “structure of nature” as the objects included elements of nature. I found completing this task inspiring as I haven’t explored a gallery before that held workshops like this and I really enjoyed experimenting with life-drawing.

Overall, my visit to the York Art Gallery was inspiring as I have collected a variety of primary research images and drawings that will be developed further throughout my project but also be included within my work. All the images are presented below.