The purpose of this exercise was to select, combine and rework copies of sketches that I liked or felt affinity for based on the objectives in my visual action plan to create groups of connected images.
Key words from the brief:
- Copy/print off images that you most have an affinity with, from your sketchbooks
- Lay the action plan and images somewhere that you can look at them altogether
- Combine selected elements by collaging them together creating new images through, editing, modifying and re-using content
- Be playful
- Just collections that mean something to you
Sketchbook review
I reviewed each exercise in my Learning Log and selected digital images that I felt I could work with further. These were then all copied into a single folder and I created contact sheets to enable me to see them all in context.
I reviewed these with my action plan. My objectives in the plan were to:
- Work in sequence;
- write words;
- experiment with more media;
- think more about meaning;
- use words;
- combine fast observational drawing and slow studio development;
- develop better architectural line;
- combine doodle style alongside observational work; and
- continue to think through story arc and narrative structure.
My task was to select and rework existing images based on my action plan objectives. I approached the task with an open mind and without preconceptions.
The finished images were created across 2-pages of an A2 sketchbook.
Category 1 – Rapid sketches in narrative sequence
I really enjoyed 4.0 Fill it up fast! and wanted to experiment with combining editorial/information in a narrative sequence.
As well as using images from The Old Operating Theatre, I also used several of the rapid reportage sketches of people made on location in Brick Lane for Assignment 3 – Illustrative people and places.
My method was to select images of interest and then print these at different sizes, adding colour digitally in some cases. Some new elements such as a captions in the footer of the page and speech bubbles were added to the other collaged elements.
- Composite rapid sketches 03
Category 2 – Digitally enhanced/altered reportage sketches in sequence
The second group of images were all based around the commuting theme. What interested me was whether I could take A5 and A6 sketches and digitally clean them up, add colour and re-print at A3.
As well as digitally changing the images, I also collaged several together to make new compositions.
Category 3 – Blind contour drawing, doodling, collage and rework
These are probably my favourite set of images because they involved using existing architectural sketches from 3.0 Observation as starting points collaged onto a page. I then using blind contour drawing, doodling and the creative application of paint and acrylic pens to create completely new images.
Reflections
What went well
- I covered off all of the objectives within my visual action plan apart from thinking too much about story arc which wasn’t appropriate for this set of images.
- I think the reuse of rapid drawings from The Old Operating Theatre work well. With some forethought this method and visual style can be effectively reused for a different subject.
- The incorporation of Brick Lane people sketches into a different context, and the print and collage approach at A2 size worked well.
- I like the illustrative feel of the reworked A6 sketches reprinted at a much larger size.
- The blind contour drawing and doodling have potential. There is a spark of something quite distinctive in these drawings that’ I’d like to develop.
What I would do differently/better
- There was additional material from The Old Theatre that I could have used but I felt I’d explored this visual combination enough and wanted to move on to the next thing.
Illustration 