This exercise was a really tough one for me. For some reason I could not loosen up in using ink, but was determined to use this medium.
I made some preparatory sketches of individual objects and compositions which went well. I also tried a range of tools but found a dipping pen worked best for me.
I initially settled on a composition of objects on my window sill, however I was not at all pleased with the results (see first image below). The smaller objects were drowned by the size of the lighthouse, and it became apparent that there was a lack of texture in the objects I had chosen. I also struggled to keep the perspective and the objects were not well represented in my drawing with size and scale being completely wrong.
As I was drawing I felt fixated on a need to draw perfect lines at first attempt, with an unwritten rule in my head that I was not allowed to sketch or re-draw a line once it had been made. In my first attempt I also chose to use a brush to create thicker lines to indicate some element of shadow and to help define the window behind as well as to give some suggestion of reflection; again this did not work and I was very disappointed with the outcome.
Afterwards I felt it was best to leave the exercise where it was and move on to the next, feeling initially that I would await the feedback from my tutor. However, I quickly realised that I needed to try again now as the purpose of the exercises are to gain the most out of the practice; to make my best effort in order to develop my skills and progress.
I therefore thought again about the objects I should use, the composition and the background. I pulled together natural objects with a range of shapes and textures but of a smaller size so that they could be grouped together more easily. I felt placing them in a dish would work best to allow them to interact in a sense. Using a dish also allowed me to practice elipses which is a personal learning need.
Again my first attempt started with the same error as before – trying to draw perfect lines at first attempt. Immediately the scale of the large shell was wrong as I began to introduce the other objects and their proximity to each other was wrong – the negative shapes were not true to the observed objects in front of me. (See below).
I decided to start again immediately and this time to make an initial light sketch of the outlines in pencil. Within seconds of starting I realised that the sketching approach was what I needed to use with the pen and ink! I therefore dropped the pencil and continued with the pen and ink. Once I loosened up and allowed myself to make shorter brief strokes and to look more often I noticed vast improvements. In particular I found I was able to get greater accuracy in the negative shapes. The final piece is below, there are some lines that are out of place but I feel this piece is much improved and that I have managed to gain some skill in the use of the medium. I am also happy that I have been able to produce a piece which focuses on shapes, textures and patterns as the brief requested. I now feel much more confident to use this medium again which is something I was always keen for.
Most of all I am really pleased that I persevered. In pursuit of this course I am managing many competing demands and challenges, but the most difficult for me are the self imposed pressure to get through the course in terms of time available and battling the internal voice which tells me to give up or to avoid something if it doesn’t go perfectly (or as near as) first time. This exercise is therefore one that I have to hold in the forefront of my mind as I face further challenges in the course.
Deborah McAulay 