REFLECTIONS ON THE FINAL PIECE
What worked – I liked the scale of the piece and the perspective it was drawn from. I think this created some power and sense of gravity. The way the subject matter was put together and what the image is hopefully creates an emotional response. I liked the composition. There were obvious grades of tone used. Tightening up the headstones was a good move. I quite like the trunk of the birch tree – white contrasts with the dark bushy trees behind. I liked the energy flow effect of the wallpaper pattern.
What didn’t work – The angel’s tone was lumpy and needed better observation. The birch tree branches could have been better observed. The range of tone could be improved – the dark areas of the plinth and the bushy trees could be even darker. It needs more affective marks for the bushy trees. It could do with a fuller range of marks and tone across the piece. The photographs taken of the final piece were a technical problem. Each image taken looked a different colour and gave a different effect. The new charcoal I purchased to do the piece did not perform like my old charcoal – I need to test all materials (even if they seem the same as those used previously) before relying on them.
Not sure – I nearly put a splash of colour (leaves) in the top left corner for more interest. But, felt this may have overloaded the image. I did experiment with this and decided against it. But – I’m still undecided – it could make or break it!
Not sure about the white oil pastel layer for the clouds. The pigment mixture with the charcoal is a bit strange. It looks blue in some lights. Maybe this is a good thing?
MOVING FORWARD
To move forward from this point, I do need to keep practicing my technical skills. I need to use my sketchbook as a visual diary, ideas scrap book and a place to further develop skills. I need to be brave and experimental and try different materials, papers, scales and ways of working. I need to be more free with my approach. I need to have fun!
I still need to keep finding my own voice. This will always be on going. I do know I like quite instant, exciting marks. I like emotional work. I like large scale. I like a splash of colour here and there as punctuation.
I don’t like over fussy or over thought-out ways of working.
I find instant inspiration from looking at the work of others – this does give me motivation.
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