I last did any meaningful art in 1996. I got a B in my GCSE Art & Design. My portfolio had many interesting and accomplished pieces, but hardly any filled sketchbooks. I had loved art but found the process of developing ideas outside of my head to be almost impossible.
Fast-forward 22 years. And I had started to realise that I didn't have the fulfilment in my life that I needed. At the start of 2018, I decided I wanted to change my career. I didn't know where to start, but I knew that whatever choice I made, I would need to show something about my work. So I started a sketchbook, the one thing I was unable to use successfully as a teenager.
By the end of the year, I had committed to starting my degree pathway with the OCA. I didn't know what to expect when starting Key Steps in Illustration. The module started off easy enough, I felt enthused and confident. But the sections increased in complexity and difficulty.
Throughout the module, the one thing I have found essential has been the support from my tutor. With each report that I received, I found something to work on. I did my best to address the points made. Sometimes this was difficult and pushed me far past my comfort zone. But I really do think the effort paid off. The more improvements I made, the more I grew in confidence.
One area I have noted about my progression has been my relationship with sketchbooks. When I got to the end of the module, I honestly thought that my relationship was the same as when I was 16. As I collated my sketchbooks for assessment, I got the chance to revisit them as I added in tabs and loose sketches. It was then that I started to see just how far I had come. I am extremely proud of where I am now.
My progress seems to increase at pace. I have found myself spending more and more time working at my studies for the joy of it, replacing games and tv with art. This is a huge change for me, and I really want to keep that momentum moving forward.
One of the biggest challenges I have faced has been striking the balance between traditional and digital work. Digital work gives me an immediacy of colour and texture that is extremely attractive. On the other hand, I get frustrated that I can't 'paint' as well as I want to in digital formats. I have come to realise that whether you are working digitally or traditionally, you need to have good skills. I want to work more traditionally. To learn essential skills so that they become second nature. In time I hope they will bleed through to digital work.
I have built a voracious appetite for books, and I don't see this stopping any time soon! But one thing I try to remind myself of is to not forget to put things into practice! My confidence has led to me even taking my first commission, which was a wonderful experience. I am trying to embrace my identity as an illustrator and visual communicator. It's had a big effect on my self-confidence which I want to continue.
I feel like I have been in a rush to become this new version of me. As I continue my studies, I think I would like to concentrate more on enjoying the journey. To remind me that sometimes taking your time is the path to greater success. I'm still having trouble in identifying exactly where my strengths lie, but I am ok with that. To discover one's voice should be an adventure. And the best adventures are those where you don't know the destination.
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