In starting a new OCA module, it's hard to know what to expect. I knew from my last module that things would start quite sedately, but will quickly ramp up. One of the things that was very different for this module was the advent of Research exercises. In my last modules, there was inherent research in completing a lot of the exercises, but it was a very new experience for me to complete research that sometimes would not lead to anything inherently practical. It's been an interesting step-up in gear and is something I hope to improve on through this module.
Luckily, I wasn't starting cold regarding my use and relationship with sketchbooks, so I found the first few exercises useful, but not difficult. I have been aching to make my own sketchbook again for a while and mentioned it in my learning log. My tutor advised me to "start researching into formats, stitching and binding techniques". Since I received my tutor's feedback I have decided to do a dedicated sketchbook for the upcoming Inktober challenge which I have recently completed. To do so I poured through my reference on bookbinding [1] which I haven't done for months. In trying to work out which binding I wanted to do for my Inktober Sketchbook I noticed sections that I hadn't really appreciated before, which covered things like pop-up elements, envelopes and pockets - all things covered during section 1, so I took time to read these properly and see how they could inform the research and exercises that I have done.
My tutor also suggested using gesso on old books, which I thought was a cool idea. I have recently been taking an online course with Sketchbook Skool on watercolour [2]. I have really enjoyed it, especially the sections with Ian Sidaway. Ian does a number of sketchbook tours in the lessons, but one that really stood out for me was one covering his "Codex Ardem". This is where Ian stores all of his swatches, experiments and ephemera from his personal work and workshops alike. I love his experiments and I have been really inspired by how I can think about and apply these ideas with my own books.
"discover things about your individuality by embracing experimentation"
My tutor recommended something similar - taking my preference for separate sketchbooks another step further, creating a space where I can explore materials, colour theory, interactions and combinations. I think this is something that could be a fruitful avenue for me to pursue - I often have a prejudice (not intentionally) about mark-making: it sometimes feels frivolous and not 'serious enough' but perhaps I should just embrace the fun of it!? My tutor mentioned that one will "discover things about your individuality by embracing experimentation".
In writing up my module reflections for Key Steps in Illustration, I have found it very hard to identify my strengths. I am not sure how to resolve this. It goes past self-deprecation. I can see myself getting better, but I find it hard to identify qualities of my work, and conversely then identify the weaker aspects. So I feel a bit lost, not knowing what to do more of, and what to pay attention to. That's why I appreciated the very specific feedback from my tutor, who mentioned my "ability to capture a strong sense of place". This made me felt great - not because of praise but recognition, it felt like it allowed me to notice that aspect of my work.
My tutor also prompted me to think about the "future" points I made when researching ideas for the Everyday, and make them an actual checklist to act on. I think it might be useful to make a poster of these points as a big to-do, so I make sure I address them throughout this module. I really appreciated that my tutor spoke about her own sketchbook work. The way she phrased it really stuck with me too - "I find that I only ever really move forward by making big mistakes and working out how to overcome them." (Emphasis my own) Moving forward stood out for me, I am motivated by progression so the idea of making mistakes as a mechanism for improvement stood out. When one researches other artists, it seems hard to find their mistakes - there seems to be an effect of the industry that, in trying to show our best work off to potential commissioners, we hide the mountains of failure that goes into it.
I think it would be more helpful all round if we were all able to throw off those shackles and be proud of showing off these failures. I certainly think that we could all learn more from each other that way.
I really enjoyed making the video sketchbook tour, and it's inspired me to do much more of it - based on my previous comments I think it's my responsibility to show what I am doing, warts and all! I will be trying to do many more videos and I am intrigued to see where this avenue will take me and how it might affect my work.
Golden, A. (2011). Making handmade books. 13th ed. New York: Lark.
Sketchbookskool.com. (2019). Sketchbook Skool | Kourses | Watercolor Rules!—and how to break them. [online] Available at: https://sketchbookskool.com/kourses/watercolor-rules. Images are screenshots taken under educational fair-use licence.
Comentarios