week 3- keep it, Take it, dump it…
For this week we will now look at the work that inspires us, as well as our own creations. We'll start to choose the right puzzle pieces that will help us develop our style further.
This week will demand a bit more time, as the last task will also involve you getting back to the drawing table (if you hadn’t done so already!). So get ready to bring some fire!
Before we begin, I just want to say that it is very important not to get into a negative mindset during this part of the process. Your inner critic might come crawling out when you place your work next to that of your hero’s. So, imagine a bottle where you can put those nasty thoughts, and push it to a corner for a while.
"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep" —Scott Adams
ZOOM Session - 13 October
Assignment 3
Week 3 has 4 tasks, and since I feel the 4th task can be quite extensive, so take your time to explore new materials!
Task 1 - My work (baby unicorns)
We are starting this week with analysing our own work. I’d like you to choose 3 of your own pieces that you really like (not what you think is good, I want you to feel happy when you see your work, even if you know it misses something).
Question 1: Why did you choose this piece? How does it make you feel?
Question 2: Can you describe your piece? What are we looking at? What materials did you use?
Question 3: What parts do you think are strong? (concept, colour choice, story behind, perspective, etc)
Before we continue, it is important to enter a new mind set. We are not looking for things "we do wrong" but we want to know how we can find our personality and voice in our work. In other words make it even more interesting.
When our inner critic shows up, a common insecurity is to think: "Is this good enough?"
This question already sets us in negative a position, since there is also no clear measure of what is "good enough"; and for whom exactly?
This is why I would like to invite you to change this question, when your inner critic arrives, into:
"Am I being creative enough?"
The answer to this new question, will let you see your work as an evolving matter and give you space to improve from a positive perspective, instead of constraining you between "good and bad".
Question 4: Where/How could I be more creative with this piece?
Task 2 - My hero’s (guiding stars)
We now go back to the mood-board, choose your 3 favourite pieces. We will now analyse them, so we can learn from our hero’s and understand their style.
This exercise is again descriptive; please refrain from comparing yourself just yet.
So choose one to start with and answer the following questions:
Questions 1: What do you see? Describe the way the artwork looks. How does the artists employ form, colour and composition (to name a few).
Question 2: What is the subject matter?
Question 3: How does it make you feel?
Question 4: What materials were used? Examine the way the artists uses his chosen medium or technique.
Question 5: Their voice: Is there a story, philosophy or aim behind the artwork?
task 3- steal like an artist
Let's start by saying: nothing is original! We build on what has already been done before - and that's ok!
Our aim will be to "steal like an artist" as Austin Kleaton says - this means we are not imitating, we are collecting ideas and transforming them.
So let's choose one of our own favourite artworks from Task 1, and we will call this a baby unicorn.
Next, choose an artwork by one of your hero's. We will call this one a guiding star.
The next part is one of my favourite “games” - Keep it, Take it, dump it.
You can find the steps in the PDF handout!
Task 4 - Sharpening our tools - take your time to explore!
Finally we get to draw! Phew, I know that for a minute there you thought this was all boring theory!
Let's test our findings:
Step 1: Decide on something simple you like to draw or take an old drawing of yours.
Step 2: Select the methods you like most from your guiding star(s) - basen on the "take it" column.
Step 3: Draw your chosen subject 4 times, trying out different techniques/approaches.
Remember: maybe this is the first time using a specific technique, so the result won't be flabbergasting, but it is about discovering what a tool has to offer, does it bring us closer to the look we want?
Download the presentation of week 3
We’re half way through!
That’s week 3 for you!
Fill in the form and let me know how this part of the journey went!
Please send before the call on Wednesday the 13th.