Drawing as Process

Our next project looked at drawing as a process and how everyday objects can become starting points for making work.  

We experimented with different ways of observing and drawing objects, looking at shape, detail, pattern and repetition.
The project was about looking more closely and discovering how something ordinary could become much more interesting through drawing.

RESEARCH & PLANNING

Before the workshop, I did some initial planning around the different drawing rules. I experimented in my sketchbook with how I could combine two rules for each object and made small drawings to help me think through the possibilities.

EXPERIMENTATION & DEVELOPMENT

Continuous line + occupy 80% of the paper
Horizontal lines only

Two objects, connect with two edges
Dots or spots
Details only
Two objects

Two objects
Dots or spots
Continuous line
Details only + occupy 80% of the paper

Horizontal + vertical lines only
Broken lines

What did I enjoy? 

It was interesting to see how everyone approached drawing i.e. people had very different styles, skills and choices of materials, showing that there is no single way to draw something.

What did I find challenging? 

Drawing does not come naturally to me, mainly because I have not had enough practice. Drawing directly from real objects in 3D was particularly challenging. I can copy a drawing quite easily, but doing it live onto paper with something in front of me felt different.

I also did not always follow the constraint of applying two rules too focused on trying to produce a drawing I was happy with.

Looking back, I think I became too focused on the result rather than the purpose of the exercise. The constraints were there to make me experiment, but I sometimes slipped back into trying to make a drawing I liked.

OUTCOME

There was not one final outcome for this project but a set of drawings, showing the different ways the same everyday objects could change depending on the rules, materials and way I approached them.

REFLECTION

The process made me realise that I need to trust myself more and worry less about whether the drawing is going to be good. 
Working with different techniques and constraints demonstrated that I could still produce something. 
I think with more practice I would probably become less cautious and enjoy the experimentation more.

Are there materials / techniques / processes / approaches from the project that you would like to investigate further? 

I would like to become more confident with drawing generally and be a bit more fearless with materials. I should really experiment more with charcoal and create bolder and more visually striking work than the pencil drawings I tend to fall back on.

What would I do differently if I had to do the project again? 

I would be bolder and worry less about getting the drawing right. I think I was too cautious, particularly because we were drawing live. Next time I would try to work more freely and accept that not every drawing needs to be successful. 

Did I document the work in progress and / or once complete? 

I did some pre investigation about the workshop and documented the finished drawings, but not enough of the work in progress. I was too preoccupied with trying to get the drawings to a level I was happy with. Next time I would make a conscious effort to photograph the process as well as the finished work.