Hands evaluation

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Olivia Grain
16th October 2015                                                            Evaluation


Throughout this  project I have used Visual language in my Glossary pages and workshop outcomes by  including the keyword and definition of the 7 elements and 7 principles of art and design to create each piece of art (glossary page)  in a different way. I have also done this  for another 6 keywords given to me by my instructors from each different workshop, which includes; photography, ceramics, textiles, 3D and print making. All together I have created 20 glossary pages and 29 pages in my sketchbook using experimental application of different medias such as, Acrylic paint, Puff binder, Procion dye, Inks, coloured pencils, pens and even Photoshop. Everything I have done or created throughout this project has been blogged about on my blog page; oliviagrainsart.blogspot.com

I have found the experience of making my glossary very uplifting and educational, as learning about these terminologies has helped broaden my vocabulary. However, at times I could find it stressful, as I would find my self doing my art work most hours of everyday, and as it was my first project I didn't know what to expect, but it showed me that I can do it, even if I find it a little hard and the beginning. Despite this I enjoyed doing this project a lot, as it allowed me to show my tutor and instructors what I'm capable of.

I did a lot of research throughout the project such as, Primary research; taking photographs from my own observations and producing sketches/ drawings of them. Secondary research; creating Pinterest boards and finding images on the internet to help give me ideas on what I could create in my project. Artist research; researching artists such as Jasper Johns, Kathe Kollwitz and re creating some of their art pieces in the same materials they had used, and finding out what influenced and encouraged them with their career. My research has been quite effective and useful for my practical studies, as it gave me insight of what being an artist is about, and helped give me ideas for my project. To improve my research skills I would try and find more artist research from books, instead of just online, as books may be more accurate and could include something that isn't included on the internet.

During my time in workshops I have learnt many new skills, techniques and processes such as, In Textiles, i have learnt how to screen print using either Procion dye or Puff binder, a technique  used to print an image on different materials, by applying dye at the top of a screen, which  when rolled down the screen using a Squeegee prints the Image onto the material on the other side. In print making, I have learnt how to lino print, a process which consists of carving out an image onto lino, rolling ink out evenly onto the lino print with a piece of material over the top, whether it be paper or card and placing it through a machine, which rolls over it and when it comes out the other side the image had been mirror printed onto the material. In Ceramics, I have learnt how to use clay properly to produce a piece of art, which is more of a skill than a technique. In 3D, I've learnt how to create something to look like something else, which is known as abstract. However I found this the most difficult out of all the workshops to do, as I didn’t know how create something that didn’t look realistic. Also, in photography I learnt how to take professional photos, by adjusting lighting and settings, such as ISO.
Most of my workshop outcomes came out quite well such as my photography photos, as they looked quite professional and my ceramics work, which I really enjoyed, however I think this could have turned out a lot better if I had used a carving tool to include more detail. I don't think that my 3D work came out as good as I'd hoped as, they were quite simple and didn’t look very complicated, even though I found it very complicated.

Overall, I think that my portfolio is very effective as it shows both my strengths and weaknesses. I believe that I put all my effort into creating this portfolio and worked to the best of my abilities. The only thing I wish I could improve is my 3D outcomes, as this was my weakest point. This is what I would do differently if I had the chance, to try and push myself harder into making  something more artistic and creative. My definition of creativity Is something that is unique and different, something that no one has ever thought of before. I have learnt that creativity means having fun with what you are doing, and that anything can be art.

I found it both easy and difficult to work independently on this project, as it gave me freedom to do what I like, however I also found it a little difficult as there is only so much you can do with hands, and I began to run out of ideas towards the end of the
project.

I managed my time for this project quite well, as I set targets throughout each day of what I was going to start and what I was going to complete. I enjoyed creating my glossary most of all as this was my strongest point, and because drawing Is what I enjoy doing the most.

This is everything I have completed throughout this project: