2.1 ART MAKING EXERCISE: WHAT DO I LIKE?
In this exercise we are going to create a number of art works quickly one after each other. This exercise will help us think more clearly about what we like in our own work and how we can develop a process to do more of the things we enjoy and like. The aim is to be exploratory and better understand our own artistic sensibilities. We are going to be playful and curious and create in lots of different ways.
MATERIALS
Gather together a small collection of art materials, I have used:
A pencil
A black pen
Ink or black paint and brush
Loose paper sheets x 8 ( A5 cartridge paper)
Scissors and glue stick
We are starting on loose paper and will collect it in our sketchbooks afterwards. Working on loose paper allows us to work at speed on different pages and not have to wait for things to dry, it is also lowers the stakes and may be easier than starting directly in your sketchbook.
PICK AN OBJECT
Walk around your home and select an object or two that you would like to explore in your sketchbook. We will be working on loose paper and will be making numerous different responses to the object. In selecting your object you want to be thoughtful, but not laboured, don’t over think it. The subject matter we chose is part of our artistic sensibility, so we want to be considered, but not so much that the search for our ‘perfect’ object prevents us from starting.
WRITE ABOUT YOUR OBJECT
Before we start we are going to spend a few minutes writing. Hold your object, look at it intently, examine it, feel it, get fascinated by it, explore it with your fingers…. We want to try and unpack a little bit about why we chose it. So we’re going to write down a few words about it. Don’t skip this bit, it’s an important step in helping us to consider the aspects of the object we think are important.
CREATE EIGHT DIFFERENT RESPONSES TO YOUR OBJECT
So we’re going to work quickly. We are not going to create masterpieces we are going to create a lot of quick interpretations of our object and after each attempt we’re going to ask ourselves what we liked about what we created and let that inform our next creation. Review each artwork after you have made it and positively state what you would like to bring into your next creation. Follow the clues of what you like and what you enjoyed doing. Watch the video above for a demonstration.
A FEW PROMPTS
If you are finding it difficult to come up with your own starting point you could use one of these prompts:
Don’t look at your drawing - only look at your object
Really look at your object then close your eyes and draw it
Draw or paint the space around your object
Draw the most interesting aspect of your object
Complete a timed sketch (only give yourself one minute, or five minutes)
Draw with your non dominant hand
Once you have finished your first piece. Answer the following questions:
What do I like about what I’ve created?
What did I enjoy about the process or object?
What would I like to do more of?
Let your answers inform your next creation and keep repeating this process until you have created all 8 pieces.
CAPTURE AND CURATE IN YOUR SKETCHBOOK
Once you have completed this exercise, make sure you capture and curate the results in your sketchbook. I often create outside of the pages of my sketchbook, but I always ensure I capture the results in my sketchbook. It’s like a filing cabinet of ideas and experiments.
