Experimentation - 50 Postcard Images...

Now being within the 'experimentation phase' of our minor project, practising applying variations of medias, materials and techniques is crucial where developing new potential ideas and thought processes - because of this, my class and I were assigned an experimentation exercise which entailed gathering 50 postcard-size pieces of card and arranging them into a grid onto a large surface, such as the floor or a wall. The aim of this exercise was to randomly choose one of the pieces of card, gradually adding different drawings, sketches, texts and colours to each of them, continuously adding different layers each time - and not chronologically. The benefit of this exercise was to gain practice working in a non-linear way, as well as aiding development, analysis, evaluation and research.

Below are the images I produced throughout this exercise. I aimed to take advantage of the different mediums I had access to, which included; graphite pencils, coloured pencils, biro pen, both coloured and black fine-liner pens, markers, oil pastels and watercolour paints. A main technique I focused on was the layering - a lot of my first interactions with the different pieces of card was using a coloured medium to create almost a background to some drawings - not focusing on how the image could potentially turn out in the end. Having applied multiple different colours to different pieces of card, I would progressively revisit each of them over the week. As can be seen within the images, I would either revisit some to add further different colours, or to perhaps add some minor detail using a black or coloured fine-liner pen. A second method I focused on briefly was producing some rough, looser sketches with my eyes closed. A third and probably the most apparent method within my images is single line drawings. As mentioned, I found it effective to use markers, watercolour and even oil pastels as my first medium to create a background and from here I would revisit - a similar but contrastingly interesting approach I took was to produce a line-drawing using a marker and to later revisit it, applying the exact same method and similar lines but with a fine-liner line drawing over the top. For me, this was probably my favourite method in terms of developing interest and creative detail, but in a loose and intriguing way. A further method to which I felt was highly visually effective was the simplicity of a black line drawing in contrast to the looseness of multiple colours also on the grid - however, it was this that was a preventative method where aiming to gradually add to each piece of card. (See to the bottom)

Contrastingly, methods and materials I didn't take so much of a liking to was using different layers of coloured pencil and oil pastel - attempting to add fine-liner on the top of an oil pastel sketch was evidently unsuccessful. The contents within each of the images were inspired by a combination of plants I had seen, food I had eaten and some secondary images from online. With my project currently focusing around the topic of biophilia, I wanted to explore and include different options throughout my images, whilst also ensuring I kept it relevant.

Overall, I found this exercise really helpful and beneficial where regarding experimentation - I am pleased to have been reminded of various medias and the ways I should, or shouldnt combine them. I would have liked to have added more detail to some of the images within the week time-frame we were provided - I will therefore most likely revisit this set of images at a later stage to develop them further.