Sketch book reflection (500 words)

Visual

I would say that my sketch book is visually pleasing. In my sketch book so far I have decided to write in ink to mimic Gaskell, also using a sketch book with slightly discoloured paper, to reflect the pollution in the Victorian era. This was also useful for me as I have a huge fear of bright white paper; I am always terrified about how I am going to fill it. I started my sketch book with a mind map of Elizabeth Gaskell so it is clear who my project is on, however from looking at other peoples sketch books I realised I should have not just used facts about her but colours, textures and places that represent her. These elements are really lacking in my sketchbook. I feel I have focused too much on the research side trying to investigate Gaskell and have not supported my facts visually enough especially with textiles. I found it incredibly useful looking at my peers work because I realised how much my sketch book was lacking in flow.

Content

I have not included a lot of my research in my sketch book as I have been reflecting on it in my blog and notebook I carry around with me. However, I can’t have a sketch book with very little writing in it. This will affect the flow and how I can move further and develop my ideas. In addition, I need to link it more heavily to the workshops I have done (Digital image making and Hand processing). Observational drawing is hard for me because my subject was around in the 19th century. However I have got a huge amount from her house in Plymouth Grove and the letters Charles Dickens wrote to her. These are my main sources that I can use for a colour palette and textures. My next development is going to be using letters in a textiles based way using stamps, wax, ink and envelops and manipulating these materials with fabrics and experimenting.

Context

One of the most interesting parts of this project has been the research/investigation into these objects, people and places. It is not that I have not done so on other projects but that I feel I need to seek out as much information on Gaskell as possible. One fact that I have increasingly found interesting is the life of her brother John who mysteriously went missing on a voyage to India. I still need to continue with my historical research and discover as much information as possible because that is one of the major aspects of the project, investigating your title as if you were a detective. One huge element that I lack in my sketch book is connections to others artist and textiles designers or even writers. This would not only further my research but also inform my whole project as looking at different techniques and skills is so useful. I definitely have a clear idea of how I can further and improve not just my sketchbook but my project as well.

Example of other people sketch book pages that I really admired