Week 4

MONDAY

On Monday, we were introduced to fashion illustrations. We began our day completing research. This involved looking online, as well as going through books in the library, exploring different styles of fashion illustration. The afternoon, than consisted of each of us taking it in turns to pose while the rest of the class completed a fashion illustration. With each illustration, our tutor explained it was important to try different techniques, whether this be; not looking at the page while drawing, using more than one media, drawing the pattern of the models clothes then drawing the figure over the top, using two pens or pencils at the same time, as well as many more. This was to give us variety to choose from when it came to developing our own style of fashion illustrations. We were told the quicker we developed our own style the better, so I think we were all grateful for the amount of techniques, and time we spent on the topic.

I found the whole day both enjoyable and beneficial. I came to Ravensbourne from a fine art a-level, so drawing and illustration is definitely where I feel most at home. I appreciated being shown so many different ways, I felt like then I had more than enough options to display my illustrations. Although the idea of drawing out any illustration without looking at the page makes me feel sick! I am such a perfectionist, and while I understand that not everything has to be perfect, and this technique is a great way to coordinate your eyes and hands, it's really not for me and I hate the way my drawings come out from it. However I can see myself using or trying all the other techniques in the future, especially using two different colours, or two different medias. 

WEDNESDAY

While we were having our tutorials last week, our tutor believed some of us were still unclear of how to develop our projects further. Keeping this in mind, it was decided we would spend the remained of the week collecting a total of 3 different tasks, all of which should inspire us and help us carry out our projects.

The tasks included:

TASK1 - developing our mind maps further. Including how the images make us feel. Finding links and developments from the words we have already listed.

TASK 2 - Picking three words from our mind maps. From these three words, find; colours, images, concepts and shapes that we associate with them. 

TASK 3 - Picking one concept and developing it further in our sketchbooks.

The layout to our sketchbooks now, is very similar to the layout of my sketchbook at a-level, so to be honest, I did not feel leading up to this point that I was struggling that much with the project, or developing it, but you can never have too much help. 

The day did offer us time to work in our sketchbooks, which is not always easy to do at home, and what was even more helpful, was while working in our books we had 2 tutors right there along side of us, continuously asking us to explain our ideas, giving us tips and opinions on where we should go from here, as well as communicating what they felt worked well in our books and what did not. The only thing I could comment on that I did not enjoy about the day, was that since I already had an idea of where I wanted to take my project, some of the task did not help me, or could not be linked in with the work I had already done. Having said that, I completely understand why those tasks were set for us.

FRIDAY

Having had Wednesday to collect our research, Friday was about bringing it all together. We had to make sure we had completed the 3 tasks which were set, and present our findings in our sketchbooks. Keeping in mind our projects, the layout and composition of our work.

I found it helpful to do this is class, because we could ask our tutors for their opinions or advice if need be.

Our homework was then to carry on with what we had been doing, which was easy, since we had had 2 days of practice.

SATURDAY

While obviously going to the exhibitions and completing the work our tutors set is important, as students, and young adults, we need to be more independent. Keeping that in mind I travelled to the Strand in London on Saturday, to attend the Louis Vuitton Series 3 exhibition. 

While there was nothing there that would benefit, or add to my personal project 'Patterns in Nature', there was plenty there that would benefit me in terms of the course itself. 

We were allowed to get up close and personal to the; clothing, shoes, bags and accessories, we meant I could inspect every fastening, collar, cuff, button, stitch work, and everything else I had been told to look for in the 2D design workshop. This inspiration and influence will come in handy when I am designing.