14th- 17th March

Testing digital drawing with a tablet.

This week, I have been writing my proposal for my final major project. Unfortunately, this week was only used to write the proposal so the week has been very slow. However, I have managed to get a head start on my research for the final major project and have decided that I am going to rebrand Weston- Super-Mare by modernising the town's image. I have done some research on Los Vegas as a case study and found out why a city needs its image to be promoted and how comer trends can change the characteristics of a city. I am going to create a logo to represent the town that is going to have a balance between the traditional values as well as suiting today's consumer trends.  I have found that donkey rides are becoming less attractive to consumers, which is one of the features that the town is famous for. In order to attract consumers, I need to put more research into the town's history and present and decide how I could transform the town's image.

This week, I have also finished my last Life Drawing session, which was the best life drawing I have experienced in this course. This life drawing took place in the mac room, and we were taught how to draw with a graphics tablet. I found this difficult at first, however, after practising this technique I found that using a graphics tablet is less restricting than a mouse, and you get use to the idea of not looking at the pen; you get into a rhythm and you pay more attention to the computer screen. However, one restriction I find with this technique is that you are unable to measure the model at a distance and move back away from your work, which makes it harder to get the proportions accurate. On the other hand, it is somewhat easier than drawing physically because you are not afraid of making mistakes because you know you can use the easer and no marks with show. 

As i was getting deeper into the practical, I started to get used to the thickness of my digital brush and changed it to a size 7 in order to create delicate outlines. During my fourth drawing, I was taught how to add tone and colour to my drawing by adding another layer to the drawing and changing the opacity and hardness of the brush (decreasing both of them), and once you are finished with the tones, you merge the image into one layer and change the brush to the 'colour' mode. Once this is achieved, you are able to choose the colours using the colour palette, allowing you to add colour to the shadings; you are unable to add colour to the white areas. I was unable to add any colour to my fourth drawing because I was trying to master my shading in my drawing and time was running out, however, I was more comfortable with my final drawing and was able to add colour towards the end. I think my final drawing is some of my best work and would be pleased to place this into my portfolio; I have been adding personality to the model and made sure that the face was completed in order to make the model feel less like an object, and gain a connection with the audience. I must say that the model did look very uncomfortable, which is why her eyes are closed in the drawing; however, I think capturing this is effective because it brings personality to the drawing.

Photoshop was used along with the graphics tablet because it is efficient editing software that allows me to create as many layers as possible and gives me the opportunity to manipulate my drawings if I need to. One example of this is changing the opacity of my shading because my brush marks were too dark, so i needed to make the shadings more discreet and delicate.

I might consider using this technique again in my final major project, perhaps when I am collecting primary resources from the town; it is as effective as drawing and doesn't involve preparation and you don't have to get your hands dirty; however, I would suggest thing a photo of weston first and then sketching it digitally because Weston is mostly known for its bad weather and I don't want to get my laptop or the college's graphic tablet wet or damaged. I could also do some physical sketch work in my own time in order to demonstrate a set of different skills.

For this final major project, I intend to touch every surface and see how far i can go with this project; I would like finish this course with more than a pass and strengthen my portfolio.

20 minute drawing on Photoshop

I was sure that the starter's project was supposed to be this week, which i was really looking forward to, however, i this it will start next week along with the fine major project. During this week, i have also found that it is easier to research my work while listening to classical music because it is calming and gives me the motivation I need to continue with my work; I have been able to continue with my work without even noticing the time, so i will continue with this method. According to Belle Beth Cooper's article, 'the surprising science behind what music does to our brains', moderate noise levels increase abstract processing and can improve visual attention.

Next, I will start putting research into weston's history and present, and discover what the current attitudes towards weston, which will give me an insight on how i can challenge these attitudes through rebranding.