Liberty Blackley

I have explored pattern by taking some of my initial drawings and experimented using photoshop to do a repeated pattern as well as using collage to combine images. In two of my patterns I experimented with paper weaving, I combined by initial drawings to create a pattern. I have explored shape and made abstract patterns by collaging shape. I enjoyed the collaging technique more so than creating my patterns digitally as I am more familiar with this however I wanted to experiment with the Photoshop skills taught in our IT workshops and challenge myself. I will explore this further with future projects and I’m sure I will gain more confidence with this practice the more I do it. Overall I am happy with my ‘Talking Patterns’ outcomes as I feel I have explored a range of different ways to create pattern and will definitely use these for future projects to explore colour and texture.

For this project I decided to go to Columbia Road Flower market. When deciding where to go I was really stuck as London has so much colour wherever you go. However as the focus of this project was to draw colour I wanted to go somewhere I could gain inspiration from shape also, and flowers have some really unique shapes. I really enjoyed drawing the flowers and my surroundings including the busy crowds of people however I found it challenging to draw whilst I was there instead of drawing from a photograph, mainly because it was very busy so it was hard to focus on something for a good amount of time and also because it’s not something I’m used to. However some of the more simple drawings I didn’t take too much time on in comparison to the ones I drew from my photos are some of my favourite ones. This has inspired me to do more initial drawings for my future projects.

In my drawings I experimented with a range of mediums including water colours, soft pastels, chalk pencils and pens. I also explored colour by using different coloured surfaces to draw on; coloured paper, tracing paper and coloured tissue paper. In some of my drawings I focused on creating texture within the petals and leaves of the flowers by the amount of pressure I used with my tools. I found I had to zoom in to one particular area on many of the flower stools as there were so many colours in one space. Although I am pleased with my drawings, I wish I had explored more of the surroundings of Columbia Road rather than focus so much on the flowers; looking back at the photographs I took, there are also many colours within the shops, blue skies and peoples clothing. 

Overall this task has inspired me to come out of my comfort zone and draw when I see something inspiring rather than take a photo, I enjoyed working with bright and vibrant colours with mixed media especially coloured chalk to create texture and will explore this further with my future projects.