3D Blocks- Image Plans

I have decided to use the chalk drawings from my etching plans as source material for the blocks. The etchings will, when the blocks are assembled, be smaller parts of a whole, so do not require too much thinking about. While this is true, the chalk drawings I have created are all following the same flow, having the same subject matter with a few variations. I believe all the different styles and subjects of the drawings will add an immersive element to the blocks, giving any viewers a chance to discover new drawings depending on the angle they look at the piece from. The various drawings, when collated and etched all onto the same medium, will form a narrative with no particular order or sense, but will hopefully appear to be part of a cohesive whole.

White Line Drawings

These are a couple of the etching plans I created, which I thought would really work well as pieces on their own, reminding me of the appearance of etched plates used to print in old books. I want to frame them in simple black frames, so as not to take away from the images.

I enhanced the flash glare on this image on purpose, as I thought the reflective appearance of the black background appeared to be similar to that of metal.

This one I kept as high contrast as possible as I really like the simplicity of the image.

Small Etchings

Using the book of sketches, I have created these etchings. I think they've turned out pretty well, somewhat due to the practice I had doing free hand drawing in my black book. The images look as though they're scenes from book, which was the aim, so I would love to try and print with them next year as I get more into that process.

RESEARCH Paul Noble/ Lyman Tower Sargent

Paul Noble (Mall- 2001-2, left) is an artist who creates massive drawings usually featuring a form or architecture, whether realistic or otherwise. Most famous for his work on designing 'Nobson Newton', a fictional place, rendered in fine graphite lines (much like an architectural drawing), they seem like quite nice places to live. Yet, on closer inspection, one can see darkly funny details and an almost sinister view takes hold.

Lyman Tower Sargent, an American academic, has a many interesting theories on what a 'utopia' actually is. I was originally planning to go more in depth with this idea, but for now, I will continue finishing up my practical. I believe this was bee a good starting point for my project after Christmas (think of this module ending as a pause).

Large Drawing- analysis using tutor notes

This idea Wayne mentioned of a Utopia, created by artists like Paul Noble, has helped me massively in realising why this piece says everything I think it says. It is so evocative of the fantasy idea I have in my head and appears to be its own world with its own culture. This utopian feel coming from the picture, comes mainly from the way I think about my drawings; they are simply places I want to go, unachievable target destinations, I draw them as an escape for myself. 

This also links to the idea of the picture being a text in and as of itself. I do not find it necessary to have this written statement next to my work, like Tolkien's images for his books or Tyukanov's little descriptions, because I get something very personal from it. I think that is how I want it to be for others viewing anything I create.


(Look at Lyman Tower Sargent- the social and political meanings of Utopia...)

Wayne's Tutor Notes

I have struggled with this image of how a fine artist should work and all the ways I don't fit into this idea I have had in my head, but we discussed this in a way I've never thought about before. Wayne suggested I look at the work of Paul Noble (Mall- 2001-02, left), who has said of his work 'town planning as self-portraiture'. Which, as I have touched on, is akin to the way everything I am really goes into my drawings. They do not require a 'text' to go with them, as with much illustration.

1. 1.

   a picture illustrating a book, newspaper, etc.

   "an illustration of a yacht"

   synonyms:

   picture, drawing, sketch, figure, graphic; More
2. 2.

   the action or fact of illustrating something.

   "by way of illustration, I refer to the following case"

   synonyms:

   exemplification, demonstration, showing, instancing;

3. 
   

Jon Baldessari (Stonehenge (With Two Persons) Orange- 2005, left) is someone who, I was told, is very of the idea that anything is a text, and that is how Wayne said he views my work;  I put a lot of myself into it. My work does not have the need for this external source, it is not a comment on anything but myself in a way.

The formative style of my work was also brought up, Piet Mondrain (Composition with Large Red Plane, Yellow, Black, Gray, and Blue- 1921, left), for example, paints extremely abstract geometric lines and colour, which graphically, is how I set up pieces before I begin them. This was also said of Fernand Leger's Workmen (left, below). Where it is abstract or surreal, yet has the form of something real. I have managed to put references to use in explaining the way I work, something I never successfully put into words before. It was a really big thing for me to not be scared of 'Fine Art' and for once be able to turn the language to my advantage.

Olivia Plender (The Masterpiece Part 4- 2005, right) was also mentioned as someone who does not need a 'text', she creates art which appears to be pages from comic books, but does not use words. Linked with Baldessari in this way, she does not need an extra 'text'. My work is similar in this way, yet she uses something 'cool', like the Pulp Fiction (1994) movie, I use something 'warm'. Since Wayne said this I've been trying to figure out what he meant, but I believe it just links back to this idea of a utopia, where the world in Pulp Fiction is anything but.

Sergey Tyukanov- Black Etching (Back up work)

I have some small pieces of acrylic, which Sergey Tyukanov's style reminded me of, simply because of the intricacies and size of the piece, which I would like to etch onto. Using a black book and chalk (a medium I find quite quick and easy to mass produce work in), I have planned out many possibilities for these etchings. (I could also use the images as a source for my 3D blocks).

I then used a white fine liner to sketch out the more detailed plans. This process was extremely useful as I normally work over a drawing when etching (onto glass or transparent perspex etc), but this time do not have the option.