Research & ReflectionLeave a comment

What Do Today’s Students Get Right And Wrong In How They Take Lecture Notes?

Suzanne Conboy-Hill

A note on notes. I have to remind myself of this periodically, partly because the practice of note-taking at speed and often in cramped conditions ruined my handwriting forever, but also because, in the context of sketch books, I found it hard to see the point. Also, I didn’t want to make a mess of something I liked and might use later as a print or postcard. But this article makes it clear (again) that taking/making notes is a way of organising information and this makes it more memorable. I do think there’s a significant difference though, between taking live … Continue reading What Do Today’s Students Get Right And Wrong In How They Take Lecture Notes?

Project 3Leave a comment

Part 3 project 3 composition

Suzanne Conboy-Hill

This is a landscape project and I’d been considering working a bit more on my Tin Pots Hill piece but the sun came out and water is more attractive, especially down the estuary. I find holding a sketch pad in one hand while standing to draw (and taking a seat and an easel to an outdoor venue isn’t possible) so I take photos to bring back home. In this instance, I found I preferred a panoramic view I’d taken earlier so I ran this through Paintshop Pro to reduce it to grey-scale, then manipulated the contrast for drama. This is … Continue reading Part 3 project 3 composition

Art and artists: building a vocabulary, Research & ReflectionLeave a comment

Paula Rego

Suzanne Conboy-Hill

I was pointed at Rego’s work by my Drawing tutor who seemed to know intuitively the kind of image I’d find interesting. I’d never heard of her but her Dancing Ostriches will stay with me for a long time. [As if it weren’t obvious, the drawing on the left is my attempt at a copy]   From a 2016 BBC article accessed 07/04/19 These dancers are as far from Degas’ delicates as it’s possible to get, and although I have always liked his representations of ballet, they seem wispy and idealised next to Rego’s chunky, muscular, powerhouses of women. Not … Continue reading Paula Rego

Art and artists: building a vocabulary, Research & Reflection1 Comment

Paula Rego

Suzanne Conboy-Hill

I was pointed at Rego’s work by my Drawing tutor who seemed to know intuitively the kind of image I’d find interesting. I’d never heard of her but her Dancing Ostriches will stay with me for a long time. [As if it weren’t obvious, the drawing on the left is my attempt at a copy] These dancers are as far from Degas’ delicates as it’s possible to get, and although I have always liked his representations of ballet, they seem wispy and idealised next to Rego’s chunky, muscular, powerhouses of women. Not that Rego’s women are likely to turn up … Continue reading Paula Rego

Art and artists: building a vocabulary, Research & Reflection3 Comments

Art and artists: building a vocabulary

Suzanne Conboy-Hill

I have no background in art history and, despite an A level and a Foundation year under my belt, no useful knowledge of artists or how to discuss their work. This makes looking at art and commenting on it a dismally unrewarding activity at the best of times, but in an academic context I have nothing but parrot phrases which is no good at all. I’m in art rehab. My tutor is feeding me artists to look at and, critically, a reason to look; the way the edges blend, the spaces between things, the textures and volumes. My job is … Continue reading Art and artists: building a vocabulary

Art and artists: building a vocabulary, Research & Reflection1 Comment

Art and artists: building a vocabulary

Suzanne Conboy-Hill

I have no background in art history and, despite an A level and a Foundation year under my belt, no useful knowledge of artists or how to discuss their work. This makes looking at art and commenting on it a dismally unrewarding activity at the best of times, but in an academic context I have nothing but parrot phrases which is no good at all. I’m in art rehab. My tutor is feeding me artists to look at and, critically, a reason to look; the way the edges blend, the spaces between things, the textures and volumes. My job is … Continue reading Art and artists: building a vocabulary

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Sketch book: tone and Morandi

Suzanne Conboy-Hill

I should number these. Maybe. Anyway. After a tutorial and the advice about practicing tone, I’ve taken to an H grade pencil and a piece of conte. For this first exercise, I’ve made horizontal lines first then gone back and made vertical ones. The top two rows are H grade pencil and the bottom two, black conte. The texture of the paper comes through, which I like. This one is just conte and capitalising on the support as a medium in its own right. The top is an attempt at a graded sweep across the page, and the middle a … Continue reading Sketch book: tone and Morandi