Trepidation and excitement

I find myself at the start of a new chapter in my book of creative learning. My experience of OCA Drawing 1 was incredible . Being my first experience of formal art study it was therefore a roller-coaster journey of emotions: self doubt; adventure; slog and great reward. Most of all the sense of achievement and deepened understanding has brought me hungry to the start of Painting 1.

During Drawing 1 I realised that for me, inspiration does not land on my page like a bolt from the blue. Yes, I discovered that I actually had to work hard and spend regular time reflecting. The problem was how to do this effectively in a busy world. I found my answer in the quiet and beauty of dog walks. This has become my natural contemplation space to take on board new information, rehearse technique ( in my head ) and absorb the influence of nature into my creative process.

I would like to explain what I mean by ‘rehearsing in my head’ .Today see me thinking about how I can observe the principles of Part 1 Painting in the world around me. Cloud formations in the sky remind me of mixing white into a tonal blue wash to make an opaque colour mix. Sunsets are overlay washes. Reflections in the water and paths fading into a wood are tonal studies on coloured grounds. I pass a tree silhouetted in the dusk and think of my brush strokes as I paint in negative spaces. Literally it all comes to life and I can practice in my mind how to achieve these effects. This is affirming and exciting. Throughout my work in this course I feel inspired to continue using the outdoors to illustrate techniques in my Coursework and form the basis of ideas in Research and reflection.