Part Two: Close to Home – Assignment Criteria and Reflection

Demonstration of Technical and Visual Skills (35%)

• Materials: I rather enjoyed learning about priming surfaces to strengthen them before painting on them and found this rather useful to do, however, I found it to be a rather messy process and one which required quite a lot of time and space to do on a large scale as to do it as and when each page were needed would be far too time-consuming an exercise. I think creating several prepared sheets at once helped speed up the remainder of this part of the course for me.
• Techniques: I feel I have taken my tutor’s recommendations from the previous part on board and as a result, I have managed to create some rather different and freer marks than those in the previous part. At first, I was slightly reluctant to loosen up, however, I quickly adapted and feel I have created some rather interesting pieces as a result.
• Observational Skills: I feel the exercises in which I explored the relationships between different colours were extremely helpful and I have learned so much as a result. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about colour theory and feel this will be extremely useful going forward.
• Visual Awareness: As with my observational skills, the research into colour theory has really opened my eyes as to all the different colours and layers of colours found naturally and how I can portray these. I have often said that sometimes I feel almost colour-blind in the sense that I can see colours, but cannot always distinguish them or explain their components correctly. I feel now that I am able to see things much clearer and more accurately.
• Design: I feel I have been rather consistent in my design concepts and having a good idea as to what I want to achieve, regardless of whether this develops mid-process or stays true to the original design.
• Compositional Skills: I feel I have expanded in this skill quite a lot from beginning my journey to the present day and even as each stage progresses there is a marked difference which leaves me rather excited as to where my skills will develop to by the end of my learning journey.

Quality of Outcome (20%)

• Content: I feel the content I produce is rather interesting and viewer-friendly and that I have been consistent in this area throughout my journey so far.
• Application of Knowledge:  I really enjoy researching and learning from those who have come before me as to different ways in which people have approached the world of art, and that I have then been able to use this knowledge to help better my own work as a result.
• Presentation of Work in a Coherent Manner: Again, I feel I present my work in a rather professional and coherent way which is easily followed by people in the world of art of all differing levels, capabilities and understanding, whilst also being rather explanatory of my intentions and thoughts.
• Discernment: As I work through the degree process, I am finding I am becoming clearer with every passing assignment as to what is required of me and how best to interpret each exercise to suit my individual needs. I think I have done quite well in this part of the course with finding subject matter which appealed to me in a topic which does not call to me as much as others.
• Conceptualisation of Thoughts: I feel I am able to put my thoughts across clearly and build on them just as well. Whilst the finished piece may not resemble the initial idea, I feel I am able to keep it rather on track and adapt the thought process to suit the natural development of the piece.
• Communication of Ideas: Again, I feel I am able to communicate my ideas well throughout the creation process and to reflect on their success and failure afterwards.

Demonstration of Creativity (25%)

• Imagination: I feel my imagination could be improved to push the boundaries of normality somewhat, however, I feel I delve into the realms of imagination in a way which suits my style of working rather well as I think if I were to go to extremes, I would run the risk of overworking pieces or losing my developing personal voice.
• Experimentation:  I feel each part of this course is allowing me to develop in my painting skill and method each time. Whilst I may not be experimenting with different materials, I am definitely exploring different application techniques and ways of handling and mixing the paint I am working with to suit each piece I create which, in turn, is assisting me in creating a much better understanding of the medium as a whole. I also thoroughly enjoyed the experimentation with the use of colour and feel this will come in extremely useful in the future.
• Invention: Rather similarly to the experimentation aspect, I feel I am constantly trying to invent new ways of working to speed my process up and to create the best outcome possible.
• Research: I believe this area of my course is rather strong naturally due to my inquisitive nature and love for the learning process and understanding of how things work and why. I feel I simply improve in this area the more I continue.
• Critical Thinking (Learning Logs): I feel the work I create in my learning logs is also naturally progressing due to my ever-developing understanding of what is required of me as well as my own fluency with regard to terminology used, for example.