Monday 16 January 2012

My Cup of Tea?

I started the Creative Sketchbook course with the Kemshalls in September and apart from a little flurry of activity  I have not really got to grips with it.


My fault entirely, as it is a well written and well constructed course... but somehow the motivation has been lacking and I always seem to be able to find something else more pressing that I need to do


And of course, the longer I leave it between sessions the more difficult it becomes to return to the sketchbook and it almost feels like starting all over again.


Which is puzzling because I thought by actually taking a course it would give me the motivation I need to keep working in a sketchbook on a regular basis.


I think part of the problem for me has been that I tend to use sketchbooks for research into subjects that interest me, things that might provide the background for future work, whereas this has been drawing for the sake of drawing (Which of course, was exactly what I wanted to do!)


But today I've spent a couple of hours just playing, working into different pages and I've had a really enjoyable afternoon. So I've decided I've really got to stick at it and with just half an hour a day, I may even finish Module 1 by the end of this month. Keep nagging me!

21 comments:

  1. Brilliant! Great to see your sketches and it's so useful to keep up the skill. I like the way you've gone into design mode after the first 3 sketches, that's what I need to do

    I've been making a habit of sketching every day since April last year but all the sketches are one off, I think i need to start developing them next, it really is relaxing once you get into it, even if it's hard to get going.

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  2. Your drawings and sketches are wonderful Gina. Teacups have such a lovely shape. I love the shaded drawings and the patterns made by the overlapping cups. Keep up the good work - nag! nag!!

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  3. Wonderful drawings! I have been quite tempted by their courses recently, but opted for Design Matters Tv instead- it is fantastic!!! Just wish there were more hours in the day!

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  4. wish I could draw like you Gina - these are fab!

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  5. Great stuff Gina - "encourage, encourage". I'm sure you'll continue to get a lot out of the course. Love your stack of cups. A lot of the subject matter has not been my first choice, but it's good to get out of my comfort zone. It has certainly brought a plethora of new techniques.

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  6. Keep up the good work. I've had the same problem with the Creative Quiltmaking - well written course but struggling with ideas that I don't want to use. I shall plod on and so should you when you produce results like this.

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  7. What a great start Gina, the teacups have such a pleasing shape.
    twiggy x

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  8. I think the majority of people who work with distance learning go through these 'brickwall' stages, I know I did with the course I did. I think it's our 'negative voice' that picks away at us and makes it hard to keep working.

    Your drawings are successful despite not wanting to do them (or are these the play drawings?) and I think it's a good idea to chip away at it a little at a time, half an hour each day is good (are you listening Julie?). If only we could remember to call all 'work' play :-)

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  9. Your drawings and sketches are great and I'm sure you will finish module 1 by the end of the month...won't you!

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  10. Gina, as always, I do like your thoughts and words, and think that your drawings are very fine! You know I do love the tea cut image, and think that it's got unlimited possibilities.

    xo

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  11. I love that first stacked cup one - it really works for me. I know what you mean about drawing for drawing's sake. I keep thinking I ought to draw more. I used to do it such a lot, but nowadays I seem to not do it in a sketchbook but on the computer. I now have this nagging feeling that I may not return to paper and somehow that doesn't feel right either.........

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  12. I got so much out of this course Gina - I would like it going on in the background all the time. It forced me to look at things with different eyes. Alas it had to come to an end and I miss it.Stick with it and suddenly it will grab you.

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  13. Looks to me like you've come to grips with it.

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  14. I remember being bored one day and not knowing what to draw, and my Dad told me to draw a teaspoon. He even got one out of the drawer and put it down in front of me. I just couldn't do it, it was even more boring than being bored in the first place! So I can sympathise! These sketches are really good though - just keep chipping away and you'll soon have a very fine collection of work to be proud of.

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  15. They look great - and the top one reminds me of a print, so maybe you trying printing teacups next. Nag over x

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  16. Nag, nag, get on with it,nag, nag, nag, pull your finger out, nag, nag, nag, draw every day, nag, nag, nag, stop dragging your feet, nag, nag, nag.... too much nagging? Sorry chum, but you did ask......

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  17. Oh those sketches are lovely - you must finish them for the end of the month.

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  18. I think your work is lovely Gina! I'm currently struggling on the OCA Textiles 1 course - again, distance learning and I find it hard to get motivation. I wish I had done the Kemshalls' sketchbook course instead but had better plough on I suppose. Meanwhile thank you for the inspiration!

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  19. I always enjoy your sketchbook pages as I do so little myself!It's good to just play sometimes with no particular end in mind.

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  20. Dear Gina,
    I keep promising myself that I'll keep a proper sketchbook one day but I never seem to find the time. I use one but so sporadically...
    Bravo for taking the time to play. I hope all is well.
    Best wishes!

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