This has been a long old module, during this time i don't think I've really developed a whole load of new practical skills as such (my reading skills or book love definitely hasn't improved) .I've just been doing a small selected number of techniques and doing them over and over until I've become more competent and confident at using them. Namely the screen-printing process, start to finish, unaided. The was always something i wanted to become familiar with and start using regularly in my production practice, since before i started the degree, so I'm happy that've got to the point where i can using the screen print facilities under my own stream and produce work to a good standard. Theres been a lot of frustrating times getting to that point but, I've come out of it wit another skill under my belt, and eager to do more in the future, providing I'm able to carry on making enough work to be able to print it. Developing my compositions to their fullest before attempting to make the final draft is ale something I've also learnt to appreciate and work on.Lots of scamp making has been the key, although not a new skill i have found myself doing it more naturally, and have been enjoying drawing the same thing over and over over a bit more than last year. My work has definitely seen the benefits of this, i feel.
On the digital side, After Effects has been a real eye-opener, although i haven't allowed myself as much time to get fully acquainted with it as i would've of liked. The options on there are are pretty endless, which is a danger for someone like me who doesn't always make a plan of action and can't make a decision to save his life, but being able to bring my drawings to life (on an albeit basic level) is something thats really excited me in this module, more so than the actual illustration side of it at times.I found myself having to reign it in with my animated sting, as there was so much i want to do with it. but against time and skill restrictions i thought it best to not over complicate things. I do hope to get a chance to carry on using AE for future work, or to use it as much as possible with any personal work as i'd like to improve a whole lot more,as i could see myself moving into this sort of direction, as far as my work production or even career beyond uni goes.
I'm still striving to make work that's as clean & clinical as i make on screen, but i think I've simplifying the work i make on screen to facilitate possible analogue printed methods. Having a restriction on colour pallets has helped my development also, and its a challenge i enjoy - to find creative ways to get around only being able to use 2 colours. At the same time i look back and think i might've like to have pursued the hand drawn aesthetic that i originally came into this brief with, and was going to take to the final print stage before having a major rethink about my overall composition appearance. I guess it shows i can be quite flexible between analogue or digital looking work, but having the option of both often gave me headaches in making a choice.
I did find motivation a bit of a struggle after a month or so of working on the same project day after day - made even harder by the fact that wasn't producing a whole lot that was exciting me.The whole author subject matter was probably a part of this, as authors,stories & reading books just aren't my 'thing'.I found my enthusiasm came back with a few weeks left until deadline day. It just felt like things were coming together, i was getting to make the final pieces, so i could see the fruits of my labor after months of staring at rubbish tests and roughs.I seem to spring into action really late in the day, maybe there was just too much time given to me for this project to think about everything in the world.
Over thinking is my biggest weakness, still. Not that i should be not thinking about how to execute my work, but maybe try not to think about every single possible outcome so much and how it would look, or if people will get it, or like, or weather i like or what it could be used for, or if it would sell etc etc… Initially my sketchbook would be a 'bit' more experimental with different mediums, and a lot more colourful - but getting to the point where i knew how i was going to make my images i didn't need to spend time trying out various inks or paints or colours, and more or less all my sketchbook would be pencil scamps. Not that it needs to look bright and interesting for anyone, as its just development, but seeing some of my peers sketchbook work make me think that maybe i could've tried more stuff out before settling on the production process that i chose?
So going forward from this, i'd say think less is what i need to be doing, i think.
