Sketchbook Evaluation

 I have been focusing on the detailing/shapes rather than colour in my drawings. I started off with small sketches of detailing, gradually making them bigger. To improve my drawings I need to do more variations of close up textures using a range of pencils. I also need to study the photos  carefully looking at light and dark and carry this through to my drawings. At the moment they look slightly flat, so I need to create more depth and tone using more contrast between light and dark.

I feel the information in my sketchbook is laid out clearly and is well organised. I started with research gathered from the mill, narrowing this down to the story of Esther Price, which I found really interesting. I wanted to get more of an insight into her experience which lead to more research on similar stories in films, more photos and drawings. It has led to something that works well and I want to carry on with this idea.

 I think my ideas flow well, one area leading to a new and more exciting area or a different approach (e.g focusing on textures rather than focusing on the figure).

Two statements from peer review were that I have a lot of research and that my knit work links in really well with my project. I think now to improve I need to look at linking my machine embroidery samples to my project as well.

I have a few contextual references throughout my sketchbook (Caravaggio, Wright of Derby and Vermeer). Their work links into my light and dark atmospheres and have really helped me to come up with the textures idea, inspiring me to experiment with lighting and textures.  However I could look at more artists work (perhaps textile artists).

Although I have visited the mill twice, I haven't yet visited any galleries relating to my project. I need to do this and record it in my book.

I follow a pattern of doing research first, taking photos, then finding an area that I like. This usually develops but still keeps an element of the original idea. This works well for me, because it is organised and I make sure that I thoroughly research the project first. However, I need to do more varied drawings by using different media/techniques like inks, charcoal and gouache. I want to do a lot more pencil drawings too, as this is my preferred and most successful media.


I really like sketchbooks that have areas of drawings and samples and that are laid out in an interesting way (fold out, stitched down, attached in an unusual way). I think I need to look at the layout of each page in my sketchbook and make it much more exciting.

At the beginning it was hard to focus my ideas. I got stuck at first as my work was figurative and I didn't know how to develope from here. I started looking at textures instead and found it produced more ideas/work. I have enjoyed this much more.