Reflective practice.

Identify 10 questions you want to answer.

What do you expect to learn from asking that question?

What will you do in order to find the answers?

1. What is available to me and my practice?
I think its important for me to take full advantages of the facilities the college has to offer. It could benefit my work and broaden my techniques and skills.
How will i go about answering this question? I will start using more college facilities and involve myself in extra curriculum activities such as life drawing.

2. How far can i push myself?
It will better my work and the standard i work to.
To do this I will apply more time to my practice, put in more effort and set myself personal goals.

3. What inspires me and my practice?
Its so important to be inspired by whats around you. Im certain it will be the stem of my best work.
Be open minded about whats around me, submerse myself in the things I love and let them provoke my work.

4. What are the available job opportunities for illustrators?
I think its a good idea to know exactly whats out there, and possibly know what career id like to approach.
I'll do this by researching, talking to more illustrators and by building my contacts in the field.

5.What is there in Leeds that i can get involved in to better my practice?
Coming from a small welsh village this is important to me because it excites me, and i think excitement sparks inspiration. It will also build my contacts and connections in Leeds.
To do this i will join various societies, go to creative events and be confident in meeting people.

6. How to be versatile and work well to set briefs?
I think its important to know how to do this because you never know what a client may ask you to draw. Editorial illustrations must be completed in short spaces of time, so to be versatile and on the ball is essential.
I will do this by putting my all into each brief i receive.

7. Can I get myself some illustration job opportunities in the next 3 years?
During the big heads interview we had with Jack Teagle and Donya Todd the other day, they advised to take on work as and when you can. To get a feel for what path of illustration we may like and to know what its like to work for clients.
I'll do this by talking to lots of people, and by getting my work out there as best I can.

8. How can I incorporate printing into my practice?
Its something i loved at college, and I think its important to bring different passions together to fuse into something beautiful.
I will hopefully be able to use the colleges print room soon, where i'll be able to learn more and develop it into my illustrations.

9. Is it possible for me to adopt an array of styles?
This would make me more employable in the future and keep my practice upbeat and fresh.
I will answer this by practising daily with different techniques and styles.

10. How to collaborate well and work with a team of artists to create completely new work.
Collaborating with other artists would be highly inspirational and really rewarding. Its also really important to know how to work in a team, and how to take on each others ideas to finish with something completely unique.
How will i do this? I live in a house of artists, and i think it would be good for us to set ourselves small collaborative briefs from time to time.

Light night.

https://plus.google.com/u/1/113139471240373340072/posts/TDaVqnoebNX?pid=6066856440097884242&oid=113139471240373340072

I made a quick video of light night. I really enjoyed it, and it really inspired me, so thought I'd share!

Study task 1

Identify 5 reasons why you chose to study illustration.

• Illustration helps me to communicate my thoughts and emotions in a visual form. When words fail me, which is often, i find it liberating to unveil my feelings through what i draw.
• Illustration can take me many places. I feel that it can open many doors and take me down many interesting avenues.
• I feel its a part of who i am, and i really want to take it to a new level, to explore what i haven't and also take what i already have to build up to the illustrator i want to be.
• Everything and anything can be illustrated, and in so many different ways. Its not something that will grow old or boring , but something that has the ability to excite me on a day to day basis.
• Because illustration makes me happy.

Identify 5 reasons why you chose this programme.

• Its a new course, fresh outlooks and concepts that seem to take you a lot deeper into the field..
• During the interview, the tutors were enthusiastic and passionate about the course which immediately inspired me.
• I feel that the course will push to the best of my ability, it seems much more dedicated and ambitious than the other places i visited.
• The facilities that Leeds college of art has to offer are impeccable. The studio space is beautiful and the place is filled with students that share the same passions and interests, which makes and creates a wonderful atmosphere. 
• There seems to be far more opportunities available from studying here. The accessibility of collaborating with other students, the links into industry, and the enthusiasm of the tutors are just a few of the reasons that contribute to me choosing this programme.

Identify 5 skills that you think are your strengths.

• Using fine liners is one of my strengths. I like to work in detail, and i feel fine liners suit this best.
• Developing work from an initial idea to something a lot more detailed. Im not afraid to take my work on a journey.
• I try to experiment with different medias. I find it keeps the flow of inspiration running, and the more i do this the better it gets.
• Commitment to my work. 
• I feel i work well both in a team and individually. 

Identify 5 things you want to improve.

• Drawing from life. I tend to sketch until i have the right line, but i would like to be more accurate.
• Organisational skills. Time management when it comes to each module.
• I would like to improve my skills on photoshop and other apple based programmes to get the finish on my work that i would like.
• My knowledge in the field of illustration. I would like to be able to recognise more artists work and generally understand more about the subject.
• My use of colour. I don't tend to to use much, but its something i would like to incorporate into my work this year.

Identify 5 images that demonstrate your interest in illustration.

Second year advice.

We had a really good opportunity to talk to the second years, get advice and generally make new friends. They gave us three helpful pieces of advice that i aim to carry with me throughout the year.

1. Blog everyday. Keep on top of it, photograph or scan work daily ready to blog.

2. Try not to be late...ever.

3. Make sure we attend COP lectures on Wednesdays, if you miss one, its really hard to catch up.