Critical Review
Pre- assessment
A reflection of my work and learning journey
During this course, my artistic practice has evolved significantly through each assignment, and I have gained more confidence in my abilities as an artist. At the beginning of the course, I was apprehensive about starting new projects and feared the “blank page.” Now, I embrace the preliminary stages of creation by experimenting with thumbnail sketches, developing mind maps, and conducting thorough research before embarking on a final piece. The course has taught me to think outside the box and push myself creatively, which has led to substantial growth. For example, I have begun testing ideas more rigorously, making bold artistic decisions, and I am no longer afraid to take risks. This transformation is evident in my approach during assignment four, where I decided to learn a new and complex software package called Blender. By incorporating 3D modelling, I took my idea of sculpture further than I had originally envisioned, bringing a new dimension to my work.
Reflecting on each unit, I can see how every stage has contributed to my development as an artist. The exercises in the first unit encouraged me to challenge myself and embrace the learning process without fear of making mistakes. These initial exercises were a foundation for building my confidence, allowing me to develop a more playful approach to creating illustrations. During the first assignment, I learned that being playful can unlock innovative ideas and creativity. This experience also highlighted the importance of taking risks to continually improve my work.
Throughout part two, I faced one of my biggest challenges—speaking about my work and creating a presentation to share online. As someone who is naturally shy and has struggled with anxiety, this was an extremely challenging task for me. However, I pushed through my fear and delivered a successful presentation that was well-received by my family, friends, and tutor. The positive feedback I received, combined with gaining new subscribers to my blog, encouraged me to continue sharing my thoughts and experiences publicly. This part of the course also introduced me to new methods of working, such as the word association game, the cutting-up exercise, and collage-making. These activities proved to be immensely helpful in sparking creativity and shifting my perspective on how to approach my work. I found myself increasingly open to experimentation and more willing to take creative risks.
Part three introduced many new challenges, including animation, paper folding, and working at a large scale. The workload was intense, but I enjoyed experimenting with new techniques and pushing my creative boundaries. I discovered a love for animation and have a desire to explore it further. Painting on a large scale was especially daunting, as it was something I had not attempted before. Yet, I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome of my landscape scene, which I have since framed and displayed in my living room. It serves as a constant reminder of what can be achieved when pushing myself and venturing beyond one’s comfort zone.
In part four, I continued to step out of my comfort zone by integrating handmade sculptures with painted backgrounds, which were digitally enhanced using Photoshop. When submitting my work for tutor feedback, I was apprehensive, worried that I had pushed myself too far or veered down the wrong path. However, my tutor’s positive feedback reassured me and encouraged me to keep exploring this new direction. This experience taught me to trust my instincts more and reminded me that it is important to embrace uncertainty as part of the creative process.
Part five was a continuation of the journey I started in part four. I focused on refining my skills and further developing my artistic style, while also trusting my instincts more deeply. Although I still had moments of doubt, the consistent positive feedback from my tutor helped me gain more self-assurance in my work. By receiving such encouraging responses, I realised I can produce strong and original pieces when I trust the process and lean into my creativity.
By the end of the course, I have learned to continue testing ideas, pushing my creativity, and having faith in my abilities as an artist. I am grateful for the experience and the skills I have acquired along the way. The course has not only expanded my technical skills but also instilled in me a newfound confidence to approach future projects with curiosity and enthusiasm. I am excited to see where these skills take me in my artistic career and look forward to continuing this journey of growth and exploration.
Below is a selection of my work that I believe has been the most successful during the course.
Visual Skills 2 