Project 1: Drawing Exercises

Exercise 1.1 Drawing Objects

Continuous Line

From Memory

Blind Drawing

Negative Space

Tonal

Exercise 1.2: Experimenting with Media

Method 1

Method 2

Method 3

Reflect:

I love painting and have always filled my spaces with my own personal art work, therefore I was surprised how disappointing my painting of my chosen objects was in comparison to the other methods used. I particularly liked the black marker drawing, it reminded me of an unfinished, monochrome Andy Warhol style piece.

The blind and memory drawing methods blew my mind, I have no idea how I managed to complete these. I was very impressed with my brain and how it worked to complete this task. The image seemed to burn its way into my mind and I was able to put this to paper, I am definitely going to try to this more! Such method reminded me of Boubou, an artist who paints people inverted by flicking paint onto a canvas usually with his eyes shut or blindfolded. He sometimes uses different parts of his body as well as random objects to paint as opposed to his hands.

https://www.latestly.com/social-viral/senegalese-artist-boubou-mesmerises-netizens-with-his-unbelievable-artworks-from-dumbbells-to-shoes-this-artist-can-paint-stunning-portraits-with-literally-anything-watch-videos-1316136.html

Oddly the most challenging method for me was the tonal drawing, which I would say is the most precise drawing method due to ensuring you pick up on every different shade of light, perspective, depth and texture without using lines. The shading does all the talking for this method and I found this hard to not become a perfectionist over. This project concludes for me that art is so much more than naturalism (a true-to-life style which involves the representation or depiction of nature with the least possible distortion) as individuals can interpret there senses and experiences of certain objects and spaces via colour, shading, texture, collage etc yet it is undeniable that some form of life like/naturalism is present when using art as an explanation to space and objects.

Some of my art below…..which is very strongly based on the power of women. I am not a feminist by far but really respect how a women’s body can grow life. Its also fun and experimental.

Exercise 1.3: Digital Collage

Contextual Study Point 1: Movement

Can you find 5 other examples of interior design that appear to capture movement in
their designs?

I am a big fan of movement being expressed via interior design. It creates a additional layer to a design which can elevate an entire space. From actual movement within a space powered by wind (for example) or slow movement via shadow manipulation and movement via direction of a space through lighting, texture and shapes this seems to add a further dimension to such designs which in turn can provide stimulation, distraction, harmony, ease of use of the space or even a space designed around the movement of purpose for us as the observer.

1.Barbouni Restaurant, Costa Navarino, designed by K Studio – an architecture firm in Greece designed this moving wave ceiling which is powered by wind. The ceiling is not just a design centre piece, it also helps to cool down the space by providing shade and helping the cool air circulate. The design concept of the space is sustainable and supposedly removable. The video below shows the movement of this simple yet genius design which is captivating. I originally discovered this design on Instagram a few years ago and it has always stuck in my mind. This designer captures movement by simply using movement and I can only imagine has a positive effect on the observer. This restaurant is situated on a beach in Greece, I imagine moving from the blistering hot beach into this space and not only feeling the cooler air circulating but also visually seeing the movement of the cooler air overhead can only add more impact to a cooler, calmer, fresher space, exactly what is required for a beach lunch setting. The long lines of the material used surely also enhance the size of this space again adding to the ambiance and atmosphere.

2.Damien Langlois-Meurinne one of Frances leading interior architects and designers captures movement within his designs with texture and materials and shapes. The example below is an apartment in Paris which he beautifully executes by integrating the past with contemporary touches (the doors are finished with elaborated plaster mouldings yet the doors and archways themselves are minimalistic). However instead of continuing this traditional moulding on the ceiling, Damien has added a contemporary twist by using texture with a futuristic, pointed shape, adding depth and movement to an otherwise void area and equally becoming a direct contradiction to the soft curved, flowing, organic pattern of the marble flooring. The movement expressed by his design almost gives the feel as if the Art work is in motion. Such a space complements its surroundings, artwork, furniture and lighting. What a masterpiece!

3.Kelly Wearstler – An American designer who is my personal favourite of all designers. I am obsessed with her projects and designs, she is so talented. Her use of monochrome throughout her designs is fascinating and her combinations and collaborations of architecture, texture, colour, artwork and furniture are fascinating and wonderous. She creates movement in her designs by using all methods such as furniture placement, furniture form, texture, colour, lighting and contrast. Her designs are breath taking, opulent and memorable. Similar, to many superior artists, she seems to create recognisable, strong designs with impeccable presence. I simply adore her work…its as if she is in my head! As shown below in some of her designs she uses organic shapes, for example in image 1 below – the chandelier and wooden seating area seems to have grown organically in the centre of this reception area, representing a hub of life, giving an atmospheric sense of warmth, stability and focus which in turn reflects the purpose of such an area (hotel reception/concierge).

This beachside hotel was also designed by Wearstler and again the reception area features a central focal point in front of a hand carved desk with linework, and flooring with a octagonal pattern inspired by a birds-eye view of a beach umbrella. Such a space offers unspoken direction and guidance for guests to simply belong which equally gives a welcoming atmosphere. The movement within this design speaks for itself and the pictures below show the continued movement throughout, with all surfaces having the attention and design they deserve.

4. Movement is strictly dictated by the design when is comes to a stairway, which is usually located in the heart of a space. Enzie, an award winning company (based in Australia) who specialise in spiral staircases created (in collaboration with interior designers and architects) these wonderful flowing spaces below which is a significant twist on the traditional, rigid stairways.

This architectural design completely transfers forms the hallway space, it appears light, bright, moving and forever flowing with resemblance to a winding river. A space for movement to continue. It almost makes me want to run up the stairs singing! Many experts believe the winding staircase was the the work of Leonardo Da Vinci and I can absolutely see why….genius!

5. Coup-de-foudre, an Interior Design Studio who specialise in porcelain lighting. Again the movement within their designs speak for themselves. Each design is brought to life by movement derived from texture. The delicate illuminated specimens appear to float peacefully within a space.

‘Porcelain is unpredictable. A scientist can predict the chemical path of porcelain in a kiln with formulas and equations, but the interplay of porcelain with hands, ideas and high temperatures is beyond mathematics.‘ – https://coup-de-foudre.be/

6.Theo Jansen – a Dutch artist has created large mechanisms which are able to move on their own via wind power only, known collectively as Strandbeests. Jansen has created a sustainable artificial intelligence (AI) a ‘new form of life’ derived of skeleton like tubing (no electrical parts or motor) which are able to walk via the energy of the wind on beaches. Since inception in 1990 the Strandbeests have evolved (similar to evolution) and have their own 12 periods of evolution. They are large creature like designs, with the focus of their design being movement itself. The thought of these designs roaming freely, unmanned, at their own free will on land is inconceivable.

The ethos behind the Strandbeests is global warming and the ever rising sea levels with the aim of the creations eventually being able to build sand dune barriers to help protect land.

‘skeletons that walk on the wind, so they don’t have to eat’ – Theo Jansen

Although the Strandbeests above are not an interior example of movement it is an example of a movement focused creation and I can definitely see such mechanisms being transferrable to interiors such as a wind powered self-walking beach restaurant, or self-walking/moving and ever changing walls or wallpaper, tables, chairs, lighting etc the possibilities are endless…..!

Contextual Study Point 1 – References

1. Youtube Video – 26/06/20213 Barbouni K Studio by – konstantinos karampatakis – Accessed 06/08/2021
2. Website – https://www.dl-m.fr/en/projects – Accessed 12/08/2021
3. Website – https://www.kellywearstler.com/home – Accessed 12/08/2021
4. Website – https://enzie.com.au/recent-projects/ – Accessed 16/08/2021 – https://www.vogue.com.au/vogue-living/interiors/house-tour-a-contemporary-melbourne-home-hiding-an-incredible-sculptural-staircase/image-gallery/65d77daadae1559413a51ca30cda5361 – Accessed 16/08/2021.
5. Website – https://coup-de-foudre.be/ – Accessed 16/08/2021

6. – Image 1 – https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/465207836488528607/ – Accessed 06/08/2021

Youtube Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LewVEF2B_pM – by Theo Jansen Posted 07/06/2017 – Accessed 06/08/2021

Information via – https://www.strandbeest.com/ – Accessed 06/08/2021

https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20141204-skeletons-that-walk-on-the-wind – Accessed 07/08/2021

Exercise 1.4: Capturing Movement

Project 2: Representing Materials

Exercise 2.1: 10 Cubes: 20-Second Pencil Renders

Exercise 2.2: 10 Cubes: Mixed Media Renders

In comparison between the two different methods of drawing (20 seconds sketch and the longer detailed drawings of materials) as expected the detailed drawings are a much more successful representation of the various materials. However I did test this theory by showing both the quick sketch’s and the detailed drawings to my children and asked them to guess the materials and surprisingly they guessed a lot more of the 20 second sketch’s than I anticipated.

I love working with charcoals and pastels as I find them easy to blend and layer in order to create more life like textures and mixtures of shadow and colour. I found Jelly and Leather the most challenging, however the detailed leather drawing turned out to be my favourite. I watched a few tutorials online with regards to drawing materials and this really helped. I also discovered it really pays off to have a quality collection of mixed media methods such as professional pencils as I found cheap pencils really difficult to work with as mistakes where difficult to correct and manipulate into something more then lines and strokes. I spent a lot of time trying to perfect the more detailed drawings, however I still felt disappointed with some of the outcomes. I think I overcomplicated the Jelly cube drawing, the majority of my simple, single media drawings turned out to be the most effective.

One thing which stood out for me was the unexpected colours and textures hidden within these materials. All the materials seemed to have layers of some sort consisting of various textures and colours. The unexpected colours within some of these materials I found fascinating, for example glass, the dainty touch of blue, yellow and red representing the anisotropy effect made all the difference. In addition the different types of marble I researched offer endless depths of colour, the deep purples and greens are infinitely beautiful. I have always been a huge fan of marble and its pure organic never ending beauty. Its deep veins of colour usually against an opposing background makes it seem lifelike and almost forever changing and growing even.

Project 3: Perspective Drawing

Exercise 3.1: One-Point Perspective

Exercise 3.2: Two-Point Perspective

Exercise 3.3: Perspective with Tone & Colour

Contextual Study Point 1: Light

I think James Turrell is trying to create an unfamiliar experience with an unimaginable environment and atmosphere such as a different dimension which in turn awakens and supports our individual imaginations.

Turrell uses manipulation of both artificial and natural light within his designs, which have a powerful impact on the observer. He seems to be able to turnaround the focus of his designs and bounce them back onto the individual by making them feel completely alone with their thoughts, imagination and concept of space. Turrell aims to make the individual the centre of the design which reminds me of Olafur Eliasson’s designs, where he too creates for the viewers perspective.

Although Turrell’s designs appear simple, however the simplicity leaves room for individual interpretation which is extremely effective. I always imagined if I ever had the opportunity to design a magazine front cover I would offer a completely blank page to which I have always wondered how many would pick up the blank covered magazine in comparison to other traditional magazines due to curiosity. Our sense of curiosity and discovery is what drives the engagement of the viewer and I feel this is the case with Turrell’s creations.

I will certainly try to incorporate this captivating effect within my work going forward as I feel it is extraordinarily powerful. Evolving individuals to interact with designs enables a personal, memorable experience.

REFERENCES

Images from https://jamesturrell.com/work/type/ – Accessed 29/11/2021

Below is a my drawing of a comparison to James Turrell’s work and a design visual of an interior desing: