I had a few naughty days off College last week.  Stress + housing issues + head cold = self pitying, stay at home loser.  I was back in schule today though and remembered how much I like it and how much I want to be there so I thought I’d share a peek of what we’re working on.
Above is from the dreaded ‘Coast’ project, the only sketch I actually like from the lot although it’s technically not the best.

Below is a progression from my favourite class :)
The project’s called ‘My Space’ and is pretty open to interpretation, choosing an initial object and working out from it.  I pulled a goldfish bowl out of the air – feel like I cheated the sketchbook a little bit because I went down the route of the first, immediate idea I had, which I’m sure I was supposed to avoid.

Anyway – here’re some random pages from the book:

1. This is the first thing I did with the object that I liked - bowl head!

2. Tried something a little different, still with words and colour.

3. Decided that bowl head peoples were the way to go

4. At this stage I realised how much I blatantly nicked the idea from Dave McKeans "the day I swapped my dad for two goldfish" illustration - I DIDN'T MEAN TO :(

5. Scene - nearly ready for adding newspaper/magazine goldfish bowl peoples.

6. Another scene idea for goldfish bowl peoples, not really sure how to finish it - scenery/media etc and if I take this scene on to develop, I have to remember that the trees are supposed to make a bowl shape and not a squidged pumpkin shape.

I’m doing a gazillion other things at college too but don’t have any of the other sketchbooks handy to photograph – Scultpure is fun, my analytical drawing sucks but my life drawing isn’t ‘too’ bad, it just takes me a really really long time.  My drawing and painting skills are pretty poor all round to be honest but getting noticeably better.

It’s all nearly over though and I’m sad :(   I’ve totally struggled over the holidays to get into this ‘Coast’ project at college.  I started the class a couple weeks late so was already a bit behind and although I’ve managed to get all up to date learning the different printing techniques, I cannot get this sketchbook done :(  I’m just not excited about it.  I thought it was open to interpretation and breathed a sigh of relief last week when an idea finally struck and I decided to explore coastal legends and myths, y’know like mermaids and kelpies etc.  I went to clear it with the tutor and was told no :(  I can interpret the theme however I like, as long as it’s more traditional…like shoreline, shells and beach holidays.
What am I going to do?  I have 13 pages filled when they’ve asked for 2o and I only vaguely like ONE of those images.  I’ll admit I’ve just stuffed it with bullshit to get the pages done…which is really getting me nowhere and to be honest, I’m pretty sure my lack of enthusiasm shows in it – it is not good work.
I’m struggling to take on board other peoples suggestions too, somehow it feels like cheating if someone has to find my idea for me and even though I’ve heard some really good ideas…I’m just still not that into them.  I am so screwed.

Anyway – here’re some of the necklaces I managed to finish over the holiday:

Click the picture to see the larger version on Flickr.

Just like the ladybirds, these  probably won’t be added to the Folksy shop but will make a nice addition to the table at the Airyhall craft bazaar.