#from the strangest topic we’ve found ourselves discussing

[i-have-41-protons]

Ah yes, me and my friends: discussing whether or not Ezra Squall would mew, in the group chat. Perfectly reasonable, mhm

[titmasjack]

Animation Sketchbook Unit Briefing

Led by Robert Ramsden, a guest lecturer known for his work in illustration, animation and picture bookmaking. Our lesson today gave us an overall insight into our new project brief regarding the completion of a physical sketchbook over the course of the holidays. Giving us a range of various techniques and processes we can explore to study, respond and recreate in the 32-page sketchbook we were provided.

Robert Ramsden’s background in Illustrations provides as a reliable source of influence as he discussed the range of projects and activities he has had the opportunity to pursue and explore throughout his career. Leaving university with a fine art degree, Robert found that his work had evolved to become more adapt to the workflow of illustration. Producing a series of comics and self-published work his introduction to sequential imagery and animation, gave him the opportunity to pursue his career as a freelance artist.

His interest in animation lies within paper-based animation, creating movement without the need for a camera, electricity or computers. Robert explores more traditional elements of collage to cater towards the stylised aesthetic that runs throughout his illustrations of most recent children's books.

In more recent times his workload has shifted and gravitated more towards pictures books. As it captivated everything he as an artists wants to pursue creatively. Narrative, illustration, storyboard and animating, illustration gives him the opportunity to depict motion in progress. Throughout his career Robert Ramsden highlights the importance of using a sketchbook as a creative outlet, discussing how its used not only as a guide professionally, but showcases a creative journey that clients, audiences and ourselves as artist enjoy to look at.

An Introduction to the Project

An opportunity to see a range of work in progress books and examples from previous years. The ‘Animation Sketchbook’ is an emphasis upon sketchbook practice, and how we can incorporate this into our own workflow to support and showcase our journeys as artists. A positive habit to gain, I understand that keeping a sketchbook provides us with the opportunity to record and reflect on our immediate surroundings. Taking in and exploring ideas that come to us at the strangest of times. The course of today's lesson covered why we should implicate this habit into both our professional and creative lives as artists.

By the end of this project, we should aim to have a series of Hand Drawn Outcomes. Taken directly from the brief, this is what is meant by filling a sketchbook. Based on primary sources our sketchbook is expected to be filled to the brim with creativity showcasing a range of new techniques and processes that show a creative journey from characters, objects, life drawing and observational drawing. 

Detailing recordings, thoughts, ideas, observations, responses, note details and exploration this a few of the topics we should be exploring when filling up the sketchbook. They give us an opportunity to record a thought, recording and interacting with the world around us, their looser aesthetic takes some of the stress away from the constant need for perfection. 

‘A portable laboratory, a space to mark with references, to capture the immediate, to experiemnt,  a memory warehouse, I can return whenever, I am searching for an idea.’ (Pep Carrio, 1990)

The goal of this project is to find a sketchbook that suits my needs. With variation in paper, shapes and sizes. We have to consider how well our materials coincide with the sketchbook we’ve chosen. I want to ensure that the materials I use best reflect the paper thickness and style that I hope to explore over the course of the project. Should I consider exploring alternate forms of paper to explore the use of texture throughout my outcomes, is something I can challenge in the time I have throughout the project?

What are Sketchbooks used for?

A portable studio, a sketchbook acts as an opportunity to capture thoughts and ideas, record and observe materials, responding to observation. This platform of creativity allows us to explore our imagination whilst practising drawing skills that we can return to later, make reference and develop further in the future. 

We shouldn’t perceive this project as having to keep a sketchbook because we have to, but the chance to contain answers to the creative problem we experience throughout our work. 

Exploring imagination is key within a sketchbook, the second stage of observation, imagination shows our ability to explore and develop ideas fed through what we sense. Our eyes, ears, smell and taste, living in the real world as artists it's our opportunity to showcase our experiences through imagination. Exploring and distorting the world around us into our own interpretation.

Exploring Sketchbook Exercises

To get a better understanding of the techniques we could explore throughout our sketchbook. Robert showcased a range of styles that we could use to document our observations and day to day lives using various influences. Taking directly from primary observation, Robert stressed the importance of taking influence from life. Using this as a starting point we can expand upon our ideas knowing they came from a grounded exploration of design and a series of reliable sources. Although these primary things don't have to specifically be objects, we could explore through action, feeling or moment in time.

Drawing allows us to recollect, record and collect information and knowledge from our surroundings. Robert suggested we could explore this using sequential imagery. Turning out a lot better than I anticipated, we recorded an action throughout our day using traditional pen and ink. Using the same process as conventional storyboarding, this gave me the chance to explore narrative throughout my drawings. 

Something I hadn't considered throughout my work before, although taking a while to create I feel as if this could be a creative outlet in showcasing not only alternate techniques I could consider but depicting narrative within my work. And although a strong aspect of work in animation, is not something I have considered through the use of a sketchbook before. 

This cartoon-esque aesthetic allows me to develop on my use of line to define narrative and character, without relying on aspects of realism to convey a story. 

The main other processes that stood out to me was the study of creatures in real time. Using reference video from youtube and nature documentaries having the opportunity to explore the form of a bear is something I’ve never done before. The challenge to capture form in motion helped me build a better understanding of the limbs and articulation of the figure as I attempted to capture the animal's stride and power through posture. 

I can definitely see the positive results in spending 15 minutes to understand the form of an animal through gestural drawings. This is another aspect of work I hope to expand upon and reflect in my own sketchbook. 

Although the project is an exciting alternative to the processes we have been exploring over the previous unit. I’m worried by the amount of work I’ll be able to produce in the time provided for the project. Whilst I’ve understood the benefits of using a sketchbook I’ve never been a fan of keeping one out of the luxury of observation. Using one for recording and visual notes as I see myself as a visual learner who uses drawing as an aid to visualise and describe my work more clearly to peers. 

More commonly used to using an A5 journal, my main concern is stepping up to a larger scaled book as my work is generally smaller and more concise to bring practicality rather than aesthetics. I feel as if this may feel like I will be producing a larger workload as since I draw smaller I need to produce more content to fill up the page. 

To summarise;

The sketchbook project is an opportunity to observe and explore realism and our imagination.

How can I use my two favourite processes we learnt today within my own personal influences over the holiday?

Make sure I feel confident in the work that I produce, embracing mistakes as not all the work needs to be refined with a purpose.

Ensure that If I feel overloaded with work I talk to peers and tutors to how I can address these issues.