ATV assignment 5 – Tutor feedback

 

Formative feedback

 

Student name Linda Baker Student number 513322
Course/Unit Textiles 1: A Textiles Vocabulary Assignment number Five
Type of tutorial Video/audio  

 

Key points

This assignment has been a thorough investigation and summing up of the course.  There is evidence you have used the creative process to develop an idea and come to some concluding work.  During our conversation I highlighted your stronger and weaker work that you were in agreement with.  The stronger work uses considered placement of elements with robust colour palettes and exciting use of materials. I suggest at assessment you ensure the assessors will see your strongest work first and you discuss what you have learnt making the weaker pieces in your learning log.  To organise your work for assessment get all the work out and think carefully about the best way to present it.

This was very positive. I’m really struggling with a hand injury. So was really worried about the completeness of some pieces.

The pieces that we agreed were strongest were my cyanotype nettle stitched onto its background using its own warp and weft threads. img_6581.jpg

Also the nettle stem and flowers incorporating nettle fibre, hand spun yarn and home made nettle cordage. I was really pleased with this process of gathering the materials from the field and processing it myself, and also the visual appearance of the completed work. I had wondered if I was a little biased by the enjoyment of the process, so it was reassuring to get positive feedback for this.

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I had researched Cas Holmes as I am really interested in the story telling process, and find her work quite interesting. The piece I made influenced by Cas’s techniques is awful! And Rebecca saw right through it!! In fairness I was completely unable to do anything with my right hand so purchased some left handed scissors for cutting . A machine stitched work seemed like a good idea to meet my very final deadline, but it is very clunky and why I decided to try and work on a larger scale at this point  I just do not know. I did some collage experiments to explore placement before settling on the final layout, this is something I need to investigate and develop more.

Summary of tutorial discussion

I suggest that you need to do more analysis of your research material by picking apart what you see thinking about why the composition, colour palette or materials work well.

Continue to draw regularly developing your observational skills.  When drawing in any medium aim to keep the line sensitive and expressive.

Your learning log continues to need more analysis of your own work.  Step back and review your work in the same way as you would the work of someone else.  Judge your use of placement, composition, colour palette, the use of materials/techniques and how you came to your creative decisions.

 

 

 

 

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ATV4 – Tutor feedback

Formative feedback – Again a video feedback was invaluable, so much richer and focussed than interpreting a written feedback, and so much more human than a written communication, thank you for your time Rebecca.

Assignment 4 Assessment potential

I understand your aim is to go for the Textiles Degree and that you plan to submit your work for assessment at the end of this course. From the work you have shown in this assignment, providing you commit yourself to the course, I believe you have the potential to pass at assessment.  In order to meet all the assessment criteria, there are certain areas you will need to focus on, which I will outline in my feedback.   

 

Feedback on assignment

Demonstration of technical and Visual Skills, Quality of Outcome, Demonstration of Creativity

For this assignment you have made a good number of yarn samples, but your organisation of them makes it tricky to look at them properly.  I suggest you pull out some of the ones you think are most interesting and display on a board with research imagery as reference.  Take care in the way you place the sample yarns, think about the spaces in between and how to use them to show off your work. A couple of the samples could do with further development – in particular the paper yarn with coloured windows.  I suggest that if you hit upon an interesting way of doing something you explore it further to develop the idea.  

I tried to keep my presentation simple in a fabric book format and realised that some pages were clearer than others , so I completely expected this response, It was really useful to talk through what worked and didn’t. My yarns were only secured at one end and arrived quite tangled – must remember this for the future! I hadn’t “elevated ” many of my samples , back to that shying away from claiming greatness about any work. Rebecca very helpfully reminded me that everyone looks at art in different ways. I must remember this course is not about making stuff that pleases people but exploring my ideas – and really clearly explaining the processes that I go through (practical and theoretical) continuing to study the critical thinking book will help here ( I am making progress with my understanding and application of the critical thinking process) I will take my more interesting samples and explore presenting them more clearly.

Drawing

Demonstration of technical and Visual Skills, Demonstration of Creativity

There is very little in the way of drawing in this assignment – I suggest you use drawing to examine the samples you have made.  Use techniques like continuous blind line drawing to help you really look at the work.  Keep your drawings loose and exploratory and as part of your reflective process.  

I did a few drawings to develop ideas, back of envelope type quick scribbles but didn’t think to submit them as part of the assessment. I am going to make the final assessment more sketch book based to see if I can be more reflective as I am going along. I feel that I will be more detailed and expressive in hand written form.

 

Research

Context, reflective thinking, critical thinking, analysis

This assignment contains only a small amount of research material, looking at the work of others is an integral part of studying for a degree and essential if you are aiming for a good mark at assessment.  I suggest you are broadminded and look at a wide variety of research.  Using drawing, annotation and reflective thinking to learn from the work and influence your own creative practice.

This is a very fair comment, Rebecca wrote a very useful post on research on the OCA website, I have looked at the work of many artists but not recorded it in any useful way – so it’s not research, simple as that, I must do better.

Learning Logs or Blogs/Critical essays

Context, reflective thinking, critical thinking, analysis

It is excellent you are now using the critical thinking skills book I recommended – it is evident that you have a developing insight into reflective thinking and how it can help you develop creatively.  Make sure you use this now to examine the work of others and your own creative output.  Label the images in your learning log, adding the name of the maker if it is not you and what you think of the work.  Try not to say something is “not interesting” – I would suggest all samples are interesting in some way and you can learn from them all.  Reflect on this feedback in your learning log.

This feedback is clearly a call for detail. I hope that working in a different way – sketchbook based – will enable me to record my processes more clearly.

 

Suggested reading/viewing

Context

Slow stitch by Claire Wellesley-Smith

Please inform me of how you would like your feedback for the next assignment.   Written or video/audio

Well done Linda, I look forward to your next assignment.

Tutor name Rebecca Fairley
Date 13th July 2016
Next assignment due 28th August 2016

Feedback on ATV assignment 3 – Colour studies

Feedback on assignment 3 colour studiesOverall Comments

Linda it was lovely talking to you this morning during your Skype tutorial.  In this feedback document I will outline the points that came up in our conversation so you have a record of them.  Overall this was a well-executed assignment, organised and beautifully presented.   The main area of improvement you can make during your next assignment is to make better use of your online learning log.  Below I have listed the points where I suggest you develop your work.

This was the first time that I opted for a Skype tutorial. I don’t even like phones much so the idea of a video conversation was way to scary! However my irrational fear was as unfounded as I expected it to be, and I highly recommend Skype as a tutorial format. It was really lovely to meet Rebecca and put a face to the wise words from previous assessments, the OCA course whilst being fantastic in so many ways, is quite isolated and having a conversation about my work was really informative. I think that it is really valuable that the feedback was a conversation that enabled some things to be elaborated on, and others to be skimmed according to questions that arose. I was able to take notes as we were speaking so I now have a detailed list of pointers to work on and a much clearer picture of how my work is progressing –  compared to how I may have interpreted a written feedback.

I also have a greater feeling of communicating with an audience than I had before which I think will be really helpful.

Assignment 2 and 4 Assessment potential

I understand your aim is to go for the Textiles Degree and that you plan to submit your work for assessment at the end of this course. From the work you have shown in this assignment, providing you commit yourself to the course, I believe you have the potential to pass at assessment.  In order to meet all the assessment criteria, there are certain areas you will need to focus on, which I will outline in my feedback.    

Feedback on assignment

Demonstration of technical and Visual Skills, Quality of Outcome, Demonstration of Creativity

Your colour book was a pleasure to look at, expressing the depth of your study and your engagement in exploring colour.  Well done.  The only thing I think you should have done differently was to create your own painted strips for the front cover. This would demonstrate your skill in all areas of the book.

Rebecca was very kind about my work and presentation, some words I noted down were; coherent, sense of adventure,  good risk taking – this particularly about my wool colour analysis (Somehow she knew that I had second thoughts about how I approached the monochrome piece!)

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I used Inktense to colour paper for the stripes on the front of my book, choosing a rainbow theme but opting for slightly off primary and secondary colours. I used the whole selection to wrap the spine edges of the pages and chose the front colours with a nod to the idea of ‘unusual’ colour combinations.

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This was very much with the feeling of  “I must get this project in the post” and I did not explain or evidence my choice in my workbook or blog. This links really clearly to Rebecca’s main point for improvement. My blog (covered a little later…)

The workbook you produced for this assignment where you go through the projects set is a lovely working document of your thoughts and experiences as you progressed.  The layout and your use of annotation make this a useful record of your learning and demonstrates your skill in areas such as visual skills, quality of outcome and creativity.  I suggest you continue to work in this way developing and changing as you move through your studies.  Remember to either remove or fill the empty pages because they look a bit suspect at assessment.

Having made the Colour Book I think the best way forward with sketch books is to bind my own, It is quite quick to do and an enjoyable process, it will give a sense of coherence and will overcome the issue of empty pages, I will be able to change the paper I use according to content and I will no longer be intimidated by the new book syndrome!

It was interesting that Rebecca was more effusive about my work book than my colour book (though this got lovely feedback) the course emphasis at this stage is very much about the journey, things that I’m doing well are recording and annotating ideas and concepts in my work book, It isn’t a lovely sketch book of beautiful drawings but very much a recording of my work process that evidences thinking.

Research

Context, reflective thinking, critical thinking, analysis  

As I said you don’t need to work through the Critical Thinking Skills book I recommended. Dip into it every now and then, making notes in the margins and reflecting on what you learn in your learning log.  Continue to discuss the research material you find and its value to your studies.  Remember to elaborate on your on your thoughts, for example why you think something looks surreal.  Think about accumulating words and language that you can use to describe what you see, feel and learn from looking at someone else’s work.

Marginalia! Rebecca gave me this marvellous new word (annotations in the margin of a book) and the idea to then photograph the section of text for my blog, this can in turn be reflected on and explained more fully.

Using photographs of sketch books, gallery notes, mind maps etc will be an excellent way of more quickly recording information and thinking on my blog. Quite possibly the most useful part outcome of the Skype tutorial, and this way of enabling me to enhance quantity and quality of blog posts probably wouldn’t have come about without chatting.

Learning Logs or Blogs/Critical essays

Context, reflective thinking, critical thinking, analysis  

I suggest you spend some time during the next assignment developing your learning log.  Think about adding more information in the form of images and annotation much in the same way as your workbook.  Write freely and with expression, commenting on your experiences and thoughts.  Remember this is the academic side of your studies, where you can demonstrate your thinking skills – such as analysis and synthesis.  

My blog is currently a little thin on information. I now understand more of the importance of the learning log (blog) and what the assessors are going to be looking for. My research is evident in my work but not so in my blog. I have definitely been treating the blog wrongly, considering it as quite a formal communication, a pristine sort of document. I guess because of the open nature of it. It is quite a vulnerable feeling making my thinking public, but important that I embrace this. I was reminded that the Learning Log doesn’t have to be an electronic blog – it could be a paper based document but I will persevere with the blog as it is infinitely more searchable, I can hope that my typing improves and becomes less of a barrier to what I am trying to say. Rebecca gave me a lot of pointers about how my blog can be improved;

  • Using different types of writing – formal, streams of conciousness, bullet points, annotated drawings, photos of notes. Be more experimental with communication.
  • Develop an artistic thesaurus. Be creative with self expression.
  • Evidence thinking, annotate the annotations, refer to research – explain the impact of the research, argue with it and express my own opinions.
  • Reflect on reflections to give an extra layer of understanding.
  • Have discussions with myself about what I did, how I did it, why I did it that way.
  • Make connections with artists.
  • Explain how it fits in with the course.
  • What could happen next?
  • Think about thinking.
  • Interweave the blog with sketchbooks and note books – it is all one!

Thank you for the feedback Rebecca , I am really looking forward to moving on.

Pointers for the next assignment

  • Reflect on this feedback in your learning log
  • Maintain your excellent working practices
  • Develop your learning log
  • Continue to use your skill with colour throughout your studies

 

Please inform me of how you would like your feedback for the next assignment.   Written or video/audio

 

Well done Linda, I look forward to your next assignment.

 

Tutor name Rebecca Fairley
Date 17th March 2016
Next assignment due 25th April 2016

 

ATV 2 – Assessment feedback and response

Overall Comments

Linda you have submitted a lovely body of work for this assignment.  There is evidence you have used your research material and drawing to come up with some considered textile samples.  The work is well organised and feels coherent.  Your learning log is easy to navigate with lots of imagery and commentary that maps out your creative journey.  Your next step here is to become more analytical of the work you are looking at; this includes your research and your own output.  This will encourage you to have a deeper understanding of what ‘works’ and how to develop this in your own practice.  I have outlined how to go about this below.

 

Assignment 2 and 4 Assessment potential

I understand your aim is to go for the Textiles Degree and that you plan to submit your work for assessment at the end of this course. From the work you have shown in this assignment, providing you commit yourself to the course, I believe you have the potential to pass at assessment.  In order to meet all the assessment criteria, there are certain areas you will need to focus on, which I will outline in my feedback.

Well that’s a lovely feeling of relief!  I have potential,  I’m on the right lines. I need to channel this thought and work with more confidence. The comment about commitment is very pertinent, I need to commit more quality time to my studies. Time management is key here. I’m considering a clearer timetable with written down tasks and tick boxes to track my progress. I have already broken down the next assignment into small tasks. My biggest problem is most of my time is little pockets , rather than long stretches, I think that I will try colour coding tasks by time, and focus needed, to easily see what I can fit into little spaces, then use longer blocks of time for focussed tasks instead of doing lots of smaller ones and realising that precious time has disappeared.

 

Feedback on assignment

Demonstration of technical and Visual Skills, Quality of Outcome, Demonstration of Creativity

You appear to have worked conscientiously and methodically through out this assignment producing a good number of experimental textile samples.  Your stitch work and handling of the materials has been carried out with sensitivity and skill.  There is an understanding of how to use placement to create a pleasing imagery.  Throughout the assignment you have used a wide number of materials to create texture and form.  You have been willing to take risks and be broad-minded in your expectations.  This is evident in your origami bird with its stitched surface.  There is sense that you have developed ideas through repetition of styles and forms until you have arrived at the right place.   This has enabled you to take risks and learn from your results.  I particularly like the stitched paper sample of the sleeve that has become a self contained abstract composition.

I suggest you continue to work in the way you have for this assignment.  Don’t be afraid to take risks, failures and mistakes are very much part of the creative process.  Be experimental in the materials you use and how you use your drawing to support your creativity.

“conscientiously and methodically”

Isn’t the same as excitingly, I need to take more risks and find time to experiment. My reflections need to be voiced in order to fully explore both learning outcomes and process.

Sketchbooks

Demonstration of technical and Visual Skills, Demonstration of Creativity

The drawing and mark making you have produced for this assignment is accomplished and works well with the stitch.  You have used a wide range of mediums and experimented with mixing mediums and using different drawing surfaces.  You have not been afraid to draw and redraw objects using methods like collage to learn more about what you are creating.  There is a good use of scale that you could probably push further.  Try using a role of wallpaper liner – you can cut off lengths and use it on a table or the floor.  Think about using larger movements to add marks to the paper and putting your pencil or charcoal on the end of a long stick.  Use methods like continues line drawing and blind line drawing to create a larger range of marks and compositions.

I like the idea of working large, like Alice down the rabbit hole! I am inquisitive and observant, I shall push my lines of inquiry in more directions. Getting messy on a large scale is very appealing – maybe not appropriate as part of the next assignment,  but I have put this idea on the back burner.

 

Research

Context, reflective thinking, critical thinking, analysis

You have continued to gather some excellent research material and collated it carefully in your learning log.  You appear to be finding it very inspirational both aesthetically and technically to look at the work of others. This is very important when working towards a degree as it enables you to learn about the context with in which you are working.  I am pleased to see you have looked at work in the flesh at exhibitions – this really helps your understanding particularly of texture and scale.  I suggest you also look outside the textile discipline to find influence and insights.  This could be as varied as painting, architecture and music, all these areas can provide stimulus.  When you have your research imagery and made the basic notes about it really look at it carefully, picking apart why it works as an artwork.  This could be to do with colour palette, shape and arrangement of forms or use of materials.  Note your judgments down in your learning log, there are no right or wrong ways of seeing visual art so don’t feel concerned you are not knowledgeable enough.  This process will help you develop a deep understanding of how pleasing and meaningful artwork is created.

 

Learning Logs or Blogs/Critical essays

Context, reflective thinking, critical thinking, analysis

In your learning log you have been careful to map out your progress during this assignment writing articulately and clearly.  Including your emotional ups and downs and the decisions about your work.  All this stuff is really important, particularly the emotional part.  Making and creating is so personal and cannot happen successfully without the emotional investment of the artist.  The only room for improvement is the continued development of a critical reflective voice.  Critical here means to make judgments and decisions about your work.  As I have said above, pick a part your work thinking about what has worked and why.  You are probably doing this to some extent already whilst you are making decisions about developing your drawing and sample making.  I suggest you be more conscious of these thoughts and add them to your learning log.

I must make a concerted effort to express myself outwardly , more. I think that I’m too used to being inside my own head! In the same way as noting something down , or making a quick sketch clarifies things, I expect that this blog will clarify my thoughts and judgements when I find my written voice.

 

Suggested reading/viewing

Context

Blind continuous line drawing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjJhZ4DYh50

 

Critical Thinking Skills: Developing effective analysis and argument.  Written by Stella Cottrell, part of the Palgrave study skills series, published by Palgrave MacMillan.  Weareoca.com Critical thinking skills book http://weareoca.com/fine_art/critical-thinking-skills/

This book looks excellent, just flicking through it made me feel more professional! I have started reading it and have set up a blog post to  reflect on findings and record my progress.

Steal Like an Artist: 10 things nobody told you about being creative by Austin Kleon published by Workman, is an excellent book about how creative people explore the work of others to influence their own output.  Weareoca.com Steal like an artist http://weareoca.com/fine_art/steal-like-an-artist

This is on my bookshelf and due a revisit.

 

Weareoca.com So what is research? http://weareoca.com/fine_art/so-what-is-research/

Oh the irony! Research is not just looking at things, but recording and  analysing and reflecting. I copied this when I first read it, it made such sense – this is something I must apply not just read…

 

Look at the oca Pinterest site to see what tutors and other students are looking at.  https://www.pinterest.com/opencollegearts/

Love Pinterest – ‘though it is a dangerous place when you’ve not much time. Often not good use of research time for me….

 

Pointers for the next assignment

  • Reflect on this feedback in your learning log
  • Maintain your excellent working practices
  • Continue to take risks and experiment
  • Draw regularly in a range of mediums, on different surfaces and at different scales
  • Develop your critical thinking and analytical skills