Cover Image Flockhart K, *Pine Cones Study – Skull Study* (2023)

Reflect on the experience and the outcomes from the work generated in Exercise 2. How did you work with the material? How did your understanding of charcoal develop? And how can it evolve your work?

Fig.1 Flockhart K, *Sketch of a mountain using, Accumulate / Erase / Fix / Repeat* (2023)

Fig.2 Flockhart K, *Abstract mountain study using, Fluid / Erase / Fix / Repeat* (2023)

Fig.3 Flockhart K, *Stage 1 & 2 of the sketch* (2023)

As I moved through the exercises I became very interested in the charcoal. I wanted to find ways to use the smudges and fingerprints. Differences of tone, width, length. Rolling, flat sides and edges. Sculpting with the putty rubber. Fixing, layering. And the broken shards crushed on the spot where they lay.

The slightest contact leaves a mark, it’s can be both explosive and meditative.

The lines are like the landscape. They are etched into my subconscious now. Layers and layers of contours. Rocky faces, dense tapestries of frayed green ferns.

Keeping my hand on the paper, control.

Pulling it away, looser.

Allowing the charcoal to be clumsy, or acute.

Trying to loose control and use control.

Random marks, un-purposeful.

But now the un-purposeful has purpose

Slow marks fast marks.

More daring I was with the charcoal the more alive the marks appeared. But not always extroverted. There can be bravery in subtlety too. A quiet bravery that makes the line sing. Twisting the charcoal between my fingers as it moves across the paper gave life to an otherwise stagnant line. The lines have to be going somewhere….drawing is remembering.

Working with charcoal and following this brief allowed me to explore these factors, and not be forced to address just the surface identity of a subject.

List of Images

Cover Image Flockhart, K. (2023) Pine Cones Study – Skull Study. [Charcoal on board] In possession of: The author: Volleges.

Fig.1 Flockhart, K. (2023) Sketch of a mountain using, Accumulate / Erase / Fix / Repeat. [Charcoal on paper] In possession of: The author: Volleges.

Fig.2 Flockhart, K. (2023) Abstract mountain study using, Fluid / Erase / Fix / Repeat. [Charcoal on paper] In possession of: The author: Volleges.

Fig.3 Flockhart, K. (2023) Stage 1 & 2 of the sketch. [Charcoal on paper] In possession of: The author: Volleges.

Fig.4 Flockhart, K. (2023) Final sketch. [Charcoal on paper] In possession of: The author: Volleges.