Cover Image Flockhart K, *Untitled Study* (2023)

Apply / Fix / Repeat. Using charcoal and fixative repeatedly build up layers to achieve a dark tone. Notice how the qualities vary depending on the surface, type of charcoal, and rubbing technique.

Fig.1 Flockhart K, *Example of using fixative spray and charcoal layers* (2023)

Fig.2 Flockhart K, *Fixed charcoal layers on varied surfaces* (2023)

Notes on the activity. Here are a few samples from the exercise.

Tracing paper: The charcoal went on very smoothly, but the layers could not adhere. So there was always a transparency.

Fluid and Delicate

Recycled Brown Paper: The charcoal caught the tooth of the paper, but due to its thin consistency the paper soon became fragile and the charcoal sat like layers of dust. Crumbling and eroding the paper away.

Interesting and Vintage

Tissue Paper: This surface was too thin to accept the process. It pulled and dragged on application, and melted away when fixed.

Unsuitable and Rejecting

Crumpled Tissue Paper: The texture gave additional anchorage. But after a few layers it counteracted the addition of any more charcoal.

Dense and Difficult

Painted Surface: The charcoal fragmented on application. it loosely caught the texture of the paint but sat on the surface rather than gripping and absorbing. It built up densely but soon became eroded rather than the deep rich texture achieved on paper surfaces.

Loose and Sketchy

Canvas: This was very satisfying. Controlled and smooth. The layers built up easily and held well.

Potential and Accommodating

Accumulate / Erase / Fix / Repeat. Explore the creation of surface using tone, lines and marks.

Prompt 1: Rub charcoal lightly across the paper, use the coroner of the putty rubber to lift away marks from the surface of the charcoal, fix, repeat.

Fig.3 Flockhart K, *Erasing layers* *(2023)*

Prompt 2: Cover the paper with fluid and expressive charcoal lines, use the putty rubber to lift off marks, fix, repeat.

Fig.4 Flockhart K, *Expressive and fluid layers* (2023)

Draw / Repeat / Change. On a large piece of paper in portrait format work from left to right, drawing a line from the top to the bottom of the paper. Varying the line, faint, bold, thick, thin, etc. Change the use of the charcoal, edge, point, side, smudge, etc. Cover the surface.

Fig.5 Flockhart K, *Vertical lines* (2023)

List of Images

Cover Image Flockhart, K. (2023) Untitled Study. [Charcoal on paper and fabric] In possession of: The author: Volleges.

Fig.1 Flockhart, K. (2023) Example of using fixative spray and charcoal layers. [Charcoal on paper] In possession of: The author: Volleges.

Fig.2 Flockhart, K. (2023) Fixed charcoal layers on varied surfaces. [Charcoal on mixed media papers] In possession of: The author: Volleges.

Fig.3 Flockhart, K. (2023) Erasing layers. [Charcoal on paper] In possession of: The author: Volleges.

Fig.4 Flockhart, K. (2023) Expressive and fluid layers. [Charcoal on paper] In possession of: The author: Volleges.

Fig.5 Flockhart, K. (2023) Vertical lines. [Charcoal on paper] In possession of: The author: Volleges.