I started this drawing project as a quick exercise to loosen up my mark making and free up my approach to subject matter. The drawing starts from the first image in the top left-hand side and continues from left to right across the rows to the final picture in the bottom right-hand corner.
I started by using charcoal to fill the paper with a variety of marks and gestures. I then expanded these marks to join each other and start blocking in shapes and forms. Continuing this process, I started to see objects start to emerge. I began to recognize organic, leaf-like forms and serpent-like shapes. Sharp spikes and circular pads started to develop as part of the foreground. Using tissue and a rubber I pushed and pulled the charcoal around to create depth and tone. In the final picture, I arrived at a point where I felt the forms had emerged and the image had been taken as far as it would go.
The forms feel like they’re creeping. There’s a dormant danger. It feels sinister.
Follow the links below to see more examples of mark making in art.
https://www.tate.org.uk/art/student-resource/mark-making-exam-help
