Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Visualizing with words


Peppers (in progress)
Coloured pencil, 9 x 12 Canson paper
copyright Jeanette Jobson


I have to go back to work tomorrow so I'm fitting in some of the things that I still need to do to keep my mind at rest. One of those is a demo for a class, so I've made a start on it over the last 24 hours.

One of the things that I want to achieve this year is to put my lessons and tutorials in written form for possible use as lessons/kits for sale. I'm just not quite sure of the format at this early stage, but I'm making myself start as I mean to go on. I will put the drawing processes down on paper, at least in a basic format for my use, and perhaps expand some.

It really is much easier to just draw than to put the process of drawing into words. The steps in choosing colours, pencil pressure, layering, etc., etc. is monumental at times and sometimes I find myself skipping scans as my hand continues to add colour to the paper without thinking about it. Then I realize what I've done and its too late to turn back then, so I try to make up for it in additional word pictures and hope the reader can understand what I'm trying to say.

I'll do a 'test drive' on some artist volunteers once I have this process in place to see how it reads, if it's understandable and the user can create something pleasing to them using the instructions and images. If there are readers out there who are interested in being testers of this process, please let me know. Once I develop testing criteria and the final draft of the tutorial, I will contact a number of testers to try it out.

10 comments:

Making A Mark said...

Effective lessons plans are really difficult in terms of making them accessible, simple to format and enable students to achieve results.

From having seen some developed the thing which struck me was:
1) Choice of subject (and colours) is absolutely critical for making production and execution straightforward
2) How much I do without a conscious thought!!! I like to think there is an unconscious somewhere which does the thinking for me.... ;)

Are you going to do videos to go with them?

Making A Mark said...

I should have added that I have every confidence you'll do an excellent job of producing them.

Laurel Neustadter said...

I volunteer to be a volunteer :-). One of my goals is to learn colored pencil in 2008. I just registered for Bet Borgeson's on-line Intro course. I would be happy to work through one or more of your lessons and give feed back.

Billie Crain said...

wow, Jeanette! you go, girl! I'm trying to think of things i'd love to see in a CP demo. i think color 'recipes' would top the list.

Jeanette Jobson said...

Yes, I'm finding this as I articulate the process. Your comments are bang on Katherine. Choosing a subject that appeals to a wide cross section of the drawing public as well as it being simple yet complex enough to learn from. as well as putting the process into a learning environment is tricky. Hence the 'guinea pigs' first to test. :)

I have completed one tutorial in graphite which is now online on another site. That was my trial by fire in developing wording, formatting, etc.

I hadn't thought of videos to be honest, but now you mention it that could be a very good idea. Just how to go about is the challenge. That will take some experimentation...

Thanks for the vote of confidence Katherine. It will either work or it won't, but I'll never know til I try, will I?

Perfect Laurel, I'll keep you on my tester list and let you know as soon as I'm ready to move ahead with this. Thanks so much for offering to help out, you'll be so useful in the process.

Billie, colour choices and 'recipes' are the most common questions asked from people and each person will have a different answer even on the same subject! I will try my best to provide the colour recipe for the lessons - at least through my eyes. :)

I'll try a couple of simple items to start with and see what happens from there. If you have any ideas or suggestions, I welcome them.

Jan said...

I love the look of cp but sometimes just don't have the patience for it. It seems that you work and work and see little in the way of accomplishment. Not very encouraging. So, if you know of any quality shortcuts, I'd love to see them in a demo and volunteer to be a tester also.

I think this is a great idea on your part and wish you all the best with the endeavor.

Jeanette Jobson said...

Hi Jan, great to see you here, its been awhile since we talked.

Yes CP is a slow process and not for everyone. There aren't instant results with it and you have to get over that 'ugly stage' to move ahead.

CP, like most mediums, has its fans. I don't know of many shortcuts with it, but I will keep you on the list of potential testers when the time comes to vet a tutorial.

Thanks!

Paulette said...

I am also always willing to give any lesson you come up with a try.:) The best things I have learned have been from following your instruction so I am sure you will do wonderful!
By the way I have finally put up my pay it forward, so now I feel I can pass you my email with out feeling guilty.:)

Paulette said...

Sorry I meant to add that if you are doing a beginner lesson, you might want to remember that a beginner could possibly only own a basic set of pencils, 12 or 24.

Jeanette Jobson said...

Wonderful Paulette on both counts! It will be great to have you as a tester and good to know you've put up your PIF.

I should have enough time in the next week to get my PIF items out in the mail to people.

Paulette, you can send me your mailing address at jjobson at nl dot rogers dot com