Freedom Project - Evaluation

I wrote down ideas in a sketchbook of different themes I could chose and different ways of looking at freedom in ‘spider-diagram’ form. I did a second spider-diagram for the theme I chose. The theme I chose to do about was animal freedom because I believe all animals should have the same rights as us and be treated with respect; also I love drawings animals.

I used Pinterest and Tumblr to find secondary images to draw from in my sketchbook to start off. I did quick paintings and sketches in my sketchbook for ideas of what I’d put on the 63 squares. My ideas changed as I got more research and information from online.

The artists I researched were John Banovich and Andy Goldsworthy. They are both committed to an animal/nature theme. I chose John Banovich because the style of my drawings in this project is similar to his and detailed like his style and I prefer to use acrylic paint; I like to paint animals a lot because it is detailed, bold and draws your eye more to the drawing. I chose Andy Goldsworthy because he uses animal’s habitats and surroundings/nature to make and create artistic sculptures and shapes. Texture, shape and colour and very important in his work.

The media I used includes: pencils, biro black ink pen, coloured fine-liners & black fine-liner, sharpie felt tip pens, coloured pencils, water colour paints and acrylic paints. I tried to use a lot of each different media so that my work had variety, colour and texture. I think I used acrylic paint the most because I used it on my big pieces (squares put together on big sheets) and my final piece.

I did use pencil a lot because I used it for the outlines of all the drawings before colouring/filling them in. When I use pen I tend to use the crosshatching technique (for example: on the square I drew in pen of the whale coming out of the water – birds etc. in the background/sky). When I paint I block it all in with the main and lightest colours first then gradually add in the detail until I feel it’s finished - like on my final piece.

I took photographs with my cannon camera and iPod touch of birds I saw outside and animals that are wild that humans have little power over or that are free to roam around outside - such as flies, spiders, birds and even pets e.g. cats can stay out as long as they want. I also took pictures of cages in a pet shop that people keeps birds and small animals in as pets. I also took a few pictures at a zoo.

I developed final piece ideas in my sketchbook using elements of my primary research and secondary research.

I did research about animal charities and abuse to support my work. I got information about some popular charities who help animals to have their ‘freedom’: RSPCA, WWF, Rainforest saver, Woodland Trust, Rainforest Foundation UK and Four-Paws. I researched about Dancing bears, donkey & horse slave industry and other animal abuse where they are not free.

I chose to do birds flying around outside of a cage, with the word ‘freedom’ around the moon because I feel like the moon is spiritual and relaxing; in a way representing freedom and the moon is free! The birds are outside of the bird cage, they are not trapped; they are flying outside peacefully so this shows freedom and I believe birds represent freedom the most because they are the freest animals on earth. They can fly/travel wherever they want whenever they want without humans restricting them as much. It is also easy for them to escape danger as they can fly away from it quickly. I took inspiration from John Banovich in my final piece and tried to paint the birds and foreground as detailed as I could, similar to his paintings and with lots of bold colour; this is also why I chose to use acrylic paint.

Overall I am happy with the quality of my work. I tried to manage my time as best I could and I feel I tried my best. I planned my time out and did plenty of research. If I did it again I would do more research straight away in the beginning and draw quicker from the start to have more time at the end to do more sketches in my book but I am happy with the outcome.