Research

 

A characteristic of play behaviour that fascinates me is the total living in the present, absent of the preoccupation with the past or future. Play involves total focus, engaging both body and mind, and free from self-conscious restrictions. I wanted to study the body language of children playing in the moment, to capture their spirit and joy. I decided to go to various playgrounds and sketch the children playing from observation. I experimented with using pencil and biro, the sketches are minimal because I was capturing fast movement of the children.

 

 

Children's Drawings

 

Inspired by both the Homeroom Exhibition and the self portrait drawings done by children I decided to study their drawing style in more depth. After looking at other people's childhood drawings I decided to study my own sketches as my memories could make more sense of them.

Children's sketches and drawings communicate their inner thoughts, emotions, fantasies and desires very honestly. Their reduced inhibitions and self-consciousness allows for such honesty in their expression. In my final set I would like to bring to life a child's imagination.

 

A few of my sketches I studied:

Jagged teeth, very simplistic, lack of hand control, box like limbs, round hands, rounded eyes and nose, claw like fingers, angular clouds, very linear movements.

 

 Colour scribbled in, Drawing from imagination, Pirates, accessorized crudely, looped bodies, disproportionate arms and legs, facial hair detailing, angular motions.

 

The rawness, crudeness and richness of children's drawings will definitely be incorporated into my set. I will attempt to break free from adult restrictions or discipline, and skilled technique.