Visual exploration, Week 4 (23/10/2023)

In this week into the module of visual exploration, we were tasked with the brief "This is not a tree"; an exploration of any chosen species of tree through multiple mediums, ideas and experimentation. For my choice of tree I chose a rowan tree as it has significantly interesting visual features, cultural history and has unique biological aspects. 

Firstly, to begin this brief I researched and created notes on the rowan tree that would be relevant to the collation and experimentation within this project. For instance, this included factors such as history, biology and visual references (as shown below). After this I began to brainstorm ideas and concepts for how I could visually communicate this theme of the rowan tree through differing mediums, techniques and visual language presentation (as shown on 2nd below). For example, during this projects I utilized different mediums such as acrylic paint, colour pencils, ballpoint pen, watercolour paints, oil pastels, charcoal and recycled materials. 

Similarly to the previous cathedral brief in the previous weeks of the module, I tried to push my imaginative concepts beyond a simplistic visualization of a rowan tree. Also, I incorporated more iterations of mark making within my alphabet of marks to enhance my conception of the line, tone and form of the experimental compositions. 

Research notes on Rowan trees, such as the history, cultural relevance, biology and visual references

Spider diagram ideas for project

Saddle stitched sketchbook using recycled cardboard, acrylic paint and dark green embroidery thread

Watercolour illustration of rowan branch on cold morning and tree outline using impression printing with colour pencils

Smaller oil pastel illustrations of rowan berries and stick bundles for good luck

Recycled cardboard simplistic collage creating an abstract visualization of a rowan tree's shape (used for impression printing as shown above)

Ballpoint pen illustration of the details of a rowan tree's leaves

Colour pencil illustration of the tree's roots communicating with other plant life

Rowan tree stump using oil pastel to visualise the lines of age

Crow on a rowan tree using charcoal

Fresh spring berries on a rowan tree using oil pastels