8. Reflect on practice and identify strengths and weaknesses in own work.

Overall, I do not think I approached the Excelsior project well from the beginning in the Character and Environment design module. The idea I started with was too complex, trying to combine two opposing visual themes: an oriental fantasy world with advanced metal structures. The forms of the environments and the compositions were too intimidating at times.  This complexity made the project overwhelming at a point, making it harder for me to benefit from my strengths as an artist. As a result to all of this I had decreased interest in the visual Storytelling module compared to the work on the Concept Art Practice.

Though I am happy that despite my difficulties I managed to keep a certain level of consistency throughout the module. I managed to produce all the artworks I wanted to make in order to communicate my ideas, although they are perhaps  not of the best quality.

Realising my difficulties on the brief I tried to pin point what my exact artistic weaknesses are and how to improve on them.  On the Learning Outcome 3 I talked about how I worked on being more comfortable with drawing and sketching entirelly digitally. The notion of the necessity of doing this was influenced by Ron from Atomhawk, mentioning that they appreciate it when artist sketches digitally because  it saves time. I am happy with the result of the storyboards. I think they are clear and dynamic, though at times I overworked. Perhaps I should have worked on a smaller canvas to not distract myself in details.

Another example of me working on my weaknesses I explored on Learning Outcome 7 . I am confident in my general painting style, but I want to evolve it - be faster and more productive.
So I investigated how to try and improve on my general art skills through speed-paintings and value studies. It also helped me work on environments since they have always been weaker than my character art, though I still need a lot of practice.