Nicoll In reply to ArtofDrum [2013-06-18 15:03:46 +0000 UTC]

Hi, sorry for not getting back to you, haven't been round here in ages.

That's really nice - was it Nancy?

In terms of which illustration course to choose, I couldn't say if the one I choose was better or worse than any other because I only did one! Yeah, I’d say it was good.

I liked my tutors although I was quite argumentative and frequently disagreed with them. I think it was a healthy relationship.

In hindsight, I realise that they're not there to be teachers so much as surrogate clients. The most important thing you can learn from them is how to be a professional. Demand these skills from your tutors – the sooner you pick them up the better equipped you’ll be when you leave. It certainly took a while to sink for me after leaving Uni, but I’ve been fortunate since then.

Don't expect your tutors to teach you how to be an illustrator though (or even a draughtswoman) . You'll have to work your butt of to figure that one out for yourself. There are teachers and mentors out there, but I'd be surprised if you found one at Uni.

Good luck

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ArtofDrum In reply to Nicoll [2013-06-19 07:41:45 +0000 UTC]

Ah thankyou so much, that's very good advice, I will definitely take what you've said into account,and yeah it was Nancy I've chosen to go to a different Uni now but you're advice will be invaluable anyway

Thankyou,
Charlie.

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Nicoll In reply to Nicoll [2013-06-18 15:05:18 +0000 UTC]

Er - draughtsman, I mean. Sorry mate, I read the sig from the post bellow

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Nicoll In reply to fluorescentbeauty [2009-10-08 21:20:36 +0000 UTC]

Hi Lara,
No relation to any Richard Nicolls as far as I know - perhaps via a distant branch in the family tree, but who knows?

It's just those two life paintings early in my gallery I did in my foundation year, and the painting of the Holloway Odeon which was for my A-level mock exam.

I wouldn't worry about 'standards' though – just focus on doing what you want to be doing. The main thing is that you enjoy being creative and having ideas, and that you have work to show to show and discuss at the interview.

At a certain point I decided what I really wanted to do was to learn to draw well, for communicating my ideas. These days that's not particularly common, and although art colleges pay lip-service to drawing, it's not focused on with anywhere near as much rigour as you might expect.

The truth is, if you want to develop a high standard of drawing it's all down to you. Keep sketchpads and draw every day, join life classes, study in museums and look at the work of the artists you most admire (especially the masters). In fact, the internet is an excellent place to find a tutor to help guide you in that respect (eg. art forums such as conceptart.org)

Good luck and all the best,

Mark

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Nicoll In reply to SydneyXoXoX [2009-09-09 12:13:29 +0000 UTC]

Thank you, Sydney

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SydneyXoXoX In reply to Nicoll [2009-09-09 19:58:32 +0000 UTC]

Not a problem at all lmao!

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Nicoll In reply to RiparianVeins [2009-08-28 12:21:05 +0000 UTC]

Cheers, kind of you to say so

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philcool32 In reply to Thevakien [2009-05-16 19:24:17 +0000 UTC]

I must say- your work is OUTSTANDING!

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Thevakien In reply to philcool32 [2009-05-16 19:40:53 +0000 UTC]

O_o That was unexpected! But thank you for dropping by and thank you for the compliment

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Nicoll In reply to Thevakien [2009-04-15 12:22:49 +0000 UTC]

We're all learners round here. It's the best way to be, I feel.

Cheers

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Thevakien In reply to Nicoll [2009-04-15 14:43:44 +0000 UTC]

Honestly I haven't done much life drawing lately, it would be nice to get some inspiration . I can't really say anything much even though I used to study illustration - I still suck ass!! .. Best to learn everything.

Looking toward for new stuff from you

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Nicoll In reply to Thevakien [2009-04-15 15:04:31 +0000 UTC]

Clearly you need a drill sargent to whip you into line. Set you some homework, sort o' thing.

I find it helps to carry a sketchpad everywhere (as in everywhere). I set myself imaginative and observational drawing exercises... that's one way to go.

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Thevakien In reply to Nicoll [2009-04-15 15:18:29 +0000 UTC]

I suppse I've to be hard on myself and determine that I want to improve and set my mind and focus on it.
I do carry sketchbook................... but being too selective about what to draw - I can't help it. I'm too picky!

The one drawing you drew in Camden Town is nice . I need to go town down to Camden - but I assume I'll only end up shopping instead !!

So the more you draw, the better you'll be? What/how do you even deal with the mistakes!? Just ignore it???

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Nicoll In reply to Thevakien [2009-04-15 16:41:00 +0000 UTC]

Just accept that you'll make mistakes. Tones of them. They're bound to happen. But once you've seen the mistake, ask yourself why you made it and how it could be fixed. Then try not to make it again.

It may help to closely examine the work of an artist who is particuarly good at whatever it is you're trying to do. I like studying Michelangelo's drawings, for instance.

No artist ever stops making 'mistakes' in their own eyes, but the more we practice the more we improve. Our mistakes become more subtle more interesting, leading to new creative possibilities. Mistakes can be awsome.

Hey, if you make enough mistakes law of averages says that eventually you'll get lucky do some great work. The more you practice the luckier you get, as the saying goes.

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Thevakien In reply to Nicoll [2009-04-15 16:58:41 +0000 UTC]

I understand that there's no way you can escape from the mistakes - ...really something bothering me but I just don't know what! Perhaps the fear of making the art looks ridiculous I suppose I mean I do learn from mistakes of course but there will ALWAYS be a mistake within and no one is no exception.
I get more confidence when there's a tutor around but there's none! I do most of mine work as a self-taught and using mirror to see the mistakes.

Well...I enjoy Leonardo Da Vinci's studies... They are awesome . I guess I should have a look at the classic and the modern artists as well to have a good knowledge and balance.

Hmmmm......... many mistakes = a way to improve and develop?? So basically it is just to ignore the irritating mistakes and just keep drawing and make the pencil line flows - otherwise I won't make it through?
I believe though that if you make lots of mistake, and almostly leading you to give up and that's where you start to improve and get passed the boundary of fear of mistake. I don't know really. Cause I had ignored mistakes after mistakes - my pencil lines are still rigid...

Should have let myself relaxed a little more

A lot of good advices from you there! Appreciated so much

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Nicoll In reply to Thevakien [2009-04-15 17:14:43 +0000 UTC]

I don't mean to suggest you should deliberately make mistakes, or not deal with the ones you can see. I simply mean you shouldn't beat yourself up over them or worse, hold yourself back from producing work.

If you see a mistake, try and see it clearly. Be honest about it. For instance, if you consistently draw a heavy outline around figures in such a way that it breaks the sense of 3D form, then it's clear what you have to do; study drawing techniques with the aim of capturing 3D form.

In order to break the bad habbit, you have to see it clearly and decide to break it. This raises the question of how could it be done better. There many be many ways to answer that question. So, you a)study master works, b)practice observational drawing and try to work out an answer to the question for yourself and c) make some new work in which you practicecareful attention and mindfulness on your objective.

In the process you'll have improved significantly. You might not realise it yourself but everyone else will, and you'll be ready to face a whole new level of artistic challenges

Good luck. Take courage!

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Nicoll In reply to Where-land-meets-sky [2009-04-14 20:13:04 +0000 UTC]

Heheh thanks. Just keep practicing that drawing, eh?

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Nicoll In reply to candylace [2009-04-14 19:20:36 +0000 UTC]

Cheers very much, I'm flattered

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Nicoll In reply to gpaladino [2009-04-14 19:21:10 +0000 UTC]

Ta very much

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Nicoll In reply to NamibSeed [2009-04-14 19:21:05 +0000 UTC]

Ayethankyou

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NamibSeed In reply to Nicoll [2009-04-15 09:14:11 +0000 UTC]

sweet

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Nicoll In reply to Buuya [2009-04-14 19:22:37 +0000 UTC]

Cheers! Your gallery is bundles of fun too

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Buuya In reply to Nicoll [2009-04-14 21:47:12 +0000 UTC]

Thanks

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Nicoll In reply to Ly-a [2009-04-14 19:21:31 +0000 UTC]

Ta!

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