One to One Session Amber

At just 8 years old, Amber is the youngest of my students. She also happens to be my sister! Perhaps this is an extra challenge for me when teaching one of my siblings.

Amber, like me is a very keen artist. Drawing characters is not new for her at all. She spends much of her time drawing various girls and Monster High Characters. This time around she created an Ice Queen who wears Polar Bear Slippers and likes ice-cream and hot chocolate. 

We undertook this workshop from the sofa! 

Positives

Followed my instructions well. Seemed very focused on her tasks. Although Amber is the youngest of my students, her character is definitely the most elaborately drawn and was probably the hardest to outline. However, she did very well to complete it.

Negatives

Didn't seem to enjoy it. Needed some help completing some of the tasks. Was rather slow and took a few attempts to fully complete the tasks.

Here's what Amber had to say:

"I liked to outline my drawing because I liked using the pen. I didn't like rubbing out the pencil because it takes ages!"

One to One Session with Callum

Another one to one session today. This time with Callum and it was his turn to learn from me how to outline his drawing in pen. As with Melissa, I sent him home with homework to colour scheme his character. 

Callum's character is Hiro Katsu meaning generous Victory. His alter ego is Leek Boy! He has green hair and is an assassin. 

Here's what I thought about the outcome of this particular session:

Positives

Callum seemed to enjoy it. He did his best on the task he was given and followed my instructions to the best of his abilities. Again I could focus on one person so it was easier. He wasn't as distracted and was able to pay more attention to what I was saying and I was able to pay more attention to my student.

Negatives

He didn't always listen and was still sometimes distracted and maybe that was because the session went on too long for him.

One to One with Melissa

Had my One to One workshop with my first student, Melissa. This session was about outlining her character in pen and then being set homework to colour scheme her character.

Melissa has created a character with the same name as herself. She is basically an ice girl with special ice and water powers.

Positives

She seemed to really enjoy it. She paid attention and followed my instruction. We finished in a good time. I could focus and so could she so everything was nice and simple instead of confusingly rushing back and forth between others.

Negatives

There weren't really any. Everything was nice and simple and rather fun.

Here's what Melissa had to say:

"I liked doing the pen and the rubbing out. My character looks a lot better now. Summer did very good at showing me how to rub out the pencil lines. It was a very useful lesson"

New Plan for Workshops

On reflection, I decided it would be better to continue on with individual workshops. The big workshop went well but didn't work as efficiently and effectively as it could have done so am moving to Plan B.

I plan to hold one to one sessions with each of the students. Hopefully, students will be less distracted and I will be able to give focus to their individual needs.

In these sessions we will be learning to outline the drawings that they created in the first workshop and then I will set them some homework in readiness for the last session which will be a group session again.

1:1 Workshop Plan

• Welcome them to the workshop and explain what we will be doing.

• Demonstrate what they are going to do

• Get them to do it themselves and give them help if needed

• Assign them homework

• Questions and Answers

• Ask them to write some more  feedback

Arts Leadership Workshop 1

OK so I ran my first workshop ever today as part of my Arts Award. I survived!

Table of Equipment and Resources

Me before they arrived

Starting out, introduction to the workshop

Interested student!

Me explaining and showing them my work

Helping and teaching

 

Student Drawing

Mid workshop, more teaching and biscuits!

Positives

Everyone seemed to enjoy it. They all said they really enjoyed the drawing part of the workshop. The kids seemed keen to learn and did as I instructed them to. They all completed the tasks nicely so we could move on to the next task. With just 3 kids to teach it wasn't too noisy and they sat there patiently which was very good. They all gave good and bad feedback to the workshop and they made some great characters following my instruction. They were very good throughout the workshop in general.

Writing Feedback for me

Negatives

The workshop didn't go exactly according to plan at all really. First we all sat down and I immediately didn't have a clue what to say and I just rather awkwardly said hello. I had to keep looking over at Ami for help and looking at the book for guidance. I didn't really get into the flow of speaking either, people kept talking over me or asking me things while I was trying to tell them something.

Another big problem was, there was only me and Ami so I had to go back and forth between 2 kids while she dealt with one which was hard enough.

This was my first workshop so a big learning curve for me. Flexibility and adaptability are going to be necessary to move forward with the workshops and to counter the negatives I have decided to carry out single tutoring sessions for the next phase.

Arts Leadership Plan

I have three students confirmed to attend my workshop so I've been working on a project plan so that it will run smoothly. The idea is that I show them now to create their very own Manga character.

Workshop Plan

Equipment

• Camera
• Computer (with Photoshop)
• Comics
• Example manga's and anime's to help students with ideas
• Pencils, pens, erasers
• Rulers
• Paper
• Printer (for scanning and printing)
• Sharpie Markers

Itinerary

• Introduction. Start workshop by sitting down and talking through what I have been doing and learning during the comic making process.

• Give students a copy of my comic and hand out some of my manga and anime drawings to help give them inspiration.

• Talk about inspiration from the moment I thought up the characters and show them my portfolio.

• Demonstrate some techniques on how to draw characters.

• Ask them to make a mind map and create/draw a character of their own.

• When finished demonstrate how to trace over them in a nice black pen.

• Demonstrate how to scan them into computer for digital colouring

• Show them Photoshop software and tools and how to use them. Everyone can complete their characters and print out.

• Questions and Answers

• Ask students to complete feedback forms

Planning ahead/Contingency

There are of course many things that could go wrong in the workshop. Here are some potential problems and how I might deal with them should they arise.

Students

In the event that everyone finishes drawing their characters in pencil at the same time here are some activities to do in the meantime.

• Draw kawaii doodles

• Read my manga’s
• Put an anime on
• Listen to some anime intro’s or japanese songs
• Practice drawing your character or try making a new one

Equipment

There is always potential for computer equipment to breakdown. Hardware, Software, Internet issues. Also, one of the children could get frustrated with their drawing, they might get upset that it didn’t go to plan or they may just get a bit bored and become disruptive.      

      

If such happens here are some ways to solve it:

• Get my brother to fix the computer

• Use an alternative computer (I have the use of my dad's mac which has Photoshop)

• Help the kids draw and fix what they don’t like

• Try keeping them engaged in the workshop and keep it nice and fun

• Keep them doing something interesting

Forgetting

I may forget what to say or what to do next, I may stutter and lose what I am saying or I could just get distracted by something and get off subject

      

If I do I can always:

• Look at my workshop plan

• apologize and try again

• ask Ami what I should do next

• I can move on to something else then come back to it later

Arts Leadership Skills - Unit 2

Unit 2 of the Silver Arts Award is "Arts Leadership". I need to come up with a list of leadership skills that I want to develop. So here goes....

• Presenting and speaking to a group
• Listening and being able to respond
• Demonstrating my skills
• Teaching in a fun way
• Being a fun teacher
• Being able to take control of a group situation

I've also come up with a plan to demonstrate my Arts Leadership skills.

I plan to invite people to a workshop to teach and share the skills I have learned during my Arts Award Challenge. I've created an invitation to email to potential students.

Overall Review & Reflection of Silver Arts Award Challenge Unit 1

Actually, I don't like this writing part of the award. I find it extremely frustrating. Sometimes it can be fun but I feel like it cramps my creativity. Creating the comic was the fun part.

Challenge Review and Reflection

The challenge to create my own comic overall was amazing and I enjoyed it even during those times when I was tired or something felt repetitive. I feel like I have achieved something and my hard work will gain me something I really want in life.

There were many hard challenges and problems while making the comic but there were some super easy things that I could just do without thinking. Sometimes I needed help with drawing the body shapes because it is a naturally challenging thing to do and also times where I required help with scenery colour schemes and characters. Easier parts were thinking of names and creating the storyline; I love to use my imagination to create things so found this came easily as well as being lots of fun. However, there were way bigger difficulties like when I pressed the wrong button and it would enter something wrong or delete something out! Luckily Ami was there to help and I got there in the end and can now solve most things out on my own.  

All of it, of course, was great fun and I had many good times going round to Ami’s just sitting on her sofa listening to some music while making the comic. Attending Ami’s sessions was great because it wasn't always serious, in fact it hardly was! It was a fun casual thing where we could talk and have a little chat and have a laugh at funny things we said or did on accident. I realise that I work better in a creative, relaxed and informal setting.

Ami helped teach me about Photoshop by showing me all the different tools which I wrote down in my book with little doodles beside them so I could always look back so it could help me remember what they were and then from there I just kept practising.

Overall, I have learned many skills during my time working towards the silver arts award challenge. I can now apply these skills to many things as well as continue to create more Manga comics and drawings. My Photoshop skills are now improved and I can use it more efficiently and can create better drawings and images and could even make a sequal to my comic. I have already been showing my Mum how to use Photoshop for her business. 

I have learned more drawing techniques which I believe have made me a better drawer and has helped me create and understand more about illustration. I have even learnt about Manga, Anime and more of the Japanese culture because the comic was based on Manga which is something I already love and have been trying to improve on. With all these skills on board I can now go away and make my own artworks and stories and maybe get a job in later life like a manga illustrator. With my comic finished and also many other drawings I have created I can put it into a portfolio which could help me get a job in the future in an area which I enjoy.

To compliment my Arts Challenge, I went on several outings; Hyper Japan, a Japanese Festival; Under The Spotlight; most epically, I went to Comic-Con in London! You can read all the reviews of these events by clicking on the highlighted text. 

In addition to my trips out, I have even learnt some Japanese words but mostly song lyrics as I love to sing. First I listen to the first sentence of the song while reading the Japanese pronunciation lyrics and have a try at saying one word at a time. Then I try and sing it all myself with and then without the music and seeing if it matches and then I keep at it until I match the pronunciation and lyrics. There are probably better methods to learning lyrics of Japanese songs but I prefer to imitate as it also helps me with my acting if I have to be a certain character.

To conclude, I am very proud and happy that I have made my own comic and am so happy that it's finally all made after many sessions of hard work, I hope that with it I will receive a Silver Arts Award after all my effort

Comic Con London

For those of you who don't know, Comic con is a convention where you can dress up as characters in certain outrageous styles that you don’t generally wear and it's a place with skits and cosplay catwalks and all your nerdy needs.

I had been looking forward to going to Comic Con for quite some time and my friend and I had been planning our outfits for ages! I went along with my friend and her sister and her Mum.

I arrived at Comic-Con London and started queuing for a wrist band so I could be let in. Luckily it didn't take very long and I could look at the other cosplayers as I was waiting. After I had been let in I looked around and marvelled at all the different outfits and props people had. I browsed the stalls and came across a Jack Frost cosplayer and nervously asked for my very first photo with a cosplayer at Comic-Con!

I started looking at the stalls more closely and there were so many different varieties of things to buy, such as: plushies, jewellery, badges, comics, drawings, books, wigs, costumes, clothes, hats, masks and so much more! I purchased a ring and a pillowcase from Black Butler, an Anime I watch.

After looking around some more and taking pictures with more Cosplayers I had lunch. There was a big lunch hall with plenty of seats and places for people to sit and also a lot of nice food to buy. I bought some cherry coke and 6 little doughnuts to dunk in hot melted chocolate, DELICIOUS! After I had eaten and was full up I started walking back until I came across a massive conga line! I joined in and got high fives and people joining onto me and there was music and it was such fun!

After all that excitement I walked back to the stalls for more photos with cosplayers and had one last look at the little stands before taking the train home.

Overall, I thought it was a very good experience. The quality of some of the cosplayers were amazing but some not so good. Everyone was really friendly and I felt like it was well organised. It was crowded though so if you don't like crowds maybe not a great place to be.

The items on sale in the little shops were mostly very expensive but there were a few stalls that sold things for quite a good price.

I'd go again and I'd recommend it for those who enjoy anime and cosplay.

Working with Ami

My time working with Ami has been really fun and enjoyable mostly because it was just so casual and relaxed. If we got something wrong we could just laugh about it and fix it and if we pronounced something wrong we would just make a joke about it. We also got to have some music on and I got to choose sometimes. Often I would come in and Ami would be finishing her lunch as she is only half done with it.

It's not all fun and games though because it took a lot of work making the comic. We had sessions almost every week for about 1 and a half hours. There were sessions that had longer gaps in between and this was hard as I had to get my mind back on to the project. 

I had to learn to remember the Photoshop tools and how to use them. Eventually I got the hang of it and now can do most things easily by myself. Though Ami was doing the teaching I taught her some stuff about anime and manga too.

I asked her these questions as part of my research into her career.

Q1: When did you first start your Career?

In my final year of Uni we did a project called 1st destination which was all about designing and making up business cards and thinking about what kind of thing we wanted to do when we graduated. It was probably then that I first thought about starting my own business. In 2007, a year after graduating I officially registred MiaMai and started trading under that name.

Q2: What inspired you to make and design clothes and art?

I've always been arty. Originally I thought I wanted to do photograhy but naturally moved into Art and fashion. I liked that I could move between the two transferring my illustrations onto clothes and illustrating my designes. I was inspired to create my own designs and loved the idea of creating something that someone fell in love with or that just made them smile and feel good about themselves

Q3: Do you enjoy your work?

Yes I love what I do. I love that being the boss of my own company I can do exactly what I want to do. I understand that I am very fortunate to be able to make a living doing something that I love!

Q4: Were you encouraged to pursue what you love/loved?

Yes my family and friends were always very supportive of me following my creative dreams. I also received encouragement from Uni both from my tutors but also the enterprise unit. I entered a competition in my final year which was all about supporting young entrepreneurs. I actually won the design category so received some business mentoring too which really helped in the beginning.

Q5: What's your favourite part about your job?

I like making and creating so just the process of being creative is probably my favourite thing. I also like being able to see things through from initial design to the final photo shoot.

Q6: How many working hours do you work?

I work part time at a craft organisation called Making Space so I fit Mia Mai into the other days of the week. I don't have set hours. I just work when I want to/can do.

Q7: Who is your inspiration?

Ah good question. Art wise my favourite artist is Audrey Kawasaki, a Japanese artist who's work is just beautiful. I also really like the illustrations of Angelique Houtcamp - she's a Dutch tattoo artist who does very traditional but awesome artwork. Fashion wise I have always admired the late Alexander McQueen. I went to see the show Savage Beauty last year and it was a huge inspiration!

Q8: What's your favourite thing to make/draw?

At the moment I'm really enjoying making lingerie. I went on a professional master class last year and got utterly inspired. I still have more to learn but that's what I'm concentrating on at the moment.

Q9: What item sells the best?

Probably my prints because they are very reasonably cheap. People love paying £10 to have something they love on their wall and I'm able to produce them very cheaply so I still make a good profit.

Q10: Is there anything else career wise you’d like to achieve?

I'd love to get my lingerie to a stage where I could sell it in boutiques etc. I also really like the idea of trying my hand at tattooing (especially as its a huge inspiration of mine). I have bought a machine but not yet tried something out!