In preparation of the mark-making workshop I tried to gather a variety of unusual tools I would be able to experiment with. These included:

• a duster
• a candle
• a sponge
• a scourer
• a bath sponge

The workshop itself was created and followed through in a very brisk manner. The studio was divided into two tables that almost took up the whole space. The tables were covered in sheets of paper, which we were expected to cover in marks. We used a range of materials, including paint and other drawing equipment, as well as tools and objects to make these marks. The tasks we had to follow consisted of exercises such as “fill as much of the space you can”, “draw with closed eyes”, “illustrate something smooth”, and many more. We were only given one minute to complete each of these. Once we had completed one task, everyone was expected to move along. This meant that we were all working over each others constructions, building and developing over the top of what someone previously created. The designs were very unexpected and random, but I have to admit, it was a fun and different way to work. 

Once we had finished this workshop, we were given two further tasks to work on individually. We were asked to consider mood, atmosphere, texture, tone, mark, and rhythm. 

For the first task we were spread out across the studio and our tutors would take turns in picking eight different numbers overall. We then had to check which word on our automatic writing sheet would correspond with each number and illustrate it. We were given about five minutes for each word. 

For the second task we were allowed to leave the studio to complete each of the following: 

• Create a drawing that is the opposite / my word : apart
• Create a drawing with a stencil / my word : connection
• Take a photograph / my word : perspective 
• Create a drawing with masking tape / my word : palette 
• Find a texture rubbing / my word : natural 
• A found item collage / my word : area
• A typography rubbing / my word : place
• A tear drawing (ripped paper) / my word : order