Scaling up #1 & Threads Exhibition.
I have finally completed Scaling Up #1, an experimental sketch exploring how my style translates to a larger composition. Measuring approximately 1.5 metres by 0.5 metres, the piece was created using black ink on unprimed wallpaper liner - a departure from my usual materials and scale.
The process was both challenging and rewarding. Even practical tasks, like keeping the paper on the wall, proved tricky - it frequently fell, often onto me or the floor! Early on, I spilled ink down the middle of the paper, a setback that forced me to adapt. Yet, these small struggles became part of the learning process. Experimenting with new techniques, such as using a stipple brush to create textures for the tree canopy, helped me embrace a more experimental mindset. Feedback and recommendations from my course mates also played a pivotal role in overcoming obstacles, leaving me with a lovely sense of connection to an artistic community - the first time I can truly remember feeling this way.
Using a low-cost material like wallpaper liner reduced the fear of “ruining” the painting, giving me the freedom to take creative risks. Midway through the project, I began running low on ink, which led me to incorporate more watered-down washes than I might typically consider. This limitation unexpectedly created a dreamlike, ethereal quality in the painting, adding depth and atmosphere I hadn’t quite anticipated.
Initially, I felt frustrated by how long the painting seemed to take. My usual habit of carefully placing every mark and brushstroke slowed me down. However, as I leaned into the experimental nature of the piece, I found myself letting go of that need for control. The looming deadline - a submission for Threads, a pop-up exhibition in Lincoln that we were invited to take part in as first-year MA Fine Art: Digital students - became a surprising motivator. Instead of immobilising me, the deadline pushed me to make quicker decisions and avoid overthinking, which proved unexpectedly liberating.
Sending Scaling Up #1 out into the world felt strange. I’ve only ever parted with one of my paintings before - a gift to my grandmother for her 87th birthday. She and my granddad had loved it when I first painted it and asked to hang it in their home. Sending Scaling Up #1 to the exhibition felt different, like I was parting with a piece of myself, especially since I wasn’t the one delivering or installing it. My mind raced with everything that could go wrong, particularly during this busy time of year, with long post office queues adding to the stress.
But seeing my painting displayed amongst the works of my course mates filled me with happiness and pride. I felt a deep sense of joy seeing one of my paintings out in the world and pride at being part of a vibrant artistic community. These feelings have motivated me to push forward with my practice and embrace new opportunities. Through this course, I’m learning not just about art but about myself, and I’m eager to explore these discoveries further over the next two years. I can’t wait for the next chance to showcase my work.
Looking ahead, I want to create a series of larger-scale pieces, similar in size to this one, to delve deeper into the themes I’m currently exploring. I already have a couple of compositions in mind that I’ve sketched out in my sketchbook, and I’m excited to translate them onto a larger scale. Completing Scaling Up #1 has also rekindled my habit of taking more photographs during my day-to-day activities. I now have several images I’d like to develop into paintings in the coming months.
Ultimately, Scaling Up #1 has been a valuable step in my artistic practice. It has shown me that overcoming hurdles and facing unexpected difficulties - like working to a deadline - can unlock creative freedom, and that embracing imperfection opens the door to new discoveries. While I still enjoy the slower, deliberate process of my usual work, this experiment has revealed the potential of stepping outside my comfort zone. I’m excited to see how my practice continues to evolve.
