Breadcrumb Questions and Test Tile Answers
As a teaching artist — a new year means new students and new ideas, both in the classroom and in my studio. 2022….what will this year bring creatively?
As a teacher, you are taught to always be in reflection of your teaching, your classroom management and everything in between as it relates to students. I truly enjoy the reflection process and use it in my studio time, as well. What went well with that piece? What could be tweaked if I was to do the process again? What can I learn from this experience?
I am a person who is always filled with questions. Always. There are always questions. Before, I would almost resent all the questions that would pop in my head. There were always too many questions and not enough answers. I grew so tired of them, but they would keep coming and I never knew what to do with all of the questions.
Then, something changed…I am not sure what, but slowly over time, I grew to appreciate the questions. I would read questions other artists had that I followed and I started to see the questions as my own process. Check out Danny Gregory’s 10 ideas for 10 ideas list here. This developed into my own way of working through my creative problems. I found myself starting to make a 10 question lists about a certain idea I had or project I wanted to pursue and over time began to find safety in the questions. Eventually, I realized how important questions were to my process.
Not all questions have answers.
It is true, not all questions have answers and it does take time to be okay with that, at least that is my experience. But not being fearful of the questions any longer was the first step to being free from them.
What are other ways to tackle questions you have about your own creative ideas?
You have to figure out your own process, your own solutions, but questions can also be bread crumbs to where you may need to go. Another idea for pursuing something creatively with loads of questions surrounding it could be creating test tiles. Can you create a small version of your idea? Can you run a quick test to evaluate further if it is worth pursuing your idea or not? Test tiles are most know in testing glazes for clay projects, but I believe they can work across other mediums, as well. Read further to get ideas for creating a variety of different test tiles with clay, paper and more.
Don’t be afraid of the questions…let them guide you.
Test Tiles
10 questions to ask yourself surrounding test tiles:
What ideas can you start with on test tiles?
How can a test tile help further your project?
Would a thumbnail sketch better serve your idea?
What questions arise as you think about doing a quick thumbnail sketch or test tile?
What part of your idea needs testing?
What is the biggest question concerning your idea on a test tile?
Will test tiles or thumbnail sketches help you with color choices?
Can test tiles give visual reference to a fun idea you are not sure is possible to create?
Where will you land on your idea after completing a test tile?
Does pursuing a test tile first instead of the full project seem to quiet the inner critic?
A test tile example of using watercolor paint to explore color choice, mark making with a brush and also a variety of pens.
Creating your own Test Tiles
How to create clay test tiles:
Roll out a slab of your choice of clay body.
Find a cookie cutter shape that inspires you and use it to cut out similar size shapes of the clay.
Work the tile in your fingers to smooth the edges and manipulate the clay to prepare it for any texture you will add.
Add your desired texture. I enjoy adding unique combinations of textures from my collection of handmade texture wheels and small plates.
Bisque fire your test tiles.
Add your glazes, as desired. Can you come up with unique color combinations with your glazes? (Make notes on your process of each test tile)
Glaze fire your test tiles.
Study your test tiles and display for inspiration.
Repeat.
Ideas for paper, canvas and printmaking test tiles:
Unlined index cards are great to keep around to use for testing ideas.
Cut scraps into 3x5 inches or smaller of the specific paper your project will be on as test tiles. This will feel less intimidating than using the entire large paper.
Take cut scraps of selected paper and glue them into your sketchbook before beginning to use them as test tiles. This will give you a place close by to make notes.
Draw rounded squares or rectangles in your sketchbook in a 9x9 inch formation to test a variety of techniques, color choices or general exploration.
Use canvas pads to create smaller test tiles for exploring painting techniques instead of using a whole canvas.
For printmaking; use white polymer erasers to carve an idea or practice your carving techniques to then move into wood or linoleum blocks.
A goal for 2022
As I began 2022, I decided I truly wanted to give blogging another go. It has been a long time since I have consistently written a blog post and in the past whenever I began to try to tackle writing weekly, I became overwhelmed and frozen in my thoughts and ideas week after week. Finally I gave up. The inner critic got to me, but this year, I want something different. My hope is write a blog post monthly and not let the inner critic win. It excites me to think about finishing a year with 12 blog posts!
Along with blogging every month, another hope is to have a print out of some sort to share with you. This month I have drawn 6 book marks.
Bookmarks
See the pdf file below to get your free copy of this page to print and color as you wish.
Okay, my first blog post of 2022…completed! I would love to see your test tiles of any kind and/or your colored bookmarks. Thank you for reading and supporting my creative pursuits. I look forward to a creatively rich year AND sharing it with you~
Hannah