Jane Horton
Here is a slightly different student work video. The student in question is Jane Horton, the OCA’s Director of Curriculum and Assessment. Jane’s first degree was in Art History, but has been studying Illustration as her first course in a degree in Visual Communications. There is nothing unusual in members of staff studying with the College -in fact, we are quite proud that six of our sixteen head office staff are currently also students. Jane’s position did require some careful planning at assessment -clearly she could not attend the part of the award board which confirmed her mark. Interestingly while Jane has probably seen more assessment work than any single member of staff at the OCA and then is well aware of the standards expected at each level, she still confessed to being nervous putting her work in for assessment.
In Mark’s video above, there is a small extract from Jane’s short animation ‘The Sad Tale of Solomon Grundy’. The full piece is below:
17 thoughts on “Jane Horton”
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Beautiful sketchbooks
Thanks Jereme!
What an interesting and rich body of work Jane (you must also be drawing in your sleep)!
I was reminded in your conversation with tutor, Christian Lloyd that students do have the opportunity to alter and improve on their work based on their formative assessment. A recent student of mine remarked that she hadn’t really viewed the formative feedback as an opportunity to build on and improve work; but, as she said, ‘that is the purpose of the feedback’!
So students should really take advantage of this, like Jane has. It’s also easy to take constructed criticism to heart and I do empathise with that as most of us are in the same boat! Sometimes we are so close to our work, it is hard to see the wood from the trees or the bigger picture of where the trees are…. It’s always good to have an open discussion and healthy to build in time to reflect on tutor comments. The student also went on to say that she would use this (formative) ‘assessment for learning’ – wise woman!
Sarah Taylor CCL Textiles
Poor Solomon! I loved the quirky animation.
The sketchbooks are wonderful and I remember seeing you sketching on one of the Study Visits (Bauhaus Exhibition I think). You’re an inspiration Jane and good as well to have that reminder about going beyond the brief and altering and improving work after feedback.
Brilliant Solomon Grundy,What a lively imagination at work,and so funny!Also wonderful sketchbooks. I share your love of these and constant use of them. You are so right about Christians gift of guiding a student into new and interesting ways of working, sometimes challenging and very satisfying. Thank you for sharing these with us.
Jane mentioned going on SketchCrawl days ….. I went on my first one of these yesterday and it was great! Hours of drawing got done in lovely company. I’ll second her recommendation!
I’m really pleased you went on a Sketchcrawl, it makes all the difference to be surrounded by others with the same passion.
Love the sketchbooks but most of all loved the idea of extending the brief. Pushing the boundaries exposes the illustrator/artist/student to new ideas and experiences and starts the process of thinking for yourself and not being too rigid about the brief. I realise that an illustrator may have less freedom than an artist in meeting a brief but exploring generates ideas which is no bad thing.
Mind changing work and comments particularly regarding interpretation of the course instructions. Thank you.
I should be grateful if you would tell me the type of sketchbooks you use as they appear to take watercolour well and also lie flat.
Hi Geoffrey I use Moleskine sketchbooks mostly which are expensive, especially the watercolour paper ones (the normal ones are no good for watercolour). Spiral bound sketchbooks lie flat but the negative is that you have a break in the middle which makes it more difficult to work across to page spreads.
Thank you Jane for that information. I’ll start saving.
Gosh Jane! I had no idea you were doing all that! What is inspiring to see as well as the volume and consistency of what you have done is the sense of ongoing exploration and evolution. The sense of dynamism and fluidity is palpable…that level of engagement is contagious. Where’s my sketchbook…
love the animation! I’m going to try one too …
Thank you all, it’s inspiring to have all this feedback. I’m doing the Graphic Design course now and despite my reservations about it, I’m really enjoying it, because it IS possible to bring an illustrative head to Graphic Design.
Wishing you every success with it Jane. Do you have a blog for it so that we can follow your progress?
Yes, it’s at graphicdesignstudies.wordpress.com
Thanks Jane. It’s very vibrant, with some inspiring ideas and leads to follow.