The Group Crit

Feedback:

On felting/aesthetic...

'So much crafting and time put in, the lighting is really warming and cute.'

'Really nice use of texture.'

'Amazing stuff Jay! I love the models!'

'Great to see you exploring materials beyond drawing.'

'I love da deer!'

'That's lovely, I just want to take a siesta on that landscape!'

'The felt idea is amazing and so engaging.'

'Really well considered - amazing technical work. Love it!'

'Yes! Lovely! Craft! Stock! Nice! Sterling job Stelling!'

'So much craft gone into this. Photographs look ace as well.'

'It's amazing, everything is created and made with wool'

'Very brave I really like it.'

'Love the dreamy feel it has to it.'

'Choice of materials is well considered'

'Great at the scale'

'Beautiful use of models.'

On the product...

'Prefer the smaller version on the fancy paper.' - 'Really lovely stuff Jay, I'd have to agree.'

'Good consideration of stock also, what the hell is that paper? It's great and retro looking.'

'So different - media is lovely and good stock!'

'Feels like something straight out of a TV show'

On the concept…

'Most interesting book I've seen!'

'Things work together really well.'

'Not too sure on the narrative.'

'You've just been sat in that corner, hidden away, making magic.'

Is this what I intended/hoped for?

OMG YES. So pleased that people could read the 'dreamy', 'magic', 'warming' themes. I didn't think they would be too obvious, and might just read as plain 'cute' and void of atmosphere, but my book was successful in communicating the mood of the landscape. It was relatable in this way.

 My peers appreciated the amount of work I have put into it. So I haven't painted a photo-realistic portrait, but I have made a (not so) little scene and they accepted this as 'illustration'.

A lil' surprised that people preferred the weird A4 stock? It was just some random laid cream 100gsm paper, but I got several comments about its 'retro' quality that matches my artist case studies (70's children's television). MAYBE I SHOULD USE THAT INSTEAD? Can a professional print be achieved on this stock?

What have I seen that I want to learn from?

Simple ideas, executed with careful crafting. HOW DO YOU GUYS CUT PAPER SO NEATLY? TEACH ME YOUR WAYS.
People are so good at COLOUR, something that is often the last thought in my creative process. Want to get better at colour.
Alicja's book looks so good in printed form! Saddle stitch makes a much cleaner product. I WANT TO BUY A COPY OF ALICJA'S.

HOW DO I FEEL?

Much more positive. Proud. Maybe. Feels great to finally get this work out and let people see what I've been working on in silence for so long! 

It's gratifying to hear people enjoying my work but the silly little Jay that I am still thinks 'I COULD HAVE DONE BETTER! IT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH. DON'T LOOK AT IT.' But there is still time to tweak the book production that I am disappointed with, SO I CAN SOLVE THAT, and put the actual content to one side as FINISHED & AWESOME.

I'm celebrating and buying a Greggs donut on my way home. Yasss.