Task 1 – Talking Colour / Pattern – Lowri Thomas

1. This Drawing was inspired by a piece of graffiti I came across in an alley near London Bridge. As I walked through the narrow passage, the vibrant artwork on the wall immediately caught my attention – the bold, colourful font was striking, making it interesting to look at. To reflect the texture and style of the original graffiti in my own work, I used a range of techniques. These include water colours, oil pastels, coloured felt-tip pens, ripped coloured paper and denim fabric, allowing me to create layered texture.

2. This second drawing was inspired by a vibrant coffee stall in Borough Market. Its bold and inviting colour palette stood out among the surrounding stalls, instantly drawing my attention. To capture the warmth of the scene, I experimented with a variety of techniques, including watercolours, oil pastels, felt-tip pens and ripped coloured paper. These materials helped me bring texture and depth into the drawing.

3. This third drawing was inspired by a vibrant shopfront in Camden Town that immediately caught my eye. I was drawn to it’s stricking pink brick wall and the bold graffiti artwork covering the roller shutter front door. The building was bursting with colour, creating lively and captivating scene. To bring this energy into my drawing, i used a mix of techniques and materials, including watercolours, oil pastels, coloured felt-tip pens, and even ripped magazine paper iIcollected from a stall in Camden Market.

4. This fourth drawing was inspired again by Camden Town. The graffiti font on this side of the brick wall was so bold and vibrant, it was quite overwhelming at first! To bring this energy into my drawing i used a variety of techniques, such as water colours, coloured pencils, oil pastels and felt tips.

5. This particular photo was inspired by a vibrant fruit and veg stall stall i came across at Borough Market. I was especially drawn to the rich variety of tomatoes, displayed in an array of sizes and deep, stricking colours. To capture this scene I decided to use water colours as a base, and then work on top with water colours to add texture and shadows. I also used felt tip pens to give the drawing more of a defined look.

6. This drawing was also inspired by the same colourful fruit and vegtable stall at Borough Market, but this time I chosse to focus on the bright, tropical tones of the oranges. The way they were stacked created a stricking, organic pattern that immediately caught my eye, i had to capture it! I began with a base layer of water colous, then built up texture and detail using oil pastels and fine line felt tips.

7. This drawing was inspired by a vibrant ‘Pimms’ stall i came across at Borough Market, which immediately caught my eye as ‘Pimms’ happens to be one of my favourite alcoholic drinks! The artwork is based on a colourfull poster advertising the beverage’s price, which stood out with various colours , creating a vibrant appearance. I decided to use oil pastels, water colours and coloured fine line marker pens for this drawing.

8. My eighth drawing was inspired by a cluster of vibrant flowers I often see during my daily walks in the local park near where im staying. Their bold colours and unique shapes never fail to catch my eye, and i felt compelled to capture their beauty on paper. For this piece, i used a combination of watercolours, oil pastels and black marker pens to bring out their vividness and detail.

9. This is a quick sketch and colour study of a postbox I came across while walking though the streets of London central. I was drawn to its distinctive shape and vibrant green colour, which made it unique and stand out from the other postboxes. To capture its character, I used watercolours for the base tones, oilpastels to add texture and depth, and fine line marker pens for more of defined detail look on the outlines.

10. My tenth drawing was inspired by a beautiful flower pot i discovered at my local cafe while having tea. I was particularly drawn to the unique shape of the flower and the angle i managed to capture. I thought the petals are especially stricking, with their unusual form and varying shades of pink. I also found the spiky stigma at the center added texture and character to overall piece. I used combination of water colours and oil pastels for a vibrant, layered finish, and added detail using black fine line pens for defining shape.

REFLECTION

During this talking colour task, I began by focusing on my surroundings, drawing inspiration from some of my faveourite areas in London, particularly Borough Market and Camden Town. While exploring these locations, I took time to observe and experiment with the variety of colours and textures I discovered, capturing them through photographs and quick sketches to develop some initial pattern and colour ideas. At Borough Market, I was initially overwhelmed but also excited by the vibrant and exotic displays of food. The fruit and Vegetable stall especially caught my attention, I had never seen such brightly coloured produce before. The textures and natural patterns of the fruit sparked numerous ideas for how I wanted to represent them in my drawings. For example, I chose to focus on the oranges, tomatoes, a colourful ‘Pimms’ poster, and a nearby coffee stall, each offering unique visual elements that i found inspiring.

As I continued exploring Camden Town, I was captivated by the graffiti art covering the brick walls. It was both fascinating and mesmerizing , a visual explosion of colour and expression. The graffiti fonts radiated a frenetic energy, each stroke seeming to pulse with life, as if the walls themselves were breathing. Vibrant and full of character, the artwork drew me in with its bold curves, dynamic shapes, and diverse styles. The texture of the brick beneath added depth, making the art feel raw and tangible. I truly enjoyed taking in every detail.

Working on this task made me realise just how much colour means to me on a personal level, I see it as an essential part of life’s meaning. Experiencing and visualising colour everyday brings me joy and allows me to express my emotions more freely. While exploring Camden and Borough Market, I encountered a wide range of colours I had never noticed before, which I found truly fascinating, and gave me ideas for my future projects/tasks. When creating my drawings, I intentionally experimented with a variety of materials including water colours, oil pastels, coloured felt tip pens, coloured pencils, ripped coloured paper, magazine and even denim fabric. I really enjoyed blending these materials to add texture, character, and depth to my work. This process not only enhanced the visiual impact of my drawings but also helped me discover my personal style and prefrences in designing and live drawing, whether its what materials I connect with most, and which ones I dont.