Introducing: The Revolve Project

A year of painting outside on location

Sep 11, 2024

Hello everyone,

I'm thrilled to kickstart a new series of newsletters chronicling my Revolve Project. While I've mentioned this project in my weekend roundups, I believe it deserves its own spotlight. This dedicated space will not only help me structure and document the project but also allow you to join me on this artistic journey.

The Spark

For years, I've aspired to improve my on-location observational sketching skills. It's a practice I engaged in more frequently when I first got back into sketching. However, the comfort of my home art space (let's call it a "creative chaos corner" rather than a studio) has made me somewhat complacent, content with drawing from reference photos in cosy confines.

On the rare occasions I venture outside, I often find myself overwhelmed by the visual choices or indecisive about which art supplies to use. More often than not, these attempts end with a closed sketchbook and a sense of defeat.

The Opportunity

Enter the Worcester Arts Collective. When my sister-in-law invited me to participate in their year-long project, I leaped at the chance. The premise? Create a weekly piece of art, no larger than A6 (4x6"), for an entire year—52 weeks of creativity. With such an open brief, I knew instantly that this was my opportunity to dive headfirst into the world of Plein Air sketching.

My Revolve Goals

Create an A6 sketch every week from August 2024 to September 2025
Use minimal materials
Exhibit the work at the project's conclusion alongside other participating artists
Cultivate comfort and confidence in outdoor, on-location sketching

As a delightful bonus, this project allows me to document my local area—primarily my farm and surrounding land. I'm eager to witness and capture the landscape's transformation throughout the year, already finding myself more attuned to the subtle shifts as we transition into September.

The Challenge

My primary hurdle? Braving wet, cold, and windy weather. Yet, there's an exhilarating aspect to this challenge—come rain or shine, I must produce a sketch every week. No excuses!

Progress So Far

I'm currently in Week 6, and moving forward, I plan to video-document my process each week to share with you. I'll likely share the previous week's work, allowing time for video editing and post composition.

Without further ado, here are my sketches thus far, along with my latest video-recorded sketch. (Another skill I hope to refine over the year—videography!)