DIAGRAFICA
A recent review of the CD-ROM
Review by Robin Capon
Published in the magazine Leisure Painter (UK), July 2006
His review was of an earlier version of this volume published under the title
'Keeping a Graphic Journal; Drawing in the Present'. Since then the work
has been revised, expanded to 409 pages, and, I like to think, significantly improved.
25 new images have been added. The term 'Graphic Journal' has been
replaced throughout this new edition by the term 'Graphic Workbook'
which I believe to be an altogether more appropriate and better one.
This highly informative and thought-provoking CD-ROM. "Keeping a Graphic Journal', was written and illustrated by Neil Watson and completes an ambitious drawing trilogy. While it assumes a basic familiarity with drawing and painting theory and practice, 'Keeping a Graphic Journal' is self-contained and as such does not necessarily rely on a detailed knowledge of Neil Watson's previous CD-ROMs. Its principal concern is with the value of developing an individual approach in using combinations of drawing and handwriting when keeping a personal graphic journal.
Enlightening, well-structured and packed with ideas and interesting illustrations, 'Keeping a Graphic Journal' owes much to Neil Watson's own experience. The content and suggestions in this CD-ROM are based on more than 50 years of personal drawing experience and some 25 years of teaching drawing to people with widely varying levels of ability and experience.
As with the previous CD-ROMs in this trilogy, this one covers a lot of ground in its 381 screen pages, with all the material presented in a logical, easy-to-follow and readily accessible format. The content includes a wealth of information on different sketching media and techniques as well as observations, advice and suggestions relating to the use of sketchbooks, note making and developing your own graphic language, and evaluating and expressing various types of subject matter. The 256 full-page illustrations provide a further source of ideas and inspiration.
There are seven main sections, these covering the nature and value of drawing; elements of visual expression, including graphic language and practical graphics; useful drawing practices; the nature of a graphic journal; a graphic journal in action; visual explorations and work in progress; and conclusions.
A graphic journal combines images and words and it is, as Neil Watson believes, "probably the most intimate and authentic of all activities in the visual arts". Regrettably it is an activity that is much underrated today, although hopefully one that will begin to be more widely appreciated as a result of this excellent 'virtual book'.
Design, Images and Text © Neil Watson 2006