CAVA 1002 VISUAL ART FOUNDATION 2
REVISION- CAVA 1001 Visual Art Foundation 1
Visual Diary Introduction
Lecturers: Oliver Smith & Kenny Son
Coordinator: Michael Doolan
What makes a good Visual Diary?
A good Visual Diary should contain a range of your:
-Explorations
-Experimentations
-Developments
-Outcomes.
Visual Diaries can/should be a reflection of the author/artist’s personal thoughts, visions,
research, feelings/emotions, inspirations etc.
Visual diaries are one of the most intimate documentary journals that an artist has. It is
often the process and creative content of their artistic practice. A Visual Diary contains
elements that make up their day to day experience, often very personal.
• Use A4 or A3 size visual diaries (Pocket sized diaries are also really good for quick
and instant idea/sketch/note making).
• Digital Visual Diaries are ‘OKAY’, however, often it can lack detail and the ability to
express in a diverse and personal manner (e.g. the inability to stick materials into the
pages, express texture, energy etc.)
• Date every piece of documentation, sketches, ideas etc. that is included in the Visual
Diary.
• The format and style of your Visual Diary should reflect your personal interests and
methods of creating. (E.g. If you enjoy using water colours and paints: use a Visual
Diary that is produced using water coloured paper).
• Work on your visual diary consistently and try not to leave it last minute (Immediacy:
documenting the present moment is key, to a good visual diary).
• Keep your Visual Diary organised, in relation to your own personal method (This
however, should not limit and restrict your creative and personal expression/s in
building your Visual Diary).
• Do not forget to annotate or reference any text/information/images that is not
yours. (E.g. If you have used someone else’s artwork as an inspiration, please note
the Artwork’s Title, Artist Name, Date, Size, Material etc.).
• Be expressive and experimental by using different colours, materials and textures
into your Visual Diary.
• Don’t be afraid to explore outside your physical Visual Diary, if you need to.
• Get in the habit of writing small notes (even couple of words), alongside any
image/drawing/photo that are included in your Visual Diary.
• Find your style over-time.
• Make it personal and creative.
Frida Kahlo (Excerpt from Frida Kahlo’s Diary)
Leonardo da Vinci (Excerpt from Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Arundel)
Frida Kahlo (Excerpt from Frida Kahlo’s Diary)
Frida Kahlo (Photo: Banco de México)
Leonardo da Vinci – Breaking down complex ideas (hygrometer)
Janice Lowry (Courtesy Smithsonian Institution’s Archives of American Art)
Ben Quilty’s sketches of Margaret Olley in preparation for his Archibald Prize portrait /
© Ben Quilty
Ben Quilty, Australia b. 1973 / Margaret Olley 2011 / Etchings on paper created from his
sketchbook in preparation for his Archibald Prize portrait / © Ben Quilty
Design Sketches of Johannes Kuhen
Design Sketches of Johannes Kuhen
Design Sketches of Johannes Kuhen
Design Sketches of Johannes Kuhen
These examples are just samples to broaden your thinking, most importantly, we value
creative experimentation, personalisation and individuality.