Sophie Williamson: Workshop Bursary Blog

Continuing our series of guest blogs from the Workshop Bursaries for 2023/24 is Sophie Williamson …..

The Toogs Artist workshop is a fantastic space to put your creative ideas into action. Being in da workshop, bouncing your ideas aff o' idder folk and seeing dem come ta life... it is suy rewarding. I had absolutely nuy idea what I was going t' do when I entered the studio. No preparation at all. Clueless. I just got booked in.

At da time, my art had been pushed to da side due to work and everyday life. So, I was utterly delighted to win in and get going! It did not disappoint me one bit.

My first session; I took in my sketch books, recent pieces and an open mind. It was so exciting. Daniel gave me a tour o' da workshop, all o' dir equipment and da library...

Looking through other folks zines, me brain started thinking aboot me phone notes... I loff messing aroond we wirds and poetry but I had never done onything we it. So, I showed Daniel een dat I liked and dat was da start o' my bursary project!

As the sessions went on, the whole thing grew more arms and leegs…

On A4 paper, I wrote oot all da words in ink. Seeing everything laid oot together, we started envisioning the poetry and images coming together into a zine. I went away fae Gaada feeling inspired for da first time in ages and worked on pen illustrations for my next session.

Throughout da year, Gaada was extremly accomodating and flexible. Dir was a big gap o' time between my first and second session due to personal health reasons but da staff at Gaada could not have been better. I really apprecated dir support. De made the whole process so easy. Incredibly understanding and caring folk to work we. Thank you!

My second session; we created a prototype for da book. We played aroond we colours, sizes o' paper and binding until we got something dat we wir happy we.

I found making a book brally confusing…

Thankfully, Jono was dare to help. He was suy enthusiastic and a great person t’ bounce your ideas aff o. He brought a great structure and order to the whole thing. Along we many useful tips!

Next, we got the riso machine up and running. At first, I picture the entire book being in Black and White. However, once we started experimenting, I quickly changed my mind. Dis happened a lot. It was so fun working we new machinery because your imagination went into overdrive. All your ideas turned bigger and bolder. Da outcome always ended up entirely different fae what I initially started aff doing! I thought it was brilliant. Dir wis a few happy accidents in among it too.

My third session; I worked on da last couple of drawings I needed for da book. I experimented we shapes and pattern using masking fluid and ink. The combination o’ materials created really striking images which I absolutely loffed. Definitely a new favourite medium to work we!

Next, Jono showed me the software procreate. He explained how I could make my own paintbrush by taking a photo of my hand drawn image. The idea I had was: an open door we lots o' butterflies flying in. Instead of drawing each one - I could use the same image multiple times. The brush would alternate and flip the butterflies in different directions following your pen stroke. Saving me a lot o’ time!

My fourth session; me and Jono worked side by side tying up all da loose ends. Jono created da layout o’ my images on da computer and continued printing more copies on the Riso Machine. I ripped up one of my ink pieces and collaged it. This created a cool looking texture for my door frame.

One drawing that I needed to use was in my sketchbook. I drew the image too large for the paper so it was cut off at the sides. Instead of drawing it all over again; we used AI to fill in the missing parts of the drawing. I was quite shocked at how well it worked! Technology to the rescue again…

Da next time I return to Gaada; we will be numbering and signing my finished zines!! Aaaa! So exciting.

Very soon you will be able to find dem in Gaada’s online Shop. So keep your eyes peeled….

I am suy grateful I was awarded dis opportunity and I canna thank everybody at Gaada enough for dir ongoing support. It has been a stimulating and inspiring experience and I loffed every second o' it.

Gaada workshop bursaries are made possible by the funding of Creative Scotland and Shetland Charitable Trust.