Reflection- Ziqi Geng

In this project, I tried many different ways of making images, such as rubbing, printing, digital mirroring and layering colour. While doing these tasks, I realised that an image doesn’t always need to be drawn directly. Sometimes it can slowly appear when I touch the material and work with it patiently. For example, when I did the leaf rubbing, the textures came out naturally just through pressure, and this made me pay more attention to small details. In the pattern task, when I mirrored and repeated the shapes digitally, I saw how a pattern can “grow” from one mark into a larger rhythm. There are still things I want to improve. Some of my colour experiments feel a little too strong or separated. I think I need to slow down and let colours blend more softly. Next time, I want to try using sponges, cloth or thinner layers of paint to create smoother changes in tone. Also, I think I can make my patterns more structured by looking at weaving or knitting patterns, where repetition has clearer direction and rhythm. Overall, this project helped me understand that images can come from the process, not only from planning. It taught me to work more slowly, to observe more carefully, and to trust what happens during making. I feel more confident about letting things appear naturally instead of trying to control everything at the start.