Category Archives: Sketchbook

All forms of research and development works undertaken in sketchbook, scrapbook or notebook form.

‘Another Chatham Line…’ drafts from the creative scope…

These are a few images taken from the Creative Scope work I am doing. These are my artworks / draft plans, created to promote the creative concept.

Chatham Creative Scope - draft artwork and concept development by project artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Creative Scope – draft artwork and concept development by project artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Christopher Tipping

Concept

The Lead Artist proposes that these historic, physical and social influences will be experienced in the pedestrian journey from the Railway Station, via Railway Street and Military Road to Riverside. It is proposed that this concept approach may manifest itself as an evolving linear narrative, drawn out from within the pavements and pedestrian areas associated with the route. Referencing the nearby Chatham Lines, this new Town Line could demonstrate a series of distinct, yet inter-related events, thresholds and experiences along its course. As interpretive interventions, they will evoke a narrative of resonant references to Chatham itself, becoming a part of the fabric of the street. Where the Chatham Lines were built as defensive structures, this new line will be resolutely ‘enabling’.

 

The Historic Dockyard is inextricably tied to the social and industrial history of Chatham. It is a rich source of inspiration. Architectural forms, both robust and functional continue to influence the creative approach; some structures, such as the Slipway Sheds presenting striking abstract patterns and geometries. Vertical forests of timbers supporting vast and expansive roofs with rectangular glazing apertures, twisted askew by perspective. The Dry Docks are faced in massive blocks of close fitting granite. These materials are shaped by function, yet are hand crafted and bespoke features, imbued with a legacy of local and honed skills, surely a fitting inspiration for a contemporary streetscape here in Chatham.

 

Dickens writes about an enduring military presence on the streets of Chatham.

 

“They walked about the streets in rows or bodies, carrying their heads in exactly the same way, and doing exactly the same thing with their limbs”. “Men were only noticeable by scores, by hundreds, by thousands, rank and file, companies and regiments, detachments, vessels full for exportation”.

 

These closely observed characteristics, played out on the streets of Chatham until very recently, suggest that an echo of these patterns of movement and symmetric formations, displays and manoeuvres are still extant in the pavements, streets and roads of the town. Perhaps this evocative memory could be recalled in new paving finishes and interventions in the streetscene.

 

This creative interpretation not only brings a site-responsive and contemporary narrative to the project, but also dovetails with and adds to a strategic and deliberate approach to inherent wayfinding and placemaking, assisting and strengthening the pedestrian route and the local and visitor experience.

 

This concept applies to the entire Placemaking Masterplan, setting a blueprint for a programme of temporary and permanent commissions to roll out in a phased approach over the development period.

Chatham Creative Scope - draft artwork and concept development by project artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Artist's own
Chatham Creative Scope – draft artwork and concept development by project artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Artist’s own

 

Chatham Creative Scope - draft artwork and concept development by project artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Artist's own
Chatham Creative Scope – draft artwork and concept development by project artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Artist’s own

Chatham Creative Scope – ongoing

It’s a while since I last posted on the project. My creative scope has now been submitted and contains a number of research-led works, including:

Site visits to Chatham, for the purposes of research and site analysis.

A review of local landmarks and key buildings, places and organisations –

Meetings with archivists –

A personal blog –

Pinterest Board of research images and aspirations –

A text based creative analysis made as a contribution to the Masterplan document being prepared by LDA

‘Another Chatham Line…’ – an illustrated creative scope pdf document –

Concept and diagrammatic drawings to accompany and illustrate the creative scope and concept approach –

The work submitted will be added into the supporting documents or as an appendix to the work. We will now be looking towards a public consultation exercise, which is scheduled for early December 2015.

The following images are from draft artworks I have produced, exploring the idea of a thematic pedestrian route from Chatham Station to the Waterfront and The Paddock.

Chatham Creative Scope - artist sketchbook drafts. Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Creative Scope – artist sketchbook drafts. Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Creative Scope - artist sketchbook drafts. Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Creative Scope – artist sketchbook drafts. Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Creative Scope - artist sketchbook drafts. Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Creative Scope – artist sketchbook drafts. Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Creative Scope - artist sketchbook drafts. Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Creative Scope – artist sketchbook drafts. Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Creative Scope - artist sketchbook drafts. Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Creative Scope – artist sketchbook drafts. Image: Christopher Tipping

 

18th May 2015 – Contextual Research Document, Ramsgate

Monday 18th May 2015 – today I have to revise and update the contextual research document I made earlier in the schedule –

I want to submit this as supplementary research and development to illustrate how the artist (me) has worked with the project team in order to influence the design process. Not easy to reduce and re-define what has gone before, but so much more has happened over the last few weeks, that I have to bring this up to date. Am in my studio here in Ramsgate trying to figure out the best approach.  I think it’s going to be a late night !

 

 

The Whiteleaf Centre

I have been asked by Tom Cox, Artscape Project Manager for Oxford Heath NHS Foundation Trust, to prepare some draft artwork, based upon the designs for the Whiteleaf Hospital, which can be printed and framed for display at the Trust’s offices.

These are some of the draft images –

Draft - Street Trees 1. Image Christopher Tipping
Draft – Street Trees 1. Image Christopher Tipping
Draft artwork for Whiteleaf Centre Glazed Screens. Christopher Tipping
Draft artwork for Whiteleaf Centre Glazed Screens. Christopher Tipping
Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury. Draft artwork for glazed screens. Christopher Tipping
Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury. Draft artwork for glazed screens. Christopher Tipping
Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury. Draft artwork for glazed screens Christopher Tipping
Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury. Draft artwork for glazed screens Christopher Tipping
Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury. Draft artwork for glazed screens Christopher Tipping
Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury. Draft artwork for glazed screens Christopher Tipping