Student Spotlight: Konstantinos Efthymiou

Drawing Practices

As Programme Leader for the BA (Hons) Drawing degree, I have been eager to see how the new degree pathway we have designed is working out for students. Drawing is such a wonderful department, full of interesting students, and their work is really exciting. I’ve asked a few students on the very first unit of the degree—Drawing Practices—how things are going and am pleased today to shine a spotlight on the first of them, Konstantinos Efthymiou.

ED: Hi Konstantinos, I’d like to start by asking what you were doing with drawing before you joined OCA and what informed your decision to embark on a drawing degree?

KE: Drawing in a technical or expressive way has been introduced to me through studying graphic design somewhat thirty years ago, where I received my Diploma of Higher Education. Although I decided to follow a different creative career after that, drawing mainly and less painting, the activities where I can withdraw from everything and have quality time with myself have remained. Which is more often and more important to me as I grow older. Going into a drawing degree was a no-brainer for me. I realised that I needed a different stimulus than just my local library books or those short online courses. I wanted a challenge and to explore what drawing can be, as it sits at the core of many disciplines. A degree in drawing has the potential to lead you to various creative pathways. I have an open mind for the outcome, as I am realising project after project, new concepts cascading from my creative activity, and my thought process is developing along side.

ED: Has your first drawing unit been what you expected it would be?

KE: Prior to embarking on this drawing degree, I completed with OCA a foundation on drawing, so in a way I kind of knew what I should expect. Returning after many years to education, a foundation course, as an essential step to see if I like this style of education and, of course, if I felt ready again to dive into such a commitment. So I would strongly suggest to anyone try first the foundation course with OCA in order to see and understand the structure of it before they commit to a degree level. Personally, I find this course very complete with regard to every detail. As well, the units are challenging and thought-provoking (as they should be). The timing for completing the projects is plenty, and I have been very pleased with my tutors and our communications.

ED: Is there a drawing you have produced during 1.1 Drawing Practices that really taught you something about drawing – and what was it?

KE: This is a still-life drawing I am providing from my Project 1. It is an introduction to the drawing material of charcoal, which I had very little knowledge about and even less experience with. I am very pleased with the results, as I have not worked before on big A2 size paper with charcoal sticks, so it was a real challenge. Using mostly gestural movements, I managed to capture tone and texture in a very convincing way. There has been extensive research on the medium of charcoal as well as artists that use it mainly. So it was an inspiring exploration, with charcoal becoming my most favourite medium to date.

ED: That is a really beautiful drawing, Konstantinos. I love the way you have drawn in the lighter parts with a shaped rubber, and the tracery and realism of those elements operate nicely with the soft smudgy shadows. I look forward to seeing your degree studies develop, but as a last question, what advice would you give students starting 1.1 or anyone who is struggling with their studies just now?

KE: Although struggles have variations and some are really hard to overcome, studying at a degree level should be seen as a self-development path in life. From a caterpillar to a butterfly! Be curious about things you learn. Put your questions first. Curiosity is motivation!