[Letter 1: Tools] Art is.....

[Perdita Westcott]

Art Is A Line Around Your Thoughts....

14th Cylus, 721

here was no doubt about it, Perdita thought. She needed an easel. Coming into this qualification, she had believed that she was purely focused on the creation of illustration, of lettering. Yet, having skimmed over just the book list, it became obvious that she needed to learn lots of different things. Art was about mixing inks and paints, about choosing the method of applying the chosen medium on to the surface - and of deciding the surface. Judging by the list of books and topics, she thought it was going to be absolutely fascinating.

But, of course, it was going to be a lot of work. That was fine, she was very happy to do a lot of work - equally, she was glad that Eli was there with her in Scalvoris, in order to make sure that the two of them were settled. Perdita felt that she probably needed that level of calming and encouragement combined.

Qualifications, when looked at as a whole, were quite big things, she decided. But, she could break it down and get started. First things first, she needed to understand what equipment she needed, what would be useful to have, and what was largely unnecessary. She didn't go to the place which sold such equipment, because that would be a foolish thing as Perdita considered it. After all, it was in their interests to sell her things and, the more they sold, the more money they made.

Rather than that, she was here, in the Library, looking for a book which was very basic - preferably one suitable for beginners. That would, she hoped, give her some idea of what might be needed. It took a while to find the right one, not least because she got distracted by looking at the bindings, at the materials used for each one and so on. But, eventually, she came across a book which had a whole section on materials.

This was, of course, a whole new list and she decided that she would make that list by the simple expedient of drawing it. So, sitting on the floor in the Library, Perdita opened the book in question and then pulled her pencil out from her satchel. Each item, she decided, drawn one at a time. It would give her a good idea of what she was looking for, and also, it would mean that she could begin to understand not only what was needed, but the nature and function of it.

If she drew each thing laid out on the bench in front of her, Perdita thought, then she could visualise it, and that would mean she was less likely to forget it, and what it was. Getting the right tools for the job were, after all, important and she knew that if she wrote a list, it would look dull and boring. Things which lived on paper, words and images, they were very much alive to her, they danced around in her imagination and as she sketched, making sure to clearly darken the sides of each item - to give clear outside lines as well as internal shading, she could see each item. To her, each one was dynamic, moving, she could pick it up and see it.

And so, once her list was made, in the way that suited her best, Perdita closed up that book.

[Perdita Westcott]

Art Is A Line Around Your Thoughts....

14th Cylus, 721

he had not expected so many things to be needed, but they were. Thankfully, many of them were easily sourced and many more were able to be repurposed, with still others being free. This was good, Perdita thought. The book she'd read had talked about glass tubes to keep pigments in, they had glass bottles and she was sure they would do the same thing. Also, open jars and so on, but it had said that large shells could be used in the place of these. Perdita knew that there were lots of those on the beach. So, she checked with Rose, the librarian, if that was the case. Rose informed her that there was green sand on the beach and Perdita blinked.

"Green sand?" She was coming to understand that Scalvoris was an odd place, but each time that she thought she'd discovered something truly odd, then she learned something new.

"Green, dear, yes." Rose ambled over to a shelf, the waft of her scent something that Perdita could almost taste, rather than actually smell. She followed Rose, who led her to a book on Scalvoris. Opening it up, the librarian flicked through it and found the chapter in question. Perdita took it from her and began to read.

"It's cool?" That was incredible, she read on as Rose nodded and made her way back to the librarians desk. Orange sand was warm, blue sand enhanced sound. But then, she found the section on "Sandspecks" and the young woman frowned. The were intriguing, and Perdita decided that she was going on a journey - around the shores of the island, to collect as much sand of as many different colours as possible. It would be wonderful to be able to use it in her art, to make ink and paints from it, and who knew what else could be done. Once she told Eli about this, she was sure that he'd be just as intrigued as her. So, she took the book back to the front desk and she smiled at Rose. Of course, she blushed too.

"Thank you," she said softly, holding up the book Rose had shown her. "It's very useful." Rose smiled and flapped her hand in a dismissive gesture -although the older woman was obviously pleased. "You're very welcome dear. So, you're taking out these books?" There were quite a few and Perdita nodded.

Putting the books into her satchel, once Rose had recorded the loans, Perdita thanked the librarian again and was just about to leave when she thought of something. "Excuse me," she said, quietly and Rose looked up. "Is the orange sand sold?" Rose nodded her head, kindly. "In the market, dear. It's not expensive. Here, let me write you a note." And Rose did, just a note from the librarian confirming that Perdita was a student and resident. Perdita smiled and thanked Rose again, then made her way down to the docks, where the beach was. And, presumably, the sand.


OOC: For info: Sandspecks

[Perdita Westcott]

Art Is A Line Around Your Thoughts....

14th Cylus, 721

rom the warmth of the library, the cold outside was biting and even though Perdita was well wrapped up, she felt the freezing wind whipping at her face even though she was snuggled deep in her scarf and hood. Speed was very much of the essence for her, and the young woman scurried down from the library to the docks. As she went, she avoided meeting anyone's gaze and instead simply making her way to where she had to go.

Once she arrived at the docks, Perdita had to clamber down to the sand and she was rather pleased that there were very few people around that area where she'd started climbing. Stumbling was more what she actually did, but a combination of gravity, momentum, and a spattering of good luck meant that she made it down to the shore line without too much arm-flapping. At least, she thought with a smile, she'd managed to trot down the slight incline rather than slide on her bottom.

That, after all, had been a distinct possibility.

Still, once she was down there, she started searching around for shells. The green sand didn't need searching for, that was everywhere, but the shells were more tricky. It took her longer to find the shells than she would have liked, because she was so fascinated by the sand itself. She needed to get better, Perdita knew, at looking at the big picture and not being so focused on details that she missed things.

Eventually, however, she built up a good collection of shells, which she dipped in the water to clean off and dropped into her bag, wrapped in some fabric. Then, she turned her attention to the sand; at which point, she realised that she didn't have anything to store it in. Perdita sighed and thought about it a moment - then she turned and clambered back up the slight incline to make her way to the market. There was absolutely no reason to think that the green sand would all disappear overnight and so she could come back tomorrow, better prepared.

The market had all of the things which she'd need and she was very pleased to pick up whole kits which held the goods she needed. Alongside this, though, she wanted some of the orange sand, and the more unusual resources which Scalvoris had to offer. She made her way to the stall which Rose had told her to and handed over the letter. Then, she bought some blue sand, orange sand and red sand. She didn't buy green sand, it was just there.

Then, laden down with the items she had bought, and the books she had borrowed, Perdita made her way back to the house she and Eli had purchased. Once there, she would be able to set up a study and art area, as they had agreed. She was more than excited.

It was rather like, Perdita considered, starting this qualification forced her to think about what she wanted. Think about what she thought. And then, draw a line around it. That realisation of her own process caused her to smile.

She was still smiling as she opened the door to their home.

[Kasoria]

Review Rewards

Name: PURDY

Points awarded: 10

Knowledge:
Research 3 knowledge
Drawing 3 knowledge

Loot:
Skill Kits (appropriate to Wealth Tier) - for Drawing and Painting One Competent, One Novice, be sure to deduct from your Wealth Ledger
Scalvoris Sand (this is sold for 1 or 2 gn, depending on the type, so I figured it would be fair to be within Tier 5. If needed, I'll pay WP) One jar of each, again, deduct as appropriate from your WL

Renown: 5 points, for getting out and getting noticed by the marketers

Skill Review: All Skills used appropriate to level

Notes:
This was a fun little thread, and kudos for attaching all relevant links and details to what you were describing. Always a plus when a reviewer doesn't have to go Wiki Walking just to understand what's being roleplayed! Perdita seems to be quite an organized and ambitious lady; small-time for now, but knows what she wants, mos def. I look forward to reading more about her.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns in regards to this review, feel free to PM.