14: Change of direction

With my FMP assuming priority during the build-up to the Cheltenham Festival, and the Portfolio and Promotion module soon after, there was a bit of a Research Experiment hiatus. When I returned to it, the shopping concept had become a bit stale. I decided that since the races were fresh in my mind, I would approach them with the same set of objectives.

With a few weeks of reflection on events I felt I had an angle on the Festival worth exploring. As my drawing during the event was at least partially directed by looking for what I considered suitable material for Cotswold Life magazine, I steered a little clear of overt satire during race week. The crowds actually made it difficult to be able to see people clearly enough to draw them.

There are several journalistic 'angles' one might take with the Festival. A racing insider might want to look at the horses and grooms, stables and parade-ring. I am not a racing insider. A topographical draughtsman might survey the crowds and enormity of the occasion. I felt more comfortable with a satirical - even moralistic - take on the Festival and its culture of excess. It can easily be seen as a big excuse for over-indulgence.