Samantha lives in Macclesfield, Cheshire, where she is surrounded by a rural and inspirational environment. She has had a distinct passion for drawing since a very early age and has recently graduated with a BA (Hons) from Manchester Metropolitan University. This is where she found her fascination in portraying animals. Constant practice and observation when drawing, is what has retained her improvement and accuracy throughout her development. ‘I have recognized the various ways a mark can be made from looking at pressure, grip, and placement of the pencil. I have pushed my drawing skills from putting time and enthusiasm into my work.’ – Samantha Ripley
The main observational technique Samantha applies is representing her drawings in a detailed manner. However she contrasts this with simple yet accurate line drawings. Combining the two techniques allows her to edit out areas and focus on an intense section of the drawing thus strengthening it; creating unique and creative compositions, generating a much more interesting and considered outcome. |  |
Graphite pencil is her preferred choice of media. She can capture each individual hair with precision, maintaining her love of fine detail.
Pets are often a vital member of a family; a significant friend and companion to many. Samantha’s main purpose when creating a portrait is to depict and capture the true character of the subject through her drawings; demonstrating and emphasizing their personality. Each commission is unique and generates new challenges, which creates the energy behind Samantha’s work.
BA (Hons) Embroidery Degree Show 2008
Here I am stood with Emily one of five graphite pencil drawings which were displayed in my degree show.
This work explores the potential of scale in relationship to the hand drawn image. I am intrigued by the hand marking process of graphite on paper and have utilised this way of working to explore the representation of farmyard animals that move beyond the familiar and domestic to that of a more monumental and intimidating. The work presented here is designed for a gallery context, but could be adapted to an interior wall-covering market.
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Many people ask how I complete these huge drawings and where on earth do I start. Well I usually start with a structured section, for example on the cow’s ears I usually start with the tag. This is an initial point from which I work outwards.
I wanted to generate a feeling of texture, a sensation of reaching out and touching the fur or stroking the feathers in front of them. Therefore each individual hair, crease and knobble had to be produced. Each drawing took me about 100 hours to complete and stand at 7ft tall.
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Northern Graduates Exhibition – August 2008
From the degree show I was selected to take part in the Northern Graduates Exhibition at the Curwen & New Academy Gallery.
Curwen & New Academy Gallery’s annual Northern Graduates exhibition provides an unrivalled showcase for the best of this year’s graduates from the North of England. This allows some much deserved attention to the often over looked students of Fine Art from the North.
Northern Graduates 2008 is the 21st annual show, this year curated by Tim Dunbar from
The work of eighteen students selected from fifteen colleges, has created an exhibition in various mediums including painting, drawing, sculpture, video and installation. Whilst the exhibition as a whole reflects general tendencies in art practice in the Northern Colleges, each artist and their work is selected purely on its own merit, not to create a comprehensive survey of all these trends. Northern Graduates stands as an interesting and thought provoking exhibition in its own right. This is an opportunity for fresh, new and exciting artists to be visible to the press and public as they leave the academic environment and enter the art market.
