Creating first mark making test pieces to music

I listened to different pieces of music while creating these test pieces. Some worked well and others felt unsuccessful, but the trial and error process has really helped me understand what works and what does not. I realised that doing an acrylic wash on every background may not have been the best decision, as it affected what I was able to build on top. For example, when I dripped ink over the acrylic wash, it became patchy and far more transparent than I expected. In some areas, you could barely see the colour at all, which didn't give the impact that I wanted.

Because I was working on small sections and standing upright rather than on a flat surface, I feel this also affected the outcome of  'The Bioluminescence of the Night' section. I overworked the piece. The restricted space definitely influenced my application. Next time, I will work horizontally on the floor with a bigger space to work on so I can move around the piece more freely and allow the materials to flow more naturally.

Interestingly, the piece I created below, while listening to Born to Play Reprise felt more successful. The smaller sections I had prepared actually worked in my favour for this one. My drawing felt more controlled and neat, and my application had greater precision. There were no messy splashes or accidental marks. I really liked the natural flow of my hand, even though I did not have a clear idea of what I was creating at the time. This is the first abstract piece I have made where my mark making felt controlled rather than chaotic, which is an important shift for me.

At the moment, I am feeling a little lost and I am not enjoying the uncertainty of not fully knowing what I am doing. I understand that this is part of the process, and in hindsight it will likely all make sense. I need to keep reminding myself that experimentation often feels uncomfortable before it becomes clear. Even though this stage feels unsettled, it is still necessary for growth.