Speed, subjectivity and visual conventions in ethnographic reportage drawings

Reportage drawing is a way of visual journalism and records opinions as well as observation. In ethnographic fieldwork, reportage drawing has been used as a method of visually documenting ethnographic discoveries. The question is: what are the most significant skills that a reportage drawing artist need to effectively document visual materials? This paper proposes three important skills: speed-drawing, understanding of subjectivity, and appropriate use of conventions. Speed-drawing is essential for on-location settings to help quickly capture important aspects of moving subjects. Understanding the influence of subjectivity is important in an ethnographic setting, as it helps the artist to realize what cultural characteristics are valuable from their point of view so they can quickly decide what to record and what to omit in a fast-paced reportage setting. Applying conventions makes it easier to translate three-dimensional scenes into two-dimensional drawings and can also be used to add more information, but needs to be used wisely to avoid loss of crucial visual data. With practice-based research as core methodology, this project justifies the proposed argument with the analysis of my own reportage drawing practice, including both the process and the outcome.