Asemic Writing: Expressive Mark Making through Invented Text

By Sheila Ceccarelli, inspired by Sue Gough

It was not until I read Sue Gough‘s moving ‘I Am AccessArt‘ post that I came across the word ‘asemic’.

‘Asemic’, the way I understand it, describes the text that infants write before they can form letters; the narrative formed by the use of descriptive mark making. Asemic writing is an expressive form of writing that can only be interpreted by the viewer with the tools of instinct, empathy, intuition and emotion.  This is how I introduced ‘asemic’ to teenagers, aged 12 to 17, at my drawing class last week.

I have to thank Sue for the most amazing session. I was deeply touched by the teenagers’ ability to interpret the task and create highly personal and distinctive ‘narratives’ of their own.

 

Asemic writing, Jasmine aged 16: asemic text
Jasmine aged 16: asemic text

 


Please log in here to access full content.

Username
Password


Remember me
Forgot Password

 

To access all content, I would like to join as…

An Individual

Creative practitioners, educators, teachers, parents, learners…


An Organisation…

Schools, Colleges, Arts Organisations: Single and Multi-Users



AccessArt is a UK Charity and we believe everyone has the right to be creative. AccessArt provides inspiration to help us all reach our creative potential.




Monoprinting with Oil Pastel and Carbon Copy Paper

You May Also Like…

Pathway: Exploring the world though mono print

This is featured in the 'Exploring The World Through Mono Print' pathway

This is featured in the ‘Exploring The World Through Mono Print’ pathway

Pathway: Exploring Shape and Colour

This is featured in the 'Exploring Shape and Colour' pathway

This is featured in the ‘Exploring Shape and Colour’ pathway

Explore Video enabled printmaking resources

A Screenprinting Hack


Thoughtful Mark Making


Watercolour Washes Inspired by the Tapestries of Henry Moore

See This Resource Used In Schools…

Year 6, Ruth at Carden Primary School
Year 6, Ruth at Carden Primary School
Year 6, Ruth at Carden Primary School
Year 6, Ruth at Carden Primary School
Year 6, Ruth at Carden Primary School
Ruth at Carden Primary School, Brighton
Ruth at Carden Primary School, Brighton

You May Also Like…

Acrylic Painting: ‘Food, Glorious Food’

Tangerine

all AccessArt watercolour resources

Making marks with watercolour 2 by Emma Burleigh

drawing vegetables: a drawing game

Drawing vegetables via a drawing game


Drawing Cloth with Water Soluble Graphite


Drawing Birds with Mixed Media: Creating Effects with Oil Pastels, Crayons and Ink Washes

You May Also Like….

Visual Arts Planning Collections: Birds

Drawing Birds with Oil Pastels and Washes

Drawing Feathers

Drawing feathers

Mixed media

Making marks with watercolour 2 by Emma Burleigh


Ink Drawings: Making Drawing Tools and Mark Making


Acrylic Painting: ‘Food, Glorious Food’


Gestural Mark Making with Acrylic Paint

You May Also Like…

Pathway: Expressive Painting

This is featured in the 'Expressive Painting' pathway

This is featured in the ‘Expressive Painting’ pathway

talking points: Charlie French

Charlie French

Talking Points: Marela Zacarías

Marela Zacarías

Talking Points: Brush Work of Van Gogh & Cezanne

Wheat Field with Cypresses (1889) by Vincent Van Gogh. Original from the MET Museum.


Drawing Feathers: Perfect for Mark Making

See This Resources Used In Schools…

Year 1, Histon and Impington Brook Primary School
Year 1, Histon and Impington Brook Primary School
Year 1, Histon and Impington Brook Primary School
Year 1, Histon and Impington Brook Primary School
Year 1, Histon and Impington Brook Primary School
Year 1, Histon and Impington Brook Primary School
Year 1, Penny Kemp
Year 1, Penny Kemp
Year 1, Penny Kemp
Year 1, Rode Heath Primary School
Year 1, Rode Heath Primary School
Year 1, Rode Heath Primary School
Sarah Mackenzie, Year 1, St Hilary's School
Sarah Mackenzie, Year 1, St Hilary's School
Sarah Mackenzie, Year 1, St Hilary's School
Sarah Mackenzie, Year 1, St Hilary's School
Sarah Mackenzie, Year 1, St Hilary's School
Sarah Mackenzie, Year 1, St Hilary's School

You May Also Like…

Pathway: Making Birds

Featured in the 'Making Birds Pathway'

Featured in the ‘Making Birds Pathway’

Talking Points: Inspired by Birds

Fulmar Petrel from Birds of America (1827) by John James Audubon