Visual exploration 2 - Illustration (L4)

Over the the weeks of development into the project colour story, my initial ideas for the concept and processes were put into action. In this project, I wanted to explore the colour of venetian red and its connections within Greek mythology, it's ancient empire's environments and its employment within pottery in the late 9th century BCE. I wanted to create a scroll using dyed fabric as the canvas depicting the Greek god Ares in battle as a link to represent the ancient colour of venetian red. Initial sketches In the first stages of the projects conception, I began to develop my idea for the scrolls initial design and how I'd integrate aspects from my research into the illustrations. For instance, I took inspiration from a variety of different examples of black figure pottery specifically from the late 6th century BCE.  From these research examples, I collated key elements I wanted to implement into the design of my illustrations. For example, these included design visuals s...

In the eight week into the module of visual exploration 2: colour story, we experimented and explored different types of book binding specifically stitch binding. Stitch binding can create books, sketchbooks and folders with a variety of different types of paper and thread. There are a number of different examples including; Saddle stitch Coptic binding Japanese stab stitching  Case bound book binding  Kettle stitch  Pamphlet stitch In our session, we experimented with creating a Japanese stab stitched sketchbook using recycled paper, waxed thread, two clips, a needle and an awl. This particular stitch doesn't require folding of paper and utilises waxed thread to ensure its strength, grip and prevents tangling when stitching.  Japanese stab/stitch binding Back cover binding Binding underneath Part of the stab stitch process Examples of awls used to create the holes for the thread to bind the book together

In the fifth week into the module of colour story, we explored a variety of variations of folded book formats that we could consider incorporating into our colour story project. As shown below, these were a few of the variations we experimented in creating such as; the t-shaped cut, star/x format and the Turkish map fold. Different variations of folded format paper cutting Turkish map fold Variation of multiple cuts folded format Following this exploration session, I continued my research into how folded formats can be incorporated into illustrative works such as children's books. In relation to the format of children's books, folded formats can significantly enhance the illustrations ability to communicate the narrative of the work's message/story and exaggerate the atmosphere and environment of the illustrated world.  For instance, some notable examples I found that I thought successfully employed this integration of folded formats included: Pirate treasure hunt: Detectiv...

In the fourth week into the module of character narrative, we explored imaginative character creation through a life drawing session. In this session, our lecturers posed and used props and costumes through a sheet to create a silhouette/shadow in which we then explored developing these shapes into characters. We were encouraged to continue our life drawing skills (such as perspective, linework and lighting) and experiment with colour, shape and framing. Also, this session made me think differently about my concepts and employment of techniques and materials for my character narrative projects more broadly. For instance, I enjoyed using bold shapes, linework and colour in these different sketches as they made the character studies significantly more expressive and enhanced the form of the dynamic poses. Warm up quick sketches (2-3 mins) Starting to explore character narratives through imagination and shape (7-10 mins) Experimenting with framing and using colour to enhance visual langua...

In continuation of my research for the module visual exploration 2: Character narrative, I decided to chose Marie Antoinette as my primary character for my research development. I chose this character as even though both characters have notably interesting stories and themes to develop I found Marie had a more visually captivating appeal which could be enhanced throughout the project.  During this continuation of my research, I cultivated a variety of different facts that I thought would be relevant or notable to integrate into my project development and conception. These included; - Marie worked closely with Rose Bertin, a fashion merchant and designer, until her death - Marie bought over 300 dresses annually, but never wore anything twice - Rose Bertin's partnership with Marie was both the greatest success in her career and the greatest undoing of her career after the French revolution - Marie enjoyed both masculine and feminine attire such as her extravagant dresses in contrast ...

In the third week into the module of colour story, we explored colour mixing and how word can evoke and tie connections to particular colours. For each of these colours, I used a swatch sheet (as shown below) to test out my colour mixing to ensure I had the correct shade/tone to compliment the chosen word. For instance, for summer I went for a light greenish blue that replicated the water of a stream or lake in the midsummer sunlight.  Once I had defined each word with I colour, I then began different combinations of pairs of words to see how they'd integrate visually and in terms of the word's meanings.  Colour mixing swatch sheet Colour mixing names Colour mixing name combinations