Visual Language: Line

Here we looked into how Line is used in different ways to create 2D shapes and images. 

Ben Shahn

Raymond Petibon

Some points:

• Within the discipline of Illustration, good drawing is defined by the unique craft of its maker, and the context it exists against. 
• 'Form' is used to describe 3 dimensional objects
  'Shape' refers to 2 dimensional

In this task, I explored Line, and how different lines can create a different 'tone of voice' in your work. Focusing on the Horror theme again, I created images of figures in dynamic poses, using a wide range of materials. I feel that I really tried to play more in my sketchbook in this task, using ink, pencil, graphite, markers, colour pencils, erasers and various applicators aswell. 

I'm not 100% happy with my drawings at the moment and feel like I need to play more in order to find something that I enjoy in my work. 

Some feedback I received from my drawings: 

• Draw on a bigger scale 
• Drawings with thicker more clumsy lines are most effective. 
• Really like the use of 2 mediums at the same time to create 3D effect.

Studio Brief 2: Day In The Life - Roughs Feedback

Recently I took part in a peer critique session on my sketches for the Editorial Illustration brief. In this session we were put into groups and discussed which ideas we should take forward for our final outcomes. Here is some of the feedback I received, on each set of Illustrations produced:

I was quite happy with my feedback as my peers felt that my ideas were developed and I had explored a range of concepts. However, I did find it very useful to hear their interpretations of my drawings, and if they conveyed the intended meaning. Some of my ideas were seen as slightly confusing in terms of concept, and others just needed altering in terms of composition and framing. Overall I found this session really useful, and has helped me move forward in my project. 

From the critique, I have received suggestions to take these 3 images forward:

My peers really liked the use of character, 'the bored bookshop worker'. I intend to use the character in each of my images, to make them visually consistent, aswell as covering some of the issues raised in the article. I also intend to use the colour orange to link with the aesthetics of the tote bag. 

Visual Language - Sketchbook

Visual Skills - Sketchbook Pages

Here I did a range of drawings based around my theme of 'Classic Horror Films'. For reference material, I got a book from the Library 'Horror! The definitive companion', by Kim Newman and James Marriot, which was filled with movie stills from classic horror films. 

In my sketchbook I wanted to quickly record some imagery from horror films, using pencil, markers and fineliners. I also experimented with Copic markers for the first time, which I really enjoyed using. I feel like I could've been alot more experimental with media, which I feel have hindered my images. I really would like to be more brave in terms of playing in my sketchbook.  

I intend to use this sketchbook daily, to record imagery and develop my drawings. I really want to look into creating some imagery from my imagination, still relating to the Horror theme. 

Studio Brief 2: Day In The Life - Given Text & Initial Ideas

Given Text

My given text was an article called 'Can Super Thursday Save The UK's Bookshops?', published in Vice magazine. The article describes the disappointment of bookshop owners towards peoples attitudes of bookshops, covering issues relating to competition with the internet, where people can buy their books from the comfort of their home. Other aspects covered were the design of the 'books are my bag' tote bag, designed by award winning artist Tracy Emin, that were created to tempt people to come back to bookshops and receive the full bookshop experience. 

http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/can-super-thursday-save-the-uks-bookshops-328

Initial Ideas

To convey my ideas easily, I created a variety of 'roughs' (quick sketches that show your intentions before you finalise your idea), focusing on different frames and compositions. In my roughs, I explored a number of the issues raised in the article, but mainly focused on the concept of bookshops being empty. 

 

Another concept I thought about was using the Book as a doorway to a bookshop. I tried to create a surreal image where the bag would open up to have a bookshop inside, however, I didnt feel that this idea was effective, and that the visual side of the idea was not working very well. 

I then simply just looked at promotion of the tote bag, which is being used as a tool to help the bookshop industry. In the image pictured left, I wanted to create an idea of a busy highstreet, based around the idea of christmas shopping and Super Thursday.  In the image pictured right, I wanted to communicate the idea of the bag helping the bookshops, using the well known symbol of an hour glass to reflect the idea that time is running out for bookshops. 

Finally I played around with the idea of the competition against e-books and online bookshops. I really liked this idea but found it quite hard to explore and communicate visually, . 

Overall  I felt this initial task was quite difficult, as I wanted to really attempt to communicate a visual message in a simple but visually effective way. I feel that with this kind of task, It is creating ideas that I struggle with. To help me out in the future, I intend to look more at existing work, to give me a sense of how they visually communicate different messages. 

Studio Brief 2: Day In The Life / Editorial Illustration

For this brief, we started to look at the concept of Editorial Illustration, and how it is used in existing publications, for example newspapers, magazines and blogs. Editorial Illustrations are used to visually communicate an article or post, and to create more of a visual appeal for the reader.

Some examples of Illustrators who are known best for their editorial work:

      Jean Jullien                              Noma Bar

Laura Carlin

The brief: Produce 3 illustrations that visually communicate your given text. 

Editorial illustrations are usually humorous, factual, satirical, informative, subtle, abstract, nuanced, explanatory, challenging, aggressive, or fragile, which are some qualities i'd like to incorporate in my images. 

Studio Brief 1: Initially / Outcome

This was the outcome for my typology poster, based around the theme of Sea Monsters. I have always had an interest in the paranormal, superstitions and folklore, and thought that this would be an interesting theme to explore. 

Initially I think that my poster is quite successful, in the way that I have focused on composition, and shown some form of technical skill. I felt really comfortable using the fineliner and ink to create my images, so I feel that this helped me alot. However I feel that a change of medium/colour would have created a completely different effect, and would have liked to experiment a bit more. Unfortunately due to the short time scale of this task, I was unable to do so. In terms of composition of the poster, I am quite happy as each element has a sense of organisation to some extent, and reflects the style of existing typology posters. 

If I were to do this project again, I think that I would focus more on the ideas stage. Although I think my poster is successful, I think that the subject matter could have been better, and created a bit more of a meaning. 

I also took part in a group critique session on the poster, and here is the feedback I received:

Overall I was really pleased with my feedback, as my peers felt that the medium used had a sensitive and intricate effect, and the content of the poster was original and communicated well. 

Studio Brief 1: Initially

Brief: Produce an A-Z poster of yourself, in monochrome, must contain 26 pieces of work, no typography/words, A1 portrait dimension.

To begin answering this brief, I looked at some existing examples of published Typology. Typology is the concept of using images to represent words/type. In this case, I focused on presenting the alphabet using typology, with the goal of using an image for each letter. 

To ensure that my idea was developed, I noted down 10 ideas for different alphabets, which reflected me and my interests. These included; Favourite horror films, fears and phobias, stuff you'd find in my room, sea monsters, and other interests I have. I found thinking of 10 ideas very difficult, as my initial ideas were boring and lacking in concept, which was ideal for a successful poster. 

I then explored each idea using small roughs, to give a basic idea of my concepts. 

Unfortunately, I missed the critique session on this project due to illness, however, I was able to arrange a smaller informal critique with my flatmates. Some comments made about my ideas were;

• Diverse range of ideas
• Imaginative 
• Slightly unclear meaning for some ideas
• Sea Monster idea is quite interesting, unique. 

Photoshop Workshop 1+2

Workshop 1

Before

In this workshop, we focused on editing one of our observational drawings from last week. We scanned them in and uploaded them to photoshop, where we adjusted the frame, scale, and tones. To adjust the tones I used Levels, to ensure that the image was contrasted and well established.

After

After scanning it, I also used the healing tools to get rid of unwanted marks and lines in my image, to make it look a lot more professional. 

Workshop 2

In this second workshop, we focused further on our observational drawings, adding colour to our images. To add colour, I used the paintbrush tool on a layer, and then blended it using the 'screen' mode. I also experimented with 'multiply'. 

Adding colour 

Adding colour using different blending modes

Once we had added colour, we looked at adding texture to our images to give them more depth. 

Adding Texture

Adding Pattern

I really like my range of outcomes and feel that I have created some really interesting variations of my original image. I particularly like my 'adding colour using different blending modes' image, because of the interesting use of colour. I feel that I have created a completely different tone of voice. 

I definitely think that these photoshop workshops have been useful, and have helped me to create interesting, professional looking images. Although already knowing a lot about Photoshop, I have learnt some new tips, especially regarding layers.  

Visual Language: Drawing from Observation

Drawing from observation is a translation from 3D to 2D. It forces you to make quick decisions and informs your understanding of your surroundings through experience. 

For this task, I created a number of drawings of small objects. I created these drawings using ink and brushes once again, allowing me to create expressive yet concise marks. 

Visual Language: Drawing from Reference

For this task we were asked to find an image from a book, which I then translated into my own drawing. The process of translation refers to using the image, taking information from it, and drawing it, as opposed to just copying it. To translate this image, I used black ink and a brush to create quick sketchy drawings, using my photograph as a reference.

 I found it really interesting to see how the drawing progressed after redrawing it again and again. I think this technique is very beneficial and I shall continue to use it in my future work. 

I feel that the benefits of this process are very worthwhile, as it provides you with information that you wouldn't neccessarily think of, if drawing from memory. It is useful if you are wanting to visualise something that isn't accessible. The weaknesses of this process however, are that it is more difficult (In my opinion) to translate the image when it is in front of you.