Continued research - Visual

Focusing on whitby, I did further research into fossils, the history of Jet mining/production, and the horrific boat disaster: The SS Rhollia. - In gathering more facts and thinking about how each could potentially develop into a book, i felt more confident in presenting my findings in the group crit. - Hoped that this thorough research would help my peers understand the ideas clearly, and allow me to  make a well informed decision of which to develop/take forward.

In writing my project proposal, I am still unsure on the specific direction of my project, as i explored a variety of ideas and have found it difficult to narrow them down. However "The story of a fossil" is in my opinion one of the stronger ideas to develop.

Feedback from crit:
- The majority of the group really like the 'Story of the fossil' which i am pleased with since this is also my favourite idea.
- They felt it fit well with the 'untold story' theme.
- Is something unique and interesting - something they wouldn't have previously thought about.
On research:
- Impressed with the amount of fact finding, and photographs taken.
- Feel that i seem to have a good understanding of my ideas, and direction
- but more visuals would have been good. - for them to have a clearer understanding.
Aims given:
- Really like how i have started to visualise my ammonite fossil. - Interested now in me further experimenting with media and character!
- Be brave! - work more loosely, expressively, try variety of media, and methods of application.
- Draw loads of ammonites.

During this week I could have managed my time more efficiently. Initially i aimed to develop visual research for all three potential subjects, but only achieved this for the story of the fossil. More visual research on the others would have made it easier for the group to see the direction I envisaged. I have come to learn that visualising ideas even at this early research stage is such an essential and important part of the process. In visualising, you often fall into a direction you wouldn't have previously thought about.

In taking this feedback on board, i aim to push my self out of my comfort zone, by testing a variety of media, and techniques. - At this stage, its not about perfection, its about experimentation and lots of it! - need to remember to work quicker, and loosen up my mark making.
I think that this project is a good opportunity for me to try something different; approaching different styles of working. Recently in visual language i have enjoyed working with shape and texture. I would like to try and incorporate some of those skills into this project.

(page mising)

Began by some observational drawing - from fossils that i had acquired for research.  - graphite pencil

Looking more at the attomany of an ammonite. - getting to know my subject in more detail., beginning to develop character.

So many different ways to draw an ammonite. - drawing different variety of shells. - slight testing of colours
- breif exploration of storyboard - different potential compositions - what you would find an ammonite doing.

Other fossils found. - whitby museum has a large collection - not necessarily focus book on an ammonite? this is an Ichythasarus - that would hunt ammonites. - possibly link into book? briefly explored other directions.

ammonite from different angles, brief testing of media.

Project proposal:

Picture a book title?
"The Life of a fossil"
"An ammonites journey"
"Ammonite: A prehistoric Journey"

Idea: What is your picture book about? (potentially)
I want to tell the untold story of an ammonite fossil. one of the many fossils i discovered are hidden within the rock along the coast of whitby.
- Show its life - how it was once alive millions of years ago, to how it became fossilised in rock millions of years later.

Intent: What are you trying to achieve? / Structure: How might this book function?
One approach: the book could be a narrative - simply telling the story of a fossil. - make people think about this small extinct creature the lived millions of years ago. - to get people interested? to think about evolution? the way the earth has evolved from millions of years ago?
- could be more informative/educational - aimed at children perhaps? - include simple, interesting facts about the creature to compliment the imagery - make it clearer.
- In order of its life - from beginning - end. - through evolution? - this could work well as a saddle stitch or concertina book - testing will be required.


In order to develop these ideas, my research over christmas will be...
- To continue to experiment with materials further. I hope to work outside of my comfort zone and test new media and ways of working.
I am to work mainly through visuals. I have a large bulk of research, and feel that visualising these ideas and discoveries will really inspire and motivate me to get stuck into this project!

Peer Review: Evaluation of research

How well has the illustrator speculated around their research? Are they interrogating their research effectively to generate potential solutions?
- My peers think that i have made a thorough investigation into my chosen subject.
- I have lots of different perspectives and ideas around on place
- I have done a lot of fact finding, - have history and context of each subject.

Comment on the use of drawing as a research tool
- Need to draw more! -use as a research tool
- suggested that i could draw from photogprahs - interpret

Comment on the use of secondary research as a research tool
- A lot of secondary research - a lot of content
- I have been confident in talking to people and got a lot of first hand knowledge and experiences.

Which proposed themes/concepts at this point do you feel have the most potential for further development? What/ where should they go next with their research?
Their thoughts:
- Think I have enough research on each possible idea - its about narrowing down options and focusing.
possible directions:
- Whitby - minors - jewellry - workers. - look at the whole process. focus on the people? how they risked their life for a piece of rock. / The journey/process of making
- The SS Rohilla - tragic boat crash.
- Fossils - the life of a fossil. - what was that animal? how did it live? how did it come to be a fossil? - interested in discovering the journey.
- Ghost stories of York. - could focus on one story - combination of stories. - a tour guide of the cities haunted places? focus specifically - the golden fleece/Margaret Clitherow.

The ideas favourited by my peers are also the options that i would consider moving forward with. however four is a large amount to produce development for before our next crit. - i feel that i need to narrow down my options further, and focus on a couple of directions to present in the next group discussion.
i found this group feedback hugely helpful in me narrowing down my research, and confirming that my ideas have the potential to develop into a book.

Brian Sanders - Shape and texture

I first admired Sanders work when he illustrated for the tv show Mad Men. As a huge fan of the show, i took note of his work, but was glad to be reminded in this weeks presentation! He produced work throughout the 60's so his style is very appropriate to represent this eerie. His images are so vibrant, i love the use of expressive marks and textures created. - lots of movement, which enhances the chaos, and sense of urgency going on. images are not direct interpretations, - busy compositions, - distorted reality, combined with unrealistic colours. - give a dreamlike sense to the pieces.

Visual Language - Shape and texture

I enjoyed the challenge of working with shape last week, in which i had begun to consider the use of texture, so I was looking forward to developing this further. 
For this task i tried to explore a selection of media, and methods of working that i hadn't really tried before. - as well as considering what worked well in the shape task. 
- I really wanted to work outside of my comfort zone. - Using acrylic paint, and brushes allowed me to be more experimental and forced me to work a bit more expressively. however, although I aimed to work again purely in shape and not line, i felt that i got a bit lost in the process at times - meaning some of the pieces didn't really fit that well with the 'purely shape' part of the task. 

coloured pencil - brings subtle textures to these shapes. think its quite effective to still add small details  within the texture - but these are perhaps less are needed though.

I used an acrylic paint applied with a paint spatular. - the result is very expressive and perhaps doesn't fit well with purely shape. - however  the way the spatular forced me to apply the paint in large sections, actually make me think more about splitting up the image into block shape not line. The process of actually forcing me to make confident marks in this way has really helped me to be more experimental, and i actually think there are some really interesting textures created.

- acrylic - textured dry brush effect.
- cutting and layering paper
adding some details with paint - these could have perhaps been stronger, and more solid shapes rather than line.  adding darker tone could have made this a to more successful

I have really enjoyed using watercolour and sponges. i created some really beautiful textures that i am excited about continuing to develop. within these pieces i have also used stencils which has turned out to be successful and enjoyable process.

- using a stencil - allowed me to experiment using the same image mover and over again - efficient, time saving.

- nice print quality - don't have to cut out and stick on the paper - like that its all done in one image.

Applying the acrylic paint in a similar way to the watercolour - but daubing the paint with dry brush. really like this effect. its a good way to gradually build up tone. - the graduation of light works well.   i aimed to work with very minimal shapes here, but like how the layered paint provides some subtle interesting detail.

- i think this example has been one of the most successful. - finding the balance of using expressive and interesting textures, as well as strong shape. I found cutting out the shape of the subject  within the texture was a good process. - looks more controlled. 

- In other pieces i found in the application of detail it was difficult to avoid line. - in this piece i aimed to used solid block sections of shape 

- Although not refined quality, i enjoyed experimenting, and being more playful with application of media, - need to take more risks and this feel i feel i forced myself to be more creative and less restrictive. it has opened my eyes to trying more methods of working. - because of this experimentation, - paper cut with textures has since inspired my work for the book - visual communication brief. Without this exploration i wouldn't have reached that point. - the process has been so important.

Visual Language - Shape

The idea of working simply with shape was daunting at first. I struggled to adapt to working this way, when I'm usually use line work.

In my initial pen work i unsuccessfully attempted shape. - although there were qualities of block colour, too many lines were used to describe the subject. however, i eventually forced myself to break down and simplify the images when beginning to use cut paper. 

- I feel that these pieces have been much more successful. - it would have been nice to produce a lot more examples, of refined quality, but its a media choice i haven't partially worked with in this way before, using this pushed me to use bolder shapes, and the most simplistic forms.

- then tried working in coloured pencil in block shape, - now i felt be able to separate and simplify the information effectively.  i like the way these pieces turned out. - although still block shape i really like the textured quality the pencil gives.

- I found the challenge in this task is about making that choice of selecting the most relevant and important aspects of the subject to interpret. I have enjoyed working with shape, i feel if spent more time on this i could have really got into it.- not using an outline forced me to think differently, and be more considerate about the information i was interpreting.

- I am interested in exploring shape and paper cut in future. It would be interesting to see how far you can push the use of simplistic forms. - how little information is needed for the subject to still be recognisable?

- also beginning to experiment with adding textures which i found interesting, and would like to develop further.

Shape - Charlie Harper

Really like these charming illustrations by Charlie Harper. The soft colour palette gives the pieces quite an ornate vintage feel. I love the use of simple shapes, combined with beautiful delicate line work. really effective. good use of space, simple compositions yet informative.

Visual Journalist - Whitby

My journey to the second location; Whitby

Whitby town is a beautiful, quaint coastal town, that i love to visit. Its full of interesting shops, beautiful walkways, history - the abby, and long strands of beach. 

While there, i aimed to explore as much of the town as possible. - didn't have particular plan - but noted areas of interest. I knew that whitby was full of interesting places, and has many stories to tell. - I was confident that something would inspire me, and this project.

- The abby

- The beach - fossils

- Whitby Jet

- The town itself - shops

- Boats - coastguiard, fishing boats

Before going, i did a lot of secondary research. - mainly focusing on areas of interest. I found that I got a bit carried away in my writing - perhaps too much, but i find it a useful way to structure my research  - as well as responding the information i found - asking questions; how could this develop? Is it interesting? how could i make it interesting? After doing some research I could plan my day around the areas I felt would be the most worth while visiting.

- Examples of documentation. 

(- the full extent of my notes and thought process can be found in my sketchbook)

What I did there.

Once in whitby, my primary method of documenting was taking photographs. I found this to be a really effective way to capture the moments around me. I also think with the limited time i had there, taking photographs enabled me to visit more locations and fact find. 

I did attempt to do some observational drawing but as mentioned - the time was limited and i felt i needed to be on the move. - I plan on creating some drawings from the photographs taken.

Primary research - Contact sheets of photographs taken:

Beach:

I began my adventure bright and early at 9:30am. Luckily it began as a beautiful day; blue skye all round. - what i found there:

Fossils: 

Whitby is well renowned for its fossils; i would know from coming here years ago with my younger brother - to go 'fossil hunting'. I thought that this would be a good way to start the day.

The tide was out meaning we could walk right along the edge of the beach, where lie the fossil rocks. - - searching for the remains proved difficult, but i enjoyed discovering them.

- Its amazing to think that that creature was once alive, swimming in the ancient seas amongst dinosaurs.

The subject initially strikes me as interesting. it seems to fit well with the theme of 'tell an untold story' - how that extinct ancient creature became a lifless fossil, preserved over millions of years.

- Its something unnoticed along the beach - really have to look. - something that people wouldn't necessarily think about.

Photographs taken (below) of one of the many fossils my brother has collected along whitby bay. It soon became apparent that my brother knows a lot about fossils. - i found the information he gave me very useful and feel more informed on the subject.

Jet mining:

After some initial research i knew that this end of the beach is where the jet mining was carried out during the victorian period. 

- Upon getting close the cliffs, I begun to notice where the stone had been chipped away

- small square tunnels - where they would have dug out the jet

- patches of orange dust - left by the jet removed. The evidence of people working there was clear.

The evidence stretched right up to the hight of the cave. - it was difficult to think that working men lost their lives here. 

Other discoveries; 

I really loved photographing around this part of the beach - i really liked the way the camera photographed the water and rocks - picking up small unnoticed details - that i don't think i would have seen without the lens.

From the beach I collected a variety of objects that interested me; such as shells, stones, driftwood, leaves. - could potential inform my project in some way.

(unfortunately these images would not upload to blogger?!)

Jet

-I then moved up into the town centre, which is filled with old quaint shops - sweet shops, traditional pubs, the market, the harbour, but with day going fast, i decided to focus my attention onto the jet trade. - This is such a large part of Whitby's history and success of the town - there are so many jet shops it was difficult to choose.

I decided to visit The whitby Jet Heritage centre, which i heard provided a lot of information about the process of manufacturing jet.

In visiting the location, i have gained a lot of information. Fortunately, Hal Redvers - an artist and owner of the shop was very friendly and had a lot to say. i spent a good hour talking to Hal, and learnt a lot about his trade, and the history of jet.

- he currently works on restoring old pieces of victorian jet jewellery.

(My full conversation and facts can be found in my sketchbook)

When walking into the jest shop i was surprised to find a fully preserved vcorian jet workshop that Hal had acquired. It was really interesting to see how the ject would have been processed - and also seeing the difference between how they worked back then - in a large group, - to how jet is processed now. - by one man. despite using similar tools according to Hal.

- It was amazing to see that the workshop was preserved so perfectly from 100 years ago. - dust filled shoes and coats hung on the walls, onld chocolate tins and tools were left lying around, which I found festinating to look at.

Hal was keen to demonstrate how the machinery would have worked - as well as listing endless facts (as documented in notebook)

Conversation with Hal.

I then visited the whitby jet shop - which was also very insightful. There i was able to watch the Jet being processed. This was at an earlier stage of production than seen at the heritage centre. - here the jet was being cut and polished from its raw form.

Why is it interesting?
- Jet is such an important part of whitbys history - an integral part of the towns success.
- I think combining all the information that i have found about jet - the mining, and the production side - from years ago until present day - i could create an interesting book.
- How could the information be developed? - the book could potentially look at the mining side - focus on the dangers of the whitby jet miner, - working on the cliffs, risking their lives for a stone.
- the Journey of whitby jet - how it begins part of a cliff, cut and processed into a beautiful piece of jewellery.

The SS Rohilla

Unfortunately not much more information was gathered on the tragic boat accident, other than visiting the sight where the event occurred. - as the life guard centre was closed. However I gathered a lot of facts about the event through secondary research; and am still interested in the incident.

( facts can be found documented in my sketchbook)

- Why is it interesting?

- The event hit the small town of whitby hard. - many of the passengers had families living here.

- The event is really tragic - many lost their lives, - some bravely rescuing. I like the idea of telling the story of these brave people.

- A survivors story - some survived. - interested in the woman who also survived the titian who was on board.

- When thinking about how it could be a book - there are so many viewpoints to tell the story from - people on shore, people on the boat, people rescuing.

Concluding thoughts on location trip.

I have thouraghly enjoyed my research day in whitby, i am feeling inspired. - I have a genuine interest into all my possible areas of development and look forward to taking this research further.

I think i made the right choices - in where i chose to visit, and feel that i benefitted from doing some background research before hand - i went to whitby with more intent and focus than if i hadn't - meaning i have been able to use my time efficiently.