Visual Language - Line

This weeks task was to use out chosen visual subject, and interpret using purely line. Here are a selection of my line drawings. I felt that it was quite difficult to work purely in line, and found myself adding additional tone, and overcomplicating the image. instinctively I wanted to use sketchy, disjoined line, but instead tried to force myself to focus on using continuous, or bold confident line, once i applied these skills and became more selective about the information i interpreted, the images turned out to be the most successful. Simplifying the reference images allowed me to work quicker, and was key to me producing more self determined work, - interpreted in my own way. 

In some areas i began to use a different form of media or control of line to describe separate areas of information, which i think comes from being more observing. - feel that this makes the image more interesting, it has more of a dynamic, - which helps the viewer to make sense of the information.

Visual Language - Chosen subject.

For my subject i have chosen ' Deep Sea Diving' i am really looking forward to exploring this theme over the coming weeks.It will be interesting to learn more about the mysterious depths of the ocean, perhaps forcing me to draw out of my comfort zone.

Initial drawings from reference;

Drawing from reference & Life

 Drawing from reference.

I found the drawing from reference studio workshop really informative and helpful. I feel I have learnt a lot about how we can use visual references to inform our work. As an illustrator, it is important to develop an unique and personal voice. - it would not be 'illustration' if we were to simply copy a photograph. I have learnt that we use reference photographs as a 'blueprint' for the development of our own ideas. it is suggested to have an idea in mind first before using an image as a point of reference.-Why use reference material at all? 
It can be a useful way to find information about a subject that you don't have in your imagination/ can't remember certain details. The aims of this exercise, is to interpret and translate the information  presented, in our own way.

The task was to create a minimum of four drawings, all working from the same photograph. initially i translated the image quite literally, (- proportions and points of detail), but through each drawing, my interpretations change and developed into simpler forms. I began to be more selective in the information I took from the photograph, and i felt that my method of working began to improve. Here are some of the more successful interpretations.

As well as simplifying the detail and tone, I also altered the proportions and line. - becoming more structured and simple. By the final drawing, the interpretation was quite a jump from the initial image. In drawing from the same photograph over and over, I found that I discovered more about the image each time, leading to many variations.

Observational Drawing.

For todays observational drawing task, we were asked to bring in a 3D object, to draw from. Our medium was ink, combined with a variety of sized brushes and dip pens. I found observational drawing to be a really interesting and useful exercise. - similar to our 'look, think, draw' task but for this i feel we spent more time focusing on and studying the object. - we were able to touch it, move it and arrange the composition. - i feel that we connected more with the object in front of us today. The session really evolved around us creating our own interpretations; it was up to us to decide how we chose to present the information. The main difference between this and drawing from reference is the process of translating a 3D object, this was quite challenging, but enjoyable.

The object i brought was a rose in a small glass vase. I soon found that the flower was more difficult to draw than i first imagined. we were asked to draw our chosen object 3/4 times, on A4 paper. - but the complex structure of the many layers of petals meant that i'd spent too long on one piece. I found that i'd focused on drawing accurate proportions, and quality of line rather than the rest of the interesting details. - such as changes in tone - this was rushed. I also felt that my interpretations were not very unique - the proportions didn't have to be accurate, it was more about our interruptions and how we wish to translate the object. i feel that this piece could have been more successful if i'd have been more selective in the information i chose.

I also complete a study of a houseplant that Tilly had brought in. This i feel, is a lot more successful. Here I focused more on the subject - thinking more carefully about the choices I was making. - what marks best represented the areas of tone, or edge of the leaves. I was more selective about the information i included - picking mainly three areas of tone to depict allowed me to include enough detail without getting carried away.

Look, Think, Draw

What i learnt;

- Drawing people/moving subjects is challenging. - it was difficult to get all the information when only able to observe a moment quickly. Using fast gesturally marks was essential in capturing anything! - forced me to make quick instinctive divisions about line.

OBSERVATION - AROUND LEEDS;

ROYAL ARMOURIES:

- left - overly detailed. - right - simplifying the information.

- finding the right balance- aimed to work quickly - but in some areas spent more time studying the object. this became important in achieving accurate proportions. 

- learnt to simplify the object but picking out key information

- I found that drawing the same object repeatedly useful. - it allowed me to improve on something each time.

- beginning to work in fine liner instead of pencil forced me to make bolder more confident line.

DISCOVERY CENTRE;

- On the flip side of drawing quickly - the task was also very much about control. - ok to spend time on a piece; focusing on line and shape. - At the discovery centre I created more detailed studies. I perhaps didn't use my time as efficiently as I could have here, mostly because I was so overwhelmed by the place, - full of such amazing objects, I will defiantly be returning there to draw in the near future.

- Throughout the process, I think I became quicker at translating the subject in front of me, by picking out only the most important, key information.

- 'Look as much as you draw' important to remember that the task is all about observing. the task is all about observing. - when interpreting the info - draw from whats in front of you and not our imagination, in order to improve upon our observational drawing skills.
- Combining different media. by the end of the session, this was something i feel i should have done more of. most successful when using for two different purposes. for example, using thick fine liner for the bold lines, and strong shapes, and coloured pencil for the smaller details. - provided different textures and weight of line. This really made me think about how to interpret the different parts of an object.

Studio Brief 1: Initially - A-Z Final Poster

Designing process and development.

After choosing my final poster theme; 'Ghost Stories of York' I now needed to finish researching and designing drawings for each letter of the alphabet, and refining the ideas I  already had.

I began to experiment with m chosen medium of ink. For each of the designs I created a variation of possible final out comes - playing around with composition and application of medium. When applying the ink - I kept in mind that i wanted the poster to have an eerie and mysterious vibe; i created a lot of washes and dark, heavy areas of tone to try and achieve this affect. by using a variety of brushes i found that i could create a range of effects. - using larger brushes for the washes and dramatic marks, and smaller brushes to apply the finer details. Once I was happy with each design i began to plan the layout of my poster.

Layout.

For the layout I decided that I didn't want the arrangement to be uniform, I wanted the images to be presented in a more complex and interesting format. From my final designs I selected the drawings that i felt were stand out pieces, and would look the most effective on a larger scale. I then sorted through the rest of the images deciding roughly what size everything was going to be. To get a better idea of what proportions i was working with i began to draw out a rough arrangement onto an A2 sized piece of paper. after finally deciding on a composition that I was happy with I began to pencil in my designs.

Evaluation

I believe that my final poster design does successfully meet the brief. From my range of ideas, I feel that I have identified the most appropriate, effective and visually engaging response after much experimenting and exploration. 
I have thoroughly enjoyed exploring the theme of 'Ghost stories of York'. With the theme I wanted to find the right balance. - of personal and a subject that others would find interesting. I feel that the theme itself is intriguing and within my designs I tried to take this and develop it further; aiming to make each illustration unique, engaging and gripping.
Visually, I think that the arrangement of designs is appealing. I chose to present the designs in a varied and scattered arrangement, which I feel works well to enhance the chaos and mystery within the content of the designs. I felt that a uniform arrangement would have felt too structured for the eerie haunted theme. 
- However, i do think I should have spent more time planning  the layout  - measurements ext, as some of the spacing is a little uneven which has affected the overall impact of the finished poster - areas feel slightly unbalanced.
My chosen choice of material has worked successfully to create an eerie and spooky atmosphere. However, I do feel that i could have been more daring with the techniques and forms of application I used. I think the watered down washes I created and strong expressive marks help to convey this kind of atmosphere, - but i feel perhaps i could have used more exaggerated mark making in places to enhance this. I also think that perhaps using a variety of brush strokes could have brought an interesting quality.
- At times i found ink challenging to use, but from experimenting previously in my sketchbook, i became more comfortable using the media. - i developed a process of application which seemed to work successfully - beginning by applying the tone to the lightest areas and gradually building up to dark. In some areas however i did make some slight mistakes, - over the line, or some tone feels too dense. - in future spend more time building up tone.
- Towards the end of the poster i also ran out of time, which i think has effected the overall quality. Despite still having a dramatic range in tone, - in areas i would like to have spent more time building up to darker tone, and adding finer detail.
- Generally i feel that each piece works well as a set, - with the use of ink and similar style, - however some of the designs are slightly rushed due to limited time towards the end. I think the craftsmanship falls down in certain areas. For some of the content, i chose quite an abstract approach, and i think that some don't have the same disturbing or haunting feel as others - the larger scaled designs are the more successful, and i deliberately displayed them at this size to enhance their quality.- generally the faces showing emotion, or those specifically ghost like are the more effective.

Unfortunately I was unable to attend college when people received peer feedback of their work. After writing my evaluation, I gathered a small group to crit my finished poster. The overall feedback was generally positive, and after much discussion i found that their positives, and criticisms generally matched my own. I still found it useful to hear others opinions on my work, and felt that it proved I have the ability to objectively evaluate and reflect.

Studio Brief 1. - Initially: A-Z Poster theme Self evaluation.

Unfortunately I was unable to attend college the day when we were receiving feedback on our initial ideas development. However I did manage to receive some brief feedback from friends outside of college time which I found highly useful in my decision making and how I was to move the project forward. The overall feedback on my work was positive; the themes that they felt had the most potential are the 'horror' genre orientated, which I would also agree with. I found that the feedback given on my work allowed me to view my designs in a different light, it was interesting to hear approaches and possibilities that I hadn't previously considered. The process opened my eyes to new and exciting options/directions to take my project. I also enjoyed seeing how others had tackled the brief; viewing their interests and unique approaches.



Self Evaluation:

How effectively do you think you have tackled the first part of this brief? Have you been able to exhaust your ideas? How well have you used research to support the development of your ideas? Has drawing allowed you to visualise your ideas and evolve them further?

Initially, I felt a little stuck with the task. I was excited about the brief but at the same time found that my ideas weren't exciting and unique enough, so found it difficult to generate a large number of designs. I did eventually focus around themes that i felt had good potential and started to work at a quicker pace. I got into a good process of thinking, and visually generating my ideas quickly and efficiently, so towards the end of this task the themes were really beginning to take shape and were much more successful. 
I found that researching was an integral part of the designing process in order to reach the full 26 scamps needed for each theme. I also wanted to approach each theme with as much knowledge as possible about the subject in order to create an accurately depicting and effective poster.
I found that visually recording my ideas really helped in their development; I was able to visually see how the composition, proportions, of my design were working allowed me to make quick decisions in order to expand and progress them further. I also found that often the designs I had down on paper would offer inspiration for new 'scamps'. Given the task was to create a daunting number of 260 drawings, i was forced to work at a quicker pace; admittedly I can be a perfectionist, but once getting stuck into this process i found it much more enjoyable to draw rough sketches than trying to create perfect drawings first time around. The process really allowed me to loosen up my technique.


In light of your feedback, what theme/ideas do you intend to develop into a final deliverable poster? Please describe your intentions for the tone of voice/functionality of its artwork
From receiving feedback and self analysing my work, I have chosen to focus around my 'horror' themed posters. Taking ideas from a few different themes, I aim to create a poster evolving around 'Ghost Stories Of York'. York is my home city, and is considered by many to be 'the most haunted city' in England/Europe. I have also ways been interested and slightly spooked by the many tales told about this historic city; and am intrigued to discover more untold, gruesome stories. I wouldn't say the final poster is going to be horrifying, - more mysterious and spooky, if not slightly disturbing, or uncomfortable to look at. 



Outline briefly how you intend to generate the final deliverable artwork. Consider media, method, design and application. What are the next steps required in development and refinement in your poster?
Considering I have chosen to focus on a spooky/horror theme, I want the final poster to have a haunting and eerie feel. I have chosen to use black ink and brush which I think is an appropriate choice; black to depict the dark and disturbing ghost stories of york. As a media ink is very versatile. I can create a large range of tones, more specifically i think using washes of ink will perfectly describe the ghosts and spooky atmospheres I aim to create. Since my chosen theme has not been explored to a full extent, I will need to do more research to support my designs. I will practice drawing out each letter - experimenting with ways of using brush and ink, before creating my final poster.

Studio Brief 1 - Initially: A-Z Poster Ideas & Development

Task; to create an A-Z poster 

I was really excited to begin this brief but soon after starting it became quite a challenge. I wanted to really push myself, to create a unique and interesting theme, that perhaps had a hidden narrative,/deeper meaning but felt underwhelmed by my designs. The task of coming up with 10 individual, engaging and interesting themes proved to be quite difficult. After initially exploring a range of mediocre ideas, I begun to build upon these designs, taking slightly different approaches, and developing in different directions. Despite not being pleased with all of them, some inspired other more successful themes. Towards the end of the initial designing process is when I created my more successful ideas - I considered how the themes should be personal, yet something that could be enjoyed by anyone.
when creating my 'scamps' I aimed to work quickly, - creating rough sketches in order to create as many designs as possible. Through repetition, and practice my designing process become more efficient towards the end of the week. Here is a selection of some of themes I managed to complete - some more successful than others:

Photoshop Induction 2

In this session i enjoyed experimenting with adding colour using different methods and tools. this was a highly useful workshop - i know feel a lot more confident knowing the basic skills of editing imagery on photoshop and look forward to using them on for future work.

Creating a new layer. - filling painting around the penguin making sure to go over all the edges.

Altering the opacity of this new layer. - carefully going around the edges of the penguin to get rid  of the blue over the edge. - zooming in to get a refined edge.

- Using the selection tool - selecting the strong black outline. - alter the intensity first - very dark. - altering the hue/saturation.

Selecting the whole area again with colour. - created on a new layer.

Inverting the this colour and altering the opacity - in the effects tool bar.

I enjoyed picking out areas of tone and and altering - creating a combination of colours. - this could work quite well if wanting to create detail - and subtle changes in tone.

-Inverting the colour. - had fun with a lot of the weird effects in the layers panel - creating complete alternate colours.