Play, Play, Play, - Ideas Development and Final Outcome

After my peer feedback i am still unsure on which three designs i will be developing further, so i aim to develop a selection. i feel that because i haven't yet experienced with materials, and approaches it is perhaps difficult to see which three could most successfully work as a theme. At this stage i am also unsure on which image would fit with which title, - but i feel that all could be adaptable in some way. through the development process, I hope to be experimental and exhaustive with my materials to create a set of three successful outcomes.

- Developing 'band of colour'. i like the more simplistic interpretations.  - with less in the image to distract from the colour. i feel that the original composition works the most successfully, - with the red strip contrasting against the white background. - i do like the addition of the dog however. i developed this slightly and think the paint running down the wall works well. despite the others not being as successful found it very useful to experiment with a variation of media and approaches. i used layering paper, pastel, an watercolour/ink. i can not only see how these media work for this design, but how these could potential be applied to/work incorporated into other ideas.

'Band of stars'

- I don't like the use of coloured pen. i feel that material is too block in colour, - the way i have applied the material doesn't successfully represent the movement in the sky.

- I like the texture of the coloured pencil, but am unsure that it is the best media to use to represent the galaxy?  - need a more flowing material to interpret the blending colours and fluid shapes.

- Experimentation with water colour was interesting. at first i found it difficult to create the effect i wanted - mainly due to the paper quality - but i found that using this media in combination with sponges created some really beautiful and interesting effects - most similar to the flowing movement in the galaxy than any of the other media have achieved. if developing this idea for a final, i will continue to experiment with watercolour.

- a potential problem with this piece - i found it took me a long time to create the watercolour effect - would this be translatable to a larger scale in the time left?

- was this to represent image or image and text? - adaptable to both.

the 'wedding band'/commitment - I felt that if developing forward this image would be the most suitable to represent image and text. i applied coloured pencil and really like the textured effect it creates. i think that this would be a good material to move forward with n each of my designs.

- I experimented with gouache i found that although i prefer the pencil texture for the hand, i rather like the flat tone of gouache, and the contrast between the two.

-'until death do us part' - an appropriate accompanying piece of text in an elegant wedding font that compliments the image. - think about composition - in ribbon or underneath? -develop.

- Development of just text. i have decided to evolve my 'just text' image around a western theme. i liked the 'band of outlaws' meaning, and began to think about who to incorporate this into the text. I four this quite difficult as we were not allowed much accompanying the type. I tried incorporating objects surrounding the theme within the lettering but found it too distracting.
 - I found a fairly simple western font and adapted it slightly to make it my own - by rounding corners, and elongating letters. i really like the simple bold black lettering. i found that black gouache works well to fill with block colour.
- How to make it more western? i researched and found some old western poster designs, - all seemingly having some motif, /pattern design surrounding. i feel that this will add that missing something to the piece - make it more true to the theme?

Experimentation with watercolour and paint for the background of just text. After deciding on the band of outlaws/western theme, i wanted to create a western themed background - the kind seen associated with western posters, - using a range of brush strokes and mark making. 

- the most successful are those lightest in colour, but with freer mark making.

Experimentation of background for just type. I aimed to create a western feel in the background. i used coloured pencil in a selection of yellows and browns to do this.  began by creating wood grain effect - layering the pencil from light to dark, i think this works quite successfully but is perhaps a bit plain? I am more interested in the hatching effect. I feel that the interesting texture of the pencil is more noticeable this way, and the effect of the dark corners working to light will frame the type well. - perhaps gradually change tone more subtly on final piece. 

- I prefer the effect of coloured pencil to the watercolour - more authentic textures created.

Developing the 'band together' design. I used the same composition as my rough as i feel the design is successful.  I interpreted the hands slightly differently from reality, i used a lot of straight lines, and find the result to be quite interesting, almost cartoon like. I kept it simplistic and began to experiment with media. Like the wedding band design, i am drawn to the texture and feel of the coloured pencil, and am confident this will be a part of all my designs. although, i also like the contrast against the gouache paint background. - i am thinking of perhaps using a combination of two media.

I have enjoyed the development process and felt that it has helped me come to decide which themes have the most potential to move forward. I think i have used my time efficiently and effectively,  - experimentation and development has allowed me to reach new conclusions about my work. My choice of final images are the hands - 'band together', the wedding band/commitment, and 'band' of outlaws. i feel like other designs could have also been suitable, but these three will work well as a set i believe - they're all relatively simplistic. After experimenting with a range of possible approaches and media, my final choice is to use a combination of coloured pencil and gouache. i liked the contrast between the textured pencil, and flat gouache paint, it brings something interesting to the piece. I will use this combination throughout all designs to tie them together.

Evaluation of Final Outcome

Overall i am pleased with my three final pieces. I feel that my choice of combined media in coloured pencil and gouache has worked well to achieve the effect i wanted. the contrast between the two materials creates an interesting dynamic. - against the flat block colour the texture of the pencil becomes more prominent which i like - particularly in the 'band together' image. i took my time when layering the pencil. - building up the gradual tone this way seemed to pay off; i received positive feedback on my use of pencil and technique - i think that due to the pencil work the pieces feel well executed. although i like the use of gouache it was pointed out that in places it could have been neater, and i would agree. I found that in places the paint varied in tone when i wanted it to be flat. i aim to improve this in future i feel that its just a case of practice. To separate the pencil and flat colour i used a thick line to border the hands, although i worried this may look too harsh i think this works well against the coloured pencil, and helps to enhance.
I think that in terms of content, in response to the brief, the most successful piece are 'band together, and 'wedding vow' - these received the most positive feedback. i feel that these are more relatable, - you can form a connection with. In my opinion i think band together is the most powerful image and best representation of the word. the simple composition effectively communicates the word, and draws your attention. it also seemed to produce the most emotive response. - the idea of everyone uniting together i feel is portrayed well.
Visually i like the 'wedding vow' composition. - good use of space. i also think the pencil work has been the most successful here -  more gradual build up in tone creating an almost soft glow effect. however i feel that the text lets the piece down. it feels too crammed within the ribbon, perhaps displayed smaller or underneath would have made a more successful piece. this was due to me feeling quite rushed towards the end of the brief. Although i feel that i have managed my time more efficiently than other briefs, i still need to make more time to refine and perfect my final outcomes. other areas also feel slightly rushed - in places i struggled to control the paint and it has gone over the edges, but on a whole i think these don't effect the overall impact  of the pieces, they can still be appreciated.
Other improvements. - general feedback from my peers was that perhaps the just text image felt a little separated from the other designs, which i would agree with to some extent. I agree that the image and image and text work well together. - the media, stylising of the content, and bright colour palette all fit. on reviewing my just text image, although i like the hatching effect, this is not present in my other designs. perhaps of this shading techniques was incorporated into them they would have linked better. - the colour palette could have also been brighter? I also feel, along with my peers that perhaps i got  a bit carried away with developing the word, and it has become quite distant from its original meaning. - although i didn't want the outcomes to be obvious, i still wanted the meaning to be present in some sense, and i am unsure that people got 'band of outlaws'. However i do think i sense of mystery is good to have, - hopefully intrigue an audience to learn more; make them think, and study a piece.

Peer Feedback