Workshop with Mel

In our workshop with Mel,  We focused on illustrative  pieces. Starting with a sheet of shapes (Pictured left) that we could draw on, using the shapes however we please or however we saw to turn into something else.

We then moved onto a really fun and quick piece where we had to pick one of the three shapes - Circle, Square, Triangle. I picked triangle for the task and folded a A2 sheet of paper to use. The paper was folded into 8 sections that would end up being 8 actions the triangle will go through. 

First of all was the simply draw the shape we choose in 2D. So here is the start of the triangle. 


Then turn it into a 3D triangle. For each panel from here, we then had to make sure the next panel would include the difference from the previous (I.E - Keep the shape 3D throughout) Given time was about 30 seconds. 

 The third section was to then put holes in the 3D triangle. In the minute we had to draw the holes, I choose to make them look like bullet holes, including a bullet passing through also. 

Next was to stretch the triangle while still keeping the previous details. This was a little more difficult due to tryng to keep the holes in the same places, just stretched out. Given time for this one was about 2 minutes. 

Our next step was to add an object to our shape that we could see in the room. I choose my pen I was holding, also adding a arm and a hand for the triangle to hold the pen.

After that step, the change was an interesting one, So then turn the shape inside-out. We had to consider what it might look like, what would the texture be? So I went for a realistic, flesh-y and bleeding effect. Given time around 5 minutes.

The final steps were to then turn the inside-out shape back into 2D and to finish it up by rolling it up! 

This was a really interesting way to look at something so simple and turn it into something much more detailed and even create a small narrative along the way. Also, The way in which we folded the paper, it would then be re-folded to create a book-like presentation. 

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Our next piece was to first of all, take an item from a pile on a table. My chosen item was a lego figure. After we had our items, we where given awhile to draw the item to get used to how it looks, the different angles and views, if it can be moved etc. The sheet to the left was the sketches I did in the time we had. 

Another A2 sheet was folded and prepared for the next step. The sheet of paper was again folded into 8 sections that would then be turned into a sketchbook! 







While we waited to see how to use a stapling machine to turn the paper into a book, we started the next project. Our chosen item would be used to create a small story, the first 8 'pages' were written out for us and then finale 8 are left up to us to finish. The only rule we had was that we could not add sounds by writing them - I.E - Band! Thud!, But instead drawing shapes/images/marks to represent the sound.


The first page was simple. Draw the object. So I picked a very plain standing pose for the lego guy. Having the lego figure as a reference for each pose would be really fun to draw, as I had the freedom to move his head, arms and legs for each panel to create a unique pose.

 

 The second page was to then have our object being thrown/falling. Using my own hand as a reference, I drew the lego guy being thrown by a person. I also wanted to change his facial expression for a more comic-like effect. 

The third page was to then have the object land.I was really really pleased with how this panel turned out!  

Page 6 was to have our object be broken. Luckily, This lego figure could be pulled in half, which made drawing a 'broken' version quite easy as I would have a perfect reference to draw from. 

Page 7 was to then have the figure restored somehow, fixed with anything. I wanted to have the lego guy put himself back together again for a fun image that I could then maybe later use for the rest of the story. I hope to continue this comic and have a finished story presented in the book. 

Las Meninas - Lecture and Evaluation

100 Words on 'Las Meninas' By Diego Velazquez

Las Meninas is a truly interesting piece of traditional art. At first it looks fairly plain, Like any other old style painting, But when you start to look in more detail, that's when you find the real fun this piece has to offer. The illusion of painting yourself painting seems like a modern day quirk yet it's something used here that at first is not east to see. I really like the almost puzzle solving-like mysteries this piece has, as it really separates it from any other painting from that time. It really shows the creativeness Diego Velazquez had.  

Reading the Map - Lecture overview and outcome

14/10/2014

Today we had a lecture about maps and mapping. We started off by looking at how differently the world map has changed since the 18th Century and how an aged map may not be as trustworthy as we think. It was interesting to look at just how different things can be from just a short period of time or just what someone else would picture and choose to create.

"Asia as Pegasus"

Another map we looked as was the famous London Tube Map. Even though it may be one of the most recognizable maps in Britain, It is actually quite different to a realistic rendition.

Other maps we looked at included a very unique map called "Asia as Pegasus" from 1590. The map of Asia was drawn to look just like that of a Pegasus (Winged Horse) and would be used to easily navigate by using parts of the horse to describe your journey - "I.E- Travel along the horses tail until you reach the flank, then you should be at Tokyo"

An even more interesting way to look at mapping and maps were the music videos and TV intros we watched, The music video by 'Cake' called 'Short Skirt Long Jacket' was at first glance a car driving with text messages along the screen, But it began to raise more questions as you watched, What do the text messages say? Where is the car going? The view from the car changed at one point, Why?

And finally we looked at the Game of Thrones opening title, The map of the fictional world was like a 3D Pop-up book as it moved around, Showing new and different locations, Interestingly enough, usually showing an actors name over a town where their character maybe in the episode. The visuals are totally different to most TV show openings, which is what makes it such a memorable opening as well as one that's fun to look at each time. 

Game of Thrones Screencap showing an aerial view of the country and it's name "Westeros"  

This then reminded me of the 'Walking Dead' opening, which follows a similar theme. Each series the images change to where the characters maybe more mentally and physically - I.E - Main character Rick Grimes's Sheriff's badge lies on the ground for season 2 (Along side the actors name, Andrew Lincoln), Symbolizing his change of 'doing what's lawful or right' to 'doing what we must to survive' or the slow pan of a prison, in which plays a big role in series 3/4. Other images may not be clear at first but as the series continues they seem more relatable to key moments - i.e Other buildings, bloodied weapons, strange out of place items. 

The Walking Dead screencaps from the opening sequence. Top middle example showing Rick's Sheriff badge.

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The project we had to take away with us was the create our own map of the college. We could choose to do any area of the college in any style/layout we wished, just no bigger than A4. 

Doing a short film mapping out my journey to college in this style crossed my mind, However I knew I wouldn't have the time/equipment to do this within a week. I instead looked at some of my favourite video games for inspiration. The world map of fictional Tamriel of the Elder Scrolls series crossed my mind as I like the way each region is in a different colour. But I then started to look at Silent Hill for inspiration, It's simple and realistic indoors style with markings to show locked doors/items seemed like a fun idea, So overall I picked a Silent Hill/Horror Survival Theme. (It is almost Halloween after all!)

(Temriel World Map - The Elder Scrolls, Brookhaven Hospital Map - Silent Hill 2, Map of Albion - Fable)

Our finished map is due to be shown: 21/10/2014My Finished Map Project ~ 

Summer Project - Workbook/Notes

The Summer Project/ Concertina  Book plans and sketches I made. Just a simple stapled mini booklet of stuff ~

Many ideas stayed the same throughout the projet but a few different ideas/poses/things were not added for one reason or another. So it was good to keep a small book of notes just in case I had a better way of doing a panel. 

 

Summer Project - Concertina Book

Before the start of the first year at PCA, I had received a project to do over the summer to hand in during our first week. The Concertina had to be on one side of the paper I was sent, Along 8 'pages'. The theme was "My Context".The first thing I did was create a small planning book, So I could firstly write down anything or anyone interesting to me to later use and illustrate. The following images are the finished book, Which we finished off a few weeks later. The covers of the book were made out of sugar paper and thick backing card. I decided to add a purple string to match, Seeing as purple as always been my favourite colour.

This was a fun project to get started with and I really enjoyed it! Also, it's nice to see what others have done as it can be a nice ice breaker to start to get to know more people in my course