Consider how an unremarkable subject can be presented as being remarkable through the way the illustrator depicts it (line weight, perspective. etc). Using mark making techniques and experimenting with different media to imply texture and form.
In addition, considering the size, orientation, material and surface as part of the creative decision making process.
Charles Dana Gibson
Edward Gorey
Robert Sheriffs
Aubrey Beardsley
My Ink Studies
WEEK 2: Experimental Image Making
"Essential Essence of Things"
Capturing the essence cats and dogs - in depictions created from found objects or materials not normally considered to be illustration materials. There is no one way to picture a cat or dog. This task is about using 3D materials to try to capture something identifiable about the essence of the animal. The only criteria is that it must be quite clear that the creation is either a cat or a dog.
Outcome: - A wide range of experimental, sculptural, 3D cats and dogs. Exploring materials, scale and colour.
Alan Fletcher
These were made while he was babysitting his three-year-old grandson while on holiday. To keep the child amused, Fletcher would send him off to collect rubbish and they would then sit around a table and make something of it. The first creature took shape with the core of a toilet roll, four corks, a piece of card, two bottle tops. All stuck together, covered with papier-mâché and bright red poster paint.
My Dogs and Cats
Filbert
Janet
Bruno
My Mask
Still thinking about capturing the essence of something through experimental approaches to image making - this time with self portrait masks. This is not about drawing yourself on something and strapping it to your head. It's not even about making it look like you (although it can). Think about capturing some essence of you; this can be either an aspect of your personality of your appearance (or both). This task week is about recognising the importance of experimentation and taking the path less travelled in order to find unexpected approaches and avoiding stylistic stagnation.
I chose to make a dragon mask. Because dragons are cool.
As a kid I desperately wanted to be a dragon. I would spend every single day imagining what it would be like to have scales and huge teeth. I would crawl around growling and biting people in the most dragon-like way that I could. At one point I even asked my parents to start calling me "Sparky" instead of my stupid human name. I grew up but never grew out of it. The task was to make a mask representing myself so I made a mask of my ideal self.
WEEK 3: Paint
This week is about questioning if detail and realism are the same thing. It is about learning to be brave, take risks and work broadly across a surface, avoiding the temptation to work small areas of a painting up to a high finish. Learning to judge when the image is "complete" and knowing when to stop is another factor.
The task is to experiment with watercolour and acrylic or oil paint, to examine artists' work and try their techniques with different brushes, tools and surfaces.