Illustration 1 - Key Steps in Illustration.
Assignment 1: Say Hello.
The first assignment is to produce a greeting card for myself to say hello to my tutor, Beth. I have taken an idea from some sketches and used this to make a illustration depicting myself, or more to the point what a lot of illustrators or would be illustrators do and that is to let ideas go. The image shows the boy, with his sketch pad and pen, the ideas are the light bulbs that are floating up with strings to represent balloon like thoughts. the sky is in wave like motion as the balloons would be carried away by the tide. Not fast enough so you notice they are moving, but fast enough for them to quickly become out of reach and gone!
One of the things I think is quite common among creative personalities is the amount of ideas we can get and having the time and inclination to further them. Also I find sometimes the frustration of an idea does not always work first time so it is let go. When really it sometimes takes another set of eyes or a distance from the idea or work and it can be reassessed and tuned.
I have used my pencil and watercolour, I have also tested digitally enhancing the image, but preferred to stay with my original works. I have copied this to card and made a greeting card. The actual finished print measures 14.5cm x 10cm, the original measures: 18.5cm x 14cm. I decided to bring the sizing down to make it more greeting card friendly.
The greeting card gave me the opportunity to use pencils and watercolours, these are my favourite materials I prefer to work with. I do try to use other mediums as well, and find sometimes as in this project, mixing mediums gets a detailed effect.
Assignment 1: Say Hello - Course Work
Assignment 1: Say Hello - The start of sketches towards assignment 1. Ideas sketched down in pencil and ink, as usual I start with a lot of random sketches until something comes from the nib I like! |
Assignment 1: Say Hello - I am liking the idea of space from a person to the space of where their ideas go. |
Assignment 1: Say Hello - Ink sketching, what an "Artist" is to most non artists! |
Assignment 1: Say Hello - Grey / alcohol ink blending, light bulbs as balloons drifting away, catch them before someone else gets them! |
Assignment 1: Say Hello - Here is sections of the final piece. I have cut this into sections so I can see the important parts of the image and ensure the story is being told in the illustration. |
Assignment 1: Say Hello. (Learning Log)
For the greeting card assignment I have come up with several ideas. I wanted to have the final image represent myself as in the time and distance in life it takes in regards to creating any form of artwork. I have always had the creative side, but actually creating worthwhile work and either in commercial or personal value is always difficult to achieve when it is not of any importance to day to day life within the job, domestic life or leisure time. This is one reason I decided it is time to project myself into this course. Dedicating time to what I am good at.
One of my ideas is a road plan, a 3D style map, with a birds eye view,where the streets are named after diversions in life and some are dead ends. Another ideas was the progression of child to death and each stage would change.
I noted my ideas down in my learning log and created a few sketches.
Learning Log Page - Notes |
Learning Log Page - Notes |
Learning Log Page - Notes |
I think I will be using either pencil or watercolours for my piece. I like using both and also find a great effect using marker pens.
Exercise: The History of Illustration.
Edward Bawden.
Illustrating has many different aspects and styles. The chance to look into the works of Bawden has been fascinating. He is one of a very few illustrators I have seen who had changed his styles, his line work and his methods and still produced some astounding works. I first investigated the works of other illustrators, but came back to Edward Bawden on a chance discovery of his lino work he produced depicting London. It was a print of Covent Garden Flower Market, the change from his earlier work I had already seen made me want to immediately delve in and find out more.
Firstly, the amount of different avenues Bawden had illustrated had huge coverage. After his studies at the Royal College of Art, (which he also studied with Eric Ravilious - I think this shows in the occasional lino pieces as they look quite similar styles!) he went on to gain commercial success with advertising with the likes of Twinings and Fortnum & Mason. This style was very much traditional and "Of the Time". I think the line work and as most work would have been in black and white, the use of cross hatching and shadowing to substitute colour makes this type of illustration hold its original date and show how we have changed in our production of images.
Also, when Bawden took on the roll of an Offical War Artist during WWII his style was, to me seeing his later work and earlier work, done sympathetically and softened considering the images were representing a war. This style he adapted to also shows in his children's illustrations. And again, I think this is representative of the period it was produced in, comparing this to some of his lithograph work, it has not dated well. The lino prints, I think have stood the test of time, his sequences of images created depicting scenes of London. Taking each piece into account and looking at their familiarity, there is a theme of limited colours, limited details, and fantastic depth perspective. All these three parts of his work give them preservation and longevity, well thought out pieces.
Is Bawden's work old fashioned?
I personally think, looking at Bawdens huge catalogue the majority of his work has kept an essence of freshness and his ability to not be restricted to one or two styles has kept this interest alive in his works. I appreciate some of his commercial work is dated, as you would expect to be paid and produce what i expect of that time.
One image I found which maybe rather more classed as a piece of art than an illustration is a self portrait he produced in 1986. At this period in his life he would to extent exhausted his changes, but the portrait is a combination of quite intricate detailing and then again simple lines and colours to create the depth and give you the feeling it maybe you peeping over the canvas looking in an ornate mirror. The colour way and contemporary twist on the painting method makes this piece even today look quite modern and a newer piece compared to say - a advertisement from 1936 done by the same artist!
Jeremyville.
As soon as I had the opportunity to choose a contemporary illustrator it was so easy for me to select one who I discovered a couple of years ago. Jeremyville has a unique and most distinctive form of illustrating. It has slight reverberations of 1960's poster art such as artists like Peter Max. Jeremyville work is broken down so that it is "Less is more".
The New York illustrator originally studied Architecture in Sydney, AU. His theme of artwork began life in a very modern way. He published his works on social media and this was the beginning of a great success. His current catalogue of work includes clients: Converse, Swatch, Volkswagen and Disney.
The Jeremyville family of works is unlike a lot of today's art and illustration. It has born its own brand and strives in passion and message carrying. Very similar to what illustration originally was for.
The imagery has been created and though published online, has spawned to create books, apparel, skateboards and his work has been for murals, charity work such as FEED and also the Community Service Announcements are regularly published in Jeremyville RAW circulating in NYC.
Not surprisingly his studio is in New York, Brooklyn, which would offer huge resources for drawing his inspiration. The Jeremyville context flows with his artwork and is easy to follow, read and enjoy. A combination which has meant a formula for his illustrations to connect with people on different levels and stages of life.
A lot of the work starts in pen and ink or pencil, and then becomes the free handed ink lines with permanent markers. This adds that hand drawn touch, which is often lost in illustration today. His murals are always in block colour and carry those definite black lines to produce scenes that carry the viewer away.
What attracts me to Jeremyville work?
I first discovered his work while browsing the internet a couple of years ago. His images appealed to me immediately. Crisp, clean and natural. So many simplistic designs come through now due to the ability to use the amount of software we can all get out hands on, but Jeremyville holds the undeniably hand drawn and free feel that is nearly always lost in modern produced works.
I enjoy the thick lines, the blackness, the white backgrounds and of course the enjoyment of his characters. Most of his work is under the Community Service announcements. Most of Jeremyville's work carries a message and though most are accompanied by a phrase or passage, the images themselves are as illustrations should be, able to be read and understood by the viewer, which I think is a talent in itself to have that initial idea and be able to produce and execute it so well.
Comparing the two Illustrators.
These two Illustrators are from completely opposite ends of the spectrum in the history of illustration. Edward Bawden spend his beginnings using his artistry to sell for advertisements which of the time would have been one of only a few outlets for use for an illustrator to gain success in his career.
Jeremyville started initially from the internet and from the relatively new in terms of time, online community. The style of Jeremyville is unique. It is clean lined, minimal, literal and the image as a good illustration should, tells a story for that particular page or piece. His mural work is in a similar line and engrosses the viewer to read the images.
Bawden had numerous styles and obviously had a chameleon style ability. His earlier art work from his student days and the self portrait from his latter years shows his personal style, but his lino prints and his children and war illustrations show his ability to suit is talent to the work required. His war art was in a sketched & watercolour style, whereas his lino prints or collages often boasted bold colours mixed with mute colours that were typical of the time his work was published, but this is dictated to by the majority of his work being for commercial purpose and would have briefs and selections chosen by the end user (The manufacturers or publicists etc.)
Jeremyville work is now on much a commercial level but it is Jeremyville who is the decider of his pieces and it his followers that appreciate and buy the works, whether it be in print form or as toy - some of his character styles have been manufactured into 3D models!)
The Productions of the two Illustrator's work would have been poles apart in some aspects. Bawden used Lithograph for some of his most famous pieces which would have been very time consuming and precise to create such layered and fantastic imagery. Jeremyville sits here in the present and with the use of digital assistance, his images can be brought to life and printed in a faster and much streamed line way. For instance the Jeremyville publication in NYC which is often available would be unimaginable to create, even 30 years ago. To have the ability to create images, upload them, print them and have it accessible to everyday persons would have been unimaginable expensive and only a few would have been lucky enough to have regular publications within national or international print. Due to this factor and the internet it has given Illustrators like Jeremyville a voice and window to shout from.
There is spots of similarities between the two. The use of limiting colours - this would have been to cut down on the layers of lino printing in Bawden's images and in Jeremyville it works particularly well on his mural designs. The use of backgrounds and buildings and skylines. Some art work or illustrations of cityscapes or street scenes then to focus just on what is foreground, but both artists, use the back ground to add more to the image, Jeremyville often characterizes buildings or adds elements to ensure they are notices such as signage or arrows through doors etc. Bawden line printed on the shapes of the buildings to give depth, dimension and detail.
Tools and materials.
Bawden:
Line drawing
Copper engraving
Lino prints
Water colour
Cardboard
Paper
Lithograph (limestone / wax)
Paints
Jeremyville:
White paper
Black ink
Black marker
Printing
Digital
Paint
Black ink
Black marker
Printing
Digital
Paint
Exercise: The History of Illustration - Recreating a small section of imagery from Edward Bawden, when working in close I can see how the uneven lines create the shape and shadows making movement what from a distance looks quite angular. |
Exercise: The History of Illustration - Taking images from the book cover, studying the expressions and line work for depth and shade. Pondered face/studious face and statue. |
Exercise: The History of Illustration - Using acrylic to imitate the colour layering in the lino print of the "Queen's Garden". |
Exercise: The History of Illustration - Also trying the same with layering down grey acrylic, followed by green, the hedgerow and tree and path using thin sponge edges to copy the style. |
Exercise: The History of Illustration - Working out in simple shapes, what parts can be broken down and used in a Bawden style piece. |
Exercise: The History of Illustration - Taking in colour onto the sketches. I want to use quite muted and dated colour ways that are typical of Bawden Lino prints. |
History of Illustration, I selected Illustrator and quite an all rounder, Edward Bawden. His style and adaption appealed to me immediately. The first part of his work that attracted me was his fluent use of Lino printing. His designs and cuts look they could have been designed on software rather than the old fashioned pain staking way of lino printing. Once I had first seen his lino prints I then searched into to more, and found others that were equally astounding. Some were by fellow Illustrator Eric Ravilious, again his prints had an air of what looked almost futuristic.
I further delved into both these artists, to see where they came from and their similarities in their creations, Bawden had an edge, a use of colour and a simplistic style that was product and user friendly. Both the artists work from war art is very typical and the limited use of colours and style had to be so it would speak directly to the viewer and as this was war the viewer coverage was on mass and to please the eyes of so many would mean that their work had to be flavoured to taste of so many, like a brand of soup that has to feed a mass of people. I found Ravilious later illustrations less detailed and quite dark, but the lino print style obviously was the style of the period and some of his illustrations for book etc, were very detailed.
One of the magical elements I find with some Edward Bawden's work is the trick of making you want to follow the images out of the picture, you seem to want to know, not what he has drawn but what is not shown.
Here is a couple of his work pieces I have found most appealing.
Lino work: Covent Gardem which you can clearly recognize. I look at this, and imagine commentary being told about the early mornings on the flower market! You can smell the cuts. |
I just want to follow the paths, the flat dimension style is almost child like but it works perfectly with the limited palette of colours used. Love it. |
This piece was not done commercially but the illustration and simple lines, could almost be in the late sun over the garden! |
To see how Edward Bawden worked I have reproduced some pieces from his artwork, the scenes I like the most are the lithograph images. I have chosen the piece "Billingsgate Market", as the layerage of colour and the semi-robotic men working away, gives something to look at from the front, right back to guy weighing his fish on the red scales in the background! I took a section to study, and noticed that though some of the lines for structural, such as the ironworks etc. are straight and parallel the "straight lines" of the men, boxes and corners are not so straight. Bawden has used the linoprint to extend the lines in width in places and creates automatic shadows and movement. The overlay of the colours segrates parts of the pictures in two ways. On items such as the desk, scales and clock, he uses the colour precisely and to the line, whereas the whites of the coats and beiges on the boxes overlaps in places or spills out so it make the space move. I love the dark green columns. I imagine they were thick in lead paint and similar to being in a railway station!
Here is the piece below, my sketchbook page is under the "Coursework" page if you need to see my attempt!
The blue and the beige with the stark white coats and roof let the viewers know its a chilly place to work! |
As Edward Bawden style had changed with the work undertaken, his simple lines remained the workings of his art, but the way in which they were used became different in some work. I found this picture of a book cover he created in 1971. The similarity with the lino prints is in the limitation of colour blocking, and also the minimal detail but still getting the movement in there! The section of the children's book area is amazing. At the table the two kids are are hardly with much detail on their faces, but you can tell both are studious and engrossed in their books! I had a go at re-creating this scene to try and again get a feel for Bawden style.
Learning Log Page - Notes |
Learning Log Pages - Notes |
Learing Log Page - Notes |
The contemporary artist I am reviewing and comparing is in relative terms to most illustrators, a well known but new known artist called Jeremyville. I first discovered his work while browsing the internet a couple of years ago. His images appealed to me immediately. Crisp, clean and natural. So many simplistic designs come through now due to the ability to use the amount of software we can all get out hands on, but Jeremyville holds the undeniably hand drawn and free feel that is nearly always lost in modern produced works. I enjoy the thick lines, the blackness, the white backgrounds and of course the enjoyment of his characters. Most of his work is under the Community Service announcements. This was one of the first pieces I had seen.
One of the things that is really attractive about this style Jeremyville has created is how many of the options and perspective it can be applied in. Not many art pieces can be illustrated in books, on tee-shirts and also contribute to murals or toys. Often this sort of merchandise is from brands that accumulate from TV, films and music. Jeremyville has cracked a very hard egg and brought his works to today, Instagram, facebook (where the SCA really started), I am glad I can use this exercise as an opportunity to research and study his works a bit more.
This is amazing and would be amazing to see! Grey, black and white and all you want to do is look through the story and not notice the door or windows. I just want the mural to go on and on and spread like a blanket! This is in Berlin. I hope it still there! JV is outside, which is handy as it puts into perspective the size of the wall space and the skill in presenting the illustration onto such a huge space. Love it.
I found a great quote from an interview: "A simple drawing looks easy to draw, but it's quite hard. It's an exercise in only including essential lines. It's about knowing when to stop. The less that is in a drawing, more it has to say." This video has this quote and also contains an great insight into the Jeremyville world. I appreciate that not all would find this form of illustration their personal taste, this video does offer the underlying ripples that make Jeremyville work hold its own against a huge amount of work that is surfacing in today's modern art world.
Going through all of Jeremeyville's portfolio is tremendous for such a new artist, the continuation of the Jeremyville Public Service announcements can run and run and have legs to run some more! There is a lot to be commended for discovering new ways to send messages, using simple words and simple drawings is probably one of the most effective.
Hello Kitty! An amazing piece of art. It is a "Look, then look again!" illustration. |
Learning Log Pages - Notes |
Learning Log Pages - Notes |
I am using an image of the Painted Ladies in San Francisco to emulate both illustrators. I need to work on colouring, what medium to use, size, positioning of the image. I am using simple images to start with and then seeing how I can incorporate them all for each illustration.
Learning Log Page - Notes |
Learning Log Page - Notes |
I have started on my final pieces for the exercise one. I am producing two pieces from the one image. I am referring back to some of Bawden's linoprint work depicting London scenes. I am going to try and select similar colour patterns and limitations of colour quantities.
The second piece will be influenced by the Jeremyville murals and commercial posters. I will again, try and use his limitations of colours and select according to resemble the image so it still stays recognizable.
This is a street scene of the Painted Ladies. From this photograph, you can see the elements that can be taken and used in both illustrator images. |
Keeping colour chart between 5 - 8 (using similar shades of one or two colours. Using Black, using white. I am going to use colours popular at the time of Bawden's London scene work.
Style contributes from Bawden pieces. Using a sponge and scratch type effect for the skyline. Using some line work on the farscape, giving structure and dimension.
Keeping the imagery in a flat context, Building and floor level angled similar.
Learning log page - notes |
Palace of westminster & Queen's Garden.. |
I have been testing different aspects of changing the scene into similar works of Bawden, as Bawden had several styles of producing prints, I decided to add a couple of elements from his Lino work, trying to block colour and layer over images. To make the best imitation of lino printing I am going to use acrylic and retract some of the paint in part where as in lino printing the roller would miss slightly leaving almost a ghosting effect. To try and get a similar printed edge I am using decorators tape to make a smooth print like effect.
Exercise: Getting the Gist.
The main aspect of this exercise is to interpret and translate a written piece of editorial from a newspaper or magazine and create an illustration based on the text used, pinpointing the information and conveying this in imagery by distilling and condensing the text.
The text I have chosen is from an editorial in a magazine. Written bu Scarlett Wrench the piece explains the use of social situations for career climbing, increasing popularity and creating your own status and positioning within your social circle and work placement.
I have taken words which I think are the key points to the piece and also interpreted the words into a sentence to give me a scope for the illustration.
I have taken the words and created a scene where the situation should be successful, but then created a completely negative image of what should be happening. The viewer will see the negative blatantly and then see the positive is what is not shown. As the story of the editorial is somewhat done in a tongue in cheek point of view to to get the message across I have transferred this aspect into the illustration making it also "tongue in cheek".
Text from the Editorial.
Mensheath February 2016
One word answer #22
Question: What’s the best way to win friends and influence people?
Answer: Karaoke
When post-work drinks look like they’re turning into pre-dawn karaoke renditions of Eye of the Tiger, you might be forgiven for cutting your losses and making a tactical exit. But being prudish is not the same as prudence. In fact, being the first man to take the mic can actually be a smart social move. New research from the University of Oxford found that singing helps people to bond faster than any other group activity. According to psychologist Dr Eiluned Pearce, singing from the same hymn sheet helps us to “build social cohesion when there isn’t time to establish one-to-one connections in a group.” Which means a duet with your line manager could be the best way to perfectly pitch a decent payrise.
It has also been suggested that singing can deliver many of the same meditative benefits as yoga, though we suspect this depends on the track chosen. For maximum networking effect, it’s best to opt for one you can sing in a low octave: deeper, more measured voices are linked to authoritativeness and superior leadership potential.
Foy you, that means Johnny Cash is in, while Areosmith should remain firmly in the “Where are they now?” file. But then you knew that already, didn’t you?
Scarlett Wrench
Original editorial from the magazine. The highlighted text are the important words which convey the meaning and point of the work. |
The highlighted text are the words I have drawn from the editorial and used. I broke these down into three groups: Self, Social and Career.
I have selected the words and placed in categories:
SOCIAL ACTIVITY - SELF - BUSINESS
These are the three points of the editorial. I think you can divide and share each word/s into these three categories.
From these words I have pulled up other words which link them.
From "Social Activity" we have: Drinks, Karaoke renditions, Singing, Group activity, One-to-one, social cohesion, Maximum networking.
These link to words such as: Night out, Bar, drinking, fun, mixing, friends.
From "Self" we have: First Man, Social Move, Cutting your losses, exit, Meditative benefits, One-to-one.
These link to words such as: Personal, decisions, communicating, ego, development.
From "Business" we have: Authoritativeness, superior leadership, potential, deliver, exit.
These link to words such as: Boss, in charge, manage, produce, hierarchy.
I tried some ideas and decided that either speech bubbles would be required or caption text to co-inside with the illustration. I also wanted the piece to reflect the same sense of lightheartedness that the original text expressed.
I have tried different methods of colour, digital and ink to see what is the best for the illustration. The final piece will be ink.
"I am going to create an image about the decision to mix the boss with friends, drinks and karaoke!"
Exercise: Getting the Gist - Course Work
"I am going to create an image about the decision to mix the boss with friends, drinks and karaoke!"
Exercise: Getting the Gist - Course Work
Exercise: Getting the Gist - Creating some ideas in the sketchbook and testing how the images work and if they convey the same message as the text. |
Exercise: Getting the Gist - Creating some ideas in the sketchbook and testing how the images work and if they convey the same message as the text. |
Exercise: Getting the Gist - Creating some ideas in the sketchbook and testing how the images work and if they convey the same message as the text. |
Exercise: Getting the Gist - Picking one idea and extending it. Going to try a literal image of Karaoke but produce what should not be done! I am considering adding text or speech bubbles. I want to try and cover the editorial in the illustration so both convey the same message. |
Exercise: Getting the Gist - Trying to set a scene without it holding too much confusing imagery, I want the scene to be easy to read and only the important characters are seen and noted by the viewer. |
Exercise: Getting the Gist - Deciding the final layout. I want to incorporate the sense of it being busy, but the main story is the obvious disgruntled work mates at the bar. The other part is the person doing the karaoke. Adding details such as the tie, the empty glasses lets you read the image as to what is happening and who has consumed the drinks, who the empty seat belongs to. |
Exercise: Getting the Gist - This is a digital version of what I want to aim for. I want the illustration to be crisp and clean and convey the negative message of the editorial. I am not overly happy with this version much preferring ink. |
Exercise: Getting the Gist - On this version I have used ink and coloured with water colour. I have used lines for added shade and depth. Adding the hand written caption as well. I like the colour but think I am leaning towards black and white work. The style I have gone for is quite simple and think the colouring distracts from this. |
Exercise: Getting the Gist - Here is a selection of scenes from the final illustration. We have the disgruntled boss, the shocked and admiring work mates, the reason for the actions and the person the story is about.
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Exercise: Getting the Gist (Learning Log)
For exercise: getting the Gist, I am going to produce an illustration using the editorial here, as a basis for the work. I have highlighted the text as required and reread the piece. From this I have noted in my learning log the selected words and used them to divide and segment them into the three categories conveyed within the editorial.
I wanted the chose an irrelevant piece to work from as if I start browsing through endless editorials I will be having ideas and shaping a written piece to fit, so I thought if I select one which holds no relevance to me it will hopefully let me understand the process of distilling and condensing the text.
Here is the list of words highlighted from the text:
Best, Win, Friends, Influence, Drinks, Karaoke Renditions, Cutting Your Losses, Exit, Prudish is Not The Same As Prudence, First Man, Social Move, Helps, Bond Faster, Group Activity, Singing from Same Hymn, Sheet, Social, Cohesion, One-to-One, Singing Can Deliver, Meditative, Benefits, Maximum, Networking, Low, Octave, Voices, Linked, Authoritativeness, Superior, Leadership, Potential.
I have placed them like this so I can see if reading just the words conveys the same message to give the Gist of the message.
For exercise: getting the Gist, I am going to produce an illustration using the editorial here, as a basis for the work. I have highlighted the text as required and reread the piece. From this I have noted in my learning log the selected words and used them to divide and segment them into the three categories conveyed within the editorial.
I wanted the chose an irrelevant piece to work from as if I start browsing through endless editorials I will be having ideas and shaping a written piece to fit, so I thought if I select one which holds no relevance to me it will hopefully let me understand the process of distilling and condensing the text.
Original editorial used. Highlighted words. |
Learning Log Pages - Notes working on the words picked from the editorial. Looking at what these words mean and what points they are conveying. Here I think there is three categories the story aims for. The social aspect, the point of view for the reader (Self) and the benefits for business/career moves. |
Best, Win, Friends, Influence, Drinks, Karaoke Renditions, Cutting Your Losses, Exit, Prudish is Not The Same As Prudence, First Man, Social Move, Helps, Bond Faster, Group Activity, Singing from Same Hymn, Sheet, Social, Cohesion, One-to-One, Singing Can Deliver, Meditative, Benefits, Maximum, Networking, Low, Octave, Voices, Linked, Authoritativeness, Superior, Leadership, Potential.
I have placed them like this so I can see if reading just the words conveys the same message to give the Gist of the message.
Some inspiring images to relate to the editorial. Getting the atmosphere, scene and temptations of drink, work and karaoke in imagery. |
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