Visual exploration 1 - Illustration (L4)

For this week's homework we were set a task similar to our 'cathedral' session where we had to select two words from a list and utilizing our alphabet of marks and two a2 pages separated into four sections create compositions from our imagination. For each section of the two words, we had to create differing illustrations with three dissimilar mark making techniques and mediums. For instance, for my first four section composition I chose wind as the theme word (as shown below). For this composition, I utilized mediums including; ink, charcoal, marker pen, oil pastels, highlighter and fine line pen.  Top left: An illustration of a sea full of wind turbines using charcoal and ink with the hatching for the metal, block shapes to create depth and the sky on the horizon swirling with the wind. Top right: An illustration of clothes blowing on a washing line using marker pen with cross hatching for the clothes stitching, signal lines for the movement of the clothes and line and wa...

In the third week into the module of visual exploration, utilizing the alphabet of mark marking we composed the previous week we began to develop compositions based on the theme of 'Cathedral'. Without references, we used our imagination and personal perception of the theme to create at least 5 compositions using only three marks to explore mark making to create line, tone, shape and form in our compositions. Moreover, we were challenged to think out of the box when it came to the theme and not just think of the theme as face value.  In the first composition, I began by taking the theme as a physical representation of a cathedral with the silhouette of it against the night sky. However, after this I began to employ my imagination and explored different factors of the theme such as; religion, light, architecture and the lives within the building. Silhouette of the cathedral; Fine line marker pen and highlighter Praying; Ink and marker pen Candle; Marker pen Winding staircase; Hi...

  In the second week into the visual exploration module, we continued our exploration of illustration through the theme and significance of mark making. Through the employment of mark making, a composition can take many different variations and enhance the line, tone and form of the subject.  Firstly we began creating a variety of different marks utilizing various mediums to broaden our understanding and experimentation of mark making. As shown below I employed different mediums on an a2 page including; charcoal, oil pastels, ink, colour pencil, acrylic paint and marker pens. Exploration of mark making Following this experimentation warm up, I then began to test out larger compositions utilizing only one of the mark making techniques I had made. These included tests such as; Blocked out marks using scrap paper and oil pastels Spirals using water, black ink and charcoal   Circles using marker pen Once I had done a number of test experiments of mark making, I began to colla...

In the second week into the module of visual exploration, we began to explore and develop our knowledge of the significance of mark making within illustration and contemporary art.  For this task I chose two contemporary image makers and examples of their work that have significantly influenced my creative outlook and encompass my interests. Firstly, an image maker whose mark making notably captivates me is Michael Kirkbride; an American games designer, writer and artist best known for his work with Bethesda Studios. Specifically, I am most interested in his concept art for the video game Morrowind such as these compositions shown below. In both compositions, Kirkbride utilized bold and highly detailed employment of mark marking with the medium of an ink pen. For instance, Kirkbride's technique of layering lines and pattern making to create texture and depth to the compositions enhancing the sense of the fantastical world's environment and characters. Vivec city *1 The tribunal...

"Build a world in a day" In this first week into the module of visual exploration, we explored design and illustration utilizing recycled materials such as cardboard. In this task we were given the challenge of creating individual components of a collective sculptural landscape of our imagination. To begin with this task we familiarized ourselves with the provided materials with included various types of recycled cardboard which had differing textures, thicknesses and layers. For instance, some of the recycled cardboard provided were heavily layered with a smooth study shell while the interior had distinct ridges of softer cardboard. Once we were familiarized with the materials, as a team we began to discuss the collated collaboration and created a broad concept for the story and environment of the world. In this concept we included themes such as autumnal, small town, Halloween and kitschy with the environment gradually transitioning from a quaint country town to a more spoo...