HOT DOG BOOK - More development, Screen printing and the end result.

A few development drawings and the final images i intended to use. I tried out the colours we wanted to use too, just to get an idea of how to go about doing the two separate layers ready for screen printing.







Once our ideas were finalised, we can to trace them onto tracing paper ready to go onto the screen printing stage. The images had to be transferred in the correct places so that the hot dog book would work when folded into place.

Screen printing

From top to bottom: 1. Cleaning the screen after its been exposed. 2. Applying the first layer to create our base colours. 3. Charlotte looking mighty happy with half of our book. 4. Naomi all kitted out to do the dirty work of cleaning the screen.

Our book came out a little like this. I think our whole group was really pleased with the end result. I thought the colours worked really well together. Some things weren't as perfectly lined up as we had thought they would be, however i feel this added a really authentic touch to the finished product. On the whole we had a really great time working on it!

Here's a little video of the book.

HOT DOG BOOK.

The one week collaborative brief working on a hot dog book in screen printing has been so much fun. I feel so much work was produced in such a short period of time given that there were 6 of us all working together. We were given 'Greggs and sandwich shops' to research and create a book about.
Initial research began with venturing into the city to visit our location. I took a camera and tried to be as confident as i could when it came to talking to people and taking peoples photographs. I talked to the customers of Greggs mostly, given that the workers were usually busy, and were a little scary to approach. I met some lovely people during the day.


Some photos i took:

                               Clearly had to eat some Greggs, just for a little extra research.

 The people at the smoothie company were much more approachable. And offered us some valuable information, and told us how they felt about these big chains such as Greggs. He had a lot more time to talk to us and actually let us take some photographs.

During the day we also drew from observation. I found this slightly difficult as I was taking the photographs and talking to people the majority of the time. Here are a few roughs from my sketchbook though.

A few points of conclusion from our day.
I feel the first day went really well and after a group discussion we had a clear idea of what we would like to include in our hot dog book.
Difficulties- I feel I contributed most when interacting with people during the day, which took me away from producing many roughs. I know its scary to talk to strangers but it would have been good to have a little more input from the group in terms of gathering research from the people.
Successes- We came away with good ideas, a clear direction and personally I was really excited to get stuck in.

Textures and shape

 

Textures has been pretty exciting really! Ive used lots of different mediums to create texture and then worked on top of them to create images. I used thick layers of acrylic, various brushes, brusho, and also did a bit more paper cutting. I then decided to use a little photoshop, as i haven't done much on it yet. Adding various textures to see what kind of outcomes i got. I feel this weeks work has been successful in the way it has completely freed up my style, and its stopped me being so restricted and limited in the work that i produce. 

Using photoshop helps me to visualise compositions with the freedom to move things about easily. It helps me consider colours and add things i wouldn't in a drawing. I feel if i used it more, became more comfortable with the software and a little more confident, i would be able to incorporate these types of compositions and styles into my drawings.

Drawing with Shape

It took me a while to get used to the concept of using only shape. Im not great at simplifying things, i tend to add detail or tone to all of my pieces. So to produce 12 images without any of this was pretty hard for me. However, once i started doing some paper cuts, it became rather enjoyable. I feel that the week of shape and only shape has really broaden my capabilities. I am far too stuck in my ways with what i do and how i do it, and i feel these exercises are really helping me to develop my skills and think of alternative ways to draw.  

Shape and texture research.

BRIAN SANDERS

Absolutely love how much texture Sanders crams into his images. They really enhance his images, and almost make you feel the movement in each piece. Mark making is a clear skill here, and something i would like to get good at. I will definitely be referencing his work when completing this weeks shape and texture task.

End of Module Self Evaluation OUIL403

1.  Which practical skills and methodologies have you developed within this module and how effectively do you think you are employing them within your own practice?

Within this module I have experimented with a range of media, and gained new practical skills that have proved to be highly effective in my own practice. I feel I have refined my level of detail in each piece just from repeated drawing, as well as tried out new medias such as inks, copics, and also added to my digital skills. My knowledge in photoshop has grown, and I have been able to apply a few new techniques to my work. Working in photoshop to develop colour and to add texture is something that will be highly effective in my own practice. However on the whole I feel there are many more skills I am yet to take on board, and many avenues of experimentation I am yet to explore when it comes to media and methodologies.

2. Which principles/ theories of image making have you found most valuable during this module and how effectively do you think you are employing these within your own practice?

Creating roughs for each brief was something that proved to be very effective when it came to refining ideas and developing them into finals. Working to various scales and dimensions was also something we had to consider, varying from brief to brief. Constantly considering frame and composition and learning how to work these components into the dimensions given is definitely a useful skill to have. Another valuable part to image making I feel I have gained thus far has been adopting my own tone of voice in light of each brief.

3. What strengths can you identify within your submission and how have you capitalised on these?

My strengths within this module as a whole are producing a vast number of roughs, refining my ideas and developing them into a final piece. I feel I have produced roughs that respond well to my given briefs, and haven't been scared to explore various possible outcomes. I have also paid close attention to detail throughout, creating finals that I feel displayed the amount of time I put into each. I have shown this through my use of detailed line work, stippling and producing refined finals.

4. What areas for further development can you identify within your submission and how will you address these in the future?

Areas for development include working on composition. Its something I feel I need to tackle with more confidence. I’ll address this by making more detailed roughs and layouts before starting my finals. Another area for development would be a little more experimentation when it comes to media. I feel I am far too comfortable in doing what I know and I’d like to work on this, by tackling briefs using media that I have little experience in using, and by just being more confident to try new things.

5. In what way has this module introduced you to the Ba (Hons) Illustration programme?

The intensity of each brief and the demands for workloads has definitely been an eye opening introduction to the course, and is something I feel I am getting better at as the weeks go by. Each brief for this module has been two weeks long, so understanding time scale and expectations took a little while to get used to, but by the third brief, it all came with a lot more ease. Blogging each part, from roughs, to feedback and then finals has also been a completely new thing for me. However I feel it has helped me to visualise the workload and to evaluate my work on a daily basis. This module has helped me realise the required components to each brief, and I feel has prepared me well for the year to come.

Play Play Play finals

Here are my three final pieces for the Play play play studio brief. 

My initial intentions for the last week of work were to develop my ideas further, and find ways in which to make the three images work as a set. 

I also needed to refine my type and image piece. I felt happy with my other two ideas, but next time i will definitely work harder in the first week to come up with ideas that I'm happy with for each and every final, because i found it hard with the time given to finish three finals whilst still developing one of them. 

On the whole i am happy with the outcome of this brief. However the fish took up quite a large amount of time, given the detail and precision that went into it, that i felt the other two didn't quite reach my expectations of quality. Time scale is definitely something i need to work on (ironically).

I feel the type and image one was a little rushed, and i definitely should have considered composition more thoroughly for that one. This was something that was said a few times in the feedback session. Another point made was that my style was slightly inconsistent, which i definitely agree with, and am aware i need to work on this in the future. Exploring type faces is another thing i should have researched more. Most of the points made in the crit were things i was already aware of and aim to improve by the next brief. Trial and error! 

Play Play Play - roughs, development and feedback

The word i was given was Scale. The brief was to come up with three different meanings for the word and to present them using imagery, type and image, and finally, just type. At first i explored pretty obvious options, without much creativity and without adding my own personal elements. I think thats pretty clear in the above roughs. So i spent an evening thinking, refining and developing ways to make it a more inventive and exciting. 

How effectively have a tackled the first part of this brief?

My initial roughs were limited and obvious. I knew i needed to push more roughs out, explore new ideas and avenues to take the word. After the first set of roughs i felt i began to tackle the brief with much more imagination. Small practice pieces helped me visualise my finals and how i would go about creating them.

Ideas I intend to take further in light of feedback.

After a discussion with my group, definitely the fish with the visible bone structure for image only. The clocks making up the word scale. For the type and image i'd like to explore a few more possible options, as i feel i can still be a little more creative than i have been. 

Next steps.

I need to consider composition in each. I also need to develop my type and image ideas and work them into the set. I would also like to figure out the best way to tie them all together, possibly considering media for this. 

Line- Tone, mark & pattern

I missed this Visual language session, but gave it a shot anyway. But after looking around I really don't think i got the right idea. There are a few more drawings in my sketchbook, but i really wasn't happy with the outcome. Thought id use watercolours to spice things up a bit.
The one on the left has the qualities that were needed more so. Whereas the other only has the tonal quality.

Evaluation- Im fully aware that i needed to do more for this in order to understand what i was really trying to do. From now on I will make sure i attend every session, and come away fully understanding the intent of the tasks.

Questions and speculative thinking-
Work harder.
Research more.
I really like watercolours.

A day in the life - finals

Here are my 3 final illustrations for the editorial brief. Im pretty happy with them overall, as i think i have put forward my own tone of voice, whilst illustrating what the article was about.

At first i really struggled with the article i was given, to come up with ideas and how to go about illustrating the article. This is my first ever editorial illustration, therefore I'm pretty pleased with how it went. 

My only downfall i feel was making them work as a series. The last image is a really different style, which i should have realised before i spent copious amounts of time on it. The colours and the fine liners keep the images similar, and it doesn't completely stand out, but next time i will keep a close eye on the style i intend to use.