Workshop Three

Enter a Competition

I decided to choose to do an illustration to submit to the next edition of "Unseen", issue 4. The theme was exciting to me, "In the Sky", and the colour scheme even more so, fluorescent pink and yellow, that when overlaid made a delicious orange.

Thumb nails

Thumb nails

Thumb nails

I began with the thumb nails, discovering that working in a stream of consciousness manner when doing so is far more productive. And it is interesting to note that often the best ideas seem to stem from the most bizarre or even down-right rubbish doodles, which propels me even further.

Rough drawing in pencil

Colour separation trial on tracing paper

Colour separation trial on tracing paper

Tracing paper layers together

After a consultation with Dolores and in receipt of some enlightening feedback I embarked on the rough drawing. The illuminating thing that Dolores pointed out, was that it was important to consider that, although one might have plenty of splendid and valid ideas, it was imperative to remain true to yourself when contemplating the content of your own illustration visions. This was helpful in deciding which idea I would complete.

Variable nib dip pen version

Rollerball pen detailed version

I chose to do a drawing of a cherub, in the belly of its mother, an angel, both with wings. It was the title which first provoked this idea, "In the Sky"; my name being "Skye" and I imagined my daughter in my own belly. Wings have been a powerful symbol in my work over the couple of years, as a metaphor for my recent personal freedom. These were also relevant to the Unseen theme.

Digital colour separation pink layer

Digital colour separation yellow layer

I completed two versions of the drawing, experimenting with dip pens versus my favoured rollerballs and high detail versus simplicity. I also had to consider the colour separations, and Dolores and advised me to work on tracing paper to experiment with this. After careful thought and a mix of opinions from peers and tutors, I decided to opt for the simpler version using the variable nib dip pen. I then scanned it into Photoshop and worked out the colour separations in a greyscale version. 

Final Outcome Baby Angel for "In the Sky" by Kitty Skye 2015

The illustration has been included for this edition of Unseen, I am pleased to say. I adore the printed result of the Risograph printer, it appeals to me on many levels: the natural soya based inks, the hand printed feel and look of the final outcome and that I can print on my current favourite paper; Bristol Board. I will be producing a set of limited edition prints for sale of this illustration.

Workshop Two

Book Cover Brief

Penguin Classics

I chose to illustrate John Steinbeck's, The Grapes of Wrath. Steinbeck is one of my favourite authors and although it is one book I had not actually read, I was drawn to this title to illustrate. The story is about  a mass exodus following an exceptionally long drought. Although I was in Paris when the workshop was taking place, I set about completing the task with the same time frame as was given, as this was another chance to experience working in the real world of illustration.

Thumb nails

Thumb nails

I considered the content of the narrative very carefully, as I wanted to ensure that this was communicated to the viewer. It was also important to me to ensure the design was of the era, 1930s, whilst subsuming a post-modern demeanour that would attract attention, yet be right at home on the shelf in a book shop around the corner.  I think that I succeeded in all of the above by combining the use of an authentic variable nib dip pen and ink with a digital, yet classic, gradient colour scheme and a distinct Art Deco influenced composition.

Rough

Due to my working on this brief simultaneously with brief number three, I had discovered the joy and beauty of the Risograph printer and decided to print this illustration on said printer. I had learned that it was possible to use it to reproduce gradients with a variable controllable speckle, and the end result was a great success. I intend to produce a set of limited edition prints to sell.

Rough colour

Feedback from Georgina was very positive and encouraging, especially as it was all a bit of an experiment, working in ways that were new to me, particularly the digital aspect. Mark also commented, saying it was one of my most successful pieces so far, a great compliment.

Final drawing

I was reassured that it was a successful illustration, with peer feedback which affirmed my intentions.

Digital shading/colour separation layer

Final Outcome

Workshop One

Editorial Brief

I was really looking forward these editorial workshops. Particularly as after reading about editorial work in Daniel Rees' book, "How to be an Illustrator", and thinking that perhaps it wasn't for me. I thought that this would be an ideal opportunity to see if I could work under tight time constraints whilst still producing an image that I considered publishable, especially being a perfectionist; even though this is a trait I have been actively attempting to shake off in favour of acceptance of my imperfections as a signature of the hand crafted nature of my style of drawing.

The first brief was a challenge for me, it was the first time I have had to do anything like this. My only criticism of the brief would be the vast number of choices available. Whilst this was provocative, in that it made sure that there was something everyone was most likely partial to, it was a bit like having to buy cheese for the first time in a well stocked supermarket where there are about ninety varieties and you have no idea how any of them taste. After reading the articles, whose titles had appealed to me the most, I thumb nailed. At first this was difficult, I felt as though my brain just wasn't up to the task at hand and that I was right after all; editorial work wasn't for me. The funny thing is that once I had this thought, I relaxed a bit and just drew some random, abstract ideas, some were silly and some were most definitely far fetched. After filling a page with these, I found that one or two of the ideas were rather appealing even if a little daft and I took them to consult with the art directors, Dolores and Georgina, my tutors. I chose to do "How viral cat videos are warming up the planet", because I found the title amusing and the content of the article fascinating; being an ethical and ecologically minded soul. 

Thumb nails

Following the discussion with Georgina, two ideas were agreed on and I drew up roughs of them both. After a second consultation the final illustration was selected and drawn again as the final outcome. The decision I had to make was about the final production and I decided that I would print and process as I had my previous illustrations to get the desired effect I was looking for. The downside of this being the timeframe as it is a six-stage process. Was there any stage I would be able to skimp on or emulate in a different way? After some thought, I realised there were a couple of things I could try; risky given that it may not actually work and I would then have to do it the usual way, adding more time to the whole thing...fortunately the corners I cut worked out and I was able to finish it to the standard I wanted.

Rough

Rough

That said, the following morning when I looked at the image with fresh eyes, I noticed that; in my hurry to finish on time; I had made a right mess of the composition!! Oh no! What could I do!? Straight into college and find Mark, the print technician, who, I must say, has an excellent eye for this kind of thing. And yes it was salvageable; in fact it wasn't half as bad as I had thought in my mild panic. But it did set me back a couple of hours. It all came right in the end and my final image was submitted on time. I was happy and so were the "clients".

First Gum Arabic Print (in reverse)

Amended drawing

It was also rewarding to see everyone else's work and to have the opportunity to review their work anonymously and to receive feedback too.

How Viral Cats are Warming Up the Planet by Kitty Skye (2015) Final Outcome

What would I do differently next time? Take a time out, have a cup of tea, then go back and check that the final drawing is perfectly balanced before commencing the rest of the process!

I am delighted to say that this workshop built confidence in me, and I think that I am ready to attempt another editorial piece and see if I can succeed again.

Introduction to Olio Module and Outline

Introduction

I have been looking forward to this module, the reason being the end result, a publication with an illustration by me and all of my classmates. A collection of the culmination of the last two years of studying and practice, hopefully, collated into one spectacular image showcasing the skills we have achieved. And the best part, this publication is then sent out to the people who matter, in the industry, those who have the power to commission us.

Module Outline

This module was designed to give us a taste of the real world of editorial illustration. With tight timeframes and deadlines, specific briefs and clients, role-played by Dolores and Georgina, our tutors for the module. They worked very well together as a team, supporting and complimenting each other when presenting the brief; this continued throughout the module. It was particularly good to have two tutors available, particularly as there was always one of them around for advice if needed.

The module outline was clearly defined and full explanations were given for the expectations to fulfil the briefs. The Olio brief itself was very exciting, "The Eleventh Hour", plenty of room for interpretation and interesting to research.

Although the prospect of producing an image for publication was daunting at this stage, I was reassured by the mention of warming up with three timed workshops over the course of the next few weeks. And from past experience of working alongside Dolores and Georgina I was confident that everything I needed by way of advice, objective opinions and technical knowledge was available to me.

Notes from first workshop

AD6510 Olio

10am Thursdays

Deadlines

Interim rough crit aThursday 5th November

Monday 30th November

Blog and digital file submission

Olio Cover Competition

Back/front/Title page/inside covers

Not assessed as part of this module

Not on the same deadline

Page size 165 x 235mm 3mm bleed

•   Technical element and creative element

10% research & enquiry

40% idea development & research

50% realisation & final outcome

Understand scanning and files in correct resolution

Colouring in Photoshop where required

InDesign

Illustrator

Printer (as in printing company) ready documents in the correct format

1st October

•   Start researching for The Eleventh Hour

•   Referencing on my blog

•   Link to current artists websites

•   Date older works

•   Put on name of artists

•   Link to a reputable website

•   Two distinctly different rough "ideas" (or more)

•   Can have 4-8 initial ideas, narrow down to final two

•   Essential to meet deadline

•   Correctly submit digital files

•    

8th October

One day brief 

Schedule

WEEK	DATE	ACTIVITY
1	01/10/15	Introduction to module. 10am Table exhibition show and tell. The design process – responding to a brief, ideas, thumbnails, design roughs * PM – Fundraising event for SYRIAN CRISIS for all students in drawing studio. 2 pm.
2	08/10/15	Editorial one-day project – 1. Given Text Brief set at 10am and final images to be displayed in studio at 4pm
3	15/10/15	Editorial one-day project – 2. Book Cover Brief set at 10am and final images to be displayed in studio at 4pm
4	22/10/15	Editorial one-day project – 3. Live Brief Brief set at 10am and final images to be displayed in studio at 4pm
5	29/10/15	AM Dolores, Group A (Overview of using software in Illustration, creating documents in Indesign) Georgie Group B Group tutorial – initial ideas	PM Dolores, Group B (Overview of using software in Illustration, creating documents in Indesign) Georgie Group A Group tutorial – initial ideas
6	05/11/15	Rough Ideas presentations to ‘client’ (allocated time TBC)
7	12/11/15	AM Dolores, Group A Placing and resizing images and text, keeping track of links Georgie Group B Group tutorial – amended ideas	PM Dolores, Group B Placing and resizing images and text, keeping track of links Georgie Group A Group tutorial – amended ideas
8	19/11/15	AM Dolores, Group A Group tutorial Georgie Group B Photoshop surgery/Individual tutorials	PM Dolores, Group B Group tutorial Georgie Group A Photoshop surgery/Individual tutorials
9	26/11/15	AM Dolores, Group A InDesign – preflight, colour spaces, exporting to PDF, Imposition Georgie Groups A+B Group tutorials – Finishing touches	PM Dolores, Group B InDesign – preflight, colour spaces, exporting to PDF, Imposition Georgie – Graduation Ceremony
10	30/11/15	DEADLINE 4PM Digital file uploaded to Dolores computer from 10 am in studio Blog link sent to dphelps@glos.ac.uk and ghounsome@glos.ac.uk by 4pm