Study Task 4: What is Illustration? Part 2

Part 1: It's Nice That

It's Nice That posts art from all different spectrum's: Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography etc. but you can easily find your way into the specialised areas if you just want to browse Illustration. By including lots of different artforms it allows you to pull inspiration from different sources and be aware of all contemporary specialisms - not just your own.

I find It's Nice That fun to browse because it's so varied, since lots of people collectively post to the site. The variety even just within illustration shows how vast the practice included are examples of editorial illustration, book covers, narrative driven work and just art made for fun! I find myself drawn in to several images, wanting to find out more about what they're about.

Personally I enjoy the fact that the articles are not oversaturated with text, I find it allowed me to focus more on the art without having to scroll through reams of writing to get from picture to picture. Although it may not give much information about the artist or works sometimes this site is great for finding initial interesting things and prompt you to research further into what you've found there or finding images that inspire you to draw something yourself! Not everything has to be about concepts and artists backgrounds.


Part 2: Where is Illustration?

product; clothing, toy packaging, food packaging, wrapping paper, lunchboxes, cards, CD's, Stationary, mugs/crockery, bags, jewellery

publication; book covers, childrens books, comic books, zines, instruction leaflets, newspapers, magazines, flyers, school text books, informational books, artist books

place; galleries, exhibitions, shops, in the home, college studio, artists studio, in the heart and soul, bus shelters, cinemas, conventions, bars/eatery's

online; artists websites, artists blogs, fan-blogs, online articles/magazines/newspapers, pop up/side bar adverts, instagram, pinterest, online portfolios, artists collective website, informative websites

Part 3;
Product:

CD: The Used Lies for the Liars CD, Cover & lyric book by Alex Pardee

Clothing/Jewellery/Misc: Kristyna Baczynski - Pocket Mirrors

Stationary: Jack Teagle - Heroes and Villains notebooks 

Bags: Katy Webster

Bags: Minifanfan

Packaging: Ridleys Toys packaging - Joe Snow

Publication:

Zine: Aizzah Hanis - Angry Grrrls Club

Zine: Aizzah Hanis - Angry Grrrls Club

Comic/Graphic Novels: Sandman

Book Cover: Through The Woods - Emily Carroll

Informational Books: Farm Anatomy - Julia Rothman

Informational Books: Farm Anatomy - Julia Rothman 

Magazine cover (Editorial): Kali Ciesemier for Boston Globe Magazine

Place:

Shop: Travelling Man Leeds

Cinemas:

Exhibition / Bars & Eatery's - Common Bar - Manchester

Bars & Eatery's - The Belgrave

College Studio: LCA Foundation - Illustration corner in its prime

Exhibition: Mark Heald Childrens Illustration at Foyles book shop

Online:

Informative Website: Oh Joy Sex Toy - Erika Moen & Mathew Nolan

Online News/Articles: The New Yorker Website

Online Articles: The New Yorker - Climate Change Christmas Carols. Illustration by Nishant Choksi

Art Collective Website: It's Nice That

Artists Website: Maya Kern

Fan Blog: Vampire Puppy Club on Tumblr - Art inspiration blog

Part 4;

Online: Maya's website is visually pleasing to look at and well organised. All her social media sites are displayed so you have the option to follow her wherever you like.

I personally like the way her work is organised on the site so you can find what you're looking for. The fact that she has 'fan art' and 'sketchbook' included on her site shows you some more of her personality and interests that may not be displayed through finished work. I find this relevant because it enforces this notion of putting all your work out there, you can grow personally from this or maybe others will see something they like in a stupid sketch rather than a polished piece. 

Place: Bars/Eateries

I'm generalising a bit here but places like the Common in Manchester and the Belgrave, Leeds seem like interesting places to exhibit work, because bars and food establishments are not a conventional setting for pieces of illustration to be found. It makes the work more accessable to different communities of people who may not be the type to frequent art galleries. (Another way of getting your art out there, EVERYWHERE)

Publication: Comics - (Emily Caroll - Through The Woods)

Comics are a pretty fun thing, I enjoy reading comics. Emily Caroll's 'Through the Woods' is interesting because the stories are unconventional and the crafting of the images is beautiful. The book reads like a comic but there's such an essence of the artist in it. I would love to make comics and learn to work with narrative - I am not much of a story teller. I feel like this is the kind of thing I'd like to do if I were to pursue comics; working with some weird and unconventional things (rather than something with pre-existing superhero type characters, although I do enjoy reading those too).

Product: Bags

Merch! What a great way of getting your work out there and make some money! People who don't want a print BAM tote bag! functional and decorative I personally cannot stop buying tote bags. I think it'd be really cool to make some bags sometime especially via screenprint because I'd be able to practice the process on different material and learn lessons for life. 

Ana Albero 

Study Task 3 - What is Illustration?

•  Communicating a message, the message could be anything; political views; parables; dolphins are cool etc. Illustration is pretty versatile in ways it can convey a message such as in one image or through a narrative driven piece, which is pretty interesting to me. 
• Reflects artists interests. Pieces of illustration that I like usually always reflect the artists interests, as they draw what they want to regardless of whether it will appeal to anyone else. It's good to let your interests inform you. 
• Illustration usually has an audience or a purpose it can fulfil. Even self driven illustration can appeal to an audience of people with similar interests. 
• Knowledge of media - informing the illustrators decision when it comes to making a piece. Experimentation with media is key to this knowledge as one can develop styles, techniques etc. that can be applied when creating work.   
• A concept is kind of like a first step. Once you've got a concept in place for your illustration you can mould it and create a great piece - I feel that sometimes if the concept and message is clear then the crafting of the image can be less important. (Though its always nice to have a well crafted piece)

Pinterest!

Character

Rob Hodgson

I love how this image takes the moon but then turns it into a range of characters rather than just one, showing different emotions and looks. There's an experimental quality to the images - the running theme is clear but each section is crafted a little differently. I am a little disappointed this is not called 'Faces of the Moon' to play on 'Phases of the Moon' 

Line Quality

Jacqueline Bissett

This is a fashion illustration and the quality of line in this is just beautiful. The lines describe the shape of the clothes and the figure without overpowering the image. I love the fluidity of the lines, they really convey the structure of the body and the fit of the clothing, the texture of the hair all in just a few lines. 

Colour

Kali Ciesemier

This image falls under both the colour and the composition mark as a combination is what makes this image so exciting. The darker tones set the spooky mood of the house and makes the bright yellow and the eyes of the ghostly creature really pop! The colour accentuates the composition as the yellow flashlight leads you from the bottom of the stairs up the image. 

Composition

Peter Donnelly 

The length of this picture is like a going on a journey. I'm really enjoying the stylisation in this image -  it really suits the composition and the dimensions of the page. The way the waterfall leads the viewer through the woods is quite a simple idea but with these dimensions used it's really effective as it reflects the downward motion of the waterfall.  

Craft

Alison Woodward (front of pop up book)

Alison Woodward (inside pop up book)

This gorgeous book has so many different elements to it. Firstly the images are beautifully painted - the detailed textures on the unicorn and underside of the mushroom, and the tonal work. As well as that the paper crafting and assembly of the book is just magical! Paper craft is something I look at in awe especially when it's this intricate as I have always been a bit terrible with cutting paper myself. 

OUIL403 End of Module Self Evaluation

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?

I've been able to explore a lot of different media, recently I have been enjoying experimenting with brusho to create textures and used it in some areas of my Play Play Play images. In this module I have worked a lot with paints and inks. I think I have effectively used these media for different purposes for example I used gouache in two briefs (Day in the life, and A-Z Typology) but in my typology I have used it in a way that is creates flat colour whereas in Day in the Life I have used a dry brush approach. My work with inks could definitely be improved to be more controlled and less patchy.

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?

Making roughs has been a really helpful in this module as it provides a chance to see your ideas and compare them – adding suggestions of detail etc without having to do a full picture and find it hasn't worked. Before this course I had done thumbnails in projects but reluctantly – now I understand how important they can be for the design process. Initially my roughs were terrible, particularly for the typology they were totally unrecognisable as images, but throughout I realised spending a bit more time on the roughs adding media and colour as I have done in Day in the life and Play Play Play really helps in communicating the images – especially when other people have to critique the roughs. While working with particular dimensions in Day in the Life working within a frame was very useful for designing the layout of the images. This will definitely come in handy when doing future projects with dimensions that are not standard (A4, A5 etc)

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

My biggest strengths have been my use of colour. In each of the projects I think I have had a good eye for what colours are appropriate for each piece. Play Play Play is my favourite use of colour as it really communicates an atmosphere and gives the images a narrative. I believe that the ideas that I create are strong as I am able to think up a lot of different ideas, though I do need to work on the overall execution/communication of the idea in imagery.

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

Crafting is something I definitely need to work on as a lot of pieces are not as polished as they could be, I will be able to address this by just setting aside time to really work carefully on pieces so I am not rushing through the crafting process. Along with this, time management is another thing I need to improve as I always end up doing things last minute and although I have met all the deadlines I would like to be more comfortable and have finished everything I need to in good time. I will have to use my diary more.

5. In what way has this module introduced you to the Ba (Hons) Illustration programme? The range of briefs has introduced me to the breadth of styles (editorial, narrative etc) that will be covered on the degree, which is pretty exciting! I can't wait to continue. Blogging has been a pretty new experience for me, previously I have just had a critical journal blog but I'm finding it great for documenting my process rather than writing it all in a sketchbook (sketchbooks are for sketching!)

10 Questions

1. How do I draw digitally?

I really like the look of digital art but am lacking skills in that area, though I do keep practising with different programs and tablets. I'd really like to be able to create at least an alright piece of work through digital media.

•  I will pick up some skills through workshops at college but I will also have to just keep practising at home and with various projects, tools etc. 

2. How do I advertise myself as an Illustrator?

Is this just a case of making a website, blog, facebook, online portfolio and networking as much as possible?

• Research how other Illustrators advertise themselves, initially and throughout their career

3. How can I organise my time so I get everything done?

This is one of my weakest points, I always rush to get things done because I am terrible at managing my time.

• make use of my academic diary, get some kind of time management sheet and PLAN MY DAYS.

4. Exploring more options for Illustration including 3D?

I feel like I am stuck in an 'I am good at drawing, that is what I do' mindset but I would like to explore other media such as 3D models, and papercut type things.

• Don't hold myself back when it comes to media and don't always stick to the same things, try to experiment in every project. 

5. How do I collaborate with others, illustrators, writers, animators etc?

I would like to collaborate with others!

• Find how other illustrators do this. There was talk of a project that involves collaboration, I believe, so get stuck in with that. Do some fun collaborations with my flat-mates, if they fancy it. 

6. How can I get better at printmaking?

I really enjoyed screen printing last year and would love to get better at it and other printmaking methods this year!

• go to workshops and create more prints for various projects throughout the year, practise makes perfect. 

7. How can I develop a style/tone of voice that is still versatile?

I feel like I don't have a real style yet and am a little worried about a. never finding my style calling or b. falling into a set style that isn't versatile!

• Research awesome illustrators and be inspired. Draw, draw, draw until I find my calling, if things are looking too samey - mix it up. Don't hinder yourself. 

8. How do I set up commissions including pricing and making sure I get paid?

I know sometimes freelancers get swindled when it comes to prices and getting paid, so I need to learn about pricing my work appropriately, invoicing and ways to ensure I will get paid.

• 
  

9. How do I make a website?

I don't even know where to start with websites.

• Research good website platforms (is there a project where we make websites, I don't know. The blogging will definitely help I think)

10. Working with narrative and making messages clear in my work?

• Think about how someone who has not been thinking about/seen the prior influence to the work would see the imagery. Maybe using cliche symbolism is alright if it conveys the message more clearly. Listen to feedback!

Study Task 1

5 Reasons for Studying Illustration

• it's a good balance between design and non-design based art
• I love to draw (I particularly enjoy designing characters)
• There's a lot of room for experimentation with media, themes and everything really
• A lot of the art I have been interested in & been influenced by is some form of illustration
• I am interested in working with narratives &communicating through art 

5 Reasons for choosing this program

• I had wanted to go to LCA since I was a wee babe (12). I was chuffed when LCA started their own illustration course.
• It was highly recommended by the first lot of students
• I know Leeds pretty okay so I can focus more on the course than trying to navigate a new place
• Teaches professional skills that I can take out into the big wide world
• Great facilities (print room, mac suites, equipment available) the art making possibilities are endless

5 of my Strengths

• Drawing girls
• Drawing spooky things 
• eyebrows always on point 
• Painting with watercolour 
• I can draw bodies from life pretty well

5 Things I want to improve on

• Digital drawing
• Considering the context of the work (on foundation I had a lot of trouble thinking of where my images would be seen so I would like to improve on always considering the context in both mine and other peoples work)
• Managing my time effectively
• Finding more creative solutions to a brief/idea/problem etc
• Not being so shy about meanings and ideas behind my work 

5 images that demonstrate my interest in illustration

John Howe

ONEQ

Pippa Toole

Phillipa Rice

Alex Pardee

Bonus image

Kristyna Baczynski 

Life Advice from Level 5-ers

• Blog right away/ when you need to so you don't get behind 
• Experiment with lots of media
• Don't think your way of working is wrong, everyone is different