Project EvaluationMy concept for this project was to combine several of my interests with an overarching theme of meta commentary. The themes I specifically wished to explore were Rococo, beauty, horror and dance, I also intended to explore Japanese and traditional western illustration techniques.
As such I approached this project with an open mind, being acutely aware this project could get very complicated very fast. Thanks to the many overarching themes and loose ends I had linking everything together, from inspiration to symbolism, and techniques. Needless to say, I may have been a tad over ambitious with this project brief. However with that being said, I do think I accomplished most of what I set out to do. Exploring how classical imagery and motifs can be re-contextualised to have new meanings in the modern world, and how them meanings can reflect real life issues and struggles. The main material I used was my iPad and digital art software. Given how illustration is often linked with digital art (particularly if the illustration is for commercial use) I think it’s quite clear how this links to my chosen speciality. I also used a bit of screen printing which has further relevance, as I am interested in textile design. And screen printing is one of the methods more commonly used to produce textiles. Meanwhile I was also able to expand my technical skills, looking at how to draw movement, design patterns and use a variety of brushes to elevate my digital artwork. All things relevant to illustration and design. When creating this body of work, I tried my best to plan it based around the design cycle, creating a flow chart in which sections in my project would correlate to steps of the design cycle. Steps I believe I have met at every interval. With that being said, I did however have to change my initial plan due to time constraints. As I originally planned to have an extra step between my digital art and my final piece. That would allow me a little more time to explore other ideas/ combine a few from my digital art section. However, this was ultimately not possible due to the nature of digital art, in that each piece takes a lot of time and effort to complete. Time I didn’t have. Along the way of making this project, I have encounter many a problem. One such being, how my work could potentially be misconstrued due to the nature of the more sensitive topics I touched on in my project. Particularly in relation to my masked portrait, given how it could be read as having underlying messages about sexual exploitation and religion, if one were to over-analysis it. Two topics which by themselves I don’t necessarily mind, its more a problem of the implication when you combine the two ideas. To counteract this potential problem, I tried my best to lean away from such connotations by reshaping the focus of the piece with lighting to draw attention away from such bold associations. Ultimately reframing the piece. I could’ve also removed certain elements that lent themselves to symbolism, however I felt it wasn’t necessary. The other very obvious problem I encountered would of course be time, which I have mentioned previously. To counter this dilemma, I had to make a number of concessions switching out some complex illustration styles for others that took less time. As well as prioritising certain work over others to ensure deadlines (both for the exhibition and project) were met. From this, I learned never to underestimate the sheer quantity of hours digital paintings can take. In the future, when I inevitably start another digital painting again, I will be sure to give myself adequate time. Despite some of the limitations that come with digital art (i.e. cost) it is however rather sustainable, as after all there are no waste products since it is digital. Meanwhile the screen printing has a few environmental concerns but since we used water based ink instead the traditional PVC based inks, most concerns were avoided. With that being said, it is still important to consider the biodegradability of what you are printing onto. However as I only printed onto paper and off-cuts of fabrics, the impact is minimal. Specifically with the fabric as I’m re-using bits that would otherwise go to waste. If I were to continue developing this project, I could take it in the direct of creating mock Rococo era portraits using digital art methods. Perhaps doing something akin to Francois Boucher’s Portrait of Madame de Pompadour or maybe even Jean-Honoré Fragonard’s The Swing. This way I could explore even more elaborate compositions while still refining my digital rendering skills. The main problem with this idea of course being time, as something as elaborate as that, could easily take weeks. All in all, I believe this project was a success as I was able to explore a lot of different interests of mine, from history to Japanese illustration, gothic art and fashion. And develop them in such a way that was effective in the process of telling a narrative through an image. I was also able to explore and experiment with a range of different traditional and contemporary illustration techniques. All which will further my knowledge and skills moving forward in my desired specialty, that of course being illustration.
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