Illustration

Illustration

Final Piece Evaluation

02/04/15

For my Final piece, I used some old background images that I had drawn and also created some new ones so that I could add more cells and make it more interesting. I used a distressed and sketchy style and didn't use colour to add to the effect of it being a dark story. My use in photoshop was very basic, as I only used block colours, and used drawn out sketches that had been scanned for both the characters.

I am happy with the way it looks, in terms of the backgrounds, however I feel that the backgrounds should have been more muted so that the characters stand out more. I feel that the neatness of the characters do make the them stand out however, not as much as I wanted to.

The characters are very basic, and so I feel like next time I should try some shading on the designs, as well as perhaps bolder lines and maybe some colour, so that they stand out completely from the backgrounds,

The thing that I am most dissatisfied with is the hand that I attempted to draw, mainly because I can't draw hands, and because I used the wrong colours to make it stand out. To improve it I will use a photograph, like in earlier attempts or experimentations, however will make it grey-scale so that it fits in with the theme.

Lastly, I feel that the comic I have created is very short, and doesn't show much of the story line that it could have done. However, the idea was to make it in small comics, so that it would keep the person reading. The idea was that it would be a small comic that would've been in a newspaper, and so, every week, there would be a small issue of the comic that would slowly build up the story.

Overall, I am slightly disappointed with the end result, and I feel that it didn't show my full potention, however, I am also happy, as I am happy with the way the backgrounds look and help with the story in terms of the art design.

Illustration

Illustration

Moving images

02/04/15

As part of my final piece, I had to edit any images that needed editing before adding them into my final storyboard. this meant scanning any drawn out sketches.

I had drawn my characters as just the bodies so that later, I could then add facial expressions if they needed changing as well as arm and leg positioning. Here I needed to move an image of an eye that was on another page onto the same page.

To do this, I moved both the page for the eye and the body of the character I was working on into to windows, which I put side by side so that it made everything easier. This also meant that I could move the eye picture properly.

 

To do this, I had to make sure that I had the eye window selected, and the RGB option selected in the Channels window. I realised this after numerous attempts at moving the eye across into the body window and it not having worked properly.

After this, the eye was on a separate layer, which then enabled me to change the scale of it to make it the right size. First however, I had to select it so that I could use the magic wand tool to delete the white background so that it didn't interfere with the image once edited.

Once I had the image selected, I then used the magic wand tool and deleted the white area around the eye.

Illustration

Illustration

Presentation of work: 'Cupcake Apocalypse'

30/03/15

My story follows the life of the protagonist (Queen cupcake) after she suffers the loss of a close family relative (Grandmother Cupcake) through murder, and plans to get revenge on the murderer (the human)

We follow her as the weight of grief slowly corrupts her thinking and forces her down he path of destruction, which eventually ends with the death of the protagonist. 

the Story has an underlying message of Karma: What comes around goes around.

The art style I am using to add depth to the comic is scratchy and dark, and links to the distress that the protagonist is feeling. gradually, I plan on making this scratchiness intensify throughout the comic as the protagonist falls deeper and deeper to her need to get revenge.

The background of the comic will only be in black and white with no colour, and the character designs will be clear so that they don't blend into the background, The colours I use will not be too bold, in fact, will be minimal, however, the clarity of the design style for each character will help them stand out against the background. 

Further development of characters expressions and body language is needed.

Illustration

Illustration

Designing the Backgrounds

29/03/15

After realising that I had hit a wall within the designing stages of this project, I realised that I then had to go about it in a different way. The backgrounds I had been creating had all revolved around the same scene, and so, within each cell, the same scene or background would be depicted, which I felt didn't show my full potential, nor did it make the story more engaging, I looked at the original backgrounds I had created and started drawing them out again, experimenting with media and perspective, this then allowed me to decipher the final style of the comic, and also allowed me to get passed the wall and to start creating more backgrounds, and so extending the direction that my story could take, and would also show off my potential and make the story more engaging.

This is one of the original backgrounds. Within it I have used a very scratchy drawing style which will express the distress and darkness of the story, but also gives the drawing an element of messiness, which adds depth. This is also one of the first images that I scanned and explored with colour. My initial idea was to use very pale and dull colours in the background, so that when the characters were later added, they would stand out, however, with thought, I decided I would much rather use black and white, or no colour at all.

In this image, I had drawn it out originally using a fine liner and graphics markers, so that I may see the effects in photoshop when I later coloured it up. The end results I didn't find pleasing.

For this background, I took one of the first background images I created and sketched it up using a graphics tablet. The varying line thickness's and opacity I found very pleasing, and I tried to incorporate the scratchy and distressed style when using the airbrush tool. I liked the over all effect, although I feel that some of the distressed nature has been diminished by the softness of the airbrush tool.

I tried to achieve the same effect when taking the window drawing but from a different perspective. The end effect, however, was to neat, and had none of the distressed nature the original images held that I so much liked.

The testing on the graphics tablet has pushed my end decision towards using the fine liners to create some drawings which will then be scanned and edited in Photoshop. I will experiment with colouring the images up using block shading, using only greys.

As shown, the images I created, as well as some that I photographed were then placed into a storyboard structure. It was this structure that persuaded me not to use colour.

Illustration

Illustration

Evaluation of progress

23/03/15

As I move through the project, I'm finding it more difficult to come up with background images for each cell. As part of development, I will be creating images looking at different perspectives, so as to move my project along. 

My story, while having the moral of all actions have a reaction and the reactions may not be positive, and how revenge causes inevitable destruction, but also has an underlying message of murder and how it effects people in a negative way, as well as how it moves them in many ways, weather they be right or wrong.

Illustration

Illustration

Techniques and processes: Placing images in Adobe Illustrator from Photoshop and creating a Clipping Mask

16/03/15

As part of Unit 12, we had to create our own story board set up using adobe Illustrator. After creating cells that we were happy with, we had to export photographs and scanned images from Photoshop into Illustrator.

Before doing this, however, there were a few steps I had to take in Photoshop before I could export the images into Illustrator.

Exporting images from Photoshop into Illustrator

After editing my scanned image, I had to use the magic wand tool so that I had selected the image and only the image so that I didn't get any of the backgrounds as well. To do this, I used the Inverse tool. This tool allows you to make sure that you have everything selected that you want selected.

After doing this, you then go into the Paths tool. This next step allows you to export the image into Illustrator.

First you click on the right most furthest option within the Paths box. This brings up a menu. You click on New Path and Ok it.

After doing this, you then go onto the same menu and click on Make Work Path and Ok it.

Once again you go into the same menu, this time you click on the Clipping Path option and Ok it.

After doing this you then save the image to where you want it.

After saving it, that is the work done in Photoshop. Now you go into Illustrator.

In Illustrator, go into File and click on Place.

Clicking on Place bring up a box in which you then find your image and Ok it. 

NOTE: Make sure the image is flattened if you used layers to colour it up.

Following these steps you can then import an image from Photoshop into Illustrator.

Clipping Mask

Since we had already planned out the shape of our cells, it was important to make sure that any images we wanted in our comic were to fir precisely to give it a professional look. To do this, we used a tool called Clipping Mask in Illustrator.

Clipping mask allows you to neatly put images into cells and also allows you to move and reshape the image within the cell without moving or reshaping the cell.

To do this, you first need to go into File and Place and find the image that you wish to use within your storyboard.

once you have done this, you then need to make sure that the cell you wish to place the image in is above the image using Object, Arrange and Bring to Front. After this, make sure both the image and the cell is selected. Then go into Object and Clipping mask. Once you do this, you'll notice that the image then fits perfectly into the cell, and using the select and direct select tools, you can then move and resize the image within the cell if you wish to.

Illustration

Illustration

Character design

11/02/15

As part of a new assessment, we are to illustrate and create our own characters using inanimate objects by making them animate. The format can be anything from a comic to a graphic novel, and can be about anything

'the leaning tower of pizza'

This image is 'The leaning tower of pizza'. The idea is to link two very similar sounding words and the country together.

'Soup of heros'

Illustration

Research

further research into existing cartoons

08/03/15

Garfield:

 The style of Garfield is very simple, however the colours used make it bold. The focus of each cell is usually a bold colour (Garfield) while the rest of the cell is a pastel colour. There is also little change within each cell, as everything is mainly focused on the speech bubbles.

The heading of each cartoon, however, changes to correlate with the content of the cartoon in some cases, however, hardly ever seems to be in the same style.

 The cartoon focuses on humour as it's main selling point, and so this theme is shown throughout the cartoons, in character, text, actions and drawing style.
The comics are usually around 7 cells long and tell a short, entertaining story.

Cyanide and Happiness:

 Once again, the style of Cyanide and Happiness is very simple and bold. There is no background detail as there is in the Garfield comics, so all focus is drawn to the characters. The usual plot of these comics are ridiculous and humorous, and yet can also be quite twisted and dark. The text is also very simple.
These comics are also very short, ranging from 4 to 6 cells on average. A lot of the stories are told through facial expressions and body language.

My Character Analysis

Queen Cupcake: Protagonist, The character who moves everything along and who leads the story due to an incident that causes her outrage and distress.

Grandmother Cupcake: The cause for the protagonists distress and outrage. Who's appearance is short yet is key for the story to move along and happen.

Human: Plays no significant part, the antagonist, the reason for the story to take the turn that it does, brief appearance to move story along smoothly.

My intended visual style of the story is to be very simple and clear, without colour for the most part but with small amounts of colour to highlight important parts of the story. or to draw in the reader. There is little text, as the story should be able to tell its self, however, there is writing, once again, to highlight important scenes or parts of the story. My story is based on revenge due to loss, anger and sadness, and how something that may seem small and insignificant to us, in another's eyes is monumental and a cause of action.

Illustration

Research

Reference images

03/03/15

My idea so far:

The plot of my story involves revenge, anger and sadness. It involves Cupcakes as the main characters, one of which, the protagonist is severely swayed by her emotions of anger and distress. While animate objects are not part of my story in general, I do plan on using a little input from humans to keep my story going.

As part of my research for my story, I will be finding images of delicate teacups, which, in my story, is a throne to the protagonist. I will particularly be paying attention to the shape and design of the teacups so that they fit suitably into my story.

While I do not like the colour of this teacup, the designs in and around the tea cup are elegant, and are suitable for the use it has in the story. The designs will also help me to come up with some designs of my own.

I like the floral design on this tea cup, as it isn't too simple and is also very pretty. As well as the pattern, I like the golden details on it, especially around the top of the teacup, since it gives the design an air of elegance.

On this design I like the handle rather than the design its self. The handle is very delicate and the pattern, while simple is very pretty. The shape of the teacup is also very nice as it suits the purpose in the story very well.

With these different teacups, I am more focused on the handles, since it gives me a range of idea's and also shows me how different sized handles can also be very unique and delicate.

As part of the design of the teacup, I have also been looking into cracked teacups, and looking at how they may crack:

The reason I have looked into this is because it will help me to design something that also has a sense of realism, even though it will be in an unrealistic style.

As part of my designs, because the characters are all cupcakes, the icing, colour, decoration and casing will play a huge part in distinguishing each character and their 'status' within the story.
The protagonist, Queen Cupcake, will be distinguished by how elegant she looks, and overall, how much more appealing she looks compared to the rest of the characters, decorations are also reserved to her as they will be a symbol of nobility. Grandmother Cupcake, who's appearance is short lived, will be decorated similar to Queen Cupcake, as they are related within the story. Queen Cupcake's Soldiers will not be so heavily decorated, and compared to Queen Cupcake and Grandmother Cupcake, will be rather simple, however, they will carry candle sticks, which will either be a staff or a spear. The casing used for each character will also be a symbol of status.

The icing on this design is very pretty and elegant looking. The decorations are also very elegant and pretty

This design is very simple, however the colours are very bold and bright, which will also be a sign of status

These designs are best for my Queen Cupcake and Grandmother Cupcake designs as they are all elegant and look very difficult to perfect.

These are a much simpler design, and so will be reserved, perhaps, for Queen Cupcake's Soldiers.

This is the design I am most wanting to use for the spear/ staff design. 

Illustration

Inanimate objects in cartoons

Research into existing cartoons and The Fundamentals of Storytelling.

11/02/15

The fundamentals of storytelling

A story, first and formost, has to capture the audience. It actually has to seem and look interesting for the viewer to want to continue reading. Without an idea that is interesting, the focus of the viewer can dwindle from interested to bored.
A story also has to include characters that the viewer will develop an emotional connection to, or care about. This connection is vital, and without the connection between characters and viewers, their interest will be next to none.
A story usually has some sort of problem, during which the character will suffer through emotional or physical turmoil, The connection between the character and the viewer means that the issue the character has will have fully enveloped the viewer into the story to the point where they might also feel their pain and will continue to be interested.
It is important for a story to have acceleration and deceleration. Without these the story would be very flat lining and wouldn't convince the viewer to continue to follow the story. The acceleration and deceleration throughout will keep the viewer interested.
Eventually the story will have to end, and for it to be a good ending, it had to be relevant and appropriate to the rest of the story. It's no good having an amazing story throughout and a completely off topic ending.

Spongebob Squarepants:

Spongebob Squarepants is a renowned cartoon aimed at children about a sponge that 'lives in a pineapple under the sea'. While it seems to focus on the sponge, it also includes many different characters, including the Sponge's best friend, Patrick, a star fish, Sandy the Squirrel, Squidward the squid, Mr Krabs, the Crab, Gary the snail and Plankton.

While to a child these characters are nothing but entertainment, the makers of this cartoon cleverly hid a deeper meaning within the cartoon. These 7 characters, in fact, each represent one of the 7 deadly sins:

Spongebob: Lust

Patrick: Sloth
Plankton: Envy
Mr Krabs: Greed
Sandy: Pride
Squidward: Wrath
Gary: Gluttony

While the character design seems rather simple, I feel that it is the simplicity that draws in the attention. A child wouldn't be able to focus on an overly complicated style of drawing, and so it is perfect for the targeted audience. What I like about this cartoon, however, is that the background is also simple, however is of a different style to the characters. The characters, due to the block colour used in their design make them stand out against the background, which had a painted watercolour quality, making it softer than the characters designs.

While the background is also relevant to the setting, I find that the flowers that have become recognisable with 'Bikini Bottom' are a little out of place and make no sense, however the cartoon isn't known for it's realistic and logic plot line.

The Annoying Orange:

While I am not particularly keen on this animation, I admire the use of every day foods that have been turned into characters, some of which, depending on your humour, you despise, like the protagonist, The Annoying Orange, and others that you may actually like and feel sorry for, such as the pear. This cartoon features an Orange, as the title suggests, that is irritating and yet humorous. I feel that the animation is directed to young teens, as, upon getting older, I grew to realise just how annoying the protagonist is, which helped me develop my dislike for the animation.

This animation features everyday fruits and foods featured in an every day environment: The kitchen. The style consists of photos , sometimes videos, of the objects with recordings of faces super-imposed onto them and voice overs. A patterns forms throughout a lot of these animations where the Orange annoys the other characters, however the other characters meet their demise, rather than the Orange.
The concept is rather unique, and the situations a little repetitive, however, I feel that the use of photos and animation joined together the way it is here is interesting and makes you want to continue watching.

Beauty and the Beast

While the whole story doesn't revolve around the everyday inanimate turned by curse

animate objects, I feel that they play a crucial role in the progression of the film. Beauty and the Beast is set in a small province in France and centres around a girl who seeks more than the provincial life she is living. After a few mishaps, the protagonist finds a castle in which all of the Prince's staff turned teapots reside.

The clock: Cogsworth
The candle: Lumiere
The teapot: Mrs Potts
The teacup: Chip

 Cogsworth is a very uptight character, and refuses to go against the princes orders, and so when Belle first appears in the castle, he immediately tries to turn her away. Lumiere is a more friendly character, and is warm and welcoming, as well as a bit of a flirt. These two have a few disagreements, however have the same goal of being able to break the curse. Mrs Potts is a motherly figure, and is encouraging and kind to the protagonist, and looks after her, and Chip, one of her many children, is, as any other young child is, curious and adorable.

The character designs within the#is film, as within any other disney animated film have a very specific and distinguishable style, however I especially like the design for Lumiere.

Cogsworth is a British character, and is very uptight and commanding. The design of the clock is sophisticated and elegant, much like his character, however is also clunky. He is the timekeeper within the castle, and is constantly making sure everything is going as planned, and that he is in charge.

Lumiere is a French character, who's design is elegant. The flames on his 'hands' and 'head' I feel are an expression of his passion for romance and are also a symbol of his kindness and warm-heartedness.

Mrs Potts' design makes her seem more motherly and kind, She is yet another British character, however her accent, unlike Cogsworths, is not refined and isn't 'posh'. Her simple design makes her seem bright and perhaps optimistic. Chip has the same design, since he is her son, however he has a small chip, from which he gets his name, and the handle being his nose also makes him seem quite goofy.