After completing project 2, that consisted in deconstructing the creative process to focus on areas such as backgrounds, colours, characters and digital painting techniques, I was ready to start project 3.
The idea of project 3 is to create a series of editorial illustrations. It would also be an opportunity to explore subjects, styles and techniques I am interested in. At the end, I would like to look at what the illustrations have in common and make connections for the future.
In order to define a more detailed brief for this project, I have looked at editorial illustrations as well as illustrations that could be helpful such as advertising or fashion illustration. I have analysed the work of many artists I like to understand what they have in common. I have looked for potential connections with my work. I experimented in Procreate with various techniques to have an idea of what I could achieve and how (https://catherinerouxillustrationdegree.uk/illustration-year-3/project-3-make-connections-and-create-a-series-of-editorial-illustrations/project-3-update-feedback-point-6/)
I decided that the brief would be:
Illustrate Greenwich from different perspectives:
- Illustrate a sense of scale in Greenwich through a series of digital illustrations in a painted style.
- Illustrate time and history in Greenwich with a series of digital illustrations that would include some mark making.
- Illustrate time of year and day in Greenwich through a series of vector illustrations.
- Potentially illustrating the concept of time in general through a series of minimalist illustrations.
I have also carried on with my project that consists in sketching every day (https://catherinerouxillustrationdegree.uk/illustration-year-3/project-1-sketching/everyday-sketching-update-feedback-point-6/). I have tried different techniques such as sketching on black and brown paper or trying to define an object by drawing shadows only. I have experimented more with watercolour. I am enjoying the process and want to carry on with some of these techniques while trying new ones such as sketching with a limited number of felt pens (only a few colours) to see what happens.
I can see how sketching every day helps me with the other projects. I am more confident when I create a drawing for an illustration, I get some inspiration from my sketches and can explore elements such as contrast, composition and maybe stylisation in my daily sketches.
I am now looking forward to creating illustrations for project 3.
I carried on my research for my dissertation (https://catherinerouxillustrationdegree.uk/illustration-year-3/dissertation-and-literature-review/dissertation-and-literature-review-update-feedback-point-6/). I am considering changing the subject slightly from
Character stylisation: Are there codes that differ across genres? How does Illustrator A compare to Illustrator B and how does my findings impact my practice?
to
Stylisation: Are there codes that differ across genres? How does Illustrator A compare to Illustrator B and how does my findings impact my practice?
I worry that character stylisation might imply the idea of creating characters for a story for instance.
I became aware that the difference between style and stylisation was not always as clear as I thought and did more research on the subject. A form of stylisation that is consistent is also a style.
Before narrowing down my research to a few illustrators, I would like to read a bit more on the subject to see the full potential and understand better what question I would like to answer to help me with my practice.
In terms of timing, I have spent a bit longer than anticipated on the research for project 2 but I think that this might help me with the last project as I feel more confident with the process of creating an illustration.
Catherine Roux Degree in Illustration 