Illustration & Visual Narrative - Task 2 : Composition

16.10.2024 - 01.11.2024 (Week 4 - Week 6)

Brenda Wynn (0372128)

Illustration & Visual Narrative / Bachelors of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University

Task 2 : Composition

JUMP LINKS

LECTURES

Week 4

We were informed about the difference between soft type story telling and hard type story telling.

Soft type story telling= shows no relationship background between characters, and every character has its own story.
Hard type story telling= explains from the start of a story to the end of a story.

We were also shown how to use gradients and effects on colors using Adobe Illustrator. We were also told that gradient mesh colors are useful for sampling and moving colors. Mr. Hafiz also showed us how to incorporate the pathfinder tool, gradient, shape-builder tool, and effects in a art piece. First, he showed us how to make the shape by using the pathfinder tool and the shape-builder tool.

Figure 1.1.1 shape making tutorial (17/10/2024, week 4)

Then Mr. Hafiz showed us how to use gradients.

Figure 1.1.2 gradients (17/10/2024, week 4)

Lastly, Mr. Hafiz showed us how to add effects to the shape.

Figure 1.1.3 effects (17/10/2024, week 4)

Week 5

We were given a presentation document to view and learn from for a better understanding about perspectives. Here are what I learned about perspective:

Perspective

A method of showcasing 3-dimensional objects on a 2-dimensional surface, to show the right effects of their measurements and position that corresponds to each others connection.

There are 4 construct perspectives, they are:

1. One-Point Perspective= done by drawing the objects from a single point on the horizon. The closer it is to the vanishing point, the smaller it gets.

2. Two-Point Perspective= drawn from both vanishing points that is located on either side of the horizon. It helps objects look more dimensioned and gives a sense of space.

3. Three-Point Perspective= drawn similarly like the two-point perspective with an addition of another vanishing point below or above the horizon. It is used to present more objects in a scene. The closer the added vanishing point is to the horizon, increases the intensity of the angle.

4. Isometric View= is able to show 3 sides of the design without changing the details. It is useful for drawing detailed individual buildings.

Figure 1.2.1 construct perspectives (24/10/2024, week 5)

Dynamic Application a mix of different perspectives.

We were also given a example on one of the most analyzed works in Western painting, which is the "Las Meninas" painting. It is also known as the "Ladies in Waiting" painting. The painting is acknowledged for its complex composition.

Figure 1.2.2 Las Meninas painting (24/10/2024, week 5)

Week 6

Deepavali (Public Holiday)

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INSTRUCTIONS

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TASK

Composition

We were asked to submit the sketch of our character's background. I came up with 3 different designs, from different references provided in the Framed Ink book. Here are the sketches I came up with:

Figure 2.1.1 sketches and references (29/10/2024, week 6)

We were told to make a background sketch for our characters. The initial idea for my character's background was to make a habitat where OCTOBEAR has to live since his transformation. I settled with making a crystal and waterfall cave. In addition, I added a small detail to enhance OCTOBEAR's backstory. The small detail I added is located at the top which resembles his mother. This is the sketch I made using some references I found on the internet and also the Framed Ink book.

Figure 2.1.2 concept board (30/10/2024, week 6)

REFERENCE SOURCES

This is the reference I used from the Framed Ink book:

Figure 2.1.3 framed ink book reference (30/10/2024, week 6)

The main reason I chose this as my reference is because I wanted to make OCTOBEAR look more fierce and scary.

After Mr. Hafiz gave me a feedback, I put my sketch in Adobe Illustrator as a reference and started to make the initial foundation before I started detailing the elements. To start, I made the cave basic shapes first using the rectangle tool for the top left corner. Which I then combine together to create one shape using the shape-builder tool. For the bottom left corner, I used the curvature tool to make the rigid surface and for the top right corner I used the rounded rectangle tool to make the overall shape and used the shape-builder tool to combine it into 1 shape.

Figure 2.1.4 step one (31/10/2024, week 6)

After setting the basic shapes, I started to do a bit of detailing on each segments. For the top left corner I created a shadow using the rectangle tool to create the overall shadow shape, and I subtracted the parts I didn't need using the shape-builder tool. I also used the knife tool to create additional details on the surface.

Figure 2.1.5 step two (31/10/2024, week 6)

For the bottom left corner, I made different oval and circle shapes using the ellipse tool to create the texture. Lastly, I used the knife tool to create rigid ends on the top right corner. In addition, I added textures using a similar method I used for the top left corner. But, I used the rounded rectangle tool instead of the rectangle tool. I also added some circles to the texture using the ellipse tool.

Figure 2.1.6 step three (31/10/2024, week 6)

Moving on to the crystal cave, which I created mainly using the ellipse tool. For the ragged top and bottom, I used the curvature tool. However, I used the shape-builder tool to extract the extra parts I didn't need at the top and also used it to combine parts on the bottom part of the cave. I also used the shape-builder tool too create the illusion of the cave's depth.

Figure 2.1.7 step four (31/10/2024, week 6)

The crystals for the cave is divided to 2 main components. The first component is the bottom of the crystal, which I created using the curvature tool and combined it using the merge option in the pathfinder tool. I also added textures by distorting the stars that was created using the star tool. For the second component, it was mainly created using the pen tool, and I used the reflect tool to create a symmetrical shape. Which was also combined by using the merge option in the pathfinder tool. To create a variety, I used the recolor artwork feature for various color palettes. Finally, I used the shape-builder tool to make the crystals fit in the cave. In addition, I added some textures on the back of the cave and also little details on the outside of the cave using the curvature tool.

Figure 2.1.8 step five (31/10/2024, week 6)

The bushes on top of the waterfall was made by circles that are made using the ellipse tool, which was merged together using the pathfinder tool. The waterfall was mainly created by using the curvature tool, however the water surface on the bottom of the waterfall was made by combining circles that were created using the ellipse tool and combined using the pathfinder tool. The bear on the top of the waterfall is created by tracing the reference using the pen tool. To create the splashing effect of the waterfall, I used the brush tool with a combination of adjusting the blur effect and the opacity.

Figure 2.1.9 step six (31/10/2024, week 6)

For the final touches, I refined some details on the top left corner and I also added some rocks and vines to the background. For the rocks, I used the rounded rectangle tool to create the overall shape and used the knife tool to make it look more realistic. The vines on the other hand, was made by combining shapes that was made using the curvature tool. To make it look more lively, I added a lighting using the rectangle tools while adjusting the opacity.

Figure 2.1.10 step seven (31/10/2024, week 6)

FINAL COMPOSITION

Figure 2.1.11 final composition result (31/10/2024, week 6)

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FEEDBACK

Week 5

Mr. Hafiz said that my reference board and the sketches are good. He also reminded us to associate the backstory to the background, so it can tell the backstory of the character. Mr. Hafiz also encouraged us to use the references from the Framed Ink book.

Week 6

Mr. Hafiz informed me that the whole character doesn't have to fit the entire frame. Out of the 3 sketches I revised, Mr. Hafiz recommended to carry on with the first sketch because it was composed better than the other sketches.

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REFLECTION

Experience=

During the making of the sketches, I have come to learn about how the placement of a character can affect the narrative of the image. When it was time to transfer the sketch to Illustrator, I got to know how to use the pathfinder tool, shape-builder tool, and also the knife tool better. Now, I have a better understanding on how the tools and shortcut keys work in Adobe Illustrator.

Observations=

When it was time to digitalize our sketches, I realized that a lot of my peers already have a clear visual on what tools they are going to use and what they were gonna do. I also noticed that most of my peers were already familiar with the software.

Findings=

Something that I have come to realize since the beginning of the lesson and also through out the task, is that references are a big help when we want to sketch something. It can be a source of inspiration and ideas, It also gives us new ideas in mind.

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