Overall Comments
Part two of the course has focused on developing your ideas through a creative
process, from a brief to your finished illustrations.
Overall your response to part two has been very good with excellent sketchbook
and support work showing clear creativity and a willingness to explore.
Your drawings respond well to a lack of restriction and without the need to be
perfect. If this is a new development in the way you work then keep it up as it has a
lot of benefits and allows you to get the most from your work. Think about ways
you can also maintain this expressive line in some of the final artworks to keep
movement and interest in the work.

Thank you, I feel that now as I have been working through part 3 I have realised that I actually want to be a lot more expressive in my work. I have definitely been losing some of that movement when it comes to the finished piece – I think I need to start working in more traditional media to achieve the energy I am hoping for.

You have a great working methodology and use this to effectively explore each
subject thoroughly. You readily reflect on your work and research, comments are
honest and insightful. You use this support work to develop effective solutions to
the briefs.
Keep up the experimentation with alternative materials and techniques. This is
really starting to benefit the work and provide you with more insight into the
techniques that are available for you to use.

Thank you, I think one of my biggest flaws is confidence, if I could be more confident in myself I could definitely achieve more in terms of experimentation.

Project: The Brief
Your first exercise focused on writing a brief for a chosen illustration.
You have a god understanding of what the client would request for this
commission. Your research is also good and very topical. What about reflecting on
this task, was it helpful in any way?

Thank you – I will revisit this exercise and add my reflections.
Project: Generating ideas
Generating ideas is a vital skill for illustrators to compliment overtly visual skills.
You were asked to generated ideas through a spider diagram for a number of
words, and reflect on your strategies.

Excellent and very thorough spider diagrams drawing on feedback from others as
well to extend the possibilities of each word. You’ve utilised a useful colour code.
Reflecting on these you make relevant comments and it’s good to know that you
will be utilising them from now on.

Thank you – I have found the mind maps to be very helpful in kick starting my ideas!
Project: Words to pictures
Working visually, you were asked to generating ideas through drawings and a
mood board.
Although you describe the drawings as imperfect I think they work really well and
instantly convey the dynamics you mention. They feel energetic and spontaneous
and it’s positive to read that this has been helpful for you. The use of the washes
works well to create tone and depth.

Thank you – I did enjoy this exercise.

Mood Board
It’s positive you’ve taken time to consider the composition of the mood board. I
also think the abstracts taken from it work equally well – this is a technique that
can be useful. You’ve managed to use both 2D and 3D materials to bring in added
texture and pattern.

Again – I found the mind maps very helpful to start developing ideas, it has definitley been helpful moving forward knowing I always have that ‘starting point’.

Project: Using reference
Illustrators need to have a mine of visual resources that they can refer to when
creating images. You were asked to collect as much reference material as you could
find for the 1950s period from a range of categories, from which you then made an
illustration to give a young person of today an idea of the era.
You have an extensive collection of research. At times it would be great to see you
delve into this a bit more to promote some discussion of specific designers and
perhaps the political and cultural climate and how this affected things. You do
touch on this though.
It’s great to see the progression of images as you start to figure out your scene and
the key elements to portray the message. The final image is not dissimilar to your
drawing style (for example, the fashion illustrations) and although I agree with
some of your critique, the images are more staid but you have managed to capture
a lot of detail and enough narrative in this image with good references. You’ve
managed to make effective use of the techniques developed so far to help
generate ideas for this.

Thank you, I agree I could have definitely looked more into the political climate and more of designers of era. I do lightly touch on it but if I explained more I think it would better explain my finished illustration and why the woman is cleaning and the man is sat in the chair.

Project: Mark making
Through the exploring drawing and painting exercise you were encouraged to
explore the creative possibilities of different papers, drawing implements and
investigate mixed media, as well as undertaking objective and subjective drawings

Mixed Media Drawings:
You demonstrate a willingness to explore different materials and not just those of
preference. This is demonstrated through the detail and line achieved in the variety
of drawings, some fine, some rough. There is good reflection of the materials tried
and tested.

Thank you – I do need to allow myself more room to experiment.

Objective Drawing:
Although a competent drawing I agree with your critique and that more tonal
contrast would help to create depth and elevate the piece. However you have
worked hard to get the proportions and shape right. It’s positive to see you extend
this task by using the photocopies to add additional detail. Compare the final two,
which works best and why?

I will go back and add comparisons to the post!

Subjective Drawing:
This is a really successful image and I think your experimentation really allows you
to get the most out of the task itself and to extend your visual vocabulary.

I really enjoyed this exercise – I hope to work more will collage as I continue, I really enjoyed the experimenting and photographic quality of working with the scanner/copier.

Project: Black and white
You were asked follow a process to produce a simplified graphic image in black
and white.
This is a very successful image, it’s clear you’ve given a lot of thought to this before
progressing. You might also like Frank Miller’s drawings for Sin City. Your images
work well with the strong contrasts and although it does move away from the brief
slightly I like the fact you use the experiment to your advantage to create added
depth and interest. You have good research supporting this task and you
comment on this readily.

Thank you – I was worried about this straying too far from the brief! I do like the work of Frank Miller – I will include him in some future artist research!
Project: Choosing content
Working with an extract of text you were asked to define, research and develop
ideas to visualise the main character with in the setting suggested.
Although you are critical this is a great attempt and you also demonstrate that you
can move between different media easily wit good effect. It was great to look
through the sketchbook pages and these show some great working drawings
alongside annotations and research images. The final image is atmospheric and
although you think it unrefined these lines and textures really help add depth to
the image and convey some of the ‘hardened’ character you had initially intended.
Perhaps the window could’ve been used to greater effect, for example having the
shadow from the window bars falling onto the character? Perhaps even covering
his eyes to counteract their scale?
After collecting examples of visual metaphors you were asked to create a drawn
visual list of object and subjects that could symbolise a number of words. Once
completed it was suggested that you let someone else critique your work – did
your drawings communicate as you intended?

Yes I agree I could have definitely utilised the window for an even more dramatic image – covering the eyes is a good idea. Thinking about it now I could have added another collage layer underneath the window but above his face creating the lines of shadow. I did ask family members about the drawing – I will add this to the original post as well to ensure I meet the brief.

Feedback on assignment
Creative and analytical thinking, Visual and Technical Skills
The assignment asked you to respond to a point of sale display brief in which you
were asked to illustrate fruit or vegetables associated with summer and autumn.
You have wide ranging research. Can you cite some specific examples to discuss?
How can they inform your own work? There is very clear progression as you initiate
ideas and sketches from life. The spontaneity of these is great. The continual
development of these drawings over and over really helps you to hit on the right
image and to refine this further. For example, developing the ‘heart’ in the onion
layers.

Thank you, I will be sure to be more thorough when discussing examples of work in the future.

Although you have opted to take these into a digital format you treat the images
with care and attention in order to achieve the right effect and remain fairly true to
the original drawing. Again, it’s good to see the development of this work from
initial concept sketch through to the more polished final design. You reflect on this
work constantly in an effort to edit and refine it.

Thank you – sometimes I worry I talk about my work/process too much but I find it the only way I can get my ideas across!

Autumn Image:
You’re clear from the outset abut the typeface you want to include and why. The
addition of the handwritten text works well to provide clear links to your primary
research and to aid the overall aesthetic and concept you were after. The black
background works well and allows the main image to stand out very effectively.
Both designs appear to work well with the plain background and the additional
layered image. My one comment would be whether or not the ‘heart’ shape stands
out enough in the centre of the onion – should it be more apparent? I do wonder if
it is almost too subtle so perhaps alter this to see how it works and compare and
contrast the results.

Yes I agree, when I look back now I do think it is quite subtle – it could definitely be bolder especially when the word ‘heart-y’ is used. It would help tie the image together better.

Summer Image:
Again, it’s good to see development from start to finish. You have small thumbnail
sketches of the layouts and are true to these in developing the final designs. The
pepper is certainly bolder than the onion as the overall colours are less texture and tonal. Consider angling the pepper image (so it’s not straight) to help with the
overall feel (less formal) and to allow this composition to remain consistent with
the first POS. The type follows suit and works very effectively. For this design the
background layer is less convincing so consider experimenting with these in each
design to see if they would work better scaled up and made more abstract so they
detract less form the main image. You mention in the reflection that you weren’t as
happy with this image. I was wondering if you tried it on a different colour
background? Black works well for autumn but perhaps a more complimentary
colour for the pepper would allow it to stand out more? Something to experiment
with? Although it would then deviate slightly from your research images.
Overall, two very successful images that show you utilise a rigorous methodology
to generate effective ideas, images and final illustrations. You are attentive to
research and maintaining clear links to this alongside the audience. You have a
good eye for type and have used this very effectively to compliment the images. I
agree that the first illustration for autumn is the most successful as it incorporates
and additional play on the words so again, finding an alternative for the pepper
would help to elevate this final image further.

I agree with experimenting more with the background to create a better fitting image for ‘Summer’ – my orginal intention was to have the autumn image and the summer image be quite similar as they would be for the same store but now I think back on it the Summer POS would be completely different to the Autumn POS! 

Sketchbooks
Research and idea development, Context
There is excellent use of the sketchbook following on from the experience of the
first few exercises to build ideas using mind maps, mood boards and drawing. The
support work provides a good grounding for the ideas before you progress on
screen.
You are also willing to experiment with alternative materials and techniques to
help generate final artwork so this level of experimentation is great – keep it up.

Thank you – I have really been enjoying working in my sketchbook.

Learning Logs or Blogs / Critical essays
Research and idea development, Context
You have effective artist research looking at some of the suggestions and those of
your own. The analysis of these works allows you to reconsider your own
approaches and methods. For some of the exercises and for the assignment you
have a wide range of research compiled on Pinterest, although you are attentive to
this, try to spend time citing some specific examples to discuss and why you have
selected them. How can they inform your own work?
You readily critique your own work with regard to the brief and your own
intentions. This helps it undergo a process of editing and refinement in the latter
stages.
Suggested viewing/reading
Orly Orbach
Zoe TaylorBarbara Firth (use of original line apparent in final artwork)
Helen Oxenbury (use of original line apparent in final artwork)
Jonny Hannah

I will definitely cite more examples and inspirations and say why I found them helpful/what I learnt from them.

Pointers for the next assignment
The next assignment explores the process of transforming your ideas into a form
that best communicates them. This is an opportunity to …
• Make sure you explore alternative ideas before settling on one to develop.
• Good use of alternative materials and techniques to generate effective
images. Keep up this level of exploration!
• Continue to use the exercises to lead your working process – mind maps,
mood boards and sketches.
• For some of the Pinterest compilations try to cite specific examples to
discuss.
• Continue to explore ways to retain the spontaneity of line through to the
original artwork (see suggestions). And think abut ways to combine
traditional and digital.

Thank you for the feedback, I will do my best to use all of your advice as I go on – I had already worked through a lot of part 3 before receiving the feedback but I will use the advice moving forward.