Final
Art Portfolio
Generating Ideas
The Dragon Kiln has been a constant source of inspiration for my drawings. I decided to put this place into the zine so people are able to share my experiences there.
I had been there many times to draw and develop composition studies of the Kiln. Here are some of the drawings that i did:
Layouts
Initially, I designed the zine based on the compositions i did previously. The layout was more image-based. The overall book takes the format of a traditional Chinese scholar book.
Continuing with drawing
After doing many composition studies of the kiln, i developed a final, fully rendered drawing as the last page of the zine.
Also, i did a cover drawing of the kiln.
Designing the Cover Page
I tried out many fonts and decided to go with the more formal and bold calligraphic fonts.
Adding Texts
As the initial layouts looking more like a photo book, i decided to include texts to the image like how Chinese landscape paintings are always accompanied by poems.
I adopted an English poem by Marcus Bussey. The poem describes the historical and cultural value of the Dragon Kiln. However, i translated the poem into Chinese for the Zine as I found Chinese was more apt for the kiln that tells the Chinese history.
(English)
In the beginning was Light!
The primordial silence was shattered
by the Big Bang
when all that is began to unfold.
After many experiments in form
Humanity emerged,
Children of the Light,
recycled stardust.
In our hands Light became Fire.
Our love of Fire gave birth to Culture.
Around the campfire we gathered
to tell stories, cook food, share memories.
We tamed Fire and Fire tamed us.
The magic of Fire birthed
the alchemy of Culture,
and Culture lead to Technology as surely
as a seed becomes a tree.
From the intestines of the Fire
vessels emerged to hold our food,
to carry our drink, to cherish our Dead.
From the fiery furnace of the Dragon’s belly
came bricks to build homes, villages and cities.
As these things arose communities grew and flourished.
Just as we kindle the Dragon’s Fire
it gives birth to us
(Chinese)
在开始的时候是光明!
原始的沉默被打破
大爆炸
当所有这一切都开始展开。
在形式上经过多次实验
人类出现了,
光明之子,
回收的星屑。
在我们的手中变成了轻火。
我国消防的爱情生下文化。
周围的篝火我们欢聚一堂
讲故事,烹调食物,分享回忆。
我们驯服火和火驯服我们。
火的生产经历的神奇
文化的炼金术,
文化引领,以技术为肯定
作为种子成了树。
从火灾的肠子
船只出现持有我们的食物,
携带我们的饮料,珍惜我们死了。
从龙的肚子的火窑
来到砖建造房屋,村庄和城市。
由于这些东西出现社区成长和繁荣。
正如我们点燃龙之火
它孕育了我们。
Font of texts inside the pages
Designing the Layouts
The previous one had too much images and texts going on in a single page which did not suit the calm and serene place. I change the layout such that each page has a single image accompanying a part of the poem.
In the above image, the top page was looking too cluttered so i changed it so the left has only the text and the right was an arrangement of the compositions i did.
Final Layouts
Process
~The ANT series~
A Raindrop from the point of view of an ant is A Meteor.
A Raindrop from the point of view of an ant is A Microscope.
An Ice Cube from the point of view of an ant is A Tomb.
A Rainfall from the point of view of an ant is A Tsunami.
A Puddle of rainwater from the point of view of an ant is A Pond.
A Can of Syrup from the point of view of an ant is A Swimming Pool.
Mindmap
—
My name is Min Hui and i behave like a mouse.
There seems to be too much empty space left around so i decided to use the composition below.
I decided to go with light colours on dark background as i did not want a normal illustrative style and i like the prefer the night to day time.
—
My name is Min Hui and i am a Chemistry student.
I decided to do a flipping format as i am someone who likes to study. Behind the cover is some experimentation that i did.
Salting
Burning
Marbling
Using oil paints on water
Applying paints over after scratching paper surface with sharp object.
Wet-on-Wet Watercolour Technique
—
My name is Min Hui and I am a sweets traveler.
My name is Min Hui and i need to gain weight.
Final Work
My name is Min Hui and i behave like a mouse.
I always leave half-eaten food behind, just like a mouse.
—
My name is Min Hui and I am a sweets traveler.
I have a sweet tooth and i would like to travel around the world to look at works of art. The child-like colours also depicts my child palate.
—
My name is Min Hui and I am a Chemistry Student.
I used to be a Science student and i really enjoy studying chemistry. In the composition, i morphed the symbols into my name. The images can be flipped over like a book, showing the different experiments of art methods associated with science.
—
My name is Min Hui and I need to gain weight.
Whenever, i visit my relatives on Chinese New Year, i am always told that i am too skinny and that i need to add more. Thus, my new year wish is to gain weight.
Here, i used collage of food images on transparency. The different layers of transparency suggests the idea of gaining weight. The black rectangle is the screen of he weighing scale.
“HELLO MY NAME IS Min Hui”
Typography
The science apparatus symbols are equally distanced in an orderly manner to suggest my love for chemistry and neat personality.
Abstract
For the above composition, i employed the use of wet-on-wet watercolour technique to create a blooming effect. The unexpected blooming of the watercolour suggests my versatility and flexibility as a person. Also, the light washes of colours shows that i am a sentimental person.
Conceptual
Many people say that i am a quiet person. So, i decided use a mouse to represent myself. Also, i can’t deny that i like cheese. However, the true reason for this representation is my habit. My parents often commented that i behave like a mouse because i leave unfinished food on the table.