Foundation 2D 1 – G1

Ego in different settings (FINAL PROJECT)

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Finally we’re done with our final project for 2D Foundation!

For this final project, we were required to come up with images (made from any medium) and turn it into an equation.

The equation is:

Me + Setting = different me

I’ve decided to make use of the skills I have learnt and decided to use digital painting as a choice of my medium. I was contemplating between realism and cartoon for my panels. I have listed down the pros and cons for each type of digital painting and after looking through the points taken down, doing a cartoon-styled drawing was more convenient and time saving for me. The images below are the 2 different kinds of digital drawings I did during my days in Singapore Polytechnic Digital Animation.

 

Cartoon Character Design

Realistic Drawing

I’ve no specific artist reference when it comes to drawing of my characters. Most of them are of my own imagination and art style. To start of the project, I came up with a few possible equations and showed it to Mimi. She approved of my ideas and gave me tips on how I can enhance and make the ideas better. Changes were made and then carried out.

I started out with the sketching of the designs.

Then proceeded to shading and filling in the details

Colour added

My way of drawing digital images always begins from gray scale. I sketch out the outline before adding in the details. The pros of using gray scale first instead of adding in the colour straightaway is that I can change the colours easily without ruining the original image. An overlay of colour were added in and can be changed to fit to our preferences easily.

Now I will proceed to explaining the different colour used for each panel.

Initially, I tried using triad as my main colour harmony but realised that I was pretty much limited as the adobe kuler was fixed to 3 equal parts and the group of colour chose are repeated. I then changed to complimentary and was quite pleased with the colour group as there are more group variety I’ve decided to use complimentary colours for one row and split them up amongst the 3 panels and focused on monochromatic.

Refer to image above:

This is chatty me. As most of my friends know, I’m quite talkative and open. But if I am on a date, I am usually quite timid and quiet. I get very shy as I always try to make a good impression of myself to my dates. But if we’ve already passed the awkward and shy stage, I will unleash my makcik mouth and talk non-stop. Maybe that’s why I don’t have a boyfriend.

I’ve used yellow to represent my confidence and boost of happiness in the first panel. Purple represents luxury and high-end which shows the dating place. And pink was used to represent love/shyness.

Refer to image above:

Turning 21 years old, I’m already considered a full fledged adult. However, since I am also the youngest in my family, I can still be seen as a baby in my family member’s eyes. Quite restricted to doing things but being pampered like there’s no tomorrow. Heh.

Green represents the refreshness of me turning 21. Brown/orange was used to show the warmth and protection of my family members. Blue was used to represent the baby-ness in me.

Refer to image above:

I can sometimes be awkward to begin with. I may be an extrovert but I do have my introvert moments too. To be honest, it can be quite a pain to attend a wedding. Not because of the food or whatso but because of the never-seen-before relatives who kept asking personal questions over and over again. Umm, do I know you?

Turquoise is a mixture of green and blue. Blue was used to represent the coldness in me when I attend weddings. Green was used to represent me being enervated. I was drained from talking to people I’ve rarely/never met before. Purple was used to represent weddings as most Malay weddings can be quite posh and atas. Green was used to represent the colour of the turtle. It shows the awkwardness in me too.

 

Refer to image above:

Who doesn’t love food? I love eating to be honest. Days when I’m carefree with no work or commitments, I will always be committing myself to food. Due to this, I’ve gained about a good 2-3kg of fats. However, it’s a horrible thing to do especially when I’m competing in an upcoming competition. I have to be between the range of 53-54kg in order to compete for my weight class. In the end, I make myself suffer as I always have to go on a strict diet and limit myself to food which makes me happy. All this for a competition. Why.

The colour red was used in the first image as it enhances the appetite. This represents the food surrounding me and how much I love to eat. I drew myself to be a little fatter too. Yellow was used in the second panel as it shows stress and anxiety. That is the exact feeling that I feel before entering the arena. Green was used to show the disgust of me having to each vegetables and fruits everyday to keep myself in weight.

 

OVERALL REFLECTION:

I’ve enjoyed myself while doing this project as I can finally put my skills to full use. However, the choosing of colours can be quite tricky as I’ve used different monotonous colour for each panel and it doesn’t look like a whole image equation. Each row looks like they’re more towards individualism compared to a group on its own.  Mimi pointed out that the colours used can be too jarring and don’t really compliment each other well. That’s one of the things that I could improve on. Maybe I could use split complimentary colours instead.

 

To Mimi;

Thank you for being such a great lecturer and adviser during the duration of our 2D Foundation module! 😀

Forrest Gump – Final Outcome

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These are the 4 final compositions that I have chosen to present for my Forrest Gump Project. The quotes are taken from 3 different movies, with 2 being from the same movie but of different series.

 

Quote 1: “Do you understand the words that are coming out from my mouth?” – Detective James Carter, Rush Hour

Research:

For this quote, I’ve decided to focus more on the part that Detective James Carter (Chris Tucker) has made himself look like a fool as he thought Detective Lee (Jackie Chan) who was from China couldn’t speak English and was trying hard to enunciate each word to him so that he could understand. Initially, I’ve used the idea and relation to old cartoons such as Looney Tunes and Tom & Jerry to show the “jackass” side to James Carter. As James Carter was fooled and sounded stupid.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Atr8iFcc0qQ

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/74/48/3d/74483d0bfc74437747c3f8a15f651c9c–tom-and-jerry-jerry-oconnell.jpg

I’ve came up with the piece below. The fingers stuffed in his ear was to represent that James Carter didn’t listen to Detective Lee when he was trying explain himself. The man in my composition can be seen wearing an NYPD uniform as it was James Carter’s jobscope. Donkey ears were given to my character to give him a “jackass” vibe. As for the background, I’ve added in a Chinese-like design to show the link between James Carter and Detective Lee who was a Chinese.

However, upon consultation with my lecturer, Mimi, she commented about how it was too “deep” and hard to guess as I went in too deep into the quote. It would be hard for those who didn’t watch the movie, to guess. She too commented how I could use the lips or tongue to show the talking shown in the scene.

This was my final piece for the quote chosen from Rush Hour. I’ve used a tongue/mouth and placed it in the middle to show the main action of “talking” between 2 person. I’ve also used signboards in different language (particularly from Asia) as to show how James Carter had the stereotype that Asians could not understand basic English. Some of the language inserted are from China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, India etc.

Lastly, I’ve also added in a very popular meme from the internet which was the Jackie Chan meme. This expression of him would clearly show his exact reaction when James Carter was doubting Detective Lee and made fun of him and his language in front of his face.

 

Quote 2: “Muscle up, Buttercup”- Maui, Moana

Research:

I love the movie “Moana“. It’s one of those Disney movies whereby the main character doesn’t fall in love with someone to complete their tasks/missions. Moana was an independent girl who sailed through the vast ocean to find Maui, god of the wind and sea, hero of men. The movie Moana was based on the Polynesian culture.

I’ve searched for Polynesian tribal tattoos as to add a vibe of “Moana” to the composition. As the quote includes the word “Buttercup”, I’ve decided to research on what it actually means. Referencing to my research on urban dictionaries and also to the cartoon character from Powerpuff Girls, the name given was actually to show a girl who has a cute image but has an attitude of a rough and tough person. The barbell was added to show that the young girl in my composition was cute but at the same time, tough and strong. She’s in a flying stance to show that lifting up the barbell was nothing for her. I’ve added literal buttercup flowers around the Polynesian borders to add a contrast of “girlish” but “tough” final composition.

I’m happy that this composition got accepted on its first consultation.

I’ve used this final composition to print on my totebag. I loveeee Moana so I felt like this image was suitable to be printed AND used instead of it been thrown aside after this project was done. Mimi said that I could’ve improved on the back of the girl as it looks rather washed out and was hard to make out that it was a little girl as her back was gone.

http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/woodland-flowers/yellow-flowers/buttercups-creeping-bulbous-and-meadow/

http://www.zealandtattoo.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/nz-fern-polynesian-tattoo.jpg

 

Quote 3: “Just because you’ve got the emotional range of a teaspoon, doesn’t mean we all have” – Hermione Granger, Harry Potter and Order of the Phoenix

Research:

 

For this particular piece, I was wrong and assumed the true meaning of the quote wrongly. What I thought the quote meant was how Ron’s emotions shouldn’t affect those around him despite it being as tiny and little as a teaspoon worth. What the quote actually meant was that Ron was almost heartless and couldn’t careless as his emotional range is that of a teaspoon. Very little emotions comes from Ron as compared to others around him.

For this piece, I admit that I could’ve done much more better if I understand the quote completely. But I’ll just explain my final composition anyways. Heh.

For this particular piece, I added in a Harry Potter themed border as to give a Harry Potter vibe. Based on my wrong interpretation, I’ve placed a group of people (which was used to present Harry Potter and friends) under an umbrella and they are shielded from the pouring of the salt/sugar from the top which initially, was suppose to present Ron’s emotional range. I was trying to show that Ron’s emotional range could never affect those around him, even if it were to be a teaspoon worth.

Mimi has also given a comment that this composition was a tad too direct and literal. She suggested that I find out the true meaning of the quote and improve from there.

I really need to be better at this. *deep sigh*

Quote 4: You’re a little scary sometimes… Brilliant, but scary” – Ron, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

From the quote given, I focused on each words to show the literal meaning of it but at the same time, to not let it be too direct. I used a skull to represent the word “scary” as it’s quite obvious. Well, a skull is scary… at least to me. However, I’ve decided to add in a tinge of “brilliance” which can be linked to the word “smart” or “knowledgeable”. Thus, I’ve added in a brain to represent that even if the skull is scary, it still had some brilliance left in that brain of his. Spectacles and bowtie are added to give a feel of “nerdy” as that was what and how Hermione was portrayed as throughout the whole series of Harry Potter. In the background, I’ve added in 2 wands which belongs to both Ron and Hermione. This was to represent that the conversation was between the both of them. A cross-bow was formed with the wands as to show the scariness of it as it’s mostly linked to a “death” image.

I was proud of this composition as it’s quite direct and easy to be understood. I would’ve printed this on my tote bag instead of Moana. However, I did not find it appropriate due to the image of the skull. Heh.

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Lecturer’s comment:

“The halftone effect doesn’t seem to sit well.”

Peers’ comment:

“Good interpretation of quote. Nice composition and layout.”

“The elements used to compose your image suits your quote very well.”

“I think that this is really funny and effective.”

“Very direct but very easy to get.”

“Jackie Chan’s face is attractive.”

“The subtle sear on the skull is brilliant. Good job!”

Reflection:

I feel that I could’ve done a lot better in this assignment. This technique of compositing is quite new to me as I’ve used Photoshop mostly for digital drawing but never for image compositing. I feel with continuous practice, I can make my work stand out more and not be too simple in the future. I want something that I’ve created to have an impact on the audience. I really hope I can improve.

 

Project 1: My Line is Emo (FINAL OUTCOME)

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Presentation is finally over. Honestly, I was very nervous about my presentation but I just had to get it over and done with. I will be explaining the emotions for each strip. What it means, why do I see it like that and what medium I’ve used.

My Project 1 mark-making was based on a semi-true story about my life. Well, love life basically. A disclaimer before I start, I won’t tell you which part is true and which part is false. Heh. Okay, moving on.

First strip: Sadness

As you look at the mark-making on the first strip, it shows a splatter of diluted ink which focus mostly on the left hand side with a few intense blobs. This represents the sadness I feel when I’m lonely. Which explains the diluted ink. The ink is sprayed using a spraying bottle onto a drawing block which is pure white in colour. This shows that I am a happy person. People have always seen me as someone who’s very cheerful and forever laughing. But they don’t see the splatters of paint (like I’ve been shot by a paint gun) I get on myself whenever I walk past happy couples. I felt sadness as I’ve been in and out of relationships and it’s been a long time since I last felt real love.

Second strip: Love

The second strips shows wavy, curly lines. This was the part when I met someone on my social media. I’ve never met him before but I’ve seen the way he texts and communicates. His sweet words and rhythm are that of the lines shown in the second strips. They were smooth, sweet and they swept me off my feet like how when you watch cartoons and they smell something delicious, smell lines appear and they’ll float towards the source of smell. I fell for his sweet talks and melody.

Oh, what have I gotten myself into?

Third strip: Joy

The third strip represents joy. I used a black paper with white paint on it. The black paper represents me, my inner self. After being alone and surrounded by couples almost everywhere, I felt gloomy inside. I wasn’t truly happy then. I wanted someone to guide me, to love me and take care of me. That is where the 2 ray of lights come in. The ray of light on the right represents him. Where as the smaller one on the left represents me. It’s like he lightens up my life. Quote One Direction “Baby you light up my world like nobody else”. I was truly happy then as someone has finally loved me…

Or so I thought.

Fourth strip: Frustration

The fourth strip, again is done on black paper. Different from the previous black strip, this strip represents anger. It represents frustration. I found out that the guy I was dating was, simple to say, a flirt. I also found out that he has been commenting on girls’ photographs on instagram with sweet words and also heart-eyed emojis or heart shapes. And he thought I was stupid. I’ve been questioning him over and over again about his actions. Which is represented by the white circles and blobs. I kept asking him the same questions over and over again. Which can also be represented by the repetition in shapes. But it all fell on death ear. He ignored me and tried to change the topic whenever I tried to settle things out with him. It’s like all my words fell into a black hole.

I had enough.

Fifth strip: Surprise

The fifth strip was done on newsprint paper. The marks on the strip was done using rubber bands. I dipped the rubber bands in diluted ink, pulled hard and released it against the paper. This shows a painful kind of surprise. I was surprised as to why I was still with him despite the continuous act of cheating he has done. The different orientation of the marks shows the different kind of cheating he does every week, every day. I used a rubber band as it shows pain. Imagine if someone shoots a rubber band at you. You’ll have a sense of surprise but at the same time, your arm hurts when the rubber band comes in contact with you.

Sixth strip: Fear

Now this is the final strip. Where everything comes to an end and I broke my connections with him. I finally had the guts to leave him. What’s the point of being with someone when all you received from them was pain? But at the same time, I was afraid. I was suppose to be used to these kind of things. Being left and cheated on (this wasn’t the first time that someone has cheated on me). Just as I thought I was suppose to get used to it, it stretches on and leaves a mark, never fading. Everytime someone cheated on me, it leaves a permanent mark that stays with me forever. Which will slowly fade to an all-black.

And that concludes my presentation for my Project 1: My Line is Emo.

Some of the feedbacks given by Mimi was that I had to use tools which has meanings in my story. So that it’ll give more impact. As for the mark-making wise, she said that my work has improved from the previous consultation. It’s just that I need to bring out the emotions more into the mark-making process so that it doesn’t seem to minimalistic or simple.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post.

ONWARDS TO PROJECT 2!

 

Project 1: My Line is Emo (Research)

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Inspired Artists

Trevor Bell

The One from Many 1959 Trevor Bell born 1930 Presented by the artist 2011 http://www.tate.org.uk/art/work/T13394

Extreme Values 1959 Trevor Bell born 1930 Presented by the artist 2011 http://www.tate.org.uk/art/work/T13395

Patrick Heron

by Ida Kar,photograph,1954

Grey and Black Stripes : 1958 1958 Patrick Heron 1920-1999 Presented by Curwen Studio through the Institute of Contemporary Prints 1975 http://www.tate.org.uk/art/work/P06287

Azalea Garden : May 1956 1956 Patrick Heron 1920-1999 Purchased 1980 http://www.tate.org.uk/art/work/T03107

John Latham

P(n)2:3/12 1963 John Latham 1921-2006 Purchased 1971 http://www.tate.org.uk/art/work/T01468

Full Stop 1961 John Latham 1921- 2006 Presented by Nicholas Logsdail and Lisson Gallery, London 2005 http://www.tate.org.uk/art/work/T11968

As you can see throughout the artists and art pieces I’ve selected, they have something in common which is minimalistic and simplicity in their artworks. I’ve decided to strive towards this concept as it is not easy to tell a story based on something so simple but easy to understand. Most of the paintings shown above are very simple and look “accidental” but the meaning behind the paintings are very deep.

For example, the Full Stop 1961 by John Latham shows a single big dot in the middle of the canvas. The edges of the dot seems dispersed and washed out. Some has said that the dot can represents many things. It can either represent a stop to something or a start to something new once something else stops.

Project 1: My Line is Emo (PROCESS)

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Week 2:

When the assignment was handed out to us, we straight away started with the mark making process. I experimented with various tools such as the paint scraper, bandage, and a keyboard brush cleaner. As for the lino cutting, it was tedious process as I could not dig deeply into the lino as it will create a hole. We have to be pretty careful too as to not cut our fingers (which I did, badly). There was blood. Hahaha. But the end product was satisfying. I went with a flowery-vine design for my lino cutting and did 2 different stamping. Both of the stamping have different amount of pressure applied on them, thus having different darkness and intensity of the black ink paint.

Most of the designs I did was of repetitions and consistency. I should explore more and not stick to one kind of mark-making.

Week 4 (Wednesday):

During this week, I continued with my mark-making process. I was focusing on creating as many piece as possible for my final consultation.

Cotton Ball dipped in black ink.

Furry tie dipped in ink and then dragged in a horizontal line on paper

Keyboard brush cleaner. Used both bristles and base of brush

Rafiah strings used. Expanded the string, dipped in paint and dragged.

Messy table and works produced

Due to week 3 being a public holiday, my progress has been pushed back as I was celebrating that particular PH. I came back to the studio on Wednesday night during the consultation week to complete my 18 (maybe even more) pieces. My ideas were not flowing smoothly and I spent most of my time sitting in my seat, stoning. And trying to think of what other tools I can use for my mark-making. I’ve decided to include in the use of my fingers too for mark-making. It was a messy but fun process.

Week 4 (Friday): Consultation week

My group was the first group to consult Mimi regarding our mark-making strips. She has given us her comments and advice. Some of them were things regarding the different use of papers (printing paper, newsprint, black paper) and also different use of paints (acrylic, Chinese ink, white paint) and maybe something semi textured such as burnt paper or torn paper collaged together. She went through my work and told me I could improve by adding 2 or more types of mark-making into a single strip so that the idea is pulled through more as most of my ideas are quite simple.

Julie Mehretu (Stadia I)

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The work from Julie Mehretu, Stadia I, is very inspirational as she has used different form of shapes, lines, strokes, medium and colours in her piece. Despite using a lot of various elements in a single piece, you can clearly see the emotion she’s having when creating this piece. The space and perspective are greatly visible and used.

Julie Mehretu |Stalia I |Artsy