Ideas and archaeology: Anthropomorphism

Concept:

My initial interest with this brief was to explore the subject of anthropomorphism. Something that I felt would be best illustrated by the cartoon character Mickey Mouse. I wanted to de-construct the famous scene from Steam Boat Willy. I started by locating a skeleton of a mouse on the internet, that once arrived had to be re-articulated into the pose from the cartoon. This was an extremely challenging process due to the delicate nature of the skeleton. It was very easy to dislocate the anatomy. I started with some preliminary sketches that transposed the inner structure into how it would be constructed. I then started to re create the scene by using additional materials such as millput and balsa wood.

Above are some extracts from the first batch of sketches.

 

Process

I documented the process as part of a progression of the idea. On reflection I think this should have been filmed and edited in the style of a cartoon. This would have illustrated a more clearer vision of my original intention. This brief offered me the opportunity to explore this subject and try something that I have never done before. Each part of the process was very time consuming. The glueing and re-articulation required a lot of patience and a steady hand.

At the start of the project you can clearly see all the ribs, however by the finished product many had been broken in the process.

 

 

Articulation:

 

 

Shadowboy

In addition to the previous project I created a story called the Shadowboy. This was meant as another exploration into anthropomorphism. This time with a short story about a scarecrow that curses a small boy to never be able to go into daylight and has to stay locked up in a barn.

During one of my tutorials I was encouraged to pursue the imagery of the shadows as part experimentation to create a more dimensional visual.

     

Process

Research

 

Shadowplay

I started by cutting out pieces of paper to recreate some of the key scenes. Then I photographed them using a torch to direct the shadows, hopefully contextualising the narrative.

  

More examples

Outcome

In conclusion, this is a story that I would like to explore at a later date. There is potential for this to development and having taken the feedback on board I would like to develop this further into a more finished project.

Critical Analysis

Within the exercises I have attempted to draw upon the experimenting utilising storyboards as a means of exploration and structuralism with the subject matter. Identifying this contemporary setting I incorporated my experimentation into the final composition. Overall the final outcome was rewarding. The project pushed my limits of illustration with a medium that isn’t forgiving and would benefit from more work. The blocking and shading required an attention to detail to the overall composition.

 

Commission

 

Commission

During the first part of this semester I approached an idiot with the aim of producing illustrations for his project, which was a children’s book of poetry about farts.

It turns out this was a waste of my time. The author was very specific about the style that he wanted, which was Quentin Blake. Below are a series of attempts at translating his work in a visual style similar to Blake’s. I was not comfortable with this request to have them be so directly imitative his work. Although the drawings I produced bare a resemblance I attempted a tighter style and came up with the original concepts of translating farts using clouds.

I submitted these concepts but never heard anything back. The last correspondence was that the author wanted to consult an outside party with my illustrations.

Roughs

 

Revisions