Livin' on a prayer for sure. This past week has been quite a doozy.
What I did:
- Illustrations for .75 model (25 hrs)
- Scanning in images (1 hr)
- Putting model book together (20 mins)
- Documenting (1.5 hrs)
- Uploading/photoshopping/cropping photos (45 mins)
- Keynoteeee (2 hrs)
- Practicing (1.5 hr)
- Fixing presentation (5 hrs)
- Reflection (40 mins)
What I accomplished/encountered/discovered:
I spent a lot of time this week making new illustrations for my .75 scale models. I thought a lot about composition and clarity. I also practiced
What's Next:
Friday, December 16, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Unpacking
I literally just got out of my December review and decided I should take time now to reflect and write, while everything is lemony fresh.
I was lucky enough to have Seth Ellis on my panel, who was very insightful about narratives. He was able to offer a lot of suggestions regarding the particular moment of seeing the bones through the glasses for the first time. We need to experience Kay's confusion, excitement and wonder. Currently I am treating her as a supplementary device, I need to make her a character. We need to feel empathy for her instead of just experiencing her story as a third party. Her looking through the glasses needs to be a longer moment.
It was also suggested I make her explorations longer moments. Currently, when Kay looks at a bug or a cat, it is a passing moment. But because she is exploring, the visual should be an exploration as well. We don't just see the whole cat skeleton, but we also see close ups and we also see Kay's wonder.
Also, there was a lot of set-up for such little anatomy. This can easily be fixed with longer moments of exploration.
Another common theme is the need to feel emotion with Kay, whether it be boredom, fun, danger or pain. I haven't convincingly created emotion for Kay. Holly Hughes also noted that all the scenes before the glasses are very static. There are no emotions and the compositions are very middle ground. She was also confused how the glasses added value to her life/healing. Perhaps I need to be more clear that they are a device to fill the hole in her life that used to filled with physical activities that cannot be preformed with a cast. (This is the main conflict, not the fracturing of her arm)
I will definitly be rethinking my scenes over break. (not only in composition, but also set up). When I take my reference photos, I will also be "playing cinematographer". I have some friends who are SAC majors. Perhaps they have some suggestions.
There were mixed reviews about the use of words: SE-no HH-yes MS-ehhh.
Me: I will be working without words for the time being.
One word that keeps coming up is Magic. Stephanie and Hannah keep saying it too. I keep thinking it will just come with the right "aha" moment, but today got me thinking that it could take something more... or different. SE says "take me there". MS says it is like Narnia or WIzard of oz. The visual changes completely (both in color and style). Perhaps her x-ray view could be potato prints or a blue/misty x-ray looking world.
On that note, they also liked some of my half-penned illustrations. The way the pen (aka: important parts) came forward from the background could be my solution to color.
Speaking of illustrations, mine are very flat. This could be from the static views or the actual illustration. I personally feel that once I get my reference images, that should help a ton. However, I could always try and make flat work (eric carle').
Other random bits:
HH suggested we look through Kay's eyes early to set us up for the x-ray views.
Healing needs to be longer. Feel the time pass. Maybe have an entire scene of her checking her arm every so often...
- Also: cast off = anticlimactic. arm atrophy?
Matt Schlian reccomended: the visitor by sean tan.
Is it necessary to include the arm break? (if I did, it should be super climactic)
- is kay a daredevil? is that why she falls? what makes her fall? does she know there is danger?
no real consensus on color...
I was lucky enough to have Seth Ellis on my panel, who was very insightful about narratives. He was able to offer a lot of suggestions regarding the particular moment of seeing the bones through the glasses for the first time. We need to experience Kay's confusion, excitement and wonder. Currently I am treating her as a supplementary device, I need to make her a character. We need to feel empathy for her instead of just experiencing her story as a third party. Her looking through the glasses needs to be a longer moment.
It was also suggested I make her explorations longer moments. Currently, when Kay looks at a bug or a cat, it is a passing moment. But because she is exploring, the visual should be an exploration as well. We don't just see the whole cat skeleton, but we also see close ups and we also see Kay's wonder.
Also, there was a lot of set-up for such little anatomy. This can easily be fixed with longer moments of exploration.
Another common theme is the need to feel emotion with Kay, whether it be boredom, fun, danger or pain. I haven't convincingly created emotion for Kay. Holly Hughes also noted that all the scenes before the glasses are very static. There are no emotions and the compositions are very middle ground. She was also confused how the glasses added value to her life/healing. Perhaps I need to be more clear that they are a device to fill the hole in her life that used to filled with physical activities that cannot be preformed with a cast. (This is the main conflict, not the fracturing of her arm)
I will definitly be rethinking my scenes over break. (not only in composition, but also set up). When I take my reference photos, I will also be "playing cinematographer". I have some friends who are SAC majors. Perhaps they have some suggestions.
There were mixed reviews about the use of words: SE-no HH-yes MS-ehhh.
Me: I will be working without words for the time being.
One word that keeps coming up is Magic. Stephanie and Hannah keep saying it too. I keep thinking it will just come with the right "aha" moment, but today got me thinking that it could take something more... or different. SE says "take me there". MS says it is like Narnia or WIzard of oz. The visual changes completely (both in color and style). Perhaps her x-ray view could be potato prints or a blue/misty x-ray looking world.
On that note, they also liked some of my half-penned illustrations. The way the pen (aka: important parts) came forward from the background could be my solution to color.
Speaking of illustrations, mine are very flat. This could be from the static views or the actual illustration. I personally feel that once I get my reference images, that should help a ton. However, I could always try and make flat work (eric carle').
Other random bits:
HH suggested we look through Kay's eyes early to set us up for the x-ray views.
Healing needs to be longer. Feel the time pass. Maybe have an entire scene of her checking her arm every so often...
- Also: cast off = anticlimactic. arm atrophy?
Matt Schlian reccomended: the visitor by sean tan.
Is it necessary to include the arm break? (if I did, it should be super climactic)
- is kay a daredevil? is that why she falls? what makes her fall? does she know there is danger?
no real consensus on color...
Thursday, December 8, 2011
December Again
What I did:
- abstract (30 mins)
- talked to people about getting watercolor lessons (30 mins)
- presentation outline (2 hrs)
- character studies (3 hrs)
- color exploration research (1 hr)
- layout deciding (1.5 hrs)
- color exploration (3 hrs)
- .75 scale model (3 hrs so far)
What I accomplished/encountered/discovered:
I also did my own exploring with color. I haven't reached a verdict yet, however perhaps that is something that can be done with the help of my December review committee.
What's next:
Mock presentations and December review of course! I have a pretty good idea of my presentation layout, so this weekend I will be doing lots of exploring, documenting and uploading pictures into keynote. By Tuesday, everything will be (mostly) spotless and rehearsed for my trial run. Thursday is the big day then. Practice, Practice, Practice!
- abstract (30 mins)
- talked to people about getting watercolor lessons (30 mins)
- presentation outline (2 hrs)
- character studies (3 hrs)
- color exploration research (1 hr)
- layout deciding (1.5 hrs)
- color exploration (3 hrs)
- .75 scale model (3 hrs so far)
What I accomplished/encountered/discovered:
I am fairly satisfied with my character explorations. I clearly have a lot more work to do, but for now it will be pushed aside so I can focus on the bigger picture.
 |
| from some stock photos and some from my goddaughter Kaelyn |
 |
| Kaelyn |
 |
| practicing POV |
The bigger picture is my entire book layout. I needed an updated (and larger) version to show at my December review. It will also help me determine what reference shots I need to take over break for my illustrations. Speaking of illustrations, I have set up watercolor lessons over break as well.
After I re-evaluated the necessary scenes for my book, I was able to start my .75 scale model. It still needs a lot of work over the weekend, but it is definitely a start.
The group critique on Tuesday confirmed my belief that color got a little out of hand in my full scale trials. There was so much going on in the scene as well as with the plethora of color. I took some time to look at books with a limited color palette. It is incredible how much can be accomplished (and expressed) with so few colors. Below are some examples.
 |
| By Philip Stead, illustrated by his wife Erin |
 |
| Simply, but also exquisitely rendered |
 |
| By Jean-Luc Fromental & Joelle Jolivet |
 |
| PENGUINS!! |
 |
| by Kazuno Kohara woot! for straying from white backgrounds |
 |
| Nine of the most successful explorations |
 |
| B&W with a single color referring to mood and the object of focus (feet!) |
 |
| B&W with subtle color and bright color on object of focus |
 |
| Light wash in background. Bold colors on focus area. |
What's next:
Mock presentations and December review of course! I have a pretty good idea of my presentation layout, so this weekend I will be doing lots of exploring, documenting and uploading pictures into keynote. By Tuesday, everything will be (mostly) spotless and rehearsed for my trial run. Thursday is the big day then. Practice, Practice, Practice!
Thursday, December 1, 2011
"Don't close the book, just turn the page"
What I did:
- Full scale trials (10 hrs)
- Library visit/Spoke with a librarian (1.5 hrs)
- Research on Illustrators (1 hr)
- Listened to David Small (1 hr)
- Spoke with Sarah Stewart (30 mins)
- Worked on POV and X-ray view (2hrs)
- Collected reference images (2 hrs)
- Library visit/Spoke with a librarian (1.5 hrs)
- Research on Illustrators (1 hr)
- Listened to David Small (1 hr)
- Spoke with Sarah Stewart (30 mins)
- Worked on POV and X-ray view (2hrs)
- Collected reference images (2 hrs)
What I accomplished/encountered/discovered:
I have always wanted to write and illustrate a children's book. I always expressed my feelings through pictures. Before I could write I used to scribble next to my pictures and pretend the scribbles were words. Once, I gave one of these creations to my parents and I remember them laughing and I was so frustrated because I thought I accidently wrote a bad word. Really, I'm sure they were just tickled by how silly I was and how hard I tired to make a book even though I lacked the skills. My parents used to read to us kids every night before bed. My dad would change the words and we would get sooo frustrated "Daaaaad! Read it right!". I would give anything to go back and let him "read it silly." Being transported to those make-believe worlds inspired me to have the crazy imagination that I have. Books, especially picture books, have been so much a part of my life and my aspirations, it is so hard to hear Hannah and Stephanie say that I am not excited about this project. This is everything I have ever wanted to do. I wish I could count the minutes and hours I spend thinking and talking about X-Ray Kay, because that would add up to more than 10 hours a week alone. It is December. I am a typical college student. I am burnt out, but not from this project. I am simply saying why I am burnt out in general. I have a raging sinus infection. I can't sleep. Being president of the co-op is exhausting and I am just about ready to be done dissecting cats and sharks. Maybe its the formaldehyde getting to me, but I am ready for a break. A break where I can relax and illustrate. Illustrate for this book. I am not giving up.
Full scale models were a waste of time because I can't draw or paint. I learned a lot though. For example, I got to practice using different mediums and I now know which one feels right, both visually and physically. I was also able to explore composition and details that I wouldn't have thought of in a sketch. I have also determined criteria that I know I absolutely want and don't want in my final project.
Talking to the librarian was unnecessary because this is my project and I should stop being passive. She did give me some interesting reading on Eric Carle and new illustration style possibilities.
The David Small lecture was really interesting. Although he did not talk a lot about his process, he did help me understand more of what an illustrator does and how he would go about making a book. Looking at his work helped me visualize how a style can be both loose and descriptive at the same time.
Sarah Stewart, David's wife and author, was especially inspiring. It was wonderful to find someone as excited about my project as I am (and she didn't even know me!). She was extremely supportive and we talked about passion, inspiration and the crucial/beautiful relationship between writing and illustrating. She also showed me her book (illustrated by David) in progress! It was very cool to see the physical process and it was a bit heartening to see it is allowed to be a bit disorganized.
The rest of my time spent this week was put into figuring out how the x-ray glasses view will be shown (still haven't figured it out yet) and collecting reference images. I have lots of stock pictures of 7 year old girls in different poses for now, but I will be taking my own pictures of my 7 year old god-daughter come holiday break.
I have always wanted to write and illustrate a children's book. I always expressed my feelings through pictures. Before I could write I used to scribble next to my pictures and pretend the scribbles were words. Once, I gave one of these creations to my parents and I remember them laughing and I was so frustrated because I thought I accidently wrote a bad word. Really, I'm sure they were just tickled by how silly I was and how hard I tired to make a book even though I lacked the skills. My parents used to read to us kids every night before bed. My dad would change the words and we would get sooo frustrated "Daaaaad! Read it right!". I would give anything to go back and let him "read it silly." Being transported to those make-believe worlds inspired me to have the crazy imagination that I have. Books, especially picture books, have been so much a part of my life and my aspirations, it is so hard to hear Hannah and Stephanie say that I am not excited about this project. This is everything I have ever wanted to do. I wish I could count the minutes and hours I spend thinking and talking about X-Ray Kay, because that would add up to more than 10 hours a week alone. It is December. I am a typical college student. I am burnt out, but not from this project. I am simply saying why I am burnt out in general. I have a raging sinus infection. I can't sleep. Being president of the co-op is exhausting and I am just about ready to be done dissecting cats and sharks. Maybe its the formaldehyde getting to me, but I am ready for a break. A break where I can relax and illustrate. Illustrate for this book. I am not giving up.
Full scale models were a waste of time because I can't draw or paint. I learned a lot though. For example, I got to practice using different mediums and I now know which one feels right, both visually and physically. I was also able to explore composition and details that I wouldn't have thought of in a sketch. I have also determined criteria that I know I absolutely want and don't want in my final project.
Talking to the librarian was unnecessary because this is my project and I should stop being passive. She did give me some interesting reading on Eric Carle and new illustration style possibilities.
The David Small lecture was really interesting. Although he did not talk a lot about his process, he did help me understand more of what an illustrator does and how he would go about making a book. Looking at his work helped me visualize how a style can be both loose and descriptive at the same time.
Sarah Stewart, David's wife and author, was especially inspiring. It was wonderful to find someone as excited about my project as I am (and she didn't even know me!). She was extremely supportive and we talked about passion, inspiration and the crucial/beautiful relationship between writing and illustrating. She also showed me her book (illustrated by David) in progress! It was very cool to see the physical process and it was a bit heartening to see it is allowed to be a bit disorganized.
The rest of my time spent this week was put into figuring out how the x-ray glasses view will be shown (still haven't figured it out yet) and collecting reference images. I have lots of stock pictures of 7 year old girls in different poses for now, but I will be taking my own pictures of my 7 year old god-daughter come holiday break.
What's Next:
I have solicited the help of my peers to teach me how to use watercolor paint. I may just have to go home and get a tutorial from my boss over break. She is pretty well known for her watercolor paintings. By Tuesday I will have a bunch of ugly character studies, and hopefully some that I can actually present to the world. I will also have a load of little scene studies.
What I will have done for December Review:
Some full sized illustrations and a complete layout (pagination) of the book.
I have solicited the help of my peers to teach me how to use watercolor paint. I may just have to go home and get a tutorial from my boss over break. She is pretty well known for her watercolor paintings. By Tuesday I will have a bunch of ugly character studies, and hopefully some that I can actually present to the world. I will also have a load of little scene studies.
What I will have done for December Review:
Some full sized illustrations and a complete layout (pagination) of the book.
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