Book Review: Cartoon Modern

Cartoon Modern has been intrinsic in helping me to develop my character design for the first brief of the Visual Communication module. The range and breadth of images and illustrative styles have allowed me to think beyond what I believe I know about character design (which isn't a lot, and is mostly informed by my favourite children's books!). It has helped me to realise a different approach to my initial sketches and incorporate the modernist Cubist style - which coincidentally links wonderfully with the aesthetic of jazz music that I can hopefully portray in my character. Perhaps? Perhaps not? But it's a starting point!

There were lots of lovely quotes throughout the book that really got the cogs and gears in my head turning... "Use the language of animation to convey contemporary ideas and themes." "New mature brand of animated film." "Bold visual styles derived from modern arts, adapting principals of Cubism, Surrealism and Expressionism expanding and redefining the art form." "Walt Disney believes that character design should be 'live, individual personalities - not just animated drawings." and so on. Here are some of my favourite illustrations from the book:

Petroushka (1956) and The Old Man and the Flower (1962)

Saul Bass: IBM Commercial and Sun Detergent Commercialand John Hubley: unidentified commercial directed and designed by Hubley

The Hope that Jack Built (1957) and Walt Disney: Model sheet for Mickey Mouse and Trix Cereal Commercial 

Contextual Research: Viewpoint and Depth

Critical Task

Image 1 by Laura Carlin: I love, love, love Laura Carlin and find this to be a really nice illustration - full of character and charm! The main focal point is the large sculpture to the left which fills the majority of the canvas and gives a sense of foreground. The mid ground and background are littered with figure sculptures getting smaller in size, giving a sense of depth and distance. These become darker as they enter the shadows. The viewpoint is rather strange, I feel, as I seem to be floating above and looking down on the sculptures, from the way I can see the plinths clearly. The background shows we are in a dark forest with a full moon, stars and trees - so this particular viewpoint matches the surreal and dreamlike scenario. A graveyard perhaps? There's lots of texture which becomes more prominent as the figures move into the distance. My line of sight, however, starts with the peachy-pink figure to the right and then moves to the larger white sculpture. Having a warmer colour surrounded by darker background helps to bring it out to my attention more so than the larger figure.

Image 2 by Miroslav Sasek: I absolutely love the whimsical work of Sasek and referenced him a lot when making my Pearly Kings & Queens picture book. This illustration is so full of movement; perfect for an underground station which buzzes with activity. The clever sweeping gesture of the tracks leads the eye up to the middle, just off centre, to meet the domed roof which graduated spirals outward to envelope the picture area. The walls are curved, bringing the viewer into the picture. There is just the right balance of black and white versus colour and depth is portrayed well through the use of perspective and objects going smaller into the distance. The line of sight goes straight to the centre-right where the track leads up to the curved ceiling, with the eye then exploring outwards to read the narrative.

Image 3 by Mobius: I really enjoy the different viewpoint shown here, through a bird's eye view to show the sweeping motion of the large bird - which is the main focal point, just off centre to the left. The wing pointing to the right leads the eye towards the smaller boats just above the waterfall. The larger cliff faces in the foreground pull the image together giving depth and distance as well as an 'S' shape - giving visual interest to composition, rather than the picture just being head-on. In terms of value and colour, the blue is much more saturated at the front and fades to white the further away it goes.

Contextual Research: Frame

Critical Task

Here are some of my favourite illustrations from the presentation and critical task of the visual language session pertaining to frame...

Image 1 by Dadu Shin: Angular composition; cold colours of muted purple and bluish highlights with one singular eye-catching spot of pink above the figure. Point of interest. Angular shadow draws us down towards the figure. Bottom-heavy composition gives a sense of calm, still and silence. Staring at a wall, waiting for something to happen. Intriguing composition that works well, challenging what the hand-out says about compositional objects falling to the bottom of the image.

Image 2 by Tatsuro Kiuchi: Bottom heavy again, which is a compositional technique I really like. Diagonal lines push the eye down towards the market stall. Broken up into thirds; two thirds red expanse, one third shadowy information. The lighter colours in the bottom third of the image contrast nicely against the intense red in the other two thirds. My eye is drawn to the bottom-right where the shadows dance on the objects.

Image 3 by Tatsuro Kiuchi: Symmetrical! Value and saturation much more prominent in the front of the painting. Warm colours and the most information taking up one third of the image with the other two thirds being cold colours with expanse of area. One singular figure breaks up the symmetry instantly becoming the focus.

Contextual Research: Composition

Eleni Kalorkoti

I really like the monochrome colour palette of this illustration and how the hair / fringe takes up most of the canvas. The eye is immediately drawn to the sharp edge of the scissors as the white blade stands out against the black hair in a very dramatic way. The sparkling eyes are also catching because of the white against black;leading us up towards the scissors because of the direction they are looking. I find it very clever the way it has been deliberately arranged in the rule of thirds; with the bottom third and right-hand side third containing the most information. There is a nice balance between details, shape, form and expanse of black. 

---

Eleanor Davis

Another image where something takes up most of the frame, but not in an immediate or dramatic way as the previous illustration - largely due to the harmonising combination of warm and softer colours. The handle of the broom leads the eye down into the frame in the direction of the character's head and the window. The wall slopes down to meet the character's shoulder and further down to the sleeve of the shirt on the elbow, tying them into the piece rather than isolating them. The legs frame the secondary character, who is smaller - further away and therefor not as important. My eyes are immediately drawn to the purple pants against the light yellowy green wall - complimentary colours? - which then allows my eye to explore the image and the narrative.

Speech at Manchester Cathedral

I was very kindly invited to be a guest speaker at Manchester Cathedral tonight, in aid of Henshaws for their annual Carols by Candlelight service. I shared my sight loss journey, my decision to go back into education and get my illustration degree and the seeds planted so far in my practice that will bloom into something bigger in the future. It was nice to be able to take some time to reflect when drafting my speech over these past few weeks on how far I have come, especially in the past 2 academic years at Leeds College of Art, making substantial progress to becoming a much more informed, autonomous, evocative and enquiring illustrator. I feel like I've had a bit of a religious experience with being in such a beautiful and historic building - opening up my heart and sharing my life with a huge audience of hundreds of people; and with God. A lot of good things happen to me, like really amazing opportunities I could never even wished to have asked for, and also a lot of bad things. Many to do with my visual impairment, but others just general real-life crap.

This past year I lost my grandad who was essentially my second father. When I was little, my dad worked a lot to support my mum, brother and I so I didn't get to see him much. My mum was a young mother at the time of the late 80's, being 19, and relied on her parents a lot to take the pressure off of having two children. I grew so close to my Irish nana and grandad and learned so much from them about hard work, grafting and a strong family unit. My nana had a stroke in 1995, when I was 4 years old, and back in those days there wasn't much anyone could do - whereas now the effects can be reversed quite tremendously if it is treated quick enough. My nana was subsequently paralysed and couldn't speak and that is, unfortunately, how I remember her. This happened at the same time it was discovered that I was severely visually impaired, needing to go to London to Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital most of the time for operations and it was a lot for my young mother to cope with. My grandad stepped in and was everything to me and my mum.

Losing him in the summer after a terrible series of injuries, eventually succumbing to pneumonia and heart failure, has been incredibly difficult to come to terms with. I've never dealt with death properly as I was shielded from my nana's death and this is my first proper experience. My mum and I wouldn't eat for days and had no desire to do anything from severe grief. The only thing that propelled us forward was the prospect of me going to university and living in a studio flat - where we would go out and buy little things here and there to decorate and make my stay more comfortable. This big loss, and the good and bad things that happen to me every day, have enabled me to find comfort in my faith. I am trying to find hope, support and comfort and feel like these are being slowly addressed in the Word and spending time tonight in the Cathedral has been a turning point.

Life Drawing Classes

• With discovering a newfound joy to observational drawing thanks to the Visual Language sessions, and the ability to unpick visual components each week, I signed up to the life drawing classes here at LCA to employ all of the new things I have been learning!

• One of my transformative moments during this first term has been the session on line quality - and how different tools can produce different variations when speed, pressure and thoughts / emotions come into play to effect the outcome. Using graphite stick and an ink brush pen were my favourite discoveries because of the aesthetic they bring; textured contours and outlines to an illustration that can vary depending on implication and motion. This really allows for light and shadow to be implied in the more inkier or drier areas. I liked using the contrast of the softer graphite with the harsher, more deliberate ink brush pen.

• I struggle with observational drawing because of my severe visual impairment, with only 8% central vision in my left eye - like looking down a tunnel - and only light perception in my right. I was made to feel very welcome at the life drawing sessions, people were very supportive of me and respectful of my Guide Dog, allowing me to get as close as possible to the models so I can see them in my field of useful vision. Photographs aren't allowed, which is completely understandable, so I couldn't use my trusty iPad! Because of how welcoming the sessions were I really began to settle, letting go of my setbacks and hardships and relax when drawing - just like everyone else - producing some work I am very proud of.

• Self-realisation of my own boundaries and limitations, and giving them the finger - giving things a bloody good go - shows my determination to become a better artist, designer, illustrator, practitioner and a better person. I can only compete with myself, attempting to become a better me, and not letting my disability get the better of me, as it has all of my life, has been key to my current happiness and feeling of self-worth.

• Observational drawing is something I really want to continue into the New Year and new term as it is so beneficial to draw, think and look on location - figuring out how an illustration can tell a narrative and what parts to omit or include, telling an interesting story of your individual journey. I have enjoyed the Visual Narratives module because of the observational drawing opportunities; having the ability to sit and draw buttons in Duttons for Buttons, and the people of Ilkley, to convey my trip there instead of just picture-perfect photographs.

Contextual Research: 3D Craft and Lens

Polly Becker

This is so charming! From what I can gather, it shows a family made up of their favourite objects or objects that represent them, along with a photograph of their face giving a realistic and representational grounding face. Cameras, a xylophone and a tiny violin for the children - representing youthful, innocent fun through music and exploration. Coloured thread and a needle for the mother, a quintessential and stereotypical pastime using feminine doll legs in a dainty pose, and the dad with his hammer showing the strength in his arms. Men do DIY and are strong! The simple background against the mountain of objects works particularly well and I like the idea of using found or treasured objects. This could be something to consider in my own 3D illustration in the visual language module? The central composition give an air of simplicity.

---

Jean Jullien

I feel that this is so clever - turning 2D illustrations into 3D objects just from cutting and folding a few key body parts! The elongated limbs are quirky and charming, adding a sense of personality to these odd-balls, and their colours are fun and vibrant! Paper cut is such a simple but successful technique in its form and functionality, giving a sense of craftsmanship and the hand-made, and is something I am slowly falling in love with. I'm even considering using it in my Visual Narratives picture book! Again, the simple background gives a stylistic simplicity that marries well with the simple forms and shapes making up the characters. Each has their own facial expression representing them in an effortless approach and the three dimensional aspect gives them a more authentic and genuine connection to the audience.

---

Owen Gildersleeve

Paper cut again, this time adding a sense of simple but bold colour, shape and movement. This truly looks like a box of tricks or a present that flourishes when opened! An explosion of fun! The central composition, with the tablet device, turned slightly on its' side adds an element of the off-beat and the unconventional. The choice of bright, saturated colours communicates a genuine and authentic element of pleasure and enjoyment and the warm wooden background provides a more pleasing hue rather than just white.

Visiting Lecturers: DR ME

Official Website | Twitter | Instagram

• DR ME, est. 2010, is duo Ryan Doyle and Mark Edwards. Their name is a fusion of their initials.

• They are based in Manchester and The French Riviera.

• Didn't want to work in-house for a company. Wanted to work for themselves and made a list of university
of the things they want to set out and achieve.

• They were interested in alternative illustration and worked for Mike Perry after completing university. They learned more from Mike and his practice in 2 months than they did at university; even though they folded posters and sent them to clients for the majority of the internship!
• From folding posters and sending to clients, they learned the art and power of self-promotion.
• Their first proper brief was with Dutch Uncle. It allowed them to find their style setting them apart from everyone else.
• Handmade collage, true to form as possible. Handmade is their ethos.
• Social media is a powerful tool is getting potential clients interest in your work. When that connection has been established, keep the relationship going. Let them know you are still there, making work. Collaboration can push that further.
• From having a strong Twitter presence and a self-run website they are able to respond to the work they want to do.
• Go with your gut instinct.
• Don't be afraid to ask and don't be afraid of failure!
• Make good work, constantly be making, collaborate to learn new things and expand your knowledge as a maker.
• See exhibitions, movies, cities, something on a wall or in a book. Don't stay in your studio - experience the world!
• Just be you and enjoy the work you make.
• Keep a sketchbook to test out and collect a plethora of materials, sketches, roughs, collages and notes.
Let it be natural. DR ME are always writing and sketching.
• They put up with each other by not sharing a studio but meeting up frequently in Manchester.

---

How is this relevant to my practice?
Having just completed collage in the Visual Language module, I enjoyed the freedom of cutting in various ways (ripping roughly, craft knife for precision, scissors for a loose cut) to give a certain feeling and aesthetic and layering different visual information. I have discovered a new found love for cut paper collage and want to keep pushing and exploring this medium further. DR ME have a very strong work ethic and their 365 days of collage is nothing short of admirable! I want to be able to work as relentlessly and be as experimentation with my own discipline! Their words of wisdom in regards to promotion and making what you love have really stuck with me too.

Synesthesia

In the Visual Skills module, some of my peers worked on the article regarding synesthesia and this made me realise that I have it. I thought it was just having an overactive imagination, but no - it seems to be a thing! Throughout my life, whenever someone says a letter, a word or a number I see a colour. From what I can gather, it seems to be a reaction to my visual impairment where my 'mind's eye' creates responses for me to see beyond the visual. For example:

0 - Grey

1 - Yellow

2 - Green

3 - Blue

4 - Red

5 - Yellow

6 - Purple

7 - Green

8 - Purple

9 - Red

10 - White

Is this something I want to investigate further in future projects? For COP2 perhaps? Could it inspire future projects?

Student of the Year 2016

So tonight I won Student of the Year 2016 in the Specialist Institution Awards at Canal Mills, celebrating the achievements of students from Leeds College of Art, Leeds College of Music and the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. Am I crying while I write this blog post? Yes, I am!

I was very kindly nominated by former Student President and now SU team member, Emma Cook, and was made aware of my nomination last week. I was very thrilled to have been selected but thought nothing of it. We have so many talented students who excel in their specialisms and I was mostly looking forward to meeting them and finding out more about them as creatives.

However, in a strange turn of events - I seem to have won! Wow! I am just so honoured to have been selected and still can't quite believe I won. Having said that, it is such a symbol of all of the hard work I have put into my personal life over the past 4 years; coming to terms with and accepting my severe visual impairment, teaching myself to read Braille for the first time so I can read my mail, learning to pour liquids, chop vegetables and cook my own food safely, learning how to use a long cane for a better sense of mobility - eventually signing up for, being match to and training with my Guide Dog Tami learning routes around our local area and beyond. Then making the brave decision to go back into education, in a different city, and learn new skills and make friends for life on the Access to HE course. This is all only just a snapshot of the things I have undertaken, alongside creating illustrations for the RNIB as their Young Illustrator for 2014, completing projects for the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, UK Scouts magazine, Henshaws Society for Blind People, Action for Blind People, Foster Care Associates and Core Assets, speaking at both UK and European Parliament to help push for equal rights for blind people and volunteer for countless charities.

I'm so proud of everything I have achieved and feel so humbled to have had a wonderful introduction by our very own Principal, Simone, who is just fabulous and so supportive of me and Tami. I'm going to enjoy this moment for a little bit longer before heading to bed and going back to reality tomorrow!