MORVEREN
THE SKETCHBOOK:
THE MERMAID OF ZENNOR. Below, quick sketches in pen, ink and watercolour, looking into the process of creating character in a well-informed way. I have written my ideas about colour and media around the images for future reference.
Above and below: The main issue I had was the mermaids colouring. The drawings and notes show my thought process. I decided in the end that thinking about Rackham and Dulac, they would always make the surreal more believable by making it as 'real' as possible.
TROUT are common fish to Cornish waters, so here are some experiments based on the sort of fish tail that would be native to Cornwall, where the story is set.
It reminded me of this image by Rackham
The tail in this image is very naturalistic, if I did not have a fear of fish I would go out and draw some. I think not having a primary source is going to hinder my work. I should, perhaps, think about some other stories.
CHARACTER DESIGN BASED ON RESEARCH :I THINK THE COLOURS ARE TOO BORING FOR A GRAPHIC NOVEL, I'M GOING TO INTRODUCE MORE ORANGES AND DEEP GREENS INTO THE NEXT STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT.
THE SKETCHBOOK 2: COSTUME AND COLOUR
I love the colour scheme and the black detailing. It makes her a dangerous character, a siren. In the image above I gave her legs because in some stories mermaids grow legs on land. I think I have learned she needs to be more of a creature! Less human , so I have taken the colours from second stage development and refined these images into a final design.
This image has been very popular and the original is sold. I have the print, however and the colours reproduce well, I will keep them in mind for the story of Rumpelstiltskin, the golds and greens will suit it perfectly if contrasted with the black inky background.
MATTHEW TREWHELLA
THE SKETCHBOOK.
ABOVE: Influenced by Disney's John Smith. The blue and yellow worked well and immediately because he had to contrast to the mermaid, show they came from different worlds.
SKETCHBOOK 2: CHARACTER, COSTUME ETC.
STORY DISCONTINUED
I think this story has too many element to suit a graphic novel and my research demands I explore the skin-deep theory and Beauty and the beast because I think there is more to say with that story.
SNOW WHITE
SKETCHBOOK
Quick pen sketches. I found it too difficult to move away from the stereotype without making my work too stifled and similar to my other images. This character may suit another story further down the line.
2. COLOUR CHANGES HER INTO THE QUEEN. SHOWING HOW COLOUR CAN INFLUENCE CHARACTER
The colours in the image above of Snow White did not suit her and reminded me of the evil queen, so I went with that and experimented with form and colour
THE IMAGES ABOVE TURNED INTO THIS FINAL IMAGE. CENTERED MAINLY AROUND COLOUR AND WHAT IT MEANS I USED IT TO IMPLY FAKERY, WEALTH, EVIL TENANCIES, USING NON PRIMARY COLOURS GAVE THE IMAGE AN UNNATURAL FEEL, WHICH DESCRIBES THE QUEEN PERFECTLY. I LIKED THE IDEA THAT SHE USES PRODUCTS TO KEEP HER FACE YOUTHFUL BUT SHE HAS THE BODY OF A SKINNY OLD LADY.
