Firstly, the above is a link to a blog I love called 'The Fairy Tale Cupboard.' Fairy-tales are my 1 MAIN inspiration as an illustrator and my dream is to one day be illustrating Grimm and Andersen (my hero's!). This blog is brilliant because it keeps me up to date with whats going on in 'the real world!' Artists, costume designers, sculptors, writers and directors are STILL playing with these stories and altering them everyday, and its important to keep track. This site helps me to do this and have re-introduced me to an artist/sculpture who I had forgotten I LOVE.
SU BLACKWELL
Blackwell spends hours trawling charity shops looking for old books. She is mostly inspired by fairy tales and this influence is evident in the genre and style of her work. Once she has found her story she will spend ours cutting and crafting the pages of the books themselves to create an artwork. The end product is a gorgeous sculpture/dress/instillation that will go towards a specific gallery exhibition or her own personal works.
This is one of her new works, I couldn't find out a great deal about the story behind it but I think it may be inspired by the dress in Cinderella as it vanishes. As a costume for a modern/Gothic fairy tale this would work brilliantly.
Through the looking glass: Alice in Wonderland.
This is from 'The Secret Garden' although I also think the image has an aura of snow white about it that I would like to capture in an illustration.
This is my favourite of Blackwell's. Her motto is 'Paper is Art' and this piece makes me believe it. I think it is taken from Cinderella.
The Wizard of Oz. More colourful than her usual artworks but a fun image...if not slightly scary?!
THE TEA PARTY: her most famous image from Alice in Wonderland.
FAIRY TALES are all over the media at the moment. I can take all sorts of inspiration from this...my ultimate goal, I now know being to tell cautionary tales through inviting escapism.
Backgrounds, scenery, setting, light and dark: MISE-EN-SCENE
As an illustrator, especially an illustrator of fairy tales, cautionary tales, myths and legends atmosphere is everything. I need to collate information that can be used to inspire background and setting. Visual notes are important here because sets like castles, mountains, cottages etc. need to look legitimate. Yes, we can take artistic licence, especially as what we are capturing is, in a sense 'magical' but I think I can draw on observational drawings and photographs of castles, houses, scenery etc.
Using Film and Television to inform my work. learning about camera angles and how this can influence the composition and make my work better informed:
EDWARD KITSIS AND ADAM HORROWITZ CREATORS OF ABC'S 'ONCE UPON A TIME' (ref for page film/media 6)
'ONCE UPON A TIME' is a new series that has started in America that deals with fairy tales or 'cautionary tales' in the 'real world'. It takes artistic licence with the well known stories and plays with their moral codes turning them into one big interlinking story. These stories were meant to be 'cautionary' and this programme reminds us that what we have seen in 'Disney' is a far 'fluffier' version of the truth. These stories ARE NOT pink and fluffy....snow white it poisoned and put on show in a glass coffin, a beauty falls in love with a hideous beast, Cinderella is bullied and mistreated by her family and Rumpelstiltskin is a baby-stealing maniac! See...this is not normal!
Trailer: this pretty much sums it up. I plan on drawing some stills from this so I can build up a catalogue of ideas and images relating to costume, character, scenery and set.
SKIN DEEP: my favourite episode so far. I have always been fascinated by the concept of 'beauty and the beast'. There has been so much concept art done over the years but I believe we can still push the boundaries with the idea of what 'is beauty' and 'who is the beast.' Once Upon A Time has taken a whole new outlook on by making the beast and Rumpelstiltskin the same character this so I have done some concept art of my own. Please see below this video.
Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz (Once's creators) seem to take a very similar outlook on Fairy Tales. I take a lot of ideas and inspiration from this show for that reason, it helps me to channel what I already know my objectives are.
My Version of Beauty and the Beast. Inspired by the Gothic with a sinister twist. This is the first time I have properly used ink to create a whole picture and I am pleased with the atmosphere it creates. Below is clips of the modern version of 'Belle and the Beast' From OUAT. It shows how an artist can exploit stereotypes and despite History still be valid as the same characters.
Beauty and the Beast is my favourite story because there are so many underlying concepts. The 'skin deep' theory is by far my favourite idea out there and always inspires my work. The idea of 'vanity' is there in lots of fairy tales-snow white/sleeping beauty/ snow white and rose red/ Thumbelina.
A Take on the scene from Snow White. In Fairy-Tale Land
A take on true loves kiss in the real world. I can take stock from how they de-glamorise the ridiculous theory, putting it into a modern setting makes it more scary, closer to home. This is a theory I could explore.
Blackwell spends hours trawling charity shops looking for old books. She is mostly inspired by fairy tales and this influence is evident in the genre and style of her work. Once she has found her story she will spend ours cutting and crafting the pages of the books themselves to create an artwork. The end product is a gorgeous sculpture/dress/instillation that will go towards a specific gallery exhibition or her own personal works.
Through the looking glass: Alice in Wonderland.
The Wizard of Oz. More colourful than her usual artworks but a fun image...if not slightly scary?!
THE TEA PARTY: her most famous image from Alice in Wonderland.
FAIRY TALES are all over the media at the moment. I can take all sorts of inspiration from this...my ultimate goal, I now know being to tell cautionary tales through inviting escapism.
Backgrounds, scenery, setting, light and dark: MISE-EN-SCENE
As an illustrator, especially an illustrator of fairy tales, cautionary tales, myths and legends atmosphere is everything. I need to collate information that can be used to inspire background and setting. Visual notes are important here because sets like castles, mountains, cottages etc. need to look legitimate. Yes, we can take artistic licence, especially as what we are capturing is, in a sense 'magical' but I think I can draw on observational drawings and photographs of castles, houses, scenery etc.
Using Film and Television to inform my work. learning about camera angles and how this can influence the composition and make my work better informed:
EDWARD KITSIS AND ADAM HORROWITZ CREATORS OF ABC'S 'ONCE UPON A TIME' (ref for page film/media 6)
'ONCE UPON A TIME' is a new series that has started in America that deals with fairy tales or 'cautionary tales' in the 'real world'. It takes artistic licence with the well known stories and plays with their moral codes turning them into one big interlinking story. These stories were meant to be 'cautionary' and this programme reminds us that what we have seen in 'Disney' is a far 'fluffier' version of the truth. These stories ARE NOT pink and fluffy....snow white it poisoned and put on show in a glass coffin, a beauty falls in love with a hideous beast, Cinderella is bullied and mistreated by her family and Rumpelstiltskin is a baby-stealing maniac! See...this is not normal!
Trailer: this pretty much sums it up. I plan on drawing some stills from this so I can build up a catalogue of ideas and images relating to costume, character, scenery and set.
SKIN DEEP: my favourite episode so far. I have always been fascinated by the concept of 'beauty and the beast'. There has been so much concept art done over the years but I believe we can still push the boundaries with the idea of what 'is beauty' and 'who is the beast.' Once Upon A Time has taken a whole new outlook on by making the beast and Rumpelstiltskin the same character this so I have done some concept art of my own. Please see below this video.
Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz (Once's creators) seem to take a very similar outlook on Fairy Tales. I take a lot of ideas and inspiration from this show for that reason, it helps me to channel what I already know my objectives are.
My Version of Beauty and the Beast. Inspired by the Gothic with a sinister twist. This is the first time I have properly used ink to create a whole picture and I am pleased with the atmosphere it creates. Below is clips of the modern version of 'Belle and the Beast' From OUAT. It shows how an artist can exploit stereotypes and despite History still be valid as the same characters.
Beauty and the Beast is my favourite story because there are so many underlying concepts. The 'skin deep' theory is by far my favourite idea out there and always inspires my work. The idea of 'vanity' is there in lots of fairy tales-snow white/sleeping beauty/ snow white and rose red/ Thumbelina.
A Take on the scene from Snow White. In Fairy-Tale Land
The Stories: MY OWN SUMMARIES (TAKEN FROM MY FAIRYTALE BOOKS) (see bib.)
The Mermaid of Zennor
There was once a mermaid who was the daughter of the sea King. She lived under the sea by the town of Zennor, in the cold Cornish waters. One day she heard a beautiful voice and followed it, up the rocks, dragging herself to the little church. She saw the choir and a beautiful blonde man called Mathew singing alone at the front of the choir. She fell in love with him instantly and for the rest of that that day and for many others to come she watched him and hid her tail under a gown crafted from corals, pearls and exotic sea-weeds. She sat at the back of the church until one day he noticed her, he had never seen a girl like her, she looked as though she came from a different world, her eyes grey and dappled like the swirling, cold, Cornish waves. So, he followed her as she left for the shore, asking her to marry him. Although she said she could not, for she was a sea-creature, he said it was no matter, he would go with her. So, they dived off the cliff and he was gone.
A few years later, a fisherman dropped his anchor and a mermaid appeared. She told him his anchor blocked the door to her home and her and her husband Mathew could not reach their children. He did so and told the other fisherman where their beloved singer was. They say, when at Zennor at low-tide, you can hear the most beautiful lullaby carrying over the cold waves onto the cliffs.
There was once a mermaid who was the daughter of the sea King. She lived under the sea by the town of Zennor, in the cold Cornish waters. One day she heard a beautiful voice and followed it, up the rocks, dragging herself to the little church. She saw the choir and a beautiful blonde man called Mathew singing alone at the front of the choir. She fell in love with him instantly and for the rest of that that day and for many others to come she watched him and hid her tail under a gown crafted from corals, pearls and exotic sea-weeds. She sat at the back of the church until one day he noticed her, he had never seen a girl like her, she looked as though she came from a different world, her eyes grey and dappled like the swirling, cold, Cornish waves. So, he followed her as she left for the shore, asking her to marry him. Although she said she could not, for she was a sea-creature, he said it was no matter, he would go with her. So, they dived off the cliff and he was gone.
A few years later, a fisherman dropped his anchor and a mermaid appeared. She told him his anchor blocked the door to her home and her and her husband Mathew could not reach their children. He did so and told the other fisherman where their beloved singer was. They say, when at Zennor at low-tide, you can hear the most beautiful lullaby carrying over the cold waves onto the cliffs.
Snow White and Rose Red
Once upon a time a lady lived with her two beautiful daughters who were both so different. One was named after the snow white roses of the bush to left of their woodland cottage. The other was named after the deep red ones of the bush to right. They were good and kind people and when a bear knocks on their one way asking for shelter from the snow, although afraid they are kind to him an let him sit by the fire. They make friends and the bear returns every night until winter ends when he says he must go and protect his treasure from an evil dwarf. One day soon after, the girls find the dward hanging from the tree by his beard. They cut him down but the dwarf is angry with them for cutting his beard! They encounter the dwarf many times after and save him each time from some peril but he is always unkind and ungrateful! One day they find him running from the bear, scared for his life so he tells the bear to eat the girls instead. The bear is so angry he kills the dwarf with a swipe of his paw. He turns into a handsome Prince. He tells the girls the dwarf cursed him after stealing his treasure. Now the curse is broken and the Prince moves the girls into the castle, they bring their mother and Snow White marries the Prince and Rose-Red marries his brother.
Once upon a time a lady lived with her two beautiful daughters who were both so different. One was named after the snow white roses of the bush to left of their woodland cottage. The other was named after the deep red ones of the bush to right. They were good and kind people and when a bear knocks on their one way asking for shelter from the snow, although afraid they are kind to him an let him sit by the fire. They make friends and the bear returns every night until winter ends when he says he must go and protect his treasure from an evil dwarf. One day soon after, the girls find the dward hanging from the tree by his beard. They cut him down but the dwarf is angry with them for cutting his beard! They encounter the dwarf many times after and save him each time from some peril but he is always unkind and ungrateful! One day they find him running from the bear, scared for his life so he tells the bear to eat the girls instead. The bear is so angry he kills the dwarf with a swipe of his paw. He turns into a handsome Prince. He tells the girls the dwarf cursed him after stealing his treasure. Now the curse is broken and the Prince moves the girls into the castle, they bring their mother and Snow White marries the Prince and Rose-Red marries his brother.
Rumpelstiltskin
There was once a poor old Miller, who was summoned to the King. He was so scared that before the King had time to speak he told him he had a beautiful daughter who could spin straw into gold. His daughter, although beautiful could do no such thing! The King, who was as greedy as he was rich and handsome, told the miller he better bring his daughter to him, if she had such talents! The King fell in love with the girl when he saw her but decided to test her and sent her to a tower full of straw! He told her she must spin it all to gold by morning or he would kill her! She wept after he left until a little man appeared and told her he could do what she could not...if she gave him her necklace. She did and in the morning the room was full of gold! The King was so greedy he bid her do it again, or he would kill her! The man came again, this time demanding her ring, she gave it and the room was full of gold next morning. This time the King said that, if she spent another night at the task, he would marry her the next morning! She wept, for she had nothing left to offer the little man. He demanded her first born child and she accepted, for she did not want to die and did not know if she would ever even bear a child. It was accomplished and the king married her. The next year she had a beautiful child and the little man appeared demanding his prize. The Queen wept and he took pity, giving her three days to guess his name! She sent a messenger all over the kingdom to find boys names but for the first two days, she did not guess correctly. On the last day, her messenger came across a little man in the forest rhyming his name and told the queen. That night she guessed ‘Rumpelstiltskin’ and the man ran from the room with steam coming out of his ears, never to be seen again.
There was once a poor old Miller, who was summoned to the King. He was so scared that before the King had time to speak he told him he had a beautiful daughter who could spin straw into gold. His daughter, although beautiful could do no such thing! The King, who was as greedy as he was rich and handsome, told the miller he better bring his daughter to him, if she had such talents! The King fell in love with the girl when he saw her but decided to test her and sent her to a tower full of straw! He told her she must spin it all to gold by morning or he would kill her! She wept after he left until a little man appeared and told her he could do what she could not...if she gave him her necklace. She did and in the morning the room was full of gold! The King was so greedy he bid her do it again, or he would kill her! The man came again, this time demanding her ring, she gave it and the room was full of gold next morning. This time the King said that, if she spent another night at the task, he would marry her the next morning! She wept, for she had nothing left to offer the little man. He demanded her first born child and she accepted, for she did not want to die and did not know if she would ever even bear a child. It was accomplished and the king married her. The next year she had a beautiful child and the little man appeared demanding his prize. The Queen wept and he took pity, giving her three days to guess his name! She sent a messenger all over the kingdom to find boys names but for the first two days, she did not guess correctly. On the last day, her messenger came across a little man in the forest rhyming his name and told the queen. That night she guessed ‘Rumpelstiltskin’ and the man ran from the room with steam coming out of his ears, never to be seen again.
Beauty and the Beast
A merchant was travelling through the rain when he came across a castle and beautiful gardens. He plucked a rose from a bush, thinking how much his daughter would like it to mark her books. At that, a horrifying monster appeared who demanded the man would die if he did not bring him the thing he most valued, as he had plucked his most beautiful rose. He bid the man bring him his beautiful daughter in payment for the rose he had taken. The man returned to his daughter and told her his plight, he said they would run for he would never give her to the monster. In the night she went to the castle, for she loved her father and he was too old travel. The monster was kind to her, gave her a beautiful room in his dark castle. She dined with him every evening and thought him misunderstood, for he was, indeed, cursed and she pitied him. The monster fell in love with the beautiful girl, she was clever and well-read and he thought, she liked him well enough. Every night he asked her to marry him but she turned him down, she could not marry a monster, even if she did like him. One day she wept, for she missed her father and the monster was sad at this, so he let her return to her father for one week. The girl reached home and her father was ill, so she forgot her promise to the monster and was late returning. When she found him, he was lying under his rose-bush. She thought he was dead, and wept for him. As her tears fell onto his face he changed. He was no longer ugly but very handsome, with auburn hair and a dark skin. He awoke and asked her again; this time she said yes.
A merchant was travelling through the rain when he came across a castle and beautiful gardens. He plucked a rose from a bush, thinking how much his daughter would like it to mark her books. At that, a horrifying monster appeared who demanded the man would die if he did not bring him the thing he most valued, as he had plucked his most beautiful rose. He bid the man bring him his beautiful daughter in payment for the rose he had taken. The man returned to his daughter and told her his plight, he said they would run for he would never give her to the monster. In the night she went to the castle, for she loved her father and he was too old travel. The monster was kind to her, gave her a beautiful room in his dark castle. She dined with him every evening and thought him misunderstood, for he was, indeed, cursed and she pitied him. The monster fell in love with the beautiful girl, she was clever and well-read and he thought, she liked him well enough. Every night he asked her to marry him but she turned him down, she could not marry a monster, even if she did like him. One day she wept, for she missed her father and the monster was sad at this, so he let her return to her father for one week. The girl reached home and her father was ill, so she forgot her promise to the monster and was late returning. When she found him, he was lying under his rose-bush. She thought he was dead, and wept for him. As her tears fell onto his face he changed. He was no longer ugly but very handsome, with auburn hair and a dark skin. He awoke and asked her again; this time she said yes.
The Wild Swans
There was once a girl called Elsie. She was Princess, with seven handsome, tall brothers who loved her. They took her on adventures, crafted her swords and bows and arrows in the castle grounds and read her stories from the large library in the castle. Their mother had died and when she was still young Elsie’s father re-married. The new Queen was vain and didn't like Elsie, who was prettier than her. She banished Elsie to live with a poor family, telling the King the girl had died in the woods while on one of her adventures. The King was heartbroken and gave his sons all of his time, so the jealous Queen turned them into seven swans and banished them. When Elsie grew she went to the palace as she wanted to see her lovely brothers. The Queen on seeing how beautiful she had become, rubbed he face with dirt and oils so the king would not recognise her. So she was sent away and got lost by the stream. She washed herself and , lovely once more, found herself surrounded by seven swans who promptly, when the moon rose, turned into the brothers. They cried at finding their beloved sister and told her of the Queens curse. They wanted to go across the sea to another kingdom to warmer climates and made Elsie a woven mat. They flew her across the sea and she dreamed. An enchantress came to her in the dream and told her to craft seven shirts from nettles; crush them and weave them with her bare hands and feet into shirts for her brothers and they would be free. She could not utter a word whilst she accomplished this. One day, while her brothers were flying a Prince found the beautiful, quiet girl and took her away to his castle. He married her and she became Queen but at night while her husband slept she made the shirts still. People said she was a witch and the Kings men took her away to be burned as a witch. Her bothers came to save her, flying to her aid as she was on the cart. She threw the shirts over them, the youngest brother’s was not finished so he still had one wing but the curse lifted! She spoke again and shouted her innocence before collapsing. The king caught her and cried for her but she awoke and they lived happily together in the new kingdom.
Mary Wills
MARY WILLS (Ref for page websites 1.)
Mary Wills, a hugely famous costume designer from the era that inspired me the most. Recognisable for her costumes for 'The Virgin Queen' in 1955 (Bette Davis) and Edwin Booth 1955 (Richard Burton). She has also designed for the likes of Joan Collins (see in-scripted image) and, ultimately, all of her drawings; whether or not the are costume focused demonstrate immense character. The aura of her clients is evident in her sketches and she captures brilliantly the gaudy 'Gothic' of those big-budget, English-American melodramas of the 1950's. I want to take such inspiration from Wills and be inspired by, not only her ability to imply character through costume drawing but her technical skill. I will, also, need these skills if I am going to successfully complete my project next year, so for the moment, I will focus on 'the best in the business' when it comes to costume, concept art, character design and story-boarding.
'Edwin Booth'/Richard Burton. A male protagonist is an important character and Wills costume is subtle but reminiscent of a Victorian Gothic that I can transfer into my illustrations.
The splash of colour on a flesh coloured background is almost suggestive, something I need to consider in terms of my brief...I want my illustrations to have similar undertones.
This image at first glance seems quite typically 'pretty', which is not what I am going for. However, my repertoire needs to be vast and may call for a contrast. I have chosen to be inspired by more of a Gothic theme because I know 'pretty' is something I can already draw and I want to see how far I can push the boundaries within other genre's.
EDUARDO CASTRO (Ref. film/media 5)
'Once Upon A Time's' Costume Designer: His visions are similar to mine in that he appreciates and respects the classic Fairy-Tale and even Disney customs but puts a very EDGY twist on everything he creates: These are his Designs for Regina the Evil Queen. He uses signature colours (Red and Black for the Queen/White and Brown for Snow White).
These images show how you don't have to draw something particularly detailed for your vision to come across.
His Creations on the Screen:
His creations work for a modern setting, this is what I try to achieve, the fairy tale illustrations should be classic but modern and interesting (which means slightly edgy) to appeal today.
The above image is a little bit of a hyperbolic representation of what I am trying to achieve. I really like the imagery , I find it really interesting! You can take so much from this image (a magazine spread for Once Upon A Time-advertisement) it would be different of everyone. I see a character who is in awe of the modern technology-but sharpening pencils could also imply the sharpening of a sword (she isn't a typical Snow White) or the sharpness of a personality. Using intertextual references, implication, suggestion and iconography will help give my images another level of interest.
HAND LETTERING: Can be found in fables. It is always interesting shapes and bold type which makes the text appear important but works in harmony with the image by following the lines.
(ref for pages Images 2+3)
This is the most interesting because it is a part of the image and the colour scheme. The shirt and the blackness of the foreground ties it in and makes it more inclusive.
The Stories: Chosen 3
Rumpelstiltskin
There was once a poor old Miller, who was summoned to the King. He was so scared that before the King had time to speak he told him he had a beautiful daughter who could spin straw into gold. His daughter, although beautiful could do no such thing! The King, who was as greedy as he was rich and handsome, told the miller he better bring his daughter to him, if she had such talents! The King fell in love with the girl when he saw her but decided to test her and sent her to a tower full of straw! He told her she must spin it all to gold by morning or he would kill her! She wept after he left until a little man appeared and told her he could do what she could not...if she gave him her necklace. She did and in the morning the room was full of gold! The King was so greedy he bid her do it again, or he would kill her! The man came again, this time demanding her ring, she gave it and the room was full of gold next morning. This time the King said that, if she spent another night at the task, he would marry her the next morning! She wept, for she had nothing left to offer the little man. He demanded her first born child and she accepted, for she did not want to die and did not know if she would ever even bear a child. It was accomplished and the king married her. The next year she had a beautiful child and the little man appeared demanding his prize. The Queen wept and he took pity, giving her three days to guess his name! She sent a messenger all over the kingdom to find boys names but for the first two days, she did not guess correctly. On the last day, her messenger came across a little man in the forest rhyming his name and told the queen. That night she guessed ‘Rumpelstiltskin’ and the man ran from the room with steam coming out of his ears, never to be seen again.
Beauty and the Beast
A merchant was travelling through the rain when he came across a castle and beautiful gardens. He plucked a rose from a bush, thinking how much his daughter would like it to mark her books. At that, a horrifying monster appeared who demanded the man would die if he did not bring him the thing he most valued, as he had plucked his most beautiful rose. He bid the man bring him his beautiful daughter in payment for the rose he had taken. The man returned to his daughter and told her his plight, he said they would run for he would never give her to the monster. In the night she went to the castle, for she loved her father and he was too old travel. The monster was kind to her, gave her a beautiful room in his dark castle. She dined with him every evening and thought him misunderstood, for he was, indeed, cursed and she pitied him. The monster fell in love with the beautiful girl, she was clever and well-read and he thought, she liked him well enough. Every night he asked her to marry him but she turned him down, she could not marry a monster, even if she did like him. One day she wept, for she missed her father and the monster was sad at this, so he let her return to her father for one week. The girl reached home and her father was ill, so she forgot her promise to the monster and was late returning. When she found him, he was lying under his rose-bush. She thought he was dead, and wept for him. As her tears fell onto his face he changed. He was no longer ugly but very handsome, with auburn hair and a dark skin. He awoke and asked her again; this time she said yes.
The Wild Swans
There was once a girl called Elsie. She was Princess, with seven handsome, tall brothers who loved her. They took her on adventures, crafted her swords and bows and arrows in the castle grounds and read her stories from the large library in the castle. Their mother had died and when she was still young Elsie’s father re-married. The new Queen was vain and didn't like Elsie, who was prettier than her. She banished Elsie to live with a poor family, telling the King the girl had died in the woods while on one of her adventures. The King was heartbroken and gave his sons all of his time, so the jealous Queen turned them into seven swans and banished them. When Elsie grew she went to the palace as she wanted to see her lovely brothers. The Queen on seeing how beautiful she had become, rubbed he face with dirt and oils so the king would not recognise her. So she was sent away and got lost by the stream. She washed herself and , lovely once more, found herself surrounded by seven swans who promptly, when the moon rose, turned into the brothers. They cried at finding their beloved sister and told her of the Queens curse. They wanted to go across the sea to another kingdom to warmer climates and made Elsie a woven mat. They flew her across the sea and she dreamed. An enchantress came to her in the dream and told her to craft seven shirts from nettles; crush them and weave them with her bare hands and feet into shirts for her brothers and they would be free. She could not utter a word whilst she accomplished this. One day, while her brothers were flying a Prince found the beautiful, quiet girl and took her away to his castle. He married her and she became Queen but at night while her husband slept she made the shirts still. People said she was a witch and the Kings men took her away to be burned as a witch. Her bothers came to save her, flying to her aid as she was on the cart. She threw the shirts over them, the youngest brother’s was not finished so he still had one wing but the curse lifted! She spoke again and shouted her innocence before collapsing. The king caught her and cried for her but she awoke and they lived happily together in the new kingdom.
Architecture: Taking Influence from Designers and Architect's
There was once a girl called Elsie. She was Princess, with seven handsome, tall brothers who loved her. They took her on adventures, crafted her swords and bows and arrows in the castle grounds and read her stories from the large library in the castle. Their mother had died and when she was still young Elsie’s father re-married. The new Queen was vain and didn't like Elsie, who was prettier than her. She banished Elsie to live with a poor family, telling the King the girl had died in the woods while on one of her adventures. The King was heartbroken and gave his sons all of his time, so the jealous Queen turned them into seven swans and banished them. When Elsie grew she went to the palace as she wanted to see her lovely brothers. The Queen on seeing how beautiful she had become, rubbed he face with dirt and oils so the king would not recognise her. So she was sent away and got lost by the stream. She washed herself and , lovely once more, found herself surrounded by seven swans who promptly, when the moon rose, turned into the brothers. They cried at finding their beloved sister and told her of the Queens curse. They wanted to go across the sea to another kingdom to warmer climates and made Elsie a woven mat. They flew her across the sea and she dreamed. An enchantress came to her in the dream and told her to craft seven shirts from nettles; crush them and weave them with her bare hands and feet into shirts for her brothers and they would be free. She could not utter a word whilst she accomplished this. One day, while her brothers were flying a Prince found the beautiful, quiet girl and took her away to his castle. He married her and she became Queen but at night while her husband slept she made the shirts still. People said she was a witch and the Kings men took her away to be burned as a witch. Her bothers came to save her, flying to her aid as she was on the cart. She threw the shirts over them, the youngest brother’s was not finished so he still had one wing but the curse lifted! She spoke again and shouted her innocence before collapsing. The king caught her and cried for her but she awoke and they lived happily together in the new kingdom.
Mary Wills
MARY WILLS (Ref for page websites 1.)
Mary Wills, a hugely famous costume designer from the era that inspired me the most. Recognisable for her costumes for 'The Virgin Queen' in 1955 (Bette Davis) and Edwin Booth 1955 (Richard Burton). She has also designed for the likes of Joan Collins (see in-scripted image) and, ultimately, all of her drawings; whether or not the are costume focused demonstrate immense character. The aura of her clients is evident in her sketches and she captures brilliantly the gaudy 'Gothic' of those big-budget, English-American melodramas of the 1950's. I want to take such inspiration from Wills and be inspired by, not only her ability to imply character through costume drawing but her technical skill. I will, also, need these skills if I am going to successfully complete my project next year, so for the moment, I will focus on 'the best in the business' when it comes to costume, concept art, character design and story-boarding.
'Edwin Booth'/Richard Burton. A male protagonist is an important character and Wills costume is subtle but reminiscent of a Victorian Gothic that I can transfer into my illustrations.
The splash of colour on a flesh coloured background is almost suggestive, something I need to consider in terms of my brief...I want my illustrations to have similar undertones.
This image at first glance seems quite typically 'pretty', which is not what I am going for. However, my repertoire needs to be vast and may call for a contrast. I have chosen to be inspired by more of a Gothic theme because I know 'pretty' is something I can already draw and I want to see how far I can push the boundaries within other genre's.
EDUARDO CASTRO (Ref. film/media 5)
'Once Upon A Time's' Costume Designer: His visions are similar to mine in that he appreciates and respects the classic Fairy-Tale and even Disney customs but puts a very EDGY twist on everything he creates: These are his Designs for Regina the Evil Queen. He uses signature colours (Red and Black for the Queen/White and Brown for Snow White).
These images show how you don't have to draw something particularly detailed for your vision to come across.
His Creations on the Screen:
His creations work for a modern setting, this is what I try to achieve, the fairy tale illustrations should be classic but modern and interesting (which means slightly edgy) to appeal today.
The above image is a little bit of a hyperbolic representation of what I am trying to achieve. I really like the imagery , I find it really interesting! You can take so much from this image (a magazine spread for Once Upon A Time-advertisement) it would be different of everyone. I see a character who is in awe of the modern technology-but sharpening pencils could also imply the sharpening of a sword (she isn't a typical Snow White) or the sharpness of a personality. Using intertextual references, implication, suggestion and iconography will help give my images another level of interest.
HAND LETTERING: Can be found in fables. It is always interesting shapes and bold type which makes the text appear important but works in harmony with the image by following the lines.
(ref for pages Images 2+3)
This is the most interesting because it is a part of the image and the colour scheme. The shirt and the blackness of the foreground ties it in and makes it more inclusive.
The Stories: Chosen 3
Rumpelstiltskin
There was once a poor old Miller, who was summoned to the King. He was so scared that before the King had time to speak he told him he had a beautiful daughter who could spin straw into gold. His daughter, although beautiful could do no such thing! The King, who was as greedy as he was rich and handsome, told the miller he better bring his daughter to him, if she had such talents! The King fell in love with the girl when he saw her but decided to test her and sent her to a tower full of straw! He told her she must spin it all to gold by morning or he would kill her! She wept after he left until a little man appeared and told her he could do what she could not...if she gave him her necklace. She did and in the morning the room was full of gold! The King was so greedy he bid her do it again, or he would kill her! The man came again, this time demanding her ring, she gave it and the room was full of gold next morning. This time the King said that, if she spent another night at the task, he would marry her the next morning! She wept, for she had nothing left to offer the little man. He demanded her first born child and she accepted, for she did not want to die and did not know if she would ever even bear a child. It was accomplished and the king married her. The next year she had a beautiful child and the little man appeared demanding his prize. The Queen wept and he took pity, giving her three days to guess his name! She sent a messenger all over the kingdom to find boys names but for the first two days, she did not guess correctly. On the last day, her messenger came across a little man in the forest rhyming his name and told the queen. That night she guessed ‘Rumpelstiltskin’ and the man ran from the room with steam coming out of his ears, never to be seen again.
There was once a poor old Miller, who was summoned to the King. He was so scared that before the King had time to speak he told him he had a beautiful daughter who could spin straw into gold. His daughter, although beautiful could do no such thing! The King, who was as greedy as he was rich and handsome, told the miller he better bring his daughter to him, if she had such talents! The King fell in love with the girl when he saw her but decided to test her and sent her to a tower full of straw! He told her she must spin it all to gold by morning or he would kill her! She wept after he left until a little man appeared and told her he could do what she could not...if she gave him her necklace. She did and in the morning the room was full of gold! The King was so greedy he bid her do it again, or he would kill her! The man came again, this time demanding her ring, she gave it and the room was full of gold next morning. This time the King said that, if she spent another night at the task, he would marry her the next morning! She wept, for she had nothing left to offer the little man. He demanded her first born child and she accepted, for she did not want to die and did not know if she would ever even bear a child. It was accomplished and the king married her. The next year she had a beautiful child and the little man appeared demanding his prize. The Queen wept and he took pity, giving her three days to guess his name! She sent a messenger all over the kingdom to find boys names but for the first two days, she did not guess correctly. On the last day, her messenger came across a little man in the forest rhyming his name and told the queen. That night she guessed ‘Rumpelstiltskin’ and the man ran from the room with steam coming out of his ears, never to be seen again.
Beauty and the Beast
A merchant was travelling through the rain when he came across a castle and beautiful gardens. He plucked a rose from a bush, thinking how much his daughter would like it to mark her books. At that, a horrifying monster appeared who demanded the man would die if he did not bring him the thing he most valued, as he had plucked his most beautiful rose. He bid the man bring him his beautiful daughter in payment for the rose he had taken. The man returned to his daughter and told her his plight, he said they would run for he would never give her to the monster. In the night she went to the castle, for she loved her father and he was too old travel. The monster was kind to her, gave her a beautiful room in his dark castle. She dined with him every evening and thought him misunderstood, for he was, indeed, cursed and she pitied him. The monster fell in love with the beautiful girl, she was clever and well-read and he thought, she liked him well enough. Every night he asked her to marry him but she turned him down, she could not marry a monster, even if she did like him. One day she wept, for she missed her father and the monster was sad at this, so he let her return to her father for one week. The girl reached home and her father was ill, so she forgot her promise to the monster and was late returning. When she found him, he was lying under his rose-bush. She thought he was dead, and wept for him. As her tears fell onto his face he changed. He was no longer ugly but very handsome, with auburn hair and a dark skin. He awoke and asked her again; this time she said yes.
A merchant was travelling through the rain when he came across a castle and beautiful gardens. He plucked a rose from a bush, thinking how much his daughter would like it to mark her books. At that, a horrifying monster appeared who demanded the man would die if he did not bring him the thing he most valued, as he had plucked his most beautiful rose. He bid the man bring him his beautiful daughter in payment for the rose he had taken. The man returned to his daughter and told her his plight, he said they would run for he would never give her to the monster. In the night she went to the castle, for she loved her father and he was too old travel. The monster was kind to her, gave her a beautiful room in his dark castle. She dined with him every evening and thought him misunderstood, for he was, indeed, cursed and she pitied him. The monster fell in love with the beautiful girl, she was clever and well-read and he thought, she liked him well enough. Every night he asked her to marry him but she turned him down, she could not marry a monster, even if she did like him. One day she wept, for she missed her father and the monster was sad at this, so he let her return to her father for one week. The girl reached home and her father was ill, so she forgot her promise to the monster and was late returning. When she found him, he was lying under his rose-bush. She thought he was dead, and wept for him. As her tears fell onto his face he changed. He was no longer ugly but very handsome, with auburn hair and a dark skin. He awoke and asked her again; this time she said yes.
The Wild Swans
There was once a girl called Elsie. She was Princess, with seven handsome, tall brothers who loved her. They took her on adventures, crafted her swords and bows and arrows in the castle grounds and read her stories from the large library in the castle. Their mother had died and when she was still young Elsie’s father re-married. The new Queen was vain and didn't like Elsie, who was prettier than her. She banished Elsie to live with a poor family, telling the King the girl had died in the woods while on one of her adventures. The King was heartbroken and gave his sons all of his time, so the jealous Queen turned them into seven swans and banished them. When Elsie grew she went to the palace as she wanted to see her lovely brothers. The Queen on seeing how beautiful she had become, rubbed he face with dirt and oils so the king would not recognise her. So she was sent away and got lost by the stream. She washed herself and , lovely once more, found herself surrounded by seven swans who promptly, when the moon rose, turned into the brothers. They cried at finding their beloved sister and told her of the Queens curse. They wanted to go across the sea to another kingdom to warmer climates and made Elsie a woven mat. They flew her across the sea and she dreamed. An enchantress came to her in the dream and told her to craft seven shirts from nettles; crush them and weave them with her bare hands and feet into shirts for her brothers and they would be free. She could not utter a word whilst she accomplished this. One day, while her brothers were flying a Prince found the beautiful, quiet girl and took her away to his castle. He married her and she became Queen but at night while her husband slept she made the shirts still. People said she was a witch and the Kings men took her away to be burned as a witch. Her bothers came to save her, flying to her aid as she was on the cart. She threw the shirts over them, the youngest brother’s was not finished so he still had one wing but the curse lifted! She spoke again and shouted her innocence before collapsing. The king caught her and cried for her but she awoke and they lived happily together in the new kingdom.
Architecture: Taking Influence from Designers and Architect's
There was once a girl called Elsie. She was Princess, with seven handsome, tall brothers who loved her. They took her on adventures, crafted her swords and bows and arrows in the castle grounds and read her stories from the large library in the castle. Their mother had died and when she was still young Elsie’s father re-married. The new Queen was vain and didn't like Elsie, who was prettier than her. She banished Elsie to live with a poor family, telling the King the girl had died in the woods while on one of her adventures. The King was heartbroken and gave his sons all of his time, so the jealous Queen turned them into seven swans and banished them. When Elsie grew she went to the palace as she wanted to see her lovely brothers. The Queen on seeing how beautiful she had become, rubbed he face with dirt and oils so the king would not recognise her. So she was sent away and got lost by the stream. She washed herself and , lovely once more, found herself surrounded by seven swans who promptly, when the moon rose, turned into the brothers. They cried at finding their beloved sister and told her of the Queens curse. They wanted to go across the sea to another kingdom to warmer climates and made Elsie a woven mat. They flew her across the sea and she dreamed. An enchantress came to her in the dream and told her to craft seven shirts from nettles; crush them and weave them with her bare hands and feet into shirts for her brothers and they would be free. She could not utter a word whilst she accomplished this. One day, while her brothers were flying a Prince found the beautiful, quiet girl and took her away to his castle. He married her and she became Queen but at night while her husband slept she made the shirts still. People said she was a witch and the Kings men took her away to be burned as a witch. Her bothers came to save her, flying to her aid as she was on the cart. She threw the shirts over them, the youngest brother’s was not finished so he still had one wing but the curse lifted! She spoke again and shouted her innocence before collapsing. The king caught her and cried for her but she awoke and they lived happily together in the new kingdom.
Architecture: Taking Influence from Designers and Architect's
Hereford Cathedral
The outside view of the Cathedral, I envisage this as a set for 'Beauty and the Beast' because of the high arch, Gothic windows, darkened stone and decorative carvings.
The inside of the Cathedral, if you took the pews out of the picture you could manipulate it into a grand dining room, hall or entrance. There are all sorts of illustrative possibilities.
I like the contrast of the bright light through the darkness and although stained glass is often used in illustrations of castles and Cathedral, indeed, we see it in the Disney adaption of 'Beauty and the Beast.' However, I like the stark shapes and colours of this image and although it is not a fantastic photograph, that metaphorical symbolism could prove inspirational in future illustrations.
The above show stonework, I like to think of it more in terms of flat sections of colour and tone as opposed to individual shapes and lines. This is the Cathedral crypt and with the light struggling to shine through the windows I think this poses an interesting concept.
Building and Architecture based on drawings trips (as above) and other found locations. observational
church 16th c. foundations
Student bar
19th c. park building
Chapel
print from chapel sketch
Cirencestor Church
1920's houses from cemetery
The outside view of the Cathedral, I envisage this as a set for 'Beauty and the Beast' because of the high arch, Gothic windows, darkened stone and decorative carvings.
The inside of the Cathedral, if you took the pews out of the picture you could manipulate it into a grand dining room, hall or entrance. There are all sorts of illustrative possibilities.
The above show stonework, I like to think of it more in terms of flat sections of colour and tone as opposed to individual shapes and lines. This is the Cathedral crypt and with the light struggling to shine through the windows I think this poses an interesting concept.
Building and Architecture based on drawings trips (as above) and other found locations. observational
church 16th c. foundations
Student bar
19th c. park building
Chapel
print from chapel sketch
Cirencestor Church
1920's houses from cemetery
EASTNOR CASTLE
Animals feature heavily in fairy tales, I don't particularly like drawing them but I picked a few that may be useful, the stags and antelopes for Beauty and the Beast and a mangy old stuffed cheetah who has started to loose its soft fur and look like an overly cuddled, matted soft toy. I think this is because the previous owners would stroke it originally before it was put behind glass. This is a nice little story .
The Castle is beautiful, mock medieval (the earl in the 1700's built it when he married and his fortune increased). It was a labour of love, each room is suited to a different family member, it is dark in places but light and pretty. This will be my beauty and the beast dark castle.
Gates and archways. I will use this ink image as the garden archway in beauty and the beast. I like the colours and the red tones that come out in all the brickwork surrounding the grounds. There was something mysterious and forbidding about the dark archway that I had to capture.
THE TOWER: RUMPELSTILTSKIN. The tower had to feel imposing, so I sketched it from beneath, looking predominately at how the sun hit the stone and made so many colours that you wouldn't think came from stone alone.
Animals feature heavily in fairy tales, I don't particularly like drawing them but I picked a few that may be useful, the stags and antelopes for Beauty and the Beast and a mangy old stuffed cheetah who has started to loose its soft fur and look like an overly cuddled, matted soft toy. I think this is because the previous owners would stroke it originally before it was put behind glass. This is a nice little story .
The Castle is beautiful, mock medieval (the earl in the 1700's built it when he married and his fortune increased). It was a labour of love, each room is suited to a different family member, it is dark in places but light and pretty. This will be my beauty and the beast dark castle.
Gates and archways. I will use this ink image as the garden archway in beauty and the beast. I like the colours and the red tones that come out in all the brickwork surrounding the grounds. There was something mysterious and forbidding about the dark archway that I had to capture.
THE TOWER: RUMPELSTILTSKIN. The tower had to feel imposing, so I sketched it from beneath, looking predominately at how the sun hit the stone and made so many colours that you wouldn't think came from stone alone.
WITLEY COURT
An old mansion destroyed by a fire in the 1920's, one of the most expensive endeavors in the whole of Worcestershire. There is a fountain in the grounds that used to shoot water up to 200 feet in the air on Royal Visits. It still does this but engineers can no longer make it achieve that distance.
The Flora Fountain. Surrounded by mermen. The castle is in ruins but is extremely atmospheric. The stone is charcoal coloured from the fire that destroyed it, which makes it charming, it looks hollow because it is empty and the windows reminded me of eyes. It was vacant but had so much character in it's broken down state.
The mermen of the Flora Fountain have no noses and have lost their fingers and Fins. You can still see the beautiful sculptures though and the scales on the tails. It's actually quite scary to be near in dark, damp, weather alone! It looks like they may come to life and swim towards you!
An old mansion destroyed by a fire in the 1920's, one of the most expensive endeavors in the whole of Worcestershire. There is a fountain in the grounds that used to shoot water up to 200 feet in the air on Royal Visits. It still does this but engineers can no longer make it achieve that distance.
The Flora Fountain. Surrounded by mermen. The castle is in ruins but is extremely atmospheric. The stone is charcoal coloured from the fire that destroyed it, which makes it charming, it looks hollow because it is empty and the windows reminded me of eyes. It was vacant but had so much character in it's broken down state.
The mermen of the Flora Fountain have no noses and have lost their fingers and Fins. You can still see the beautiful sculptures though and the scales on the tails. It's actually quite scary to be near in dark, damp, weather alone! It looks like they may come to life and swim towards you!
THE GARDENS: THE WITLEY WILDERNESS GARDENS
The gardens are a wilderness, they have fashioned little paths through it, it really is like a Fairy Tale Woodland straight out of Red Riding Hood or Hansel and Gretel. It was col, and the colours were dull, it was however, full of interesting shapes and textures that I tried to capture with the camera.
THROUGH THE TREES: looking at the building and stream from different perspectives and looking for objects that I can use later on to enhance a scene.
The stream and an old bench, could be scaled down or up for effect. Textures, tree bark, water, ivy etc. This is all useful in costume design and also setting a scene, creating an atmosphere.
BELOW: THE GROUNDS, FOUNTAIN AND OUTHOUSE. THERE IS LOTS IN TERMS OF CONTENT TO BE FOUND HERE, THE FOUNTAIN IS BASED ON GREEK MYTHOLOGY. IT IS ALSO WORN AND VERY DEEP AND DANGEROUS!
THE BEASTS MAZE! THERE WERE LOTS OF PATTERNS IN THE GARDENS THAT ALLUDED TO A MAZE, THIS WOULD BE INTERESTING TO CONSIDER IN THE CREATION OF THE DARK CASTLE.
CONSTRUCTION AND THE GREENHOUSE. ALL OF THE GLASS LOST IN THE FIRE. The craftsmanship of the greenhouse was beautiful and so detailed, as can be seen in the image above! It was once full of exotic plants from all over the world, even poisonous ones and the children would have lessons in there!
Used to hold a candelabra
Mary Blair: Limited Colour Palates
Mary Blair was a 20th Century designer and concept artist and had massive influence in the design choices of Disney movies (30's through 60's). Her work influenced films such as 'Alice in Wonderland' 'Cinderella' but perhaps most notoriously 'Sleeping Beauty.' She didn't find her style until the late 30's and in the early 40's a trip abroad (Peru, Brazil etc) helped her to develop her bold, minimalist style. She used very bold colours but they were often limited (Sleeping Beauty-blues and pinks) and they brilliantly communicated shadow, time of day and gave a sense of place that was so important to a narrative.
From her work I can take influence from how she isolates colour and also makes the figures fit into the composition to allow them to seem a part of the scenery.
Her colour choices are far to 'pastel' based for the intense messages I am trying to get across but her audience was children. Therefore, her work was appropriate to her viewers. Similarly, I can learn through experimentation how to choose appropriate colour to suit my audience.
Below: A University Documentary that gave all insight needed into the life and work of Mary Blair
THE SHELL OF THE BUILDING.
These pictures Illustrate emptiness. This could be another take on the beasts castle. He is, after all living by himself in a dark place, using said imagery could make the story more poignant.
Gesture and Expression:
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure:
A Manga series that spans several generation's of one one family with English roots. About their misadventures.
Written and Illustrated by Hirohiko Araki
Extremely useful in terms of influencing my story-telling techniques. This comic book series is very suggestive, but only implied, and this is done through clever imagery. The use of hands to tell the story is something that I have thought about whilst creating the storyboards for my comic book. It allows for emotions to be implied and also suggests a proximity. Smaller, broken up panels do this also, forcing the characters into a smaller space and showing an intimacy. You can see above how hands have been used in an almost tender gesture and they moves closer together as the scene progresses, leading up to a penultimate image.
Below: The use of facial expression and the cutting together or panels; a montage of compositions, angles showing the scene from different points of view. The Illustrator clearly communicates what the characters are thinking, sometimes only showing half of a face, a section of an expression yet it is still enough to tell the story.
http://www.pinterest.com/yoheiii/hirohiko-araki/
H. Araki is a perfect informative for me, in terms of my style and the style of comic books that I aim to be Illustrating. There are similarities between his work and my own; the elongated limbs,over-sized hands and feet and slightly exaggerated body shapes and positions. All of these things make his work recognisable as his own, no matter what style or media he works in. It also better enhances an image, makes a page more exciting and the flamboyant use of colour has greatly inspired my bold colour choices; as well as the limited colour palate. In terms of composition, I can take a lot from how he does or does not fill a page, he understands hows to use space to effectively draw the eye.In addition, he often draws from a low angle or high angle perspective, giving a clear view and perception for the audience, which adds to the communication objectives.
The gardens are a wilderness, they have fashioned little paths through it, it really is like a Fairy Tale Woodland straight out of Red Riding Hood or Hansel and Gretel. It was col, and the colours were dull, it was however, full of interesting shapes and textures that I tried to capture with the camera.
THROUGH THE TREES: looking at the building and stream from different perspectives and looking for objects that I can use later on to enhance a scene.
The stream and an old bench, could be scaled down or up for effect. Textures, tree bark, water, ivy etc. This is all useful in costume design and also setting a scene, creating an atmosphere.
BELOW: THE GROUNDS, FOUNTAIN AND OUTHOUSE. THERE IS LOTS IN TERMS OF CONTENT TO BE FOUND HERE, THE FOUNTAIN IS BASED ON GREEK MYTHOLOGY. IT IS ALSO WORN AND VERY DEEP AND DANGEROUS!
THE BEASTS MAZE! THERE WERE LOTS OF PATTERNS IN THE GARDENS THAT ALLUDED TO A MAZE, THIS WOULD BE INTERESTING TO CONSIDER IN THE CREATION OF THE DARK CASTLE.
CONSTRUCTION AND THE GREENHOUSE. ALL OF THE GLASS LOST IN THE FIRE. The craftsmanship of the greenhouse was beautiful and so detailed, as can be seen in the image above! It was once full of exotic plants from all over the world, even poisonous ones and the children would have lessons in there!
Used to hold a candelabra
Mary Blair: Limited Colour Palates
Mary Blair was a 20th Century designer and concept artist and had massive influence in the design choices of Disney movies (30's through 60's). Her work influenced films such as 'Alice in Wonderland' 'Cinderella' but perhaps most notoriously 'Sleeping Beauty.' She didn't find her style until the late 30's and in the early 40's a trip abroad (Peru, Brazil etc) helped her to develop her bold, minimalist style. She used very bold colours but they were often limited (Sleeping Beauty-blues and pinks) and they brilliantly communicated shadow, time of day and gave a sense of place that was so important to a narrative.
From her work I can take influence from how she isolates colour and also makes the figures fit into the composition to allow them to seem a part of the scenery.
Her colour choices are far to 'pastel' based for the intense messages I am trying to get across but her audience was children. Therefore, her work was appropriate to her viewers. Similarly, I can learn through experimentation how to choose appropriate colour to suit my audience.
Below: A University Documentary that gave all insight needed into the life and work of Mary Blair
THE SHELL OF THE BUILDING.
These pictures Illustrate emptiness. This could be another take on the beasts castle. He is, after all living by himself in a dark place, using said imagery could make the story more poignant.
Gesture and Expression:
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure:
A Manga series that spans several generation's of one one family with English roots. About their misadventures.
Written and Illustrated by Hirohiko Araki
Extremely useful in terms of influencing my story-telling techniques. This comic book series is very suggestive, but only implied, and this is done through clever imagery. The use of hands to tell the story is something that I have thought about whilst creating the storyboards for my comic book. It allows for emotions to be implied and also suggests a proximity. Smaller, broken up panels do this also, forcing the characters into a smaller space and showing an intimacy. You can see above how hands have been used in an almost tender gesture and they moves closer together as the scene progresses, leading up to a penultimate image.
Below: The use of facial expression and the cutting together or panels; a montage of compositions, angles showing the scene from different points of view. The Illustrator clearly communicates what the characters are thinking, sometimes only showing half of a face, a section of an expression yet it is still enough to tell the story.
http://www.pinterest.com/yoheiii/hirohiko-araki/
H. Araki is a perfect informative for me, in terms of my style and the style of comic books that I aim to be Illustrating. There are similarities between his work and my own; the elongated limbs,over-sized hands and feet and slightly exaggerated body shapes and positions. All of these things make his work recognisable as his own, no matter what style or media he works in. It also better enhances an image, makes a page more exciting and the flamboyant use of colour has greatly inspired my bold colour choices; as well as the limited colour palate. In terms of composition, I can take a lot from how he does or does not fill a page, he understands hows to use space to effectively draw the eye.In addition, he often draws from a low angle or high angle perspective, giving a clear view and perception for the audience, which adds to the communication objectives.