Week 5 Research: Experimentation and starting visuals
Linoprinting
This week I've been investigating different techniques and processes to try, as I'd like to try some different processes and materials in this project. Something I've always wanted to try is lino printing - I love the kind of textures it creates and I think it could be really interesting to try for this project. I've just been starting with some visuals for the fairy tale 'Baba Yaga' which is set in a dark, scary forest. I'm hoping to try to illustrate this with some linocuts and maybe try drawing the characters and some objects aswell. I love the linocut shown in the image below which shows an intricate forest design which has a vast amount of detail and unusual marks.
This lino print below shows how a (very large) lino print can work well to show a large scene or setting. I love the harsh use of black and white and it isn't too confusing or overwhelming. I think an image like this one would be an effective way to begin a story - to display the setting for the readers so they can begin with a location in mind.
As I am experimenting with drawing forests and trees, I particularly loved the lino print below of the trees. I think the combination of the rough texture and the sharp detail work really well together, and I like how it is from the perspective of someone who could be walking through it.
Jon Klassen
I have always admired Jon Klassen's illustrations and how his images never fail to competently give a sense of the story just with one image - through his use of composition, materials, colours and textures. The snowy scene below gives a sense of isolation and bleakness. And the composition of the piece with the stag is quite threatening but almost proud and brave. The perspective from below and strong use of colour makes it really successful.
Eyvind Earle
I love Eyvind Earle's fairy tale-like forest scenes, the colours he uses are incredibly beautiful and delicately used. What I particularly love about his work are the unusual shapes of the trees, and the perspective at which he has drawn them: you can see below he has drawn them as if he were standing in the forest, as you can only see the trunks and the tops of trees further away. I think this gives a really nice touch and makes it feel closer and more personal.
Jim Kay
I love Jim Kay's style of illustration and the freedom in the use of his materials. In his illustrated book 'A Monster Calls' there is an 'ink spillage' theme throughout which is carried through to the illustrations as well, and it fits very well with the frightening and tragic story. I also admire his choice to use just black and white in his illustrations - they work incredibly well and correspond with the themes of the story.
Other research links:
http://www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/2008/november/stanley-donwood-fleet-street-linocut
