Stage one – Developing potential visuals
Using my content specification document I have been able to narrow down what subject should go with which activity. (Read the image captions to learn more)
Activity 1 – Learning a Language
I decided to use animals for this activity as they are universal and we approach them without knowing the same forms of communication, working with the theme of the exercise.
After selecting my chosen subject, I drew out a range of potential compositions and designs, creating a variety of options and examples.
After producing up to 8 of these designs, I developed my final design by combining my prefered areas into one. I admired the use of clouds on the bottom left side of the previous page combined with the circle, lines on the upper right and the fish from the bottom right of this image. I intend on bringing the design to life through bright colours using paints and pens.
I decided to chose a koi subject for my learning a language activity as it holds strong ties to Japan and works with the idea of being a fish out of water like being somewhere without knowing the spoken language. I also chose this specifically as it represents determination, ambition and independence as the Koi is known for travelling against the current and swimming upstream, therefore I feel it is an in context subject.
Activity – Mindful Colour
I began developing potential boarders and different imagery.
I focused on leaving space and framing, I feel these are more practical but I feel they lack in design.
I started this using ideas of bamboo, koi, clouds and waves; I felt the waves worked best as they hold expression in themselves and represent flow and continuous change. By parting the waves as a frame for the creative drawing or expression, I felt I could indiciate a time for yourself, almost as though we are parting the chaos for a minute of peace.
Activity – Drawing a Landscape
I felt using a natural landscape would be a camling subject for the viewer and so I mocked up some potential compositions for development.
After producing up to 12 of these examples I looked at each consdering how hard each one would be as well as how this would be broken down into steps using only four boxes.
I decided to chose the second design down on the right of my first page as it is very minimal yet detailed enough and can be transferable with its contents, making it a helpful task for the individual. I started breaking the drawing into steps, this was difficult as there are many ways to start this drawing and I felt certain subjects like the man and boat needed their own step by step boxes..
I tried out two different examples of steps to decide which would be easiest to aproach, working with my sister to see how she went on and help me decided which selection of steps is most effective..
I decided to go with the first set of steps, starting with the mountains. After I thought again about breaking down imagery into theyre own steps but I felt this could be ressolved by directional instructive accomanying text.
I focused on drawing simple natural Japanese landscapes for this activity, working well with my minimalist nature theme. I also feel landscape drawing is a good place to start as a beginner, as this doesn’t require symmetry or precision making it a basic starting point for people to begin drawing through steps.
FAYE TIKIC 