WHAT I HAVE DONE TODAY:
I built up layers of Fimo according to the wire frame and thickened Tez out according to his character reference, trying to adhere to his personality and physical symbolism attributes like his slinky, craftiness. Once I'd finished defining his details, like his toes and mask, I baked him to solidify him. However, the delicate bits like the head dress ornaments were shaped and cooked seperately so that they could eventually be glued on, making it look more realistic. Once it was suitably hardened I painted the markings on in two layers, and then varnished the mask, mirror and ornaments, but not the body, because I wanted his fur to stay matte so that the mask would look more artificial and less like markings. Once this was all done I got some green feathery material, cut it and glued it the back of his neck to form his mane.
WHAT I WILL DO TOMORROW:
As tomorrow is the last day of the project at college before half-term I will be busy tidying up the work space ready for the exhibition when we come back, so I don't expect to be as productive as I have been on previous days. However, I will make sure that I go back through my sketchbook, adding notes and highlighting as appropriate. It is worth noting that I am almost completely ready to set up my display. All I have left to do is Quetzalcoatl's model, the final poster and two storyboards, all of which I will do in the next week.
Thursday, 21 May 2009
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
20.05.09 -- Badges & model research
WHAT I HAVE DONE TODAY:
On tuesday I used the college's badge maker to create four batches of my final six designs. It took me a while to size them correctly, and the process took me a while to get into, but eventually I got into the flow of it and found it a very enjoyable process. These badges will be available to take at the final exhibition, to prove how effective it is as a merchandising and advertising technique.
Also, on wednesday, I collected images of models for merchandising from King Kong and Final Fantasy, as well as some images from Harryhausen's films to use as research for my own models that I intend to make. I have also put the article from Imagine magazine about him in my sketchbook as further evidence of research. I have chosen to create my models using wire frames and Fimo clay, so I have collected these ingredients and finally crafted the frame and began building up layers of clay for Tezcatlipoca.
WHAT I WILL DO TOMORROW:
I will finish off building up the model's layers and crafting the figure's details. Then I will cook it and paint it according to my character design.
On tuesday I used the college's badge maker to create four batches of my final six designs. It took me a while to size them correctly, and the process took me a while to get into, but eventually I got into the flow of it and found it a very enjoyable process. These badges will be available to take at the final exhibition, to prove how effective it is as a merchandising and advertising technique.
Also, on wednesday, I collected images of models for merchandising from King Kong and Final Fantasy, as well as some images from Harryhausen's films to use as research for my own models that I intend to make. I have also put the article from Imagine magazine about him in my sketchbook as further evidence of research. I have chosen to create my models using wire frames and Fimo clay, so I have collected these ingredients and finally crafted the frame and began building up layers of clay for Tezcatlipoca.
WHAT I WILL DO TOMORROW:
I will finish off building up the model's layers and crafting the figure's details. Then I will cook it and paint it according to my character design.
Monday, 18 May 2009
18.05.09 -- Badge designs & finished bookmark
WHAT I HAVE DONE TODAY:
I sketched some ideas for badge designs and introduced some vague washes of watercolour to get a specific idea of what they would look like in a circular format, keeping in mind my research. I picked out a few of these to proceed with and actually turn into badges, and although I originally only wanted three character based designs and a logo, I ended up choosing five character ones and a logo. Like the bookmark, I finished these designs digitally.
I also finished my final bookmark today. First I printed it on normal paper, then cut around it to leave a white border to embolden it. Then I traced and cut around the shape onto thin card and used it as backing to make the bookmark thicker, like the examples I looked at.
WHAT I WILL DO TOMORROW:
I will make my final badges tomorrow, as well as beginning the plans for my modelmaking. To do this I will look at the modelmaker Ray Harryhausen, after reading an article about him in Imagine magazine.
I sketched some ideas for badge designs and introduced some vague washes of watercolour to get a specific idea of what they would look like in a circular format, keeping in mind my research. I picked out a few of these to proceed with and actually turn into badges, and although I originally only wanted three character based designs and a logo, I ended up choosing five character ones and a logo. Like the bookmark, I finished these designs digitally.
I also finished my final bookmark today. First I printed it on normal paper, then cut around it to leave a white border to embolden it. Then I traced and cut around the shape onto thin card and used it as backing to make the bookmark thicker, like the examples I looked at.
WHAT I WILL DO TOMORROW:
I will make my final badges tomorrow, as well as beginning the plans for my modelmaking. To do this I will look at the modelmaker Ray Harryhausen, after reading an article about him in Imagine magazine.
Friday, 15 May 2009
15.05.09 -- Bookmark design
WHAT I HAVE DONE TODAY:
First I drew up some possible designs for my final bookmark, taking inspiration from the ones I'd bought and annotated for their specific qualities. In the end I chose an entirely character based design, giving Quetzalcoatl a more accessible, cute look and drawing him in a long, vertical posture to suite the format, so that his head pokes above the pages of the books. I then drew this idea up on Photoshop using my graphics tablet and coloured it so that it is ready to print tomorrow.
WHAT I WILL DO TOMORROW:
Tomorrow I will finish my bookmark and proceed with my badge designs.
First I drew up some possible designs for my final bookmark, taking inspiration from the ones I'd bought and annotated for their specific qualities. In the end I chose an entirely character based design, giving Quetzalcoatl a more accessible, cute look and drawing him in a long, vertical posture to suite the format, so that his head pokes above the pages of the books. I then drew this idea up on Photoshop using my graphics tablet and coloured it so that it is ready to print tomorrow.
WHAT I WILL DO TOMORROW:
Tomorrow I will finish my bookmark and proceed with my badge designs.
Thursday, 14 May 2009
14.05.09 -- Logo design & bookmark/badge research
WHAT I HAVE DONE TODAY:
As I said I would do yesterday, today I continued with the work on my logo. I did this by scanning in my three favourite samples, englarging them, reprinting them and then asking my peers to pick out their favourite on aesthetic principles, and then the one that looked most Aztec or Central American in style. To my surprise I found that the different questions received different answers almost every time, so I decided to merge the two designs. First, however, I started reproducing them in Adobe Illustrator, but found that the results were too sleek and straightforward. I wanted something with more roughness and texture to it, to imply that it is both ancient and Aztec. So in the end I drew some more designs with black and white watercolour that melded the two peer-chosen designs until I settled on one that really worked for me.
On wednesday I completed the research pages for the badges and bookmarks I bought earlier in the project. As I did with the research into logos and posters, I annotated and picked the merchandise apart so that I could understand it thoroughly.
WHAT I WILL DO TOMORROW:
I will continue the work I started on bookmarks and badges by drawing possible designs for my own merchandising, then set about drawing them up digitally.
As I said I would do yesterday, today I continued with the work on my logo. I did this by scanning in my three favourite samples, englarging them, reprinting them and then asking my peers to pick out their favourite on aesthetic principles, and then the one that looked most Aztec or Central American in style. To my surprise I found that the different questions received different answers almost every time, so I decided to merge the two designs. First, however, I started reproducing them in Adobe Illustrator, but found that the results were too sleek and straightforward. I wanted something with more roughness and texture to it, to imply that it is both ancient and Aztec. So in the end I drew some more designs with black and white watercolour that melded the two peer-chosen designs until I settled on one that really worked for me.
On wednesday I completed the research pages for the badges and bookmarks I bought earlier in the project. As I did with the research into logos and posters, I annotated and picked the merchandise apart so that I could understand it thoroughly.
WHAT I WILL DO TOMORROW:
I will continue the work I started on bookmarks and badges by drawing possible designs for my own merchandising, then set about drawing them up digitally.
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
12.05.09 -- Logo design
WHAT I HAVE DONE TODAY:
I used internet search engines to collect a variety of popular film and television logos including Jurassic Park and Transformers, as well as three film posters. I then annotated these images, picking them apart to acknowledge how they can easily imply the theme and genre of a film with only a simple shape, font of image. From this knowledge, which I paired with imagery from my characters, concept art, plots and research into the Aztecs themselves, I sketched some ideas and analysed them to pick out which was the most effective.
WHAT I WILL DO TOMORROW:
From here I will develop a final logo digitally, perhaps using Illustrator to create a smooth, simple shape. I can then use this logo for merchandising, in my poster, badges and potentially the bookmark too. Once the logo is fully designed I can create the final poster ready for the display.
I used internet search engines to collect a variety of popular film and television logos including Jurassic Park and Transformers, as well as three film posters. I then annotated these images, picking them apart to acknowledge how they can easily imply the theme and genre of a film with only a simple shape, font of image. From this knowledge, which I paired with imagery from my characters, concept art, plots and research into the Aztecs themselves, I sketched some ideas and analysed them to pick out which was the most effective.
WHAT I WILL DO TOMORROW:
From here I will develop a final logo digitally, perhaps using Illustrator to create a smooth, simple shape. I can then use this logo for merchandising, in my poster, badges and potentially the bookmark too. Once the logo is fully designed I can create the final poster ready for the display.
Monday, 11 May 2009
11.05.09 -- Concept art
WHAT I HAVE DONE TODAY:
I sketched out some designs for scenes, objects and weapons that have helped me further expand on the world I've created within this film, and backs up my understanding of my characters. For example, I drew rough sketches of Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl's temples, then introduced watercolour, using the colour to help with symbolism. This helped me to imagine what kind of environment their personalities would inspire, and how their colours and general appearances would influence their surroundings. Hence Tezcatlipoca's temple and city was portrayed as desaturated and arid, while Quetzalcoatl's is exotic and colourful.
WHAT I WILL DO TOMORROW:
I will research into popular logos for film and television, as well as posters, and will annotate them to identify their common themes, symbolism and composition. After this I will sketch out ideas for my own logo and poster, which will be created later on.
I sketched out some designs for scenes, objects and weapons that have helped me further expand on the world I've created within this film, and backs up my understanding of my characters. For example, I drew rough sketches of Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl's temples, then introduced watercolour, using the colour to help with symbolism. This helped me to imagine what kind of environment their personalities would inspire, and how their colours and general appearances would influence their surroundings. Hence Tezcatlipoca's temple and city was portrayed as desaturated and arid, while Quetzalcoatl's is exotic and colourful.
WHAT I WILL DO TOMORROW:
I will research into popular logos for film and television, as well as posters, and will annotate them to identify their common themes, symbolism and composition. After this I will sketch out ideas for my own logo and poster, which will be created later on.
Friday, 8 May 2009
08.05.09 -- Plot final draft & character profiles
WHAT I HAVE DONE TODAY:
I wrote up a final copy of my plot and annotated it as I said I would yesterday, but also completed three character pages. For these I printed off images of possible poses for the final digital images I completed earlier on, as well as a sketch or progress shot of the final one. I also explained the process of creating the final images with screenshots, and wrote up indepth profiles of the characters' personalities and appearances, how they link through symbolism, and how my research effected the final outcomes.
WHAT I WILL DO TOMORROW:
I plan on filling two pages of my sketch book with concept and scenery designs for various aspects of the film.
I wrote up a final copy of my plot and annotated it as I said I would yesterday, but also completed three character pages. For these I printed off images of possible poses for the final digital images I completed earlier on, as well as a sketch or progress shot of the final one. I also explained the process of creating the final images with screenshots, and wrote up indepth profiles of the characters' personalities and appearances, how they link through symbolism, and how my research effected the final outcomes.
WHAT I WILL DO TOMORROW:
I plan on filling two pages of my sketch book with concept and scenery designs for various aspects of the film.
Thursday, 7 May 2009
07.05.09 -- Narrative research
WHAT I HAVE DONE TODAY:
Today I researched into narrative structures, genres and typical character functions to back up my original plot. Primarily I looked at Todorov and Propp's theories as I studied them in AS level Film Studies, so I was already aware of them. I expanded this research into genres, looking up the foremost genres like horror, fantasy, childrens, etc. and defining them, as well as giving examples.
WHAT I WILL DO TOMORROW:
I will apply what I have found today to the original plot I posted here, rewriting it so that it adheres to everything I have learnt about my characters and the Aztecs in general over the course of this project. I will also annotate this plot summary to show how it derives from my research into narrative, the Aztecs and the films I watched earlier, and what the morals are and how they connect to me personally.
Today I researched into narrative structures, genres and typical character functions to back up my original plot. Primarily I looked at Todorov and Propp's theories as I studied them in AS level Film Studies, so I was already aware of them. I expanded this research into genres, looking up the foremost genres like horror, fantasy, childrens, etc. and defining them, as well as giving examples.
WHAT I WILL DO TOMORROW:
I will apply what I have found today to the original plot I posted here, rewriting it so that it adheres to everything I have learnt about my characters and the Aztecs in general over the course of this project. I will also annotate this plot summary to show how it derives from my research into narrative, the Aztecs and the films I watched earlier, and what the morals are and how they connect to me personally.
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
06.05.09 -- Yaotl digital and merchandise research
WHAT I HAVE DONE TODAY:
Today I wasn't at college as I had a doctor's appointment in the morning. However, I found time in the afternoon and evening to work on Yaotl's final digital image and finally completed it ready to be printed larger for the exhibition.
I also recieved the clay I ordered several days ago, so I'm ready to begin the three dimensional section of the project.
WHAT I WILL DO TOMORROW:
Revise what I have to do in the second, merchandising part of the project as well as setting out how I came up with my film plot, name and character ideas in my workbook. I will also photograph the character models from films I have bought in the past as research for posing and methods for my three dimensional work, and will collect posters to understand the layout and design for my own.
Today I wasn't at college as I had a doctor's appointment in the morning. However, I found time in the afternoon and evening to work on Yaotl's final digital image and finally completed it ready to be printed larger for the exhibition.
I also recieved the clay I ordered several days ago, so I'm ready to begin the three dimensional section of the project.
WHAT I WILL DO TOMORROW:
Revise what I have to do in the second, merchandising part of the project as well as setting out how I came up with my film plot, name and character ideas in my workbook. I will also photograph the character models from films I have bought in the past as research for posing and methods for my three dimensional work, and will collect posters to understand the layout and design for my own.
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
05.05.09 -- Finished character design (3/3)
WHAT I HAVE DONE TODAY:
Today I finished up Quetzalcoatl's design completely, after having some trouble deciding on his head dress design and the even distribution of colours. Some of his tests used too much green, considering that his body is itself composed of different shades of green. In the end I paid homage to the original Aztec drawings of Quetzalcoatl that used a balance of green, red and yellow, all light, natural shades to symbolise his similar traits as a God. I annotated these drawings as well to show the progression of thoughts, ideas and corrections. So that means I've finally completed all three character designs completely ready for the final digital depictions.
WHAT I WILL DO TOMORROW:
I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow, so will be unable to attend college. However, I will work on the digital drawings whenever possible during the day, hopefully finishing the female warriors second final drawing.
Today I finished up Quetzalcoatl's design completely, after having some trouble deciding on his head dress design and the even distribution of colours. Some of his tests used too much green, considering that his body is itself composed of different shades of green. In the end I paid homage to the original Aztec drawings of Quetzalcoatl that used a balance of green, red and yellow, all light, natural shades to symbolise his similar traits as a God. I annotated these drawings as well to show the progression of thoughts, ideas and corrections. So that means I've finally completed all three character designs completely ready for the final digital depictions.
WHAT I WILL DO TOMORROW:
I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow, so will be unable to attend college. However, I will work on the digital drawings whenever possible during the day, hopefully finishing the female warriors second final drawing.
Monday, 4 May 2009
04.05.09 -- Yaotl digital and merchandise research
WHAT I HAVE DONE TODAY:
I drew out two versions of the woman's final image and researched appropriate names for her. This research will form an additional page in my workbook, but I eventually settled on the name Yaotl (yah-tl) that means 'battle' in Nahuatl. I didn't really like my first image of her because it felt too two-dimensional and frigid, without any of her warrior spirit. The second one I drew was much rougher and sketchier, but I think this style works better for the project as it is more raw and aggressive, matching the issues brought up in the plot. This new one is still being worked on, bt I hope to finish it before the end of the week.
I also went shopping for merchandise as research today. I bought three packs of four badges for the TV show Lost, and the films Napoleon Dynamite and The Dark Knight. They are all from different genres, aimed towards different demographics, so writing about my findings will be incredibly useful to the next part of the project. I also bought five bookmarks with various themes and graphics on them, ranging from Winnie the Pooh to fairies, that I will also fix to my workbook and write about.
WHAT I WILL DO TOMORROW:
Finish the Quetzalcoatl section and fully annotate all my character tests.
I drew out two versions of the woman's final image and researched appropriate names for her. This research will form an additional page in my workbook, but I eventually settled on the name Yaotl (yah-tl) that means 'battle' in Nahuatl. I didn't really like my first image of her because it felt too two-dimensional and frigid, without any of her warrior spirit. The second one I drew was much rougher and sketchier, but I think this style works better for the project as it is more raw and aggressive, matching the issues brought up in the plot. This new one is still being worked on, bt I hope to finish it before the end of the week.
I also went shopping for merchandise as research today. I bought three packs of four badges for the TV show Lost, and the films Napoleon Dynamite and The Dark Knight. They are all from different genres, aimed towards different demographics, so writing about my findings will be incredibly useful to the next part of the project. I also bought five bookmarks with various themes and graphics on them, ranging from Winnie the Pooh to fairies, that I will also fix to my workbook and write about.
WHAT I WILL DO TOMORROW:
Finish the Quetzalcoatl section and fully annotate all my character tests.
Friday, 1 May 2009
01.05.09 -- Quetzalcoatl and colour (2/3)
WHAT I HAVE DONE TODAY:
I stuck in the little doodles of Quetzalcoatl in pure watercolour that I did last week to test out his form and fluidity, as well as his colour scheme, last week. This was an interesting experiment, as I didn't want all three characters to be brought about by the same method. Instead I have two characters drawn simply in pencil first and then coloured, and one where the colours formed the character. However, because all three were based off of Gods and I had distinct colour schemes in mind inspired from old Aztec depictions of these Gods, this differing process didn't matter so much. Though I did prefer the process I went through with Tezcatlipoca and the woman moreso.
Also, I went through and added colour to all my sketches, splashing on ink and colour pens and oil pastel to realise which was the most appropriate medium to work in for his project, and annotated all my findings. So now have completely final ideas for Tezcatlipoca and the woman ready to start their final digital images.
WHAT I WILL DO TOMORROW:
As I will not be in college tomorrow I won't be able to finish Quetzalcoatl's pages, but I will instead start working on the digital images and research for the final merchandising and promotional aspect of the project.
I stuck in the little doodles of Quetzalcoatl in pure watercolour that I did last week to test out his form and fluidity, as well as his colour scheme, last week. This was an interesting experiment, as I didn't want all three characters to be brought about by the same method. Instead I have two characters drawn simply in pencil first and then coloured, and one where the colours formed the character. However, because all three were based off of Gods and I had distinct colour schemes in mind inspired from old Aztec depictions of these Gods, this differing process didn't matter so much. Though I did prefer the process I went through with Tezcatlipoca and the woman moreso.
Also, I went through and added colour to all my sketches, splashing on ink and colour pens and oil pastel to realise which was the most appropriate medium to work in for his project, and annotated all my findings. So now have completely final ideas for Tezcatlipoca and the woman ready to start their final digital images.
WHAT I WILL DO TOMORROW:
As I will not be in college tomorrow I won't be able to finish Quetzalcoatl's pages, but I will instead start working on the digital images and research for the final merchandising and promotional aspect of the project.
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