Illustration Project Brief

BTEC Extended Diploma in Art and Design

1^st Year Project Brief

“It’s Illustration Dahling!”

James Carver-Grenside - Matilda

Specialism: Illustration

This Project addresses the following Course Units:

UNIT 38 – Mixed Media Image Making
Target criteria
P1		Use experimental and non-traditional graphic media techniques and processes
P2		Use mixed media in producing graphic image outcomes
P3		Select reproduction techniques towards graphic image outcomes.
M1		Explore coherently, experimental and non-traditional graphic media
M2		Design an effective graphic media product which uses experimental and non-traditional graphic media practices
M3		Explain, with reference to well-chosen examples, reproduction techniques used towards graphic image outcomes.
D1		Explore independently, diverse experimental and non-traditional graphic media
D2		Design an innovative graphic media product independently, which uses experimental and non-traditional graphic media practices
D3		Evaluate, with reference to detailed examples, reproduction techniques used towards graphic image outcomes.
UNIT 48 – Narrative Image Making
Target criteria
P1	Investigate relevant examples of narrative imagery
P2	Review the processes used in illustrating narratives
P3	Develop ideas for narrative imagery in response to given themes
P4	Present narrative imagery
M1	Apply detailed investigations to inform narrative image making responses
M2	Analyse the processes used in illustrating narratives
M3	Develop coherent ideas for narrative imagery using effective visual language
M4	Concisely present resolved narrative imagery
D1	Integrate in-depth investigations and evaluation with development of innovative narrative image making responses
D2	Present diverse imaginative outcomes which demonstrate skilful narrative image making

TIME: 7 Weeks

ASSIGNMENT OUTLINE:

In this project you will be responding to a piece of narrative text (selected from the works of Roald Dahl), initially through photography, which will give you the imagery to develop towards making illustrations in a range of media.

The final objective is to produce a book of your illustrations. Your final images could depict a sequence of events or you may wish to select and portray several different scenes from the same book.

WEEK ONE: Research and Storyboards

In the first week of the project you will need to select and familiarise yourself with a book by Roald Dahl, many of you will know these stories well, but refreshing your memory through some reading will help you to visualise characters and scenes more effectively.

A full list of Roald Dahl’s work can be found online at www.roalddahl.com but here are a few you may want to consider:

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr. Fox, George’s Marvellous Medicine, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, The BFG, The Twits, The Witches, The Magic Finger.

As soon as you have selected your text you need to start shortlisting scenes that interest you in terms of developing photographic and illustrational work. Choose at least 3 separate scenes. Now you need to deconstruct these scenes …what do they include in terms of characters? Props? Costume? Location? Make Up? (U48 P3, M1)

You need to consider all these things carefully as you will be need to be resourceful and prepared in order to get as good a photoshoot as possible. To help you prepare for this you need to complete several pages of storyboarding for your shoot.

Fantastic Mr. Fox Storyboard

 Use your storyboards to work out shot composition, use of props and location, camera angles and lighting. A good storyboard usually combines visuals with thoughtful annotation (U48, P3, M3). Find some good examples of these online and include them in your sketchbook with some analysis on why they work well (U48 P1, P2, M1, M2).

Remember a storyboard should be a functional tool that helps you resolve potential problems and prepare effectively, if it also includes strong drawing and good layout that is a real bonus. You may also find making some lists of props, models, costume, make up and locations required is helpful to your planning. Think ahead, if you need to book studio time then do this in advance (use photography if possible, otherwise a small space exists within the Art department).

This week you should also look at how others have interpreted the work of Roald Dahl, this will involve collecting imagery and analysing Quentin Blake’s original illustrations and films made by Tim Burton (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) & Wes Anderson (Fantastic Mr. Fox). (U48 P1, M2)

WEEK 2: Photography

This week you need to carry out your photoshoot(s). Remember the imagery generated from this shoot will be sustaining your work for the next 5 weeks. If you get fantastic photos you are already a huge step down the road towards a successful project, poor or limited imagery will make the next 6 weeks a real struggle.

Consider every aspect of your photos and be resourceful. If you have ambitious ideas about location shoots make every effort to carry them out, if you need time away from the college campus to do this, then this can be arranged, but staff must know of your plans in advance. (U48 P3)

Use your storyboards for inspiration and direct your models to get the shots you need, don’t forget that dramatic lighting and camera angles can help create powerful imagery.

Take lots of photos and print off contact sheets for your sketchbook. Select your favourite 12 images to start your illustrations from and print these out at A5 or A4. You may need to tweak your selected images with Photoshop to ensure you have optimum colour, definition and contrast.

Alongside your photography you need to research at least 2 photographers who explore narrative or fantastical themes through their work. Some good examples of this are Annie Leibovitz, Ruven Afanador, Viona Ielegems and Tim Walker (U48 P1).

WEEK 3 and 4: Drawing

Through weeks 3 and 4 we will be concentrating on making a range of good drawings from your photographic source imagery.  We want to see you explore drawing more thoroughly than you have done before: sustained studies, quick sketches and experimentation with a range of media, annotate and review your work as it progresses. (U48, P2, P3, M3, D1)

Research 2 narrative Illustrators from different eras to support this work, compare the styles and discuss how techniques of illustration have evolved and altered. Produce some responses to your own photographs in the style of your selected illustrators.

Suggested Historical Illustrators: Randolph Caldecott, Arthur Rackham, Harry Furniss, E.H. Shepard, Beatrix Potter, Sir John Tenniel.

Suggested Contemporary Illustrators: Chris Haughton, Oliver Jeffers, Neil Gaiman, Dave McKean, Shaun Tan, Catherine Rayner. (U48, P1, P2, M1, M2, D1)

WEEK 5 and 6: Printmaking and Mixed Media Experimentation

Some time will be focussed on producing strong monoprints and relief (gold card) prints from your photos. We will then use the work you have generated to this point in the project to experiment with a mixed media approach. Use the photocopier, drawn elements, text, image transfer, photomontage, collage, printmaking, paint, acetates, photoshop etc. to come up with some inventive responses. (U48 D1) (U38 P1, P3, M1, D1)

Research and analyse the work of at least 2 of the following illustrators to gain ideas for ways of applying a mixed media approach Eduardo Recife, Martin O’Neill, Tim Marrs, Dave McKean, Nazario Graziano, Mario Wagner, Eva Han, Tez Humphreys. (U38 M3, D3)

WEEK 7: Selection, Presentation and Evaluation.

In the final week of the project you will select, scan and save your best work from the preceding weeks then compose these images alongside original text from your story. You will need to make a small investment (approx. £15 - £25) at this stage to upload your images onto an online book provider (such as Snapfish, Mixbook, Shutterfly or Blurb) and order a hard copy. (U48 P4, M4, D2) (U38 P2, P3, M2, D2)

You should complete your project with a word-processed evaluation of 600 – 800 words (further guidance for this will be given out). (U38 D3) (U48 D1)

MINIMUM SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

A full detailed list will be given towards the conclusion of the project, but the following will all be required:

·         1 (or more) Sketchbooks with all the relevant research, storyboards, photography, drawing, printmaking and mixed media work.

·         A suitably bound book of your illustrations, alongside original text from Roald Dahl.

·         A word-processed Evaluation of 600-800 words.

REFERENCES: See the text in the brief. Use the Course Blog for additional guidance http://btecartblog.blogspot.co.uk/  use the internet, the library, your imagination!