so after much soul searching and deliberation about what I wanted to do for my final major project I finally have a good idea.
let me tell you this wasn't easy, I went back through my collection of old sketchbooks rattling my brain thinking of something I could both enjoy and has enough subject matter to make a good project.
I noticed i really have a thing for drawing dragons, no idea why but it seems that in every sketchbook ive done there is a drawing of some sort of dragon in there somewhere.
seriously, every sketchbook dating back to 2010 has a bloody dragon doodle
that got me thinking about the project we did ages ago about mythology (even though I completely failed at it due to being constantly i'll). well the stars have aligned and i'm in better health than I have been for years so it looks like i'm doing something about mythology.
after doing some initial research (googling) I found myself drawn to the concept of bestiaries and with that in mind I came up with this brief:
*brief edited to include updated version 15/03/16
Name: Lawrence Matthews
Course: Illustration
Level: 6
Unit: PMP
Unit Code: ILL652
Credit points: 60
Study hours: 600 hours
Tutor(s): Joel Lardner, Paul
Roberts
Synopsis of study
Great art picks up where nature ends. Marc Chagall
For
my Final major project I will be creating an animated sequence revolving around
the theme of ‘bestiary’s’. Whist researching art history I came across this
type of book from the Middle Ages and became fascinated by its imagery. This
style of illustration and the subject matter, as well as how they were made,
has been my most recent fascination and so I have decided to bring one to life
using animation.
This
project will also serve as a means of showing a visual CV as I intend to use
multiple animation techniques and software to culminate in a final animation
lasting 1-2 minutes.
Even
as a combination of various digital software’s and animation techniques I hope
to keep the classical style that was so abundant in manuscripts and works of
the time, and so to that end, will be using line and watercolour / ink to
create an authentic feeling to the book in the animation.
The
software I plan to use for this animation is mainly, Photoshop, flash, after
effects, and toonboom, but all the initial work will be done using traditional
mediums.
Whist
modern bestiaries are nothing new in the world of illustration, having been
done by such artists as Jorge
Luis Borges, I have yet to see an
animated one. With the upcoming release of J.K.Rollings ‘fantastic beasts and
where to find them’ and the continued popularity of G.R.R. Martine’s ‘Game of
Thrones’ It is my belief that the interest in mythical beasts will soon spike
and thus be marketable.
Looking at
related works and narratives used in animations will help to both expand my
creative horizons and provide various points of reference. There is no shortage
of medieval illustrations of this subject matter with even the famed Leonardo
da Vinci making one, but for the stylistic influence I will be looking more
along the lines of
William Simpson,
Elia Mervi,
and works of the
Charging Image
studio.
Aims:
A1 To provide you with the opportunities to exercise and
enhance your
knowledge and abilities in the development of a body of
creative and
technically competent work appropriate to your course aims
and criteria at
Level 6.
A2 To provide opportunities for you to learn from the
increased complexity and
rigour of creative production required for this unit.
A3 To encourage you to apply the advanced level of
discipline and timemanagement
which are required during the unit.
A4 To encourage you to work independently, albeit with
supervision, in the
development of your work, in a way which reflects
contemporary professional
practice. You are also encouraged to work effectively as a
team member
where this is demanded by your project or subject
specialism.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this unit you will be able to:
LO1 Demonstrate the ability to rigorously apply specialist
knowledge, understanding and creativity in the production of your extended
major project.
LO2 Demonstrate the ability to manage the complexity of
practice demanded by the extended major project by managing your time and work
efficiently.
LO3 Demonstrate ability in the coherent use of various
representation techniques, documentation and presentations to specialist and
non-specialist audiences.
LO4 Demonstrate your awareness of the ethical, social and
cultural issues appropriate to the concept of a responsible professional
practitioner, whether working independently or as part of a team.
Assessment Criteria:
Evidence of realisation through the application of technical
knowledge and skills –
Specialist knowledge and understanding are evident and
applied in the work.
(LO1)
Evidence of understanding through critical evaluation and
reflection - Informing
the development and management of the project.
(LO2)
Evidence of realisation through presentation - The
communication and
presentation of ideas reflects best contemporary practice.
(LO3)
Evidence of knowledge of concepts, contexts, criticism and
theory – The work
demonstrates awareness of concepts relevant to the
responsible professional
practitioner.
(LO4)
Action Plan
Week 1,2: 11th Jan – 25th Jan
Week 3,4: 25th – 8th Feb
- brainstorming
- initial planning
- write new brief
Week 5,6: 8th Feb – 22nd Feb
- begin initial research
- initial sketching
- animation planning
Week 7,8: 22nd Feb – 7th March
- cont animation planning
- cont sketching
Week 9,10: 7th Mar – 21st Mar
- gif tests
- character sheets
- test character sheets
Week 11,12: 21st Mar – 4th Apr
- animatic
- start animation
- sound file gathering
Week 13,14: 4th Apr – 18th Apr
- finish animation
- polish animation
Week 15,16: 18th Apr – 3rd May
- extra time for fixing / runover
