LAUAN 603 - The Last Post

After receiving feedback from dotty on Saturday, I dashed to make all the changes like reordering my visual journal and major project pdf and adding context. I also polished off my Diner project with a 'how to make the jukebox' section. Ideally I would have added a 'how to make the cash register' section but the latter took such a painstakingly long time to make and was so mind bogglingly boring that I physically couldn't force myself to endure any more agony (sorry to be dramatic). I checked all my folders and exported and re exported everything like a thousand times ready for a rather anti climatic, drag and drop submission.
After speaking to Ben, I decided to take my work for Petra (puppets and backdrop) out of my 'major project'. Unfortunately, the images we have aren't great and might even bring the quality down slightly. Had we still be able to access uni, I would be able to capture them better but the available images aren't very flattering, nor were the puppets ever used as intended- which is a shame. Nonetheless I feel that my submission really is as good as it possibly could be, I've worked hard this year and have tried my best to persevere through this unusual end to a degree. I feel I've managed my time and myself reasonably well and have managed to stay upbeat and mostly positive about what I've been making. The diner project especially clarified for me that I wholly prefer to be off the computer working with my hand, making and crafting, which I'll always bare in mind. Having said all of this, I am glad to see the end of the work and start the rest of my life! Over and out

LAUAN 603 - Extended Practice Post 20

Last full week!

This week I plowed on with compiling all my practical work for my visual journal and major project and wrapped it up in a format that seems presentable. I have definitely noticed that my design skills are pretty weak so will absolutely be working on this post uni. I also added to my live brief blog posts, checked over my statement of intent and wrote my evaluation.
Feeling that I had extra time I managed to make some additional practical work for my Diner project. I made a jukebox and a till (cash register) from paper. I was really happy with these and I'm really glad I have something physical to go in the concept book. It makes it seem more complete and cohesive.
After receiving lengthy feedback from Dotty, my last two days next week will be very full, amending and altering my submission however, other than this, I feel ready to send off my work.

LAUAN 603 - Extended Practice Post 19

PP took up the beginning of this week with the submission on Tue. Afterwards I worked on compiling all the work from the Diner into an InDesign file. The writing was quite time consuming, especially the making manual. Seeing all the work together held mixed feelings. On one hand I feel it's not developed enough and lacks sophistication. I can't help but feel it falls short without the physical set. On the other, the document is 30 pages long, so it's quite complete. I'm pleased with the Maya renders and the final designs, so those are a highlight.
Additionally this week I completed my critical evaluation, project proposal and my final live brief. Next week, our last full week, I'll complete the design on my pfd book, run it past tutors for final feedback and compile all the sporadic work I have completed for this module into one place.

The file so far: 

LAUAN 603 - Extended Practice Live Brief (4): Free Sticker Friday

For my final live brief I was hoping to apply to the sustainability award. I had a conceptual idea to utilise the waste paper from different departments in the university to make recycled sketchbooks, involving a token characteristic of each department. However, due to the virus I couldn’t access the paper at university, couldn’t submit the books physically and didn’t have the resources at home to make paper. I was fond of this idea and will return to it when possibly. 

Instead, I decided on another Free Sicker Friday. Similarly to my last submission, I aspired to create a piece of work I was proud of and use the opportunity to practice my painting. Once more, I drew inspiration from nature. Imagery of animals is widely appealing and to fit the contemporary style of the brief I chose an unusual red and green tree frog. Choosing a slimy frog what a fantastic chance to practice painting something with high reflectivity and a slippery surface. I tried to incorporate lots of highlights and gloss to accurately capture his texture, working closely from reference. I do feel I could have pushed this further, I think he does appear slightly more matte than I intended. Despite this, I feel that I have captured the colours well and thought about the harmony of the dominating colours in the image: red, green and blue. Another skill I tried to utilise from the course is desaturating colours which gives the image a more lifelike quality. 

Secondly, I involved a Posca pen in my image. This was a nod to illustrative culture, where the pens are very popular. At the very least I intended to use this image as content for my instagram and thought that tagging the brand may win my page a small amount of attention. More conceptually, the pen offered a rigid shape to accompany the organic form. 

Once more, no win. I didn’t feel confident in adding a colour/ shape etc around the illustration to elevate it into a sticker as opposed to a a stand alone illustration. This was due to my lacking design skills. Therefore, this live brief has revealed to me another gap in my knowledge to fill post university. I will find another course to supplement my design skills. This brief has also taught me about painting high shine surfaces. Light is of primary importance in painting and I now feel abundantly more aware of this, which I think is shining through in my work. I will definitely be apply to Free Sticker Friday again in future as the benefits have been profound. Also, as these paintings have been such great exercises, I may make a small series/collection of them for the intention of social media.

Words:  458

My Submission:

Evidence Of Submission:

LAUAN 603 - Extended Practice Post 18

This week we had our final crit. I received positive and useful feedback:

- make the purpose of the making manual obvious
- look at 'design bibles' and 'style guides' for animation
- making manual should be very specific, inc measurements, textures
- think about the practicality of whats inside
- It should be nicely presented and aesthetically pleasing

Based on this I have further research to do on the presentation and design aspect. I may make it in InDesign or download a template and work with this. Design is not my strong point therefore I'll pour more time into this aspect.

With PP due next week, I didn't spend so much time on this module this week. I did manage to model, bake, paint and photograph my props. I felt confident in the modelling stage and I think the shapes of the props are quite successful. However when it came to painting I used guache (the only paint I had) which didn't dry or set well, hence the messy appearance. Research after revealed that acrylic paint is the best for super sculpey, so I'd use this next time. Additionally, my only paint brushes were way too big, resulting in a lack of accuracy.
Having said this, the purpose of the props was concept research. I really enjoyed the process but having never done it before I think I am lacking the experience.

Next week:
- finish off props
- start compiling set design concept book
- based off the feedback, I might write myself a brief to properly establish the purpose of the book

LAUAN 603 - Extended Practice Live Brief (3): Free Sticker Friday

I heard about Free Sticker Friday during a visiting professional talk. Every week Awesome Merch give away 100 stickers to 10 submitted illustrators. I decided it would be a good opportunity to practice my new digital painting skills. Additionally, I feel their contemporary approach to illustration would be relevant to my practice and it could be a good chance to create an interesting piece of work. After observing the previous winners on their instagram, I created initial sketches, pulling inspiration from my love of nature and aspiring for something unusual that would capture their attention. I deliberately chose organic shapes with bright colours to create an eye catching design. Furthermore, I thought a Victoria-style illustration approach would add a level of sarcastic comedy to the drawing. I worked closely from reference in order to achieve this style and create an image that was accurate. This painting took me approximately a day, maybe 6/7 hours. In which case, I would charge about £60-£100 depending on the client. I utilised the skills I had learned in my digital painting course such as considering a light source, blending and involving controlled textures. 

I am very happy with the final result and it was definitely a great exercise in painting. The content is clear and comedic but no win from this submission. This may suggest that I did not meet the brief as intended. If I were to improve, I would think about the submission as a sticker, rather than stand alone illustration. The shape of the painting may be awkward and slightly unappealing as a sticker. Therefore, I would add a background colour, perhaps a muted tone that exists in the image already, maybe an orange. Additionally, I may add a boarder to outline the shape of the sticker. If I critique further, perhaps having the legs on one plane would aid too in a more unified shape, looking closely they might be slightly crooked. To adjust the legs I would use the liquify filter, learned on the course. A more cohesive submission may have granted me a win, however for the sake of this exercise I am pleased with the result. It is a great window into how far my painting has come. I think that my personality is beginning to shine through. 

This exercise has not only affirmed for me the progression of my painting abilities but has shown me that a level of proactiveness reaps improvement. It has taught me that live briefs are a great expertise in idea generation and being gifted a brief can in fact be a great catalyst for innovation. I will carry this through after university by actively seeking live briefs in the industry to promote myself and as an opportunity to add to my portfolio. 

Words: 465

Sketches

Final Submission

LAUAN 603 - Extended Practice Post 17

This week I implemented the learning from the digital painting course and began painting the final renders of the concept art. I was planning to create another two paintings but decided the concept was captured enough in these three and it wouldn't be necessary.
Painting the light was a great exercise, it communicates a clear improvement in my digital painting. Additionally, it was definitely the right decision to model the diner in Maya as my poor perspective would have compromised the painting but my final outcome looks almost too real and not stylised enough. Perhaps it's because I've never painted in this way before and need more practice. Nonetheless I think the renders of the outside look good. Some feedback I received from Katy Gascoyne was to add more texture into my paintings and I think I have achieved that here. Overall I'm pleased with the results.

LAUAN 603 - Extended Practice Post 16

Although Maya last week was a challenge, I actually enjoyed the process. On Monday this week I rendered my Maya Diner and was very pleased with the results. After some lighting experiments, I chose simple lighting and a sky dome.
After last weeks 'digital painting crisis', I spent most of this week watching the Udemy course I bought. This was very time consuming and I didn't get round to painting until Sunday. However, once I did, I noticed a change immediately. My colour choices have improved hugely and my blending and understanding of light actually exists now. So although I am behind on the digital painting concepts, what I make will undeniably be better, had I not spent this week learning.
The Maya renders proved hugely useful, it was absolutely the right choice because the perspective is perfect. By the end of the week I had managed to block in the first painting.

On a personal note however and something to improve next week, my concentration and consistency working at home is very poor compared to at university. As a result I am not generating the quantity of work I should be. I have responsibilities here which distract me from my work and so I need to implement a stricter approach in these last four weeks.

Maya Renders

WIP Concept Painting

LAUAN 603 - Extended Practice Post 15

This was the week I tackled Maya. Which proved to be a mixed bag. I needed to use the software to produce a rough model of the set I was going to make, partly to use as background painting reference and partly as it's a tool used by set builders in industry, which I wanted to mimic.
On one hand, I actually began to enjoy the software, it was fun moving things around and freestyle extruding things. I got to know the software far better than I have ever before, I got to know a few key modelling tools and how to adapt them to create a desired shape. Everything was going very smoothly until it came to rendering at the end of the week, when I realised I had downloaded Maya LT, not Maya. And so followed a long day of uninstalling and reinstalling and uninstalling and reinstalling which was a pain but a valuable lesson. I will be rendering first thing on Monday.

Meanwhile this week, I had a small digital painting crisis and really lost faith in my painting ability, or lack of. To remedy this, I queued a lot of youtube videos to observe and learn the process of other digital painters I admire. The pinnacle of this was that I bought a Udemy course on the fundamentals of digital painting. I am acutely aware that two final products for this project will be the pdf concept art book and within it, (I'm aiming for) five fully rendered beautiful paintings of the Diner. Therefore I want to feel more confident about my painting. Hence the course!


Tutorials to watch:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHbLEgmQjcQ Shooting early man 
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPeqyGig0vQ Dig colour experiment watched
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPz8Xyt3z-w Dig painting fundamentals
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn5p1f3nfPE Izzy Burton process speed painting  
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj1FK8n7WgY Colour fundamentals  
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv9Eouofy2A Enviroment tutorial
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUd9EcNMMuw Environment painting process 
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nIC0RRIa5U&list=PLbQpJgGBKo2Kg3TggoG6gP8EbY5jkXoMA&index=5 Using textures in dig painting

LAUAN 603 - Extended Practice Post 14

This week I was working on concept art for the diner. This was a great exercise at improving my digital painting, I tried to push myself to try new things like overlays, gradient variations, brushes and adding texture. I downloaded a pack of concept art brushes which were aided in stepping out of my painting-comfort-zone. I feel my studies have been successful. I got to know the shapes, patterns, textures and potential colours of the space.
Sometimes I feel my painting has got a long way to come but I suppose these concepts reflect where I'm at currently. I tried lineless (bellow) and I don't really think it worked for me, so I'll stick to lines. Additionally, I used one of my favourite illustrators for inspiration, Cynthia Kittler. Her drawings are simple whilst still involving atmosphere and texture.
Next week I will finish with these and start modelling the diner in Maya.

Concept Art

Signs & Posters/Props

Cynthia Kittler

LAUAN 603 - Extended Practice Post 13

Starting on a personal note, this week was really slow because, due to the virus, I had to move back home. This massively disrupted my work flow, concentration and motivation. Having to pack up my whole life in a hurry, say goodbye to my uni experience and move back to my tiny room was emotionally and physically exhausting so needless to say I didn't get much done this week.
I did however, have a tutorial with my academic support lady, Jo, on Friday which helped put the wind back in my sails. So by the end of the week I managed to make a new schedule, complete my pencil concept sketches and begin the digital colour concepts. Jo also gave me an idea of how to present the 'concept art/making manual' book by putting me onto Issuu, a digital publication website.

- Example book: https://issuu.com/abiyasaadiguna/docs/illustration_portfolio_2019_abiyasa\

New Schedule 

Pencil Studies 

Exploring Digital Colour 

LAUAN 603 - Extended Practice Post 12

Coronavirus really arrived this week.
With self-isolation, everything moving online and shops closing down, I was seriously faced with having to reconsider my current work for Ex Prac. Initially I was planning to make a stop motion set, exploring a variety of materials but was forced this week to come up with alternatives incase this isn't possible.
After a tutorial with Dotty, lots of sketches and designs, brainstorming possible materials whilst keeping an eye on corona-closures, I decided I will not be making a physical set. This was a shame to admit but logistically it didn't make sense anymore mainly due to the foreseeable limited access to recourses and materials. Despite making a list of things, I knew from previous modules that I would need constant access to shops throughout the project. Also potentially being displaces, I wasn't sure whether I could make a set in my bedroom at home. Additionally, with submissions moving to an all digital format and not being able to exhibit the set, the practicality of working traditionally is now greatly reduced.

On one hand this could be a hinderance to my start in the industry. I was hoping that by designing and building a set, my portfolio would be more complete. Without it, it feels difficult to say I want to be a set designer. On the other hand, I have already produced work I'm proud of this module and know that I will continue to build on my portfolio and skillset after uni anyway.

So, moving forward. I managed to make the conclusion by the end of the week that instead I will make a digital 'set design & making manual' instead. This would be intended for use on, say a feature film where they might have to make a few, making the process easy and structured. This would involve me making everything, apart from the set. The advantage of this is that it's still set related but more centred around design, than building.

A bit of a different week but overall I think I have cooked up a good enough idea to keep me afloat.

LAUAN 603 - Extended Practice Post 11

On Monday Devon, myself and photography friend Fiona photographed the paper theatre. The shoot was successful, director Devon was happy with the images and we got all the angles needed for the film. It was great to see the work under the camera and even better seeing Devon's edited versions.

Most of this week was spent on my own set. I began research with a trip to the Media Museum in Bradford and although exciting to see the work it didn't necessarily offer me any specifics about set building. The trip however did help me come to the rough conclusion that I will be making an American style 1960's diner. Choosing to recreate something real solves my issues concerning lack of characters, narratives, story boards. I began to understand the shapes/patterns involved by making moodboards and drawings.

Finally I made a headway on Petra's paper puppets. The string rigging I was initially counted on ended up being too difficult to disguise, too fiddly and too delicate. So after a tutorial with Dotty, I decided the best option was to 'rig' the characters with blue tac. This way they won't break or move so much when animating.

Photographing The Theatre 

Edited

National Media Museum:

Lottie Reiniger

Andy Pandy

Sketch & Moodbards

Paper Puppets So Far

(Left puppet incomplete)

LAUAN 603 - Extended Practice Post 10

This week I completed Tamara's backgrounds (for the time being). Both she and I are happy with the outcome, it was a great chance for me to learn and explore with digital texturing, something that isn't a natural strong point. It was a small challenge to keep the backgrounds discreet as they aren't the stars of the show. I solved this by making all assets individual so Tamara (or whoever is compositing) able to remove/re-scale etc any details.

I also had a meeting with team Petra this week concerning the redesign of her paper characters. I decided I will make the paper puppets to help this team out which will be good experience and portfolio contribution for moi.

Additionally, I began really thinking about my set. I watches some videos on making tiny things to get the idea ball rolling. I made a schedule so when I start next week I know exactly where to put my focus. Alternatively to my work so far for this module, I'll be the sole decision maker, producer, director etc so it's important to get organised in advance.

Finally, I made some final touches to Devon's sets as requested. After adding paper plants, curtains and some more floor the set is finally ready for our shoot on Monday which will officially wrap up my contribution to this project.

My Timetable

Some Tamara Backgrounds

LAUAN 603 - Extended Practice Post 9

This week I finished Devon's set. I'm slightly less pleased with the outcome compared to the exterior set. I encountered more hiccups with colour choices, layout and consistency and I think it shows. This is not to say I'm not proud- I also learned from COP that things really come alive under lights and in front of the camera. The only next step for this project is the shoot.

I also got roped into helping with Petra's film again this week, making first draught paper versions of Rhys' character designs. After Terry Wragg's talk, I was inspired by her paper puppet rigging with thread and so tested this. As a mock up I think it works really well despite being quite delicate. I would use thicker paper and stronger tape in future.

Finally, I began painting Tamara's backgrounds. This involved sourcing, creating and scanning textures. I tested some out approaches which Tamara was happy with. They're quite quick to make so I'm aiming to have them finished by Sunday.

Devon's Theatre

Petra's Paper Puppet

Tamara's Textures and Final Background Aesthetic

LAUAN 603 - Extended Practice Post 8

This week I pushed to finish the first of the paper sets- and I did! I'm really happy with the outcome and it was really well received by my peers and director Devon. Completing this has given me confidence and self assurance to power on with set two: the inside of the theatre.
This week I chose colours and played with creating textures and mark making with paint, sponges and square brushes to make the theatre old and decrepit. I was able to have erected about 1/3 of the shape by Sunday which is pretty good going.
If I were to repeat this process, I would have used thicker paper to paint on, as after layers of paint the paper starts to crinkle. I tried ironing it which helped a little. Luckily the theatre is suppose to look textured and wonky so it almost works in my favour this time.

Next week I aim to have the theatre interior finished mid week, ready to start thinking about shooting with Devon, to wrap up this project. I also aim to have completed half of Tamara's backgrounds by the end of the week, which I think is achievable as they're quite limited.

Completed Theatre Exterior 

Final Lamppost Model in Maya and Paper 

 

Forced Perspective Background Houses

  

Theatre Interior So Far & Textures