Final Design Ideas

Experimentation/Final Design Ideas

I have used different mixed media to create different aspects of my insect for my final design. For the wings of my insects I decide to use bleached tissue paper and fine liner to extend the veins in the wings. I used light and dark blue oil pastels around the exterior of the wing. For the segments of the body I used watercolor paints, pastels and fine liner. I thought both of these techniques worked well and were very effective.

Watercolor pastels: For the body of this chosen design idea I used watercolor paints with layered white pastel on the back to highlight the body. For the wings I used pencil crayons. I shaded bits of the wings in to make it look more like wings.

PVA, Ink, String: For this picture I used ink and PVA for the body and head. Sting for the antenna and experimented with material, ink and fine liner to make the wings. I think these mixed media worked well together.

Another design idea I did used lots of different media and I found this design the most effective. I used fine liner for highlighting the segments of the insect. I used tissue paper and bleach for the wings as it makes the wings look delicate. On this study I decided to use material to give it some texture. I put acrylic paint dots onto it to make it look more insect like. I used a toothbrush to splatter paint on the underside of the insect I used acrylic paint. For the mouth of the insect I used acrylic paint splattered with a paintbrush and painted the ends.

My Own Studies

My Own Studies

Task 1

As part of our first Task we were asked to choose two different insects from a selection of studies and produce four of our own representations. The first two representations which I produced were first drawn in pencil and then layered over with fine liner. I found this quite easy as I only had to draw the outline of the insect. The second set of representations I produced were using pencil. These were slightly more difficult as they used shade and tone. The pencil studies turned out to be more effective as I was able to add detail. However I do think the fine liner studies worked well as they were simplistic.  

Task 2

The second task was to produce some studies of our own made up insects. To do this I used a collaging technique. Firstly I chose a few different insects and then used different parts of each of their bodies to make a new insect.

The first insect I created was using a witchetty grub’s body and adding different parts of other insect’s bodies. Firstly I gave the insect wings from an image of a dragonfly as this changed the ability of the insect as I could fly and escape danger. Secondly I added an antenna from an image of an ant. This will help my insect to feel around. Thirdly I took a tail from an image of a scorpion. Adding this gives the insect a defence mechanism. Finally I took legs from an image of a cockroach. This will help my insect to move faster. I liked the final outcome of my insect. 

The second insect I created was formed originally from the body of a cockroach. I liked the shape of the body. I added a wing from an image of a moth. This was able to change the ability of my insect as it can now fly. Secondly I have taken some legs from an image of a stag beetle. Adding these enables the insect to have mobility. Finally I took part of an image of a stag beetle. The part I chose was the beetle’s pincers. Adding this part of the insect gives it a defence mechanism.  

Finally I created an insect from an image of a ladybird. I added a wasps head because I liked the shape of the eye, I also added a wing from the wasp so now the insect is able to fly. i added an extra leg from a cricket so the insect had more legs. 

Experimenting with Pattern

I chose three different patterns to add to my design ideas for my insect studies. The patterns included spots, stripes and a rainbow arched pattern. I thought it would be good to have a range of different patterns as it helped me to be creative. I would like to experiment with these patterns by adding colour and using different mixed media materials.

The studies below show my experimentation with collaging and drawing to make different designs for my final idea. 

1) The original insect was a caterpillar. I added the wings from an image of a dragonfly. Adding this gives my insect the ability to fly away and escape danger. I have also added an antenna from an image of an ant. This will help my insect feel around. I have taken this tail from an image of a Scorpion. Adding this gives the insect a defence mechanism. I have taken the legs from an image of a cockroach. This will help my insect to move faster. 

Next I drew the insect out and then experimented with different patterns. The spotted pattern was taken from a ladybird. The striped pattern was my own idea as it was very different from the spots. And the final pattern included a swirl effect which I thought would help me to introduce bright colours like a rainbow.

Samples

Pencil Samples

Line drawing - The task was to create line drawings. The first example was drawing straight lines and changing the applied pressure. Next we were asked to do a line drawing with a consistent weight wave. This was drawing wavy lines but keeping the same pressure when using the pencil. The next technique was using a blunt pencil to create straight 'short burst' lines. Ensuring to leave a gap inbetween. Finally using pencil again I created a drawing using a continuous figure of 8 line, using varied pressure.

I found the straight 'short burst' line techniques the easiest to draw however when drawing the figure of 8 piece I found it difficult to keep one continuous line.

I think the first piece I drew with the straight lines was the most effective because it looks like a wooden surface. 

Pattern and texture through mark making - The first pattern I created with the pencil was an angled zig zag. I found it difficult to keep the pencil at a diagonal angle so the pattern I created appeared to be more vertical. Next I did a chevron pattern using small arrow pointed shapes in lines (staying continuous). I did however struggle to keep the chevron shapes the same size which resulted in my pattern going slightly diagonal. The next technique I used was 'squiggle' I found this technique quite easy as I was able to remain consistent with the weight of my pencil. The final pattern I created was a 3 way wave. 

I struggled to draw the wave at an angle, so my lines all appear horizonal. I thought the most effective pattern to create a texture was the squiggle technique.

Additional Pencil Samples

I used a 2B pencil to draw three different samples. The first sample consisted of varying the pressure of my pencil from the top to bottom which gave the sample its own tone. The second and third samples involved the same technique when applying the pencil however this time I used an eraser to make different marks over the top of the pencil.  

I think the best sample was the third one because it created a texture which looked like rain.

Graphite Samples

I used Graphite to make three different samples. The Graphite was applied to same in each sample initially. However on the second sample I drew thick lines over the top using the edge of the Graphite. And on the third sample I used an eraser to make lines on top of the Graphite. 

I think that the second sample was the most effective. The grainy effect of the Graphite makes it look like the ground or a path so it could be used as a texture in an example. 

Charcoal Samples

Here I have used charcoal to create four different samples. The charcoal was applied in the same way each time. The first example was just charcoal which was smudged to blend in. The second and third samples were using an eraser to create marks on top of the charcoal. And the fourth example used layered thick lines over the top of the charcoal. 

I found the charcoal easy to apply as it was light and easy to manipulate. However I struggled using the eraser for the mark making. 

Ink Samples

These samples were created using a mixture of ink, water and oil pastel. The first sample was ink mixed with water. I started off by applying the ink quite thick at the top and then slowly adding more water to create some tone. The second sample was created using white oil pastel with ink applied over the top. This is called the wax resist technique which means that when you apply the ink over the top of the oil pastel it doesn't cover where the oil pastel is. The third sample was quite difficult. This involved using a willow stick and applying the ink by dabbing the paper with the end of the stick. And the final sample was also using a willow stick and ink but using horizontal lines. 

I found using the willow stick difficult as the ink ran out quite quickly. I think the best technique was the wax resist because it looked quite effective. I would like to use this in one of my following examples.  

Unconventional Material Samples

These samples used unconventional materials. The first sample was using a teabag for the background. I then layered coffee over the top using a cotton bud which created a speckled pattern. The second sample was coffee concentrate. This was applied using a paintbrush dipped into coffee with hardly any water. 

I found applying the coffee concentrate was easier as I was able to manage and manipulate the paintbrush. 

The first sample here was using a teabag and a paintbrush. The second sample was using a toothbrush dipped into coffee concentrate and flicked onto the paper. 

I found using the toothbrush difficult as it was hard to manage. However applying the tea with the paintbrush was easy. 

Acrylic Samples (With Other Mixed Media)

The first sample used black and white acrylic paint spread with a glue spreader. The second sample was using black acrylic paint and toothbrush. I applied the paint on the toothbrush and then flicked it onto the paper. 

I preferred using the glue spreader as it was easy to mange and I think it looked more effective as a texture. It reminded me of a marble floor. 

The first sample was applied using my fingers dipped into acrylic paint. I smudged the white and black paint in each other. The second example was using watered down ink with white acrylic paint sponged over the top. 

I think the first sample looked better and was easier to apply than the second. 

For the first sample here I painted the background with watered down black acrylic paint and then sponged over the top with white acrylic. The second example was created by layering white acrylic on top of newspaper. 

I found the first sample easier to do as applying the paint with a paintbrush was easier to manage. And i also think the outcome of this sample as a texture was more effective.  

The first sample here was created using coffee concentrate with watered down white acrylic paint over the top. The second sample was torn brown paper with white acrylic in the foreground which was applied using my fingers. 

The first sampled turned out better as it looked more like a texture. It reminds me of fog. 

This sample was one of my own additional studies which combined black acrylic for the background and with white acrylic applied over the top with a cotton bud. Both colours worked well together as they contrasted one another. 

Acrylic Samples

Here I have used acrylic paints to show the Primary colors which are red, yellow and blue. Using these primary colors I have then mixed them together in three different ways to make three secondary colors which are green, orange and purple. 

These samples are all made using acrylic paint. The first samples are mixing dark blue with brighter colors such as yellow and red. I have also used a cotton bud to dab on the paint to give the sample a texture. I found this paint easy to manipulate. 

The second collection of samples are again using acrylic paints however they are mixed with white. Using the white paint again created more new colors (a lighter yellow, a lighter blue and pink). 

I found all of the samples easy to create as the acrylic paint was easy to manage. I found using a paintbrush easier than the cotton bud as the cotton bud was smaller and therefore difficult to hold. 

Watercolor Samples

These sample were created using watercolor paints. The first sample was using different watercolors and blending them into one another to create a rainbow effect. I found this sample easy to do and thought it created a good texture. This gave me inspiration to create a sunset in one of my further examples. 

The second sample was again created using watercolor paints however this one was left to dry and then had more watercolor painted over the top in solid lines. I found this sample easy however it was difficult to keep all of the lines the same. 

Additional Watercolor Samples

These four samples were created using watercolor with different materials underneath. The first one was using string. I first had to use PVA glue to glue the string to a piece of cartridge paper and then once dry add the watercolor paints over the top, I think this created a good texture. The second sample was created using PVA glue with watercolor paint applied over the top whilst still wet. I think this worked well and found the paint set into the glue which created a good texture. The third sample was created using oil pastel with watercolor paint over the top. This meant that the paint resisted the oil pastel leaving the oil pastel clear to see. The final watercolor sample was created using masking tape. I stuck the masking tape onto a piece of cartridge paper and then applied the watercolor paints over the top. I thought this looked effective but may have looked better with a different choice of colors.      

Oil Pastel Samples

These sample were all made using oil pastels in the same technique but creating a different pattern each time. For each sample I layered two different colors of oil pastel over each other. I then used scissors to scratch out a pattern onto each. Using the scissors revealed the first layer of oil pastel through the other. The first one was a scribble effect. the second a zig zag effect, the third and fourth were both scratching out straight lines in different ways. 

Felt Tip Sample

Finally I used felt tip pens to create another sample texture. I used crosshatching with three different colored felt tips. I found it difficult to control the felt which meant my lines weren't consistent. 

Artist Research

Artist Research

I chose this study of an artist’s illustration of a beetle because I liked the mark making. I think it is a good representation. I think I could re-create this by doing a background of pencil or charcoal and then adding white acrylic paint on a sponge over the top. I would then add more detail using pencil.

I chose this artist illustration of a praying mantis because it looks realistic. The artist has been able to add different colors and fine detail. I order to re-create this myself I would firstly use watercolors to create the background. I could also use a wax resist technique where there are highlights to create a texture of the outer layer. I think I would use pencil crayons for the face and use different shades of green for highlights and shadows.

 I like the detail in this artists impression of a grasshopper. I also like the way that it looks 3D as if it is coming off the page. I think the colours that the artist has used are realistic and I like the tone. I would re-create this using pencil crayon as it would be good for showing the different colours and textures.

I chose this artists impression of a dragonfly because I like the way it has been layered. There is a nice coloured background with the insect drawn on top. I think I could re-create this by using watercolors or coloured ink for the background. Then I could draw the insect over the top in fine liner.