Illustration & Visual Narrative / Project 3
05.06.23 - 30.06.23 / Week 10 - Week 13
Name: ALYSSA AISYAH BINTI 'ARIEF NASRAN (0364017)
Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative MediaFinal Compilation & Reflection
LECTURES
Week - 10 Chiaroscuro
Chiaroscuro
In week 10, we delved into the concept of Chiaroscuro, a technique that employs light and shade to enhance pictorial representation. Chiaroscuro serves several purposes, including:
- Creating visual depth
- Setting atmosphere and mood
- Conveying symbolism and metaphor
- Establishing visual hierarchy and focus
- Generating contrast and conflict
In the practical session, we explored Adobe Illustrator tools that aid in applying Chiaroscuro. We utilized the knife tool, shape builder tool, and clipping mask tool to create bold contrasts in images, elevating visual depth and enhancing the overall visual experience.
Fig 1.0 Chiaroscuro Practice
During the process, we used the pen tool to trace the images given. Then, we employed the shape builder tool to create shadows, adding depth and dimension to the illustration. Lastly, we applied a clipping mask to add texture to specific parts of the image.
Week 11 - Ornaments
Ornaments
In Week 11 , we explored the application of patterns, drawing modes, and the width tool in Adobe Illustrator.
Patterns
In Adobe Illustrator you can create patterns using self-made shapes by utilizing the pattern maker function, these patterns can then be edited in the pattern editing mode, where you can modify the geometric shape layers and their distinctive colors. When making patterns, it's essential to consider factors like tiling and seamlessness, which can be achieved through trial and error to ensure a harmonious and seamless design.
Fig 1.1 Pattern Making + Blob Brush Tool Practice
Drawing
In Adobe Illustrator, there are various drawing methods available. The brush tool and the blob brush tool are commonly used for their easy and fluid strokes. The brush tool creates strokes, while the blob brush tool offers three drawing modes:
- Draw normal: The shape is drawn on top of a selected shape.
- Draw behind: The shape is drawn behind a selected shape.
- Draw inside: The shape is drawn and automatically clipped inside the selected shape
INSTRUCTIONS
Task 1: Exercises
Project 3 of Illustration and Visual Narrative involves creating an digital triptych based on a selected story written by Edgar Allan Poe. We are to break down the narrative of the chosen story into 3-act structures of Introduction - Climax - Epilogue and create a 3 panel digital triptych illustrating each of the act.
Research
Before starting on my ideation and design, I first read through the stories provided from Edgar Allan Poe I was interested in. The story I have chosen to Illustrate is Eleonora, as it was one that intrigued me the most. The visual elements that can be drawn out from the narrative is very thought provoking, meaningful, and interesting as there lies several complexities in the story.
SETUP | Once upon a time, there was a man who lived with his beautiful cousin, Eleanora, in a secluded idyllic valley far from civilisation. Everyday both of them lived happily with each other until eventually becoming aware of their deep and profound love for one another. When this happens, their environment starts to change with new life bursting in its place, flowers began to bloom where they hadn’t before, the grass become greener, and the animals were more lively. |
CONFLICT | One day, Eleanora has a premonition that she will die and the protagonist will forget her, falling in love with a woman from the outside world. Because of that, he vows to Eleanora’s to never love anyone else, even after her death . Because of that too, she accepts his vow, and reassures him that she will continue to watch over him after death, and try to send him signs that she is still with him in spirit. After a while, Eleanora passes away and the valley becomes devoid of life and colour, leaving the protagonist grieving her loss though he keeps his vow to her for several years despite yearning to fill the hole in his heart. |
RESOLUTION | Until finally, the protagonist eventually leaves the valley and travels to a ‘strange city’ where he finds work at the court of the king. In time, he falls in love with a maiden named Ermengarde, and he marries her, though at the same time inside, he feels guilt and anguish for breaking the vow he had with Eleanora until one night he hears her voice in spirit, forgiving him for breaking his vow and wishing him happiness with his new bride, and he is finally able move on and find happiness in his new marriage to Ermengarde. |
Furthermore I have done further research on the story in order to better understand the underlying themes and messages that are intended to be conveyed by the author to incorporate into my design.
Story Analysis
In the story, there 2 major themes that can be identified
Major Theme
- The first is in the exploration of love and loss, the love between the narrator and Eleonora is portrayed as deep and spiritual, transcending earthly boundaries, one that is so powerful it is able to transform the world around him, breathing life into the valley they live in. However, this theme takes a tragic turn when loss emerges and Eleonora has the premonition of dying and becomes afraid that after death, the narrator will leave the valley for another maiden, this theme of loss is solidified with Eleanora eventually passing away, leaving the narrator devastated grappling with the pain of loss. This theme examines the intense emotions and depths associated with love, the anguish that comes with its inevitable loss.
- The second major theme that can be identified is the idea of transcendence and immortality. Due to the vow that the narrator had made to Eleonora after she describes her premonition, Eleonora returns this favour with a promise to the narrator that she would watch over him in death, giving him frequent indications of her spirit still being with him even if her physical presence could not be felt. After Eleonora's death, the narrator experiences a period of grief and mourning but eventually finds solace in the belief of Eleonora's promise from before and that her spirit has truly transformed to become a part of the natural world around him as he sees signs that affirm so. This theme explores the concept of spiritual transcendence, suggesting that love can transcend death and that the soul can live on in some form.
Minor Theme
As for the minor theme, there are a few things to look at
One is in conflict between duty and desire. The narrator struggles with conflicting emotions when a new love interest enters his life and becomes torn between his commitment and love he had vowed to Eleonora and the allure of a new love with the maiden from the distant land. This internal struggle highlights the tension between staying faithful to one's obligations and pursuing personal happiness
Another minor theme present is one of guilt and redemption. The narrator experiences guilt after falling in love with the new maiden, betraying his vow to Eleanora that he would not love another even after she had died, however this guilt is later absolved upon a night where he hears the voice of Eleonora’s spirit, apparently forgiving him for breaking his vow and wishing him happiness with his new bride, leading the narrator to feel relieved, and able to find happiness in his new marriage
Central Theme
Both themes intertwine to explore the complexities of human emotions, the sacrifices one may make for love, and the internal battles faced when confronted with conflicting desires.
Design Process
Based on the story I have broken down, I have created 3 sketches for the 3 acts, drawing inspiration from the 18th century for its setting and as the story is written in that time period. I have also taken a closer look at the fashion of the men and woman in that time and tried to create the outfits to resemble the period accordingly.
Fig 1.2 1800's Fashion Reference 1
Fig 1.3 1800's Fashion Reference 2
Fig 1.4 1800's Fashion Reference 3
Sketch
Fig 1.5 Act 1 - Love
To illustrate the first panel, I have drawn act one with the narrator and Eleanora holding hands and staring longingly into each others eyes in the scene of the 'idyllic valley' which includes a sunset a lush colourful greenery meant to represent how the valley came bursting in life when they had fallen in love.
Fig 1.6 Act 2 - Death
In the second act, I have drawn the narrator sitting next to Eleanora in her near death in her deathbed with lit candles in the background in a dark room to set the melancholic tone and mood of the act.
Fig 1.7 Act 3 - Resolve
In the last scene I have drawn Eleanora as a ghost looking happily at the narrator with his new bride, Ermengarde to represent the 'voice of Eleanora wishing him happiness' with the narrator looking back at her relieved with her wishes. The background is also set in a palace as it is mentioned the narrator has moved away from the secluded valley and finds work at the court of the king.
Digitalization
Once I had completed the sketches I then proceeded to digitalization in Illustrator. I have first created 3 artboards and imported the sketches into the canvas. I then lowered the opacity to act as a guide when illustrating and created the basic shapes of the subjects utilizing the pen tool and shape builder tool with the opacity lowered as well to better see the sketch guide and observe how the shapes overlap with each other for adjustments later on. I have also made sure to separate each element (skin, clothes, etc) by their own layers to stay organized. Furthermore I have cut some of the shapes with the knife tool to separate certain parts from each other as I intend on colouring them differently.
Fig 1.8 Creation of Basic Shapes of Subjects
I then moved on to creating the background for each scene using the pen tool, shapes tool, and shape builder tool. I have also used some of the previous vormator shapes I created in the first assignment for the 1st panel to create some of the smaller components such as the plants and flowers.
Fig 1.9 Creation of Background
Fig 2.0 Adding Outer glow
After finishing the background, I then went on to colour the subjects, I have also used the gradient colouring effect here as well to add depth and used the pen tool and shape builder tool to create the shadows for the subjects, cutting out excess pieces that are unwanted in order to make the illustration less flat looking. I have added these shadows in their skin, clothing, and hair using slightly darker values of the corresponding colour I am adding a shadow to.
Fig 2.2 Colouring Subjects + Addition of Shadows
Moving on, I then merged the shapes that make up the subject, Eleanora, and lowered the opacity of the in the 3rd panel as I wanted her to appear as a ghost. The merging is done so that when the opacity is lowered no irregular shapes appear/overlap each other.
Fig 2.3 Merging Subject Shapes
This is then followed duplicating the subject, merging it into one shape, and then changing the colour into a pale blue. I then added a glow using the outer glow effect + gaussian blur effect for the look of a "ghostly aura" emiting from her.
Fig 2.4 Lowering Opacity + Adding Glow to Subject
As a final step, I have made a single large separate artboard to fit all 3 panels. I have duplicated them, and moved them there on a separate layer as well as added a gold outline for the background with a gradient applied for a shinier effect.
Final Outcome
Fig 2.5 Act 1 - Love JPG
Fig 2.6 Act 2 - Death JPG
Fig 2.7 Act 3 - Resolve JPG
Fig 2.8 Digital Triptych of Eleanora JPG
Fig 2.9 Digital Triptych of Eleanora Outline
Fig 3.0 Digital Triptych of Eleanora PDF
REFLECTIONS
A significant takeaway I have learned from this project is the importance of thorough research and preparation. Before diving into my design, I spent time immersing myself in Poe's stories to choose the one that I found the most interesting. This process allowed me to carefully choose and consider how I could draw out the most meaningful and aesthetically pleasing visual elements to add to the triptych, furthermore researching the historical setting of the 18th century and studying the fashion of that time period has been vital in ensuring historical accuracy in my artwork.
The story analysis also played a crucial role in shaping the visual representation of the major and minor themes, by understanding the core emotions and conflicts faced by the characters, I was able to create a triptych that could tell the story without any words.
The design process, from sketching to digitalization in Illustrator, has been both challenging and rewarding. It taught me the importance of attention to detail, organization, and experimentation with various tools and effects to bring my vision to life. Creating the backgrounds and using gradient effects and glows helped add depth and visual appeal to my illustrations, enhancing the overall narrative.
I also learned the value of iteration and refinement during the digitalization process. Being able to work with multiple sublayers under main layers allowed me to make adjustments and stay organized which let to a more polished final product.
Overall, Project 3 has taught me the significance of research, storytelling, and artistic techniques in creating compelling visual narratives. I have gained a deeper appreciation for the complexities of human emotions and the power of visual storytelling in conveying these messages to the audience.
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