Editorial Notes: Ed. 10 Submission

Thank you to Mary for placing it in the template and gving a little touch up.

Editorial Notes: Ed. 10 Final

This is to be my submission for editorial 10. It shows a brain supercharged. Although I used a reference book to draw the image, I don't think I quite have it right. Still, I think the idea is communicated effectively.

Like the face below this image is done in black ink, blue ink and white acrylic paint.

I did try to do it again, but made a right dog's dinner of it!

In the end, I've just left it as it is.

Editorial Notes: Ed. 10 another draft

Taking inspiration form my research I have come up with the above picture. However, I don't like it.

The image lacks finesse and the idea doesn't come across very well; it is supposed to show a supercharged head bubbling with energy. I shall try again and do it in a subtly different way.

It is done in black ink, blue ink and white acrylic paint.

Editorial Notes: Ed. 10 Research Part 2

Looking for yet more inspiration, and what exactly a New Scientist cover is like, I've found some images. Of course there are loads but these are bascically the ones I find most appealing and relevant so they are a good place to start.



These two above directly link to the being about the brain. I have to admit that neither of these images particularly appeal to me as an artwork on their own, but they do their job effectively as their conveyed message is easy to understand.



With the image on the left I love the detailed pattern. Whilst that image might not directly link to thinking about the brain, I find it so captivating I just had to include it for inspiration purposes. Likewise, on the right, we see an image not directly about the brain, but of dreams. One of my initial brainstorm ideas was to look at dreams and dreamy landscapes. Again, I find this image very captivating and I am tempted to revisit that idea of dreams.




Both of these images have approached the illustration in an X-ray type of way. The colour palette is very striking. The figure on the left cover is beautiful isn't she? The multitude of busy lines I find so full of expression. The image on the right, on the other hand, I find a little dull to be honest. These images are giving me ideas, in particular the strong but limited colour palette.

Editorial Notes: Ed. 10 Research Part 1

Since I m a little stuck for ideas when it comes to editorial 10, I have dug out an old book of mine called "Mapping the Mind" by Rita Carter first published in 1998. Not only is this book a fascinating read, it also has illustrations throughout.

Most of these illustrations simply demonstrate what the text is talking about, but on the chapter pages there are some really beautiful ones. A selection of my favourite ones are below. I am trying to use these as inspiration for my editorial 10 illustration.

The cover itself (pictured above) is an interesting image. It is reminiscent of the London underground map, but also of electronics - linking in with "supercharge your brain".




This image demonstrates the different between the two hemispheres of our brain; they are both so different in the way they function. On the right hemisphere there are some stone constructions sitting on top. This is making me think of power stations - perhaps a wind farm?



I've mostly included this image because I like it, but I also take note of the layout of the face on the right hand side.



Here we see a head with lots of other things other than a brain sitting in his head. Perhaps to take this idea for my editorial I could have the various things they talk about sitting in the head rather than the above objects.

Editorial Notes: Ed. 7 final piece

This is the final submission for Editorial 7. I have to admit I am really pleased with this editorial and the changed position of the outlined shadow works a lot better on this final version than the previous.

Editorial Notes: Ed. 10 Feedback

The feedback I receive during the group crit suggests that this image does not communicate the article effectively. I was worried about this and upon reflection feel that I am trying to be too clever. Perhaps it is a case of sometimes the most obvious answer is the best.

To this end, I need a total rethink. The article is about improving one's brain power via various methods and so that needs to remain my focus for this illustration.

I will definitely finish this piece off anyway simply because I really like it as a standalone image.

Editorial Notes: Ed. 7 changes

The picked out shadow has been moved as per the feedback. This was done manually.

Editorial Notes: Ed. 10 draft in template

Just had a quick play to see how it fits.

Editorial Notes: Ed. 7 Finals

The bottom image has the illustration showing slightly behind the text. I'm not entirely sure this is effective though and will most likely submit the top image.

Editorial Notes: Ed. 10 Initial Idea

This is going to be my submission for editorial 10. It is not finished yet; it will be full colour painted in acrylic. It shows a man travelling through his mind to ask the Gods to make him smarter.

Editorial Notes: Ed. 7 Improvements

Here is a run down of various options to make one of the figures different. The second one down is done with torn paper, but it is the third one down that appeals to me.

Not only is it reminiscent of a crime scene, but it appears to glow and I think will work very well with the complete image.

Editorial Notes: Ed. 7 Layout

Essentially, here are some examples of how I could lay editorial 7 out. At the moment, the only feedback I have is the white gap between text and image looks a little accidental rather than intentional. Otheriwse, I am torn between taking the image all the way to the top bar or not. My leanings are to keep the image in line with the top of the text box.

Editorial Notes: Half way thoughts

I think it would be quite insightful just to take a minute to reflect on the editorial race at this half way point.

Editorials 1 through 5 have been handed in, with only the results of 1 and 2 known.

I am very enthusiastic about this project. I love the cooperating in a team and competing against other teams. Also, I like the fact that there is always something new. Once an editorial is done it is straight onto the next one and so my mind is constantly trying to think of new innovative ideas.

Working in team for this is an interesting experience. Deciding who should be the primary person to concentrate on what was done very quickly. It was also decided that entering more than one for each editorial was a good strategic idea and the other members have added to the entries when they can. I am pleased all our styles and skill sets are so different as it makes our team very versatile.

The competition took me by surprise a little bit. It is far better than I expected if I am honest. I guess that's a good thing though!

Editorial Notes: Ed. 7

This image is going to be my entry for ed. 7 (not yet submitted at time of writing).

Feedback for this piece indicates I need to make one of the figures different. There are various ways I could do this and ideas include: White shadow either painted or with torn paper, one of the shadows has a white outline (as if dead), a different colour circle (all white/black instead of grey), or I could have a targeting reticule (like on a rifle scope) searching the area, or a shadow could have his arms lifted as if saying "I'm here!".

The idea I like at the moment, is to have a shadow sprawled across the floor with a white outline. There will be no grey circle this time. This will represent someone who has spotted and then killed.

Below left is my first rough/playing attempt. As soon as I read the article I pictured people being viewed from above exactly like in that image. Not only that, but the colour palette suggested made me instantly think of this piece by Jon McNaught:


Thus this informed my choices of where colour should go.

I thought I would have loads of figures (as in the final piece) but reproducing the same figure was proving really difficult. My solution was a simple grey circle, with a line of white to indicate where light is coming from. These circles may not look like people, but the shadows provide the human appearance.

I really like the monotony in these illustrations. Mine is painted in acrylic.

Editorial Notes: Ed. 5

This editorial was done quickly; mostly to try and take advantage of the fact that it sounded like a lot of people were stuck on this editorial, thus another first or second place was there for the taking.

The illustration is done in acrylic paint, except for the outlines that are ink. I purposefully watered down the green on the dress in an attempt to make it appear more like silk.

My initial idea was completely different and was to reference the night and day cartoon (that promoted 3D TV if I remember correctly). Two figures would have their backs to each other as if just had a row. Instead of clothes, the figures would have scenes of fields etc. One would represent morning, the other, night. However, I felt that idea a bit lacklustre and too pedictable.

So, this idea, much like the Roger Moore editorial, came from re-interpreting the title. Here we see a man considering the purchase of a dress. It could be innocent, a gift for his wife, but read the title: "Can you make yourself the person you want to be?" - suddenly this man appears to be going through a turbulent time in his life!

I was worried when I submitted this editorial that it did not clearly communicate the article itself, but felt that it was too funny an idea to pass up.

You may notice that the version handed in is a print out. This is because I did this on the back of another piece and I cannot show both sides at once.

Editorial Notes: Ed. 4

This colour pencil drawn image was never submitted for editorial 4 as simply it is not a winner. The idea was to draw upon her charity work with children and thus I drew in the style of children.

I attempted to expand upon it to make it contemporary (a quick rough in ink pictured below), but I felt it was not going anywhere and thus left it to focus on editorial 5. The main issues I felt were simply it did not look professional and in the case of the one below, they look like they are all on fire - however, that was supposed to reference Camila's often bright clothing.

Editorial Notes: Ed. 3

This illustration is done in acrylic paint and follows the block colours the brief asked for. To exaggerate that "block colour" feel I purposely left out any details, most of note would be the face and hands (I guess Radio DJ's are a bit faceless anyway).

There are no real notes on this one. I looked on google images for radio DJ's to take some reference, but other than that, this was my first and only attempt at illustrating this editorial.

Overall I think sits well with the article and it clearly shows a radio DJ talking, but without moving his mouth, through his hand expressions.

Editorial Notes: Ed. 2

Since there was plenty of time, the team decided we should attempt to enter more than one entry into each editorial. before we knew it, four of use were giving this one a go to get an early lead in the race.

I looked at work of the example artist, Emma Dibben (website here: http://www.emmadibben.com/), and influenced by her style I did this illustration in ink. Whilst blending the colours the image was gradually getting darker. This meant that I had to do a bit of editing on the computer before it was ready to send off. All I simply did was slide midtones up a bit.

I am pleasently surprised I achieved joint-second place with this illustration.

Editorial Notes: Ed. 1

The decision was quickly taken that I would do editorial 1 simply because I am confident using ink and I knew I could get it done on time. What I did not anticipate was how difficult it is to capture someone's likeness.

My early attempts at drawing Roger Moore were terrible. My initial plan was to do his whole figure to really make use of the space provided. However, it was not going well; not only could I not get his likeness, but it lacked visual interest - basically, boring. Those drawings have ended up on the scrap paper pile.

So, I had a rethink and taking from the title, the idea of him at a supermarket purchasing new knees appeared. I tried to make it comical and included a little boy to make it seem more "normal"; as if this is an everyday occurance that is no more dramatic than buying some vegetables.

To be honest, I did lose whether the central figure should be Roger Moore or not. I guess I left it open so it could be Roger Moore, but not necessarilly.

Regards the white space, I was aware it was a tall thin window to slot the illustration in, but I forgot just how tall and narrow it was. With hindsight, I could've included some more details in the foreground, such as another shopper, and some details above to flesh it out.

Overall I am pleased with the illustration, but feel it could've have been developed further to make better use of space and ultimately for a better piece. Also, in my haste, I think I lost the focus of the article.