EXERCISE 2.10: CHOOSING CONTENT

IF THIS WERE TO BE MADE INTO A FILM, WHAT WOULD THE MAIN CHARACTER BE LIKE?

– detective/ inspector/ police

– middle-aged male

– confident/ angry/ serious

– focused on justice

– working on cases

WHAT CLOTHES WOULD THE CHARACTER BE WEARING?

– long overcoat

– belted trousers

– grey suit

– hat

– polished shoes

– tie

– umbrella?

WHAT FURNITURE IS IN THE MAIN AREA IN WHICH THE ACTION TAKES PLACE?

– cold/ grey/empty/ dull room

– desk/ chair/ lamp/ telephone/ typewriter/ ashtray

– pen/ paper/ notes/ newspapers/ magnifying glass/ binoculars

– tea/coffee stains on paper

– large window – no curtains

SCOTLAND YARD – MOOD BOARD:

After answering the above questions, I made a Pinterest board with images relating to the ‘Scotland Yard’. I then chose images from my Pinterest board in order to create a more selective representation of my vision for the story.

GREY – TEXTURES MOOD BOARD:

After creating a mood board for the Scotland Yard, I chose the word ‘grey’ to focus on. I created another mood board by adding a selection of grey textures which will inspire the development of my illustration for the story.

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT – USING PROCREATE:

I then started to create my illustration, starting with the character’s face. I used a variety of different shades of the colour grey in order to add his features. I am not good at drawing faces of people and found it quite challenging. When it was finished, I was actually pleasantly surprised by the outcome.

FACE:

VIDEO OF DRAWING PROCESS IN PROCREATE:

ADDING THE BODY:

I then added a rough outline for my characters’ body.

ADDING GREY TEXTURES:

I added different textures from my grey mood board to create the clothes for my character.

MARK-MAKING USING BERRY TEA:

As I chose the word ‘grey’, I tried to think of interesting ways I could use mark-making to add colour to my scene/room. I remembered when I did the mark-making exercise, I used berry tea which came out grey once it was dry. I thought it would be fun to explore it more for this exercise. I tried out applying it using different ways, for example: using a sponge; using an old mascara brush; using an old toothbrush; using the actual teabag; making teacup stains.

CREATING A SCENE/ ROOM: USING THE MARK-MAKING SHEETS TO ADD COLOUR TO THE WALLS & THE FLOOR:

I experimented using different tea stain Mark-making sheets in order to add colour to the walls & floor to the room. I added windows & the reflection/shadows of the windows on the floor. I think it came out quite well & I was happy with the result.

ADDING THE CHARACTER IN THE SCENE:

I then added the character in different close-ups in order to see what looks best.

MOCK-UPS:

I also tried out mock-ups using other textures from my grey mood board.

BOOK COVER MOCK-UPS:

I chose the following close-up in order to create a book cover mock-up for the story.

REFLECTION:

This exercise was very challenging at first, but satisfying once completed. I thought I was going to struggle more with creating the characters’ face, but it actually came out really well. This exercise was a learning journey and I really enjoyed it. I think the use of the berry tea mark-making had a great effect to add the colour to the scene. I like the minimalistic empty room and the window & reflection/ shadow effect. I guess I could have added a desk with other items, but I am happy with the end result as it is.