Initial Ideas

After doing some research on artists who explore coast related illustration and design I decided to look into the illustration based artists. I feel illustration can be developed in many ways and I think it is a good starting point to expand ideas from.

Gillian Bates opened my mind to sweet illustration. Because I felt the outcomes from Charlotte Farmer were a success I decided it would be a good development method to look at this artist next. By painting, sewing and beading with materials I was able to create a strong illustration in the style of Bates. Scanning these illustrations into photoshop allowed me to duplicate the layers and create a repeat pattern. Because the repeat patterns were full of elaborated colour and depth I designed them onto purses too. This artist challenged the mediums I used, from painting, to digital to stitch I was able to create an outcome which was developed by all three mediums. I printed the designs onto transfer paper and then ironed it onto a piece of material. The purses themselves are professionally made with the inside being cleanly stitched. This outcome is an example of how I can use my initial ideas to develop further into mini outcomes.

Michelle Kettle’s work sticks to a soft colour scheme. She uses stitch on top of painted work to give it an outline with an authentic effect. Small pieces of material are interpreted to add a depth to the work and allows for an individual technique to be seen. When recreating her work I chose material similar to the pattern on Michelles original, although the recreation was successful and matched the style of Michelle Kettle I felt that her illustrations are a little simple and this is why I decided to extend my next work. By stitching seagulls and individually cutting them out I was able to scan them and create a busy repeated pattern with a range of the seagulls. I then photoshopped this onto a purse. Developing work onto merchandise leads to outcomes that could have potential for final pieces, advertisement outcomes.

Hattie Newman uses a very similar style and technique to Michelle Kettle but in a bolder sense. Her colour scheme is much more elaborate and colourful. I used the same method of creation as I did with the seagulls inspired by Michelle Kettle, however with the houses I used PVC (plastic) as well. This made my work more tactile. Hattie Newman also creates digital illustration which focuses towards sweet wrappers and lolly pops. Using Adobe Illustrator I created the lollypop image and the sweet wrappers. I feel the sweet wrappers are particularly strong and this is where I feel my final piece will steer towards. 

453 words