Unit 6 - Illustration Process

As previously mentioned, my vision for my animation background illustrations style, theme and content are centred around an organic, wood furnished living area covered in plants with hints of magic from books, potions and more! I want this room to feel homely and familiar to our era but, at the same time convey traces of excitement hinted in with a fantasy charm. 


My envisioned illustrations style was influenced and inspired by artwork by Jasmine Lai and Lane Garrison regarding their professional background illustrative work. Throughout the Illustration process I studied and reflected upon why I found their work to be appealing and ensured that I incorporated my findings deep within my own content. At each stage of the illustration process I placed great importance into the time I spent reflecting and considering multiple approaches from both visual narrative conveyance and artistic technical quality.

Line work

After scanning in my initial line work into Adobe Photoshop I made slight technical adjustments, setting up the document, ready for the creative process to begin. This technical setup consisted of adjustments with the white and black levels on the line work layer. This makes the line work more defined and easier to view later in the process. 

Shading

Straight into the action! When researching and analysing artwork I discovered that a sure-fire method at creating a believable and organic environment is to establish shadows throughout the concept. During my process, It was important to myself that I ensure I establish the correct use of shadowing. Shadows behave differently depending on the distance between the source and the object. As well as the strength of the light source.

In my Illustration, the only source of light was coming from the garden door and a window above. The lights source was coming directly from the sun at mid-day. Therefore, the light was very strong casting a firm shadow throughout the house. When deciding how the object will react to the light it was also important I take consideration into how the 3d forms my line work represents affect the conceptual light source. 

Overall adding shadow to an illustration not only makes the image more organic but it allows the line work to support the vision of representing 3d form. This stage in the illustration has increased my understanding in 3d form as a side effect to the process by allowing me the opportunity to consider such things. 

Shadow darkening and stylized noise application

Continuing in my process I studied Jasmine Lai’s use of shadowing through own illustrations and concluded that my initial interpretation of light regarding the sun was out slightly. I increased the darkness of shadowing in reflection to the idea that a midday day sun is bright and therefore would cast a darker shadow.

Whilst exploring Jasmines illustration I also discovered that she made good use of 'Grainy' Detail with brushes when conveying shadowing. This is more of an artistic choice on her part but it is something I found appealing and was happy to adopt into the illustration to further the charm I was aiming for. This adaptation in style compliments the organic approach I was aiming for. 

Lighting ambience via Shadow gradient

Although In the previous stages of my creative process I had thought that I had completely exhausted the opportunity’s lighting offered me when it came to conveying information and increasing the technical quality of my illustration, I came to an epiphany which transformed my perspective.  

Lighting, even bright lighting from the sun, is not a constant. Lighting loses its strength when traveling over distances. Therefore, by making an adjustment on areas without shadowing I can further transform the expression my illustration gives, completely adding a new layer of ambience to the room. Keeping in mind the 3d form my room has, I added gentle lighting gradients across the floorboard, walls, table tops and objects within the room.

As seen above something as simple as a well thought out gradient adds a great degree of ambience causing the room to feel more genuine, realistic, and organic in nature. Essentially by taking this into consideration a great amount of depth can be added to the value within an image raising the bar in technical quality.  

Window highlight

 Throughout my illustrative studies in art an important thing I've learnt about lighting is to not just focus on darkness but also on high lights. This fact was kindly reminded to me by my lecturer when I asked for his opinion on my development so far, and how right he is! Highlights throughout art are an important tool when it comes to utilising value when conveying intentions. 

Directly behind the window pained door is the cat bed that shall be the starting location for my cat within my future animations narrative. By casting a gentle glow coming through the pains I can tactically focus the viewers’ attention at the beginning of the animation towards the cat. Although my lecturer reminded me, I first discovered this cunning use of lighting In Marcos Mateu-mestre's book 'Framed ink'. This book teaches readers clever methods of conveying intentions through great use of composition and lighting. (I personally recommend a read).

Colour overlay and further stylisation

Satisfied that the room conveys a sense of organic ambience that is believable and inviting It is time for me to add colour to the illustration. Colour through multiple productions in the industry can play such an important role in setting the tone to a narrative. My vision and intention for the illustration is to create a homely and familiar environment but at same time convey traces of excitement hinted in with a fantasy charm. 

To make the house seem familiar to the every with only slight hints of excitement I ensured I used colours that were complimenting and low in saturation. Having a low saturation to the room is important to conveying a familiar environment. Most things in nature especially wood are usually found to have a low saturated texture.

Reflecting upon my previous stylistic choice to add noise in reflection to Jasmine Lai's illustrations. I used a textured brush across parts of my animation to further the development my piece has at expressing an organic feeling. Overall, I'm satisfied that my colour choices make my environment feel natural and familiar as well as stylistically appealing.

Floorboard Reflections

Approaching the end of my illustrations creative process, I desire to polish off and add an edge to the appeal my illustration has regarding technical prowess. To this I delve back into studying both real life and other artwork in my field to identify factors I can use to add further depth into my illustration.

After much iteration I identified a perfect method that would convey depth in a case appropriate manor that compliments the previously established visual ease. The factor I am referring to is to add reflection to shining surfaces such as the floor and metallic storage unit.

As is shown above, by adding such reflection to my piece adds important information regarding each objects texture and behaviour. This adds depth through creating a more realistic and familiar expression and behaviour to the surface of each object. As far as the illustration is concerned it adds that final sparkle to the image that creates an appealing charm.

Garden Input

The remaining thing missing is too add the garden into the illustration. (Garden was drawn separately and I will post a process Gif later about it) 

Overall this process has given me the opportunity to learn a lot about the creative process surrounding illustration. It has allowed me to learn more about the specialisation of environment design. Giving me experience and insight into lighting, composition and 3d forms. As well as the effects and experiences of using stylised technique to compliment a design.

Thank you to everyone that read through all this with me! I hope anyone reading this has found some form of inspiration or learnt something new! I know I did :) Take care everyone!

Was there anything else I could have done for this illustration? Comment below!  

Have a question? Want to get in contact? Email me at: Sickjujuu@gmail.com