Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Finals shown in Class
For the most part I liked this whole project. Until the end. I really dislike how the finished pieces came out. I hate the stats bars. They are too big and too white and too distracting. They take away rather than enhance the idea like they were supposed to. I had problems at the end with paint and pens, and spent the entire night on them. I came here once my roommate woke up and then kept working. I thin I was putting last minute touches(not that they helped much) a few minutes before the beginning of class. If I could do it over I'd not have those bars... And i would change the background in the one with Fawkes and the Basilisk. I'd try to fix the words and hp bars if I had the boxes at all. I put so much effort and so much time into this project. I wish it had turned out better.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Contemporary Artist - Ken Sugimori
Ken Sugimori is the illustrator for the original pokemon artwork. I decided to include him in this because he is the artist behind the style I was trying to go for in the pokemon/potter creatures.
His style has changed throughout the time pokemon has existed. This venosaur is an older drawing of his.
This venusaur would be a more recent example.
This snivy is a more recent drawing.
Lugia
Contemporary Artists and Artworks - Deviantart Artists
I decided to look on deviantart, since that is a good place to find work made by fans, and since pokemon has such a huge fan base, I knew it would have something good.
"BATTLE! Weavile VS Tyranitar" by *ShadowAndreas69 (Andy Bell)
This piece is similar to my subject matter with pokemon battles, and the perspective is similar to how I thought I'd do my trainers (one facing the other, camera from behind one)
"Lucario vs. Zoroark" by =arkeis-pokemon
This piece is also similar to my subject matter. I like this piece because of the poses; both pokemon are about to strike. I also like that both pokemon are using an attack (lucario is using aura sphere, and zoroark probably just used transform but is about to use a different attack since he is in the air). The lighting and background is also very nice.
Another piece by this same artist also caught my eye:
"Elemental Clash: Harvey vs. Grace"
The characters are not pokemon, but they are battling in a pokemon style. This is very similar to what I want to do with my methodology. The perspective is very nice, since the birds are at two different levels while they attack. The only downside to me trying to use this idea would be that with this perspective, the angles of the trainer characters would have to be different than the typical DS game style which I was trying to copy.
Another piece I found on deviantart also involves a pokemon battle:
"Pokemon Battle" by ~mbcoolness
This is a painting of a pokemon battle between Charizard and Pikachu. The way that pikachu is facing charizard with the camera behind him is what I want to go for in my paintings.
Historic Artist - Paul Cezanne
I personally really like this artist. Although many of his paintings are of fruit and cloth still-lifes, I think the techniques he uses for painting are really great. The brush strokes especially are really impressive, and something I eventually want to try to show. I used to blur my brush strokes away with my fingers (yes, I would finger paint in high school), and sometimes I still do that, but I am starting to appreciate having brush strokes show in my paintings.
I also like his colors and the way they are used with the brush strokes.
http://www.paul-cezanne.org/
I also like his colors and the way they are used with the brush strokes.
http://www.paul-cezanne.org/
Methodology 500 Word Reflection
For my methodology project, I am using a mostly convergent process. I
have followed the steps that I initially made for my methodology. I had made
several sketches in the beginning, and as I continued to research and find
references, I made more sketches. Eventually I made my rough drafts, and after
having them critiqued by classmates, I made more sketches based on changes I
wanted to make for my final drafts. I then began painting on my three canvases.
I have discovered things in painting that I hadn’t thought about, like shading
styles and all of the color choices.
I would say that my process is working. I think the
preliminary research and sketching was my biggest challenge. After I figured
out what my paintings were going to consist of character-wise, I could focus on
executing it. I did have some challenges with other points, like poses being
improved upon. During the critiques I had with classmates, I was able to
improve my original idea that I had sketched. The rest of my process has been very
smooth with few problems. I would say that my process is definitely working for
me.
If I were working in a divergent process, I don’t
think I would have done as well. The idea of working without major plans
stresses me out. I like to know beforehand if my idea will be successful or
not, and if I were working divergently I don’t think I would be able to focus
on the project because I would be too worried about the end result being
perfect or not getting finished at all. I don’t think the specific project I
have would have happened with divergent process, since I had to plan the
characters and the poses ahead of time, as well as the locations. Although the
locations were an after-thought compared to the characters and main idea, I
still planned it before I began working on my final pieces. I do think my work
would be fun (ignoring the stress of the unknown) if I were working
divergently. I would have more room to play and experiment. Aside from not
knowing what exactly the end result would be, it would be full of trial and
error and experimentation.
If I could do this over again, my process might be
different because I might want to actually try to work with a divergent
process. Even though the idea would stress me out, I also think it would be fun
to experiment more and not know exactly what will happen. If I were to re-do
the entire project, I’d want to try a different idea (probably because at this
point, I am done with Harry Potter and Pokemon, and I’d want to expand and do
something new). I have seen my classmates’ work and I think that has inspired
me as well, and given the chance to start over I might want to explore the
route that others took to see where that would lead me.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Back of Trainer Sprites References
Sketches So Far
Some sketches I've done for this project so far. I've also sketched and doodled a little bit on homework and notes for other classes, but these are sketches I've done in my sketchbook.
Rethinking Styles - Pokemon Game Sprites
Yesterday afternoon I was continuing to draw Harry Potter characters in a pokemon style, but I was struggling. I guess I forgot how I am not very good at anime styles. I don't know why I thought I'd be able to draw pokemon anime styles.
After some thinking, I remembered that in the Pokemon DS games, trainers and gym leaders have 'sprites' that are used. They usually have the items/clothing that represent what sort of trainer they are. 'Fisherman Andrew' would be a person with fishing gear. 'Bug catcher James' would have a net. Some of these trainer poses would fit the characters I'm trying to portray. I thought maybe if I pick a sprite pose, it would be easier to do. Since the sprites still have a bit of anime style to them, I'll still have to try to get that style in, but at least I have something to work with.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Harry Potter/Pokemon Research (9/25/12)
First thing I needed to decide was what style of pokemon battle I should paint for this project.
Some options I could do are the Nintendo DS typical trainer/wild pokemon battle style (with the player's pokemon facing away from you and the opponent is facing toward you). The stat bars would be included too.
Another option I could do is the Nintendo Gamecube battle styles. It has a similar set up with the stat bars, but since the camera angles change constantly, more of the battle can be seen from different angles. If I did this, I'd have to decide if I would want the style to go with my original plan of being 'anime/pokemon style' or the gamecube game style.
Some options I could do are the Nintendo DS typical trainer/wild pokemon battle style (with the player's pokemon facing away from you and the opponent is facing toward you). The stat bars would be included too.
Another option I could do is the Nintendo Gamecube battle styles. It has a similar set up with the stat bars, but since the camera angles change constantly, more of the battle can be seen from different angles. If I did this, I'd have to decide if I would want the style to go with my original plan of being 'anime/pokemon style' or the gamecube game style.
The gamecube battles change camera angle so sometimes you'll see a close up of one pokemon, with the trainer behind it. Sometimes you'll see both trainers or pokemon, maybe from the side. And then sometimes the camera is right behind one trainer/pokemon and facing the other trainer/pokemon that is across the arena. This is similar to how the nintendo DS games work.
Since my idea is to have harry potter characters as trainers and their pets/animals as their pokemon, I was originally hoping to have both trainers and pokemon visible in the picture. I might have to show just the back of one trainer and then the front of the other like in the Nintendo DS style battle.
I also went ahead and looked up some images for pokemon battles in the anime:
Along with pokemon battle styles, I wanted to research creatures from Harry Potter so I can decide what characters I will want to use for this project.
I went to the Wikipedia for Magical Creatures in Harry Potter. At this link I found a good list of creatures that I could possible put into my paintings.
A few that I am considering:
Harry Potter and Hedwig (his owl)
Voldemort and Nagini (his snake)
Dumbledore and Fawkes (the phoenix)
Hermione and Crookshanks (her cat)
Hagrid and Fluffy (the 3-headed dog) or Aragog (the spider) or Fang (his dog)
Sirius and Buckbeak (the hippogriff)
Filch and Mrs. Norris (the cat)
Neville and Trevor (the toad)
Ron and Scabbers/Peter Pettigrew (his 'rat')
Of all of those Harry Potter characters, the most logical pairings for battles would be Harry and Voldemort, possibly Filch and Neville? (Not many students seemed to like Filch, so other students might work there)
I think another match would be Ron and Hermione, not because they are enemies (they end up married) but because it would be a fun game for them maybe.
I tried to find more 'bad guys' with pets. The closest I could find was Dolores Umbridge, who didn't exactly have a cat, but was associated with cats (her office was covered in plates with kittens on them, and her patronus is a cat)
Possibly Dumbledore could be battling Umbridge?
Another thing I decided to look up was the pokemon style.
With the anime and video games being different in art styles, I needed to find out what 'pokemon style' I wanted to use for my project.
This is the style for the Pokemon Anime:
This is the style for Pokemon Gamecube type games:
This is the style for pokemon DS games:
The pokemon are made of pixels.
I think I want to go with the anime style of pokemon, having them with outlines and shading, and the characters would have an anime style to them.
Methodologies Fieldwork
So I have decided to do the second methodology, but I will include all three that I came up with for this question.
Define the scope of investigation (purpose / intended meaning): Thinking of the wizarding world and how Voldemort tried to gain power, I want to investigate what pokemon the characters would have on their team (of up to 6 pokemon). My primary mode of investigation will be to look at different pokemon types, moves, abilities, etc., to find what pokemon would match the personalities of the characters and their skills and weaknesses. I could make teams of pokemon for different characters in the story, including Harry and Voldemort. So I’ll be making pokemon teams based on individual characters’ personalities and strengths.
Define your approach (change in studio practice(s), convergent or divergent): The approach would be to not just make drawings, but make actual pokemon cards with the original pokemon card design. I’d make the cards out of a thick paper or thin cardboard. The approach would be convergent because I’d need to plan out what goes on the cards before actually making the final product.
Define your strategies (models, concepts, brainstorming, creative techniques): My strategies would include determining each character’s personality, likes/dislikes, and other traits. Using those traits I will then determine what pokemon types would best represent certain characters. I’d go through a list of all the current pokemon and determine based on personality traits, skills, and weaknesses which pokemon certain characters would have. I will form a list of 6-12 pokemon for each of three characters, and from each list I will choose the best 6. With these pokemon I will determine which natural abilities and moves will fit each character’s fighting style/personality style. With this information, I will then make pokemon cards for each character. Each character will have a team of 6 pokemon, so I will make a total of 18 cards. All cards will include their name, type, ability, moves, image, and weakness information.
Which critical framework(s) will you use to critique the work and identify if it was successful. Describe: I will use structuralist and deconstructionist frameworks. I will ask at least two classmates and other people if the pokemon I listed are in fact representational of the characters. I will ask for input.
Think of the following:
Media: Either paint (acrylic or water colors) or colored pencil on either cardboard or thick paper.
Scale (size): Approx. 3.5 inches x 2.5 inches (roughly the size of a pokemon card)
Materials, support structure, & presentation: Cardboard/thick paper, colored pencils(or paints, depending on what I pick to use),
Formal Techniques: I will try to replicate the original pokemon card look to the best of my ability in the media chosen. I will also do my best to make the text as realistic as possible.
Plan for visual research (include direct or indirect resources): I will look at pokemon cards to set the style for my pieces. Then I will research for the characters I choose to make pokemon teams for. I will also do visual research for the pokemon chosen so I know what they look like. I will do some sketches with all of the information I collect and practice coloring it in my chosen medium before I move to my final.
Define the scope of investigation (purpose / intended meaning): If Harry Potter characters were inserted into the pokemon game, Voldemort would be the head of team rocket, and the team rocket grunts would be death eaters. I want to figure out what the characters would look like in the team rocket uniforms.
Define your approach (change in studio practice(s), convergent or divergent): This would be convergent because I’d need to plan out what the uniforms would look like, as well as find people to help be my models and clothes for them to wear.
Define your strategies (models, concepts, brainstorming, creative techniques): First I would design the team rocket clothes, in a way that would make them harry potter-like. I’d make several sketches. Once I figured out the uniform designs, I’d find models. With these models, I’d find clothing that fit and alter it to look like my designs. I’d need make up to make someone into voldemort.
Which critical framework(s) will you use to critique the work and identify if it was successful. Describe: I will use structuralist and deconstructionist frameworks. I would show classmates my designs to see if they are worthy of voldemort’s pokemon gang.
Think of the following:
Media: fabric/clothing and photography (maybe)
Scale (size): human size
Materials, support structure, & presentation: I will need cloth and clothing that will work with my design. I’ll also need sewing supplies. I should also get make up and a good camera so I can shoot my models in the outfits.
Formal Techniques: I will try to get the harry potter characters as close as possible to their personalities. I will try to design based on this and hopefully the outfits will turn out to be something they could actually wear should they be a pokemon terrorist organization.
Plan for visual research (include direct or indirect resources): I will research sewing and clothing making and altering. I’ll also research cosplay. I should aslo research how to take really good pictures of characters (like in cosplay photoshoots).
Question: Could
pokemon defeat Voldemort? What would that battle look like?
Fieldwork 2:
Formulate three methodologies based off of one of your questions above. Remember, you are creating 3 works from one methodology (or recipe) listed below:
Fieldwork 2:
Formulate three methodologies based off of one of your questions above. Remember, you are creating 3 works from one methodology (or recipe) listed below:
Define the scope of investigation (purpose / intended meaning): Thinking of the wizarding world and how Voldemort tried to gain power, I want to investigate what pokemon the characters would have on their team (of up to 6 pokemon). My primary mode of investigation will be to look at different pokemon types, moves, abilities, etc., to find what pokemon would match the personalities of the characters and their skills and weaknesses. I could make teams of pokemon for different characters in the story, including Harry and Voldemort. So I’ll be making pokemon teams based on individual characters’ personalities and strengths.
Define your approach (change in studio practice(s), convergent or divergent): The approach would be to not just make drawings, but make actual pokemon cards with the original pokemon card design. I’d make the cards out of a thick paper or thin cardboard. The approach would be convergent because I’d need to plan out what goes on the cards before actually making the final product.
Define your strategies (models, concepts, brainstorming, creative techniques): My strategies would include determining each character’s personality, likes/dislikes, and other traits. Using those traits I will then determine what pokemon types would best represent certain characters. I’d go through a list of all the current pokemon and determine based on personality traits, skills, and weaknesses which pokemon certain characters would have. I will form a list of 6-12 pokemon for each of three characters, and from each list I will choose the best 6. With these pokemon I will determine which natural abilities and moves will fit each character’s fighting style/personality style. With this information, I will then make pokemon cards for each character. Each character will have a team of 6 pokemon, so I will make a total of 18 cards. All cards will include their name, type, ability, moves, image, and weakness information.
Which critical framework(s) will you use to critique the work and identify if it was successful. Describe: I will use structuralist and deconstructionist frameworks. I will ask at least two classmates and other people if the pokemon I listed are in fact representational of the characters. I will ask for input.
Think of the following:
Media: Either paint (acrylic or water colors) or colored pencil on either cardboard or thick paper.
Scale (size): Approx. 3.5 inches x 2.5 inches (roughly the size of a pokemon card)
Materials, support structure, & presentation: Cardboard/thick paper, colored pencils(or paints, depending on what I pick to use),
Formal Techniques: I will try to replicate the original pokemon card look to the best of my ability in the media chosen. I will also do my best to make the text as realistic as possible.
Plan for visual research (include direct or indirect resources): I will look at pokemon cards to set the style for my pieces. Then I will research for the characters I choose to make pokemon teams for. I will also do visual research for the pokemon chosen so I know what they look like. I will do some sketches with all of the information I collect and practice coloring it in my chosen medium before I move to my final.
**Using this one**
Define the scope of
investigation (purpose / intended meaning): I want to take creatures from
Harry Potter and make a piece of art that is in the same set up of a pokemon
battle, and these creatures will be representing pokemon. I will have Volemort
battling with his ‘pokemon’, Nagini, Harry Potter with his ‘pokemon’, Hedwig,
and Dumbledore with his ‘pokemon’, Fawkes. Each piece will have the ‘trainer’
with his pokemon, and in a pokemon battle environment.
Define your approach (change in studio practice(s), convergent or divergent): The approach will be convergent because I’d have to plan out what the basic drawing will be before starting. I will make the Harry Potter characters have a ‘pokemon’ style, so semi-anime and the animals will look more like pokemon would.
Define your strategies (models, concepts, brainstorming, creative techniques): My strategies would include figuring out a good ‘location’ for each battle to occur (gym battle style, tall grass, etc). I would then have to decide if they would be battling alone, training, or battling against someone else. I will make several thumbnail sketches and pick the best for each character.
Which critical framework(s) will you use to critique the work and identify if it was successful. Describe: I will use structuralist and deconstructionist frameworks. Pointing model, I’m enthusiastic about the subject…I’ll also ask others’ opinions on the sketches to make sure these are the best ideas.
Think of the following:
Media: Painting
Scale (size): 18 x 24
Materials, support structure, & presentation: Acrylic paint, canvas.
Formal Techniques: I will attempt to paint the characters in a pokemon/anime style.
Plan for visual research (include direct or indirect resources): I will research anime styles and pokemon styles to help mimic the pokemon style in my paintings. I will also research different ways and styles to paint on a canvas.
Define your approach (change in studio practice(s), convergent or divergent): The approach will be convergent because I’d have to plan out what the basic drawing will be before starting. I will make the Harry Potter characters have a ‘pokemon’ style, so semi-anime and the animals will look more like pokemon would.
Define your strategies (models, concepts, brainstorming, creative techniques): My strategies would include figuring out a good ‘location’ for each battle to occur (gym battle style, tall grass, etc). I would then have to decide if they would be battling alone, training, or battling against someone else. I will make several thumbnail sketches and pick the best for each character.
Which critical framework(s) will you use to critique the work and identify if it was successful. Describe: I will use structuralist and deconstructionist frameworks. Pointing model, I’m enthusiastic about the subject…I’ll also ask others’ opinions on the sketches to make sure these are the best ideas.
Think of the following:
Media: Painting
Scale (size): 18 x 24
Materials, support structure, & presentation: Acrylic paint, canvas.
Formal Techniques: I will attempt to paint the characters in a pokemon/anime style.
Plan for visual research (include direct or indirect resources): I will research anime styles and pokemon styles to help mimic the pokemon style in my paintings. I will also research different ways and styles to paint on a canvas.
Define the scope of investigation (purpose / intended meaning): If Harry Potter characters were inserted into the pokemon game, Voldemort would be the head of team rocket, and the team rocket grunts would be death eaters. I want to figure out what the characters would look like in the team rocket uniforms.
Define your approach (change in studio practice(s), convergent or divergent): This would be convergent because I’d need to plan out what the uniforms would look like, as well as find people to help be my models and clothes for them to wear.
Define your strategies (models, concepts, brainstorming, creative techniques): First I would design the team rocket clothes, in a way that would make them harry potter-like. I’d make several sketches. Once I figured out the uniform designs, I’d find models. With these models, I’d find clothing that fit and alter it to look like my designs. I’d need make up to make someone into voldemort.
Which critical framework(s) will you use to critique the work and identify if it was successful. Describe: I will use structuralist and deconstructionist frameworks. I would show classmates my designs to see if they are worthy of voldemort’s pokemon gang.
Think of the following:
Media: fabric/clothing and photography (maybe)
Scale (size): human size
Materials, support structure, & presentation: I will need cloth and clothing that will work with my design. I’ll also need sewing supplies. I should also get make up and a good camera so I can shoot my models in the outfits.
Formal Techniques: I will try to get the harry potter characters as close as possible to their personalities. I will try to design based on this and hopefully the outfits will turn out to be something they could actually wear should they be a pokemon terrorist organization.
Plan for visual research (include direct or indirect resources): I will research sewing and clothing making and altering. I’ll also research cosplay. I should aslo research how to take really good pictures of characters (like in cosplay photoshoots).
My Quest
(Not sure why the title of this post is 'My Quest'. First thing that popped into my head.)
Anyway, for next few weeks that I'll be working on this project, this will be my blog to document my process and findings.
-Savannah
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