University Project
Brief:
Create 4 illustrations, and one cover image with type, based on the following story: Spider the Artist by Nnedi Okorafor (Contemporary science fiction)
Mediums:
Analogue - Ink, Textiles, Paper model
Digital - Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, Autodesk Maya, PremierePro
After reading "Spider the Artist" by Nnedi Okorafor, I immediately wanted to illustrate it. It was an emotional story, which explored many different themes. I knew it would be difficult to communicate all of them in just 4 illustrations, but I wanted to do this story justice.
As part of my research, I looked into the Yoruba people. There is a fabric dyeing method native to Western Nigeria, where Yoruba women use resin to create a deep indigo colour. I couldn't recreate this method exactly, but I experimented with tie-dye and bleaching fabric. I included these textures in the final illustrations.
I found YouTube videos so I could carefully study the movements of Gold Silk Orb Weaver spiders and crane machines.
I decided that rather than figuring out all the details on the robot and then having to apply perspective to each of them, it would be easier to make a 3D model that I can then screenshot and draw over. I taught myself the basics of Autodesk Maya so I could quickly create a model.
I had to find multiple shortcuts while working on this project due to time constraints. I sketched rough compositions for the final illustrations and took photographs to draw over. I especially needed photos of a guitar, since it is very detailed, and similarly to the robot, would take too long to accurately draw. I also decided a simpler style would be best in order to meet the deadline. I used a simple colour palette and thick black outlines, complimented by the textures I included.
I attempted to animate one of the illustrations. Fire is generally considered difficult to animate so I did a more stylised version of fire, while sticking to the style of the drawings.
I also wanted to explore how animation could be translated into print. I used simple supplies to create a 3D piece, which I printed on a normal printer at home. Ideally I would have had access to a laser cutter rather than having to repeatedly use a scalpel. I filmed the process and the final outcome and edited the film together in Premier Pro.