Scottish wildcat project is coming to an end

This the email that I've been waiting for FINALLY! Got it nicely put on to a seperate postcard size file so hopefully they can be double printed tomorrow in the digital print room, then I will post some off to Steve and try and get feedback before the deadline.
After the deadline I will find a stall and sell the rest of the postcards.

Tutorial to turn colour image into black and white

This was for getting rid of the colour tones in the orginal scan before ajusting the layers

Right so I've been experementing with backgrounds but I've got a bit stuck. I really like how by using a watercolour wash for a background it has a nice texture once scanned in.
I drew the image of the owl and photocopied it (thanks Rob for the technique) then comprised a few ideas for backgrounds. I soon found out that by wetting the paper so much withthe water colours the paper began to crincle and so made it pretty impossible to scan correctly.
I then photocopied it onto thicker paper (the same paper I used for the previous illustration with a bit of background). I am really happy with the results however I have come to the same situation again, if not halfed crinkled it still wont scan properly.
I've tried ironing the paper and flattening it under heavy books to no avail.
Not quite sure what to do now...

I have tried using the work even though it is is tinted red because I am covering most of it with colour however the parts that I want white will not go lighter than how it is scanned..

Experementing with watercolour backgrounds. I think this is really simple and effective. When I scanned the original drawing in it left a redy yellow tint all over the page, I managed to get most off but I've left some around the blue as it give more interest to the background.

Practicing competition illustrations

Practicing the photoshop style. I think I have really improved and really like the upsidown owl. Need to start thinking about backgrounds and keep practicing.
I think I need to put more texture into the original drawings to prevent the big areas of block colour that are making the illustration kind of cartoonish.

POSTCARDS

This is the first final image for the series of postcards for the SWA. I am really happy with this, especially how I have progressed with the photoshop.

 I dont think this illustration is quite as strong as the first, however I think the use of watercolour, pencil and computer works.

 This was my original idea for the last postcard. However I decided that the background was pulling the piece down, it was blending in too well with the colours on the cat. So I decided to get rid of the background and put my effort into the cat and the logs.

 This is the final 3rd postcard.



Now that the images have been finished I have sent an email to Steve at the Scottish Wildcat Association asking if he would like any particular literature on the back of the postcards or if I should find what I think is suitable from the website.
I am still waiting for a reply.

Primary research - owls

First off here are the photos I took in Chester Zoo:

I was originally going to use scottish wildcats for my competition however after getting my wildcat postcard brief  I have decided to do something different for the competition.
On my trip to Chester Zoo I was taking pictures of pretty much every animal visable. When I got to the owl enclosures I noticed that they were actually pretty impressive animals! I managed to get some really good shots of some of them and thought I would really enjoy doing a project on them and creating some really nice images.

I propose to do my project based on the owls that I have seen in the Zoo and research behind.

Minor setback

Turns out in the process of moving back to Leeds half way through easter my genious self left my bag of work materials that I need for the Wildcat project at home in Manchester. This means the postcards will have to be put on hold for a few days while I can buy/ scrounge some more materials.

On the plus side this means I can crack on with the Wildlife Competition I have planned from the start.

I really like the idea of the background being a wash of colours rather than being detailed representation. Obviously this a still from a video but it could look really effective in a illustration.

Experementing with photoshop and traditional

This was my first attempt at using photoshop in my live project illustrations. The original scan wasn't quite perfect hense the red tints in places. After searching for a LONG time trying to work out how to multiply the image I started colouring it in. The colours are deffinatly not very accurate but I wasn't worrying too much about this right now as I was just using this as a practice piece.
I can now see what Matt was talking about when he told me my work doesn't look finished, this helps. I like how you can still see my drawing underneath the colour because I didn't want my work to turn fully computerised.

This works quite well I think. I like the contrast of the colour added with the sharpness of the graphite pencil.

Here I am experementing with the texture of the fur. I am not so keen on this because I have lost the texture produced by the graphite pencils. There is too much photoshop and it brings the image down.

 

I like this one. I am deffinatly getting better.I wanted to put location with the wildcat to distinguish easier from a tabby cat. I wanted to do this in my traditional style because I think it looks good mixed with the computerised elements of the cat. There is a lot more work to be done however I think I am starting to get depth in the wildcat now.I need to get more accurate wit my drawing though, mainly proportions.

Update

I emailed Steve at Scottish wildcat association and asked him if he had any photos of scottish wildcats that I could use. Getting photos of lots of other wildcats is all well and good however if I used any photos from google I would be viable for copyright. He replied saying that he didn't have any as he gets a proffesional photographer to photograph the animals and if he gave them to me then I would still be usung someone elses photos.

So I have decided to keep in mind descriptions of the scottish wildcat and look at pictures on google however I am going to base my illustrations on the domestic cat and the Saval as these are the most similar to the scottish wildcat.

I am also going to practice my photoshop skills and create these illustrations using traditional methods which I much prefer, but also the computer to try ans get competent and to create a more finished looking piece.

Primary research - Domestic cat

Primary research of Cats - Chester Zoo

Cheetah

 

Serval

 Lion

Jaguar

Live project 4: Postcards for the Scottish Wildcat Association.

Rationale:
As I am keen to help animals in anyway I can via using my illustration skills I have taken it upon myself to contact the Scottish Wildcat Association (SWA) after Matt had mentioned their deflaiting situation. This is also good practice for me to work for a client and get my foot that once inch closer into the industry door.

I have let SWA know that I am willing to help and have suggested that I make a series of Scottish Wildcat illustrated postcards with some of their literature on the back to sell.  I am now in the process of the enitial converstations, determining what exactly my brief will be.

The outcomes are deemed realistic for this project because what I am proposing to do is not overly challenging, it is in aid of a charity and a way of getting my work known to a few more people.

Gary Hodges

Text work

Experementing with what typeface would work best and in what composition etc. The first and second is hand writen text that was scanned in and added. I felt this had the childish approach however it just didn't look right. 



So I opted for the more sofisticated writing which I think works much better. I also got rid of the black border as it didn't suit the type of work I am doing. Overall I am very happy with what I have achieved. Espectially with my computer skills!

Live project 3: Papergirl Leeds

Rationale:

Having started in Berlin Papergirl is coming to Leeds. From 8th-17th April Test Space will be hosting the first Papergirl Leeds exhibition.
Papergirl are currently accepting submissions here’s how to get involved…..
This is a callout for artists of all shapes and sizes. Printers and illustrators. Mixed media artists and photographers. Whatever it is that you love to do!
We need your submissions of artwork.
Papergirl is coming to Leeds for the first time ever in April 2011. The art of giving art!
Every single piece of work submitted will be shown in the Papergirl Leeds Exhibition in April with TestSpace Leeds on Melbourne Street which will run from Friday 8th April to Sunday 17th April.
After the Papergirl Leeds Exhibition, all submitted work will be rolled up and distributed to the unsuspecting public by Papergirls (and boys!) on bicycles at the Papergirl Leeds Ride Event.
All submitted work needs to be between A4 and A1 in size and must be able to be rolled up. Please clearly write Papergirl Leeds on the packaging of your submission as well as on the back of the submission itself and any contact details you would like for the lucky person to receive your work (perhaps a lovely message too?)
There is no limit to how how many pieces of art you want to submit. The more the merrier!
By submitting your work you are consenting for it to be shown in the Papergirl Leeds Exhibition and to be given away to the general public for free in the Papergirl Leeds Ride Event. Submissions may be shown on the Papergirl Leeds and Papergirl World Blog and facebook/twitter (credited where URL details are included of course)
Deadline for all submissions is 31st March 2011 – There’s still time but hurry!

Final illustration

This is the illustration I have come up with at the end of the day. I am happy with this as it shows a consistent standard and style, which is what I am aiming for summed up in one illustration.

Live project 2. illustration for website logo

Rationale:
I got a reply from Mike Hughes and he has been really helpful. He asked me if I had a website so he can see some of my work. All I have is a carbonmade online portfolio which I think is a little unprofessional to show. Therefore I sent out a message on the viscom noticeboard and a message of facebook asking if anyone fancied making me a website for their live brief, as I struggled so much when I tried to make one I figured it would be best for someone who wanted practice making them to do it. Someone came forward and is in the process of making me a blog style website which is what I am looking for at this stage.
As a live brief I am designing the illustration that will sit either next to my name in the title of the website or on the home page. This is only a one day brief but I feel as though I need to do this now, so as to get my website to a good standard.

I have chosen to do a deer illustration as I have plently of research photos already. My peliminory drawings and final piece will be on sheets of paper and put with my sketchbook.

Painting/Drawing with chocolate syrup - Lion

Emails

I have sent this email to the illustrators listed bellow in my 'networking' post to try and get a better understanding of how to become afreelance nature illustrator. NETWORKING IS THE KEY!