Major Project Evaluation
For my major project I wanted to continue to look at natural history subject matter and specifically at an environment or habitat to progress from my pre major project, where I looked at the conservation of Madagascan plants. I felt drawn to both the coral reef and the rainforest and so initially I began to explore and research into both habitats. I found documentaries such as David Attenborough’s ‘Great Barrier Reef’ and on location trips to aquariums very interesting and I began to create illustrations based on the coral reef. However, working on the rainforest habitat simultaneously I found that I felt more inspired by the plants and scenery and my illustrations also felt stronger. Therefore, I decided to specialise in the rainforest, which was initiated by trips to Kew Gardens and the Living Rainforest in Newbury. I found these locations perfect for primary on location sketching and photography. I began to experiment with compositions and medium and this was when I tried screen printing, a process I had used in the past and discovered that the process, the aesthetic and my ideas all clicked into place. Whilst exploring the medium I found my own technique of painting various colours onto the screen, which created a dappled colour effect to my illustrations that I felt made them more organic and created more depth and atmosphere, rather than the usual block colour aesthetic. I utilised this as I began to explore rainforest scenes and depict wildlife and foliage.
I also experimented with a paper cut piece, which although difficult and time consuming created a very pleasing aesthetic finish. I later incorporated this technique into my final book. I utilised the stencil shape of the paper cut within my work as I began to place my illustrations on Photoshop to create rainforest compositions. I also used mono printing and watercolour to create textures to add to my screen prints, which I felt created a heightened sense of the environment of being within the rainforest. Whilst my work was developing I began creating zines to place my illustrations, which allowed me to explore composition and spreads, which is something I wanted to improve on and I think this helped. I tried a photocopied version from my work, a digital one and later screen printed zines and perfect bound books. Within my bookbinding I also tried different types of binding such as Japanese and pamphlet stitch binding and also drum leaf and perfect binding. I decided to utilise perfect binding for my final book, which I think has created a professional finish to my work. I like the tactile format and aspect to the imagery, which I think helps guides the audience through the scenes and viewpoints of the rainforest.
My style is quite decorative and whilst I enjoy making crafts such as zines, books, cards and prints I decided my illustrations would look good on such craft products. This spurred me to begin to think about surface pattern and design and so I experimented with some of my illustrations by creating patterns with them. I then developed this by printing a design onto fabric using screen printing. Although I did not take this further within the project it is something I would definitely like to explore in the future.
I think for me this project is the catalyst for future work and ideas to come. The rediscovery of screen printing and printmaking has been majorly important, as it is a process I wish to continue to use once I have graduated and has given me direction for the future. Exploring crafts and bookbinding has done the same and I have created an Etsy shop where I wish to sell my prints, books, cards and crafts. Surface pattern is also something I have been introduced to and the market of it through merchandise design. Therefore, I feel my major project has left me in a good position to move forward and has given me aspirations for the future.