GDES 1B24: Colour and 2D Design

Aine O'Neill's Tumblr blog for Colour Journals at OCAD University

[ocadu-aine]

Colour Journal #10: The Colourful Dress

Due Date: Friday, November 8th, 2013

Source: http://www.tumblr.com/

Critique:

This illustration found on tumblr.com is of a back view of a woman in a very colourful dress. She seems to be looking at something in the distance, just right of the direction to which the viewer is look at. Her arms are in front of her, and her elbows are bent as though she is clapping. 

The first thing that draws the viewer’s eye into the image is the distinctively colourful dress. It is the main object in which the artist wanted the viewer’s eye to be led to. It is the only thing in the composition that is in colour, other than the woman’s shoes, which are brown with a star pattern drawn all over them. This adds to the image, balancing out the very bright dress with the rest of the woman’s body. Furthermore, the background seems to have a very light tint of grey allowing for the blank silhouette of the woman to be more pronounced.

I was really drawn to this image because of the use of multiple colours on the dress, and the woman’s direction to which she is facing in. I found that it was a very nice touch of the artist to illustrate her backside instead of her front because naturally, people tend to be drawn to another humans face before examining the rest of an image. I think this may be because we can relate to the figures in the composition if we know what the face looks like. The artist hides her face so that the viewers have no idea what the woman looks like, creating a sense of mystery and imagination. It is these subtle details that allow for an image to linger in a viewers mind. It creates conversation and thoughtful thinking.

The light outlining of the woman’s figure also has a big impact on the overall image itself. With the use of the overly colourful dress, the artist used a simple black outline to indicate the form of her head, the form under her dress, and her legs that lead down into her boots. Though the artist doesn’t use shadows to indicate the roundness of her body, the placement of the colours on her dress indicate the form of her back and waist, flowing down over her legs.

I found this image to be very visually pleasing and very crisp with the artist’s line work. I thought it was a wonderful piece all together.

[ocadu-aine]

Colour Journal #9: Unicorn Sprinkles

Due Date: Friday, November 1st, 2013

Source: http://www.tumblr.com/

Critique: 

This animated image found on tumblr.com depicts a unicorn shaving his armpits, and a doughnut being sprinkled on by these shavings. The unicorn seems unaware of his actions, while the doughnut seems quite upset by the unicorn’s ignorance to the fact that his unwanted hair is getting in him.

I was looking up pictures of doughnuts with my friend when I came across this photo. I thought this image was cute, and found myself smiling to myself about it. Not too sure why, but I thought about how much I love sprinkles and how it could make sense if these magical shavings come from unicorn hair. It’s just a fantasy of mine knowing that unicorns exist.

The whole composition of this image is quite simple. There is a yellow background surrounding the two main figures: the unicorn and the doughnut. This layout allows for the viewers eye to focus mainly on the two central figures, while the use of brightly saturated colours, surrounded by a black outline, allows for an image full of energy. This energy comes off as playful, childish, and just plain silly. Although, due to the content and story portrayed in the composition, this use of child-like colours is very appropriate. It allows for the viewers mind to run wild with imagination.

The expressions of the figures also tell me of a deeper story about what the figures mean to the viewers. Unicorns are seen as innocent creatures, full of life and love. In this image, the unicorn seems quite happy, minding his own business. On the other hand, the doughnut seems angry from the unicorn’s actions. This negative energy radiated from the doughnut could signify a doughnuts negative connotation to those who cannot resist its delectable taste. A doughnut may look good to eat, especially with sprinkles, but it isn’t very healthy for your body.

Though, I may just be over analyzing the artist’s intentions for this image. Moreover, this is a very cute image. It makes me want to eat a doughnut!

[ocadu-aine]

Colour Journal #8: Smoking Sparrows

Due Date: Friday, October 25th, 2013

Source: http://www.em10taque.com/10focado/imagens-semana-2013-39/

Critique:

This image, found on a Portuguese website called em10taque, features two small sparrows lighting a cigarette. I chose this photo because I found that it caught my attention. It is also quite interesting and hilarious to see other animals taking part in human activities.

On this website, it is included in one of it’s top 10 visited photos. Though there is not much to say about the composition of the image, it is interesting how this simple, strange picture can provoke such a discussion among a community of people.

I love how the birds are lighting a cigarette, similarly to how a human would for another fellow smoker. The sparrows crouch down, as if to cover the flame from the wind. The bird’s tails are also positioned in the top corners of the image, and their bodies diagonally come across the image, and their only connection is the touching of the match to the cigarette. This creates visual interest and allows for the viewers eye to circulate the image before zoning in on the matches and cigarette. It is like they’re bonding, just like how humans would have discussions over a smoking session after a hard days work. The pavement gives off a colder feel to the composition, due to its colour, and because of one's knowledge of a cold paved ground. This grey backdrop gives the image a more authentic feel, and contributes to the visualizing of two smoking individuals. It makes one wonder what the animal kingdom thinks of human’s strange habits and addictions.

It may be that this photo was photo-shopped, but it has had such an impact on so many people: making them wonder what it would be like if animals also had the same habits as humans.

[ocadu-aine]

Colour Journal #7: Maximilien Luce

Due Date: Friday, October 18th, 2013

Source: http://www.metmuseum.org/collections/search-the-collections/436923

Critique:

The artist, Maximilien Luce, of this painting named Morning, Interior, created this oil on canvas painting in 1890. This painting depicts Gustave Perrot, a close friend of Luce, in a bedroom while Perrot is getting dressed.

Pointillism was used to create texture and colour depth within the composition. The most well-known artists that used pointillism to create works of art are Eugene Delacroix, and Georges Seurat. It makes for an interesting composition. Luce used pointillism to create clusters of colours on his painting. Naturally, the viewer’s eye blends these colours together, creating a whole new colour plane. This natural way that our brains process images is called ‘Optical Mixing’. Chevral first noted this phenomenon when he noticed that he could weave different coloured thread together to create a new-coloured fabric. Today, optical mixing inspires the way we see colour on the TV and on computer monitors.

Luce was able to capture this image with accuracy. Blue was a colour that was used throughout the composition. This is what created a muted colour palette or hue, and a balanced art piece.

This technique of painting takes precision and careful placement in order to convey a clear image. 

[ocadu-aine]

Colour Journal #6: Alexander McQueen

Due Date: Friday, October 11th, 2013

Source: http://blog.metmuseum.org/alexandermcqueen/

Critique: 

As one of the most influential British fashion designers the world has ever known, Alexander McQueen uses his sense of imagination to create unique, and stylized designs for the fashion-savvy individual. Personally, he is one of my favourite fashion designers, and his distinctive designs have been such an inspiration to a lot of the clothing that I sew. Naturally, his is death in 2010 was quite upsetting for someone like me.

Furthermore, this digitally created picture was taken from the Alexander McQueen Museum website, and was created for his 2010-2011 autumn/winter collection. One can tell that this image is for Alexander McQueen because one can see McQueen’s signature, symmetrical details shown on the mannequins’ bodices.

The first entity of this image is the movement of what seems to be four figures/mannequins. They’re all wearing the same dresses, but they all are captured in different positions, showing the versatility of McQueen’s designs. As there are no heads on the figure’s bodies, viewers are not drawn into the image right away. Although, the third figure, which takes up the most space in the composition, forms lines through the curves made by the movement of its body, drawing people into the image. What I find interesting about this picture is how the muted colours, that are mainly used to tone down the emotions in the image, do not distract the viewer’s eye away from the movement of the fabric created by the mannequins. These diagonal lines created by the fabric as well as the lines within the fabric itself, with the movement of the four central figures, seems to create a sense of energy throughout the composition. Similarly to the waves of an ocean, the fabric on each figure compliments one another, creating balance. The skirts of the dresses create the illusion of paint, swirling around in the water. It is like the figures are paintbrushes, dancing in the ocean.

As for the colour choice of the composition, the editor could have easily used a brighter background, instead of tints and shadows similar to the dresses. Although, the shadows placed in the corners and the bottom of the image, defines the outlines of the mannequins. The editor used a lot of tones of blue, creating the illusion of an ocean. This may be also because the campaign was made for the fall season. Naturally, designers would use shadows and tones instead of tints, to create darker materials.

Lighting was also a large factor in creating such a striking photo. The light bounces off the figures on the highest points on their bodies, drawing the image closer to the viewer, while the shadows are receded into the background. As for the texture of the materials, the lighting shows the transition of feather-like material on the bodice into the flowing, silk-like material on the bottom.

Overall, as one of Alexander McQueen’s campaign pictures for his 2010-2011 collection, this photo reflects the versatility of his designs, and his great energy towards the fashion industry.

[ocadu-aine]

Colour Journal #5: Pictures are Worth A Thousand Words

Due Date: Friday, October 4th, 2013

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:A_picture_is_worth_a_thousand_words.jpg

Critique: 

From the cliché phrase, ‘pictures are worth a thousand words,’ it is assumed that taking a picture of an object has a much larger impact among individuals, than that of an essay. Artist, known as ‘HikingArtist’ on the free online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, created this amazing illustration of what they think this phrase means to them. The image includes the outline of an person's head/skull, while inside the head includes hundreds of pieces of paper filled with lines, presumably being words. There is also a man standing inside the head cavity, as if he looking at all the papers inside his own brain.

It is ironic how this picture itself tells of a complex story within itself, as it portrays this cliché statement. The papers, filled with lines upon lines of words, are suppose to demonstrate how an individual thinks as one is to look at a photo. Just like in the image, it is like thousands of sticky notes that have rushed though ones mind in order to describe what one is seeing in front of them. The artist uses the symbolic properties of the papers in order to describe how individuals think of words just like how one brainstorms their thoughts on a piece of paper. I like the use of simple lines to outline the words on the slips of papers so that the viewer is not distracted by specific words, and can postulate on what the ‘head’ in the picture is looking at.

The man inside the head’s cavity, I presume, is standing in his own brain trying to make sense of the information that is running through his mind. He looks as though he is astonished by all the different words that he has come up with from looking at the particular image in front of him. The man could also be a personification of the being’s conscience, as if to symbolize a human’s inner voice that helps with the organization of thoughts. Furthermore, the papers seem to be placed around the man, creating a white outline around the man’s body. This shows the man’s importance within the composition. I also like how the artist dressed the man, in dress pants, a button-down shirt, and glasses. He was illustrated in this manner in order to portray the mans intelligence. One must have a good sense of education for the understanding of how to organize complicated thoughts.

Lastly, there is a sense of unity within the photo through the use of a rounded composition, and simplified colours used only to define the man inside the skull cavity. The shape of the head encapsulates the papers and man, creating an enclosed space in which the viewer has no choice to look at. A simple colour palette was placed in one area (the man’s clothing and skin), in order to depict the most important entities in the composition, the man. It is like the skull cavity is a dead object filled with ideas, and the man is the only living being in the frame that could arrange these ideas in order to make sense of them. The cluttered arrangement of papers is counterbalanced with the colour used on the man underneath. This creates unity and balance inside the composition. 

[ocadu-aine]

Colour Journal #4: The Farmer's Wife

Due Date: Friday, September 27th, 2013

Source: http://brainden.com/face-illusions.htm#prettyPhoto

Critique:

The brain is the source of the gathering of information for all living beings in order for one to perceive and understand the images placed in front of them during any situation. Optical illusions take ones knowledge of the visual world around them, and manipulate an object to make sense in the mind of the viewer. This image found on an optical illusion website, features a farmer who seems to be in distress trying to find his wife. Though, his wife is also depicted in the photo as well. Unlike other illusions where the viewer can switch their mind from seeing two different objects in a composition, this image requires them to turn the photo upside down and look for the other image in that manner. In this case, the viewer must look at the bush behind the farmer’s left leg. One can see his wife’s face is outlined by the contour of his pant leg. 

I picked this particular visual illusion because it requires the viewer to change their visual point of view and look at the image from a different orientation. Throughout school, one learns different kinds of illusions, which seem to repeat themselves throughout the school years. These include the images of the two faces and the goblet, the composition of the rabbit and the duck, or even the illusion of the young and old woman. I have never seen an image that requires the view to search the photo for another image like this one does. It is quite unique. 

I like how simple and obvious the woman’s face is on the bush, but it did take me a while to find it. The use of primary colours and bold outlining allows me to infer that this image was taken from a newspaper, such as from the comic section. Similarly to the other illusions, once you see both images within the composition, one can easily switch back and forth from both images. I find the line work and the colour pallet of the visual illusion to be very simple, which creates a very flat surface. This kind of simple artwork lets the viewer find the images without any other distractions.

 The farmer is the centre of the composition and I like how the artist also placed his wife in the centre as well. This, to me, is visual appealing because it doesn’t allow for the viewers eyes to get tired from searching the image for his wife. Overall, this picture is amusing to look at, and is also fun because it allows for the brain to problem solve, visually.

[ocadu-aine]

Colour Journal #3: BILLY TALENT

Due Date: Friday, September 27th, 2013

Source: http://www.billytalent.com/Store/Product.aspx?id=SM001180

Critique:

Billy Talent, an alternative rock and punk band from Mississauga, Canada, came out with their forth album last year, in which they named, Dead Silence. This album cover features an abandoned underwater city with swimming sharks, jellyfish, cluttered ocean floor, and a single light illuminating the ocean blue-tinted atmosphere from a telephone booth in the centre of the composition. One can infer that from the album title, Dead Silence, the image picked for the cover reflects that of a quite eerie atmosphere. Using common knowledge, one understands that sound travels rather slowly under the waters surface, creating muffled and unrecognizable sounds. In Billy Talent’s album cover, they use this knowledge to metaphorically depict an environment engulfed by silent creatures, such as sharks, and a dead city abandoned by all terrestrial organisms.

Although, a single light illuminates the messy ocean floor from a telephone booth, signifying a sense of hope in such a miserable atmosphere. As the only light source in the whole image, it seems to have great importance. It is like someone or something is trying to signal for help, since inside the booth, there seems to be an individual using the phone. Just like punk rock music, helplessness is an essential theme in creating hard-edged imagery. This, of course, is unrealistic, since it is impossible for a person to survive at this depth under the ocean’s surface from the lack of oxygen as well as trying to resist the pressure from the water above. This image reflects the aggressive nature behind Billy Talent’s punk rock music because any personal harm or harm to those in society is prominent in this genre of music.

I like the use of dark and light colours contrasting each other. Using the different hues of blue creates a somewhat cold-feeling picture, while black is used to outline the figures in the composition, creating a striking and memorable overall image. I also like the fact that Billy Talent loves their Canadian cities, such as Toronto. If one looks closely at the building on the left, the street name, Queen St. West, is engraved on the side of the building. I like how they incorporate Canadian references within their artwork. It makes me feel very proud to be a fan of their music knowing that they are also proud to be from Canada.

Overall, this cover artwork reflects the punk rock music that is recorded on this album, as well as their hard-core, anti-political, anti-establishment lyric choices. Dead Silence was also named after one of their songs within the album. This eye-catching artwork shows the edginess in their music, and reflects their creativity in the alternative rock and punk music industry.

[ocadu-aine]

Colour Journal #2: Advertisements in the 50's

Due Date: Friday, September 20th, 2013

Source: http://www.flowersofyangita.com/2012/06/food-for-thought-skinny-epidemic.html#more

Critique:

I was intrigued by this piece of advertisement I came across on Coco Bates’ blog post. It is an advertisement poster from the 1940s or 1950s for women who are skinny and want to have natural curves. This ad depicts the complete opposite approach on a woman's outwards appearances compared to the women in today’s society. Just like today’s commercials, they compare the body types of a moderately thin woman and a curvy woman, whom today’s physicians and nutritionists would consider overweight. Although in the past, being curvy was considered lucky.

Using two of the appeals learnt in English class, ethos and pathos, one can see that the advertisement allures many different women to purchase the company’s product. Unsurprisingly for this era of people, the larger woman on the poster looks much happier than the woman on the left, who does not look too pleased to be skinny. This appeals to pathos because advertisers know that woman tend to look at themselves from an emotional standing, and therefore will try new products in order to make themselves look great, as well as to be in trend. Near the bottom of the poster is the face of an older man, who is depicted with glasses in order to look intelligent and therefore, more trustworthy. He looks like he could be a doctor, or a man of authority. This appeals to ethos because this gives the viewer a reassuring feeling of the merchandise being sold to them, knowing that a specialist approves of the uses of this weight loss product.

Just like a 50’s advertisement, the layout of the poster is quite simple and to the point. This might have to do with the fact that coloured ink was expensive, and advanced graphic design was something of the future, and yet to be developed. This advertisement has the approach similar to a comic book, with the use of blocked in wording and speech bubbles, giving the audience the feeling of a poster from the 50’s.

Women who were skinny were seen as ugly, dissimilar to modern society. I find it quiet ironic that todays teenagers starve themselves to look and feel good, while in the 50’s, women would try and find supplements in order to gain weight and achieve that same feeling. I like observing how society has developed by looking at advertisements and the media, especially through ads about the average woman. Through this poster, one can infer the development of a woman’s mentality about body image and how it affects them in society.

[ocadu-aine]

Colour Journal #1: Children at the Park

Due Date: Friday, September 13th, 2013

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/yngw/8063317644/

Critique:

The photographer, known as 'gwagwa' on the social media site, Flickr, shows their ability to capture the simple world around them with the use of a camera, as well as a great sense of imagination. As a photographer, one must take into account what inspires one to take a photo of a certain subject matter, and how that photo then relates to them after the picture has been taken. It tells a story of the photographer, as well as the subject within the photograph. Unlike words, pictures can show the movement of a seemingly still object through the use of the senses and the imagination.

From the first glance at this unique photo, ones perception of the two children in a playground on what appears to be hanging from ropes at the top of the photo is a deception of what the photo’s true orientation is. The photograph was actually flipped ninety degrees to create an illusion where the children are standing on the swings, perpendicular to the ground. Tilting ones head to allow for the photo to be right-side up, the two children, using the momentum from swinging on the swing set, creates movement for the eye of the viewer. Although, from the angle that the photographer has left the picture at, the movement of the swings seems to diminish due to individual’s knowledge on the force of gravity. This also builds the argument in ones mind about human’s battle against the natural world around them, such as this force of gravity. The use of ‘synchronized swinging’ gives balance to middle of the composition, as well as the angle at which the picture was taken.

Timing was a large factor in capturing the swing’s ability to be parallel to the ground with the use of gwagwa’s skills with a digital camera. The blinding sun in the background also gives an interesting focal point in the middle of the picture. This draws the viewers eye straight to most important section of the photo, and the sun’s rays then allow for ones eye to navigate outwards toward the edges. This adds variety, balance as well as movement to the photos composition.

Referring back to the story behind the photograph, one can interpret that due to the sun’s positioning in the sky, the sun must be setting, making the assumption that the children’s mother could have taken them to the park after dinner. Thinking about a child’s naïve mind, one can see their determination in trying to get the highest on the swing, and this is what I think of when I see this photo; a reminder of my past.

Another unique aspect used in the making of this picture was the use of a filter. I really do like the use of the sepia filter, giving a lively place for children to play such a gloomy appearance, and only allowing the sun’s rays as well as the motion of the children swinging to brighten up the overall mood of the photograph. To get into deeper meanings, the use of the darker colours could refer to how a child’s naïve actions could result in injury, but the sun in the background sheds light in the mind of the child, giving them a reassuring impulse, bringing the factor of fun in the front seat of the child’s mind, while danger is pushed to the back.

Lastly, as every viewer has different opinions on any photograph, it’s all about expression and ones ability to use their creativity to bring out their true self, passion, and personality. Gwagwa used their passion and turn a childhood memory into a work of art full of emotion and discussion. Through the use of symmetry, balance between the subject matter and their surrounding atmosphere, the positioning of the sun, the colour choice using a filter as well as the ninety-degree tilt, the photo gives visual interest to the viewer and helps to remind oneself of their inner child.