Final Major Project

{INDEX has all the pages for this sketch book in chronological order} Statement of Intent Diary Research Experiments Final Outcome Evaluation Three Boards Bibliography {Please click the blue text - links to more parts of my 'sketchbook'}

[tiffanyharding95]

Evaluation

Yet, after my visit, I realised they are more closed minded then us. But, I don't think by choice. The seemed to be fascinated by us, especially by our facial features. So, my initial idea shifted a little from the ignorance of the western culture, to just simply informing them of Chinese culture. 

Originally, I wanted to show the inequality that woman had, and then in broadened to class and then the overall of China. Hence going back the the 'Grass Mud Horse' last minute, which a protest against internet censorship.

I chose illustration, and animation, since, first of all, it is an area I am comfortable with. Both traditionally and digitally. And, while I did focus more on statues and architect, illustration is a prominent art from in Chinese history, as can be seen in traditional Chinese ink drawings. I thought it was fitting to apply that to my own work.

I do feel there was a strength in the media I chose: digital drawings and flash animation. Although, I do feel there is a slight weakness in the digital drawings, specifically the ones that had a human form. I put that to fault of my lack of research in them, and too much focus on the Guardian Lions. 

The process of creating the final outcome was also a strength. It was a quick and efficient method, that just took a few practices and trials (as seen in my experimentation) to become familiar with the codes. The only downfall is that creating the .swf file too small is that the quality when played online will be reduced.

The technique I used was a digital media, attempting to replicate traditional media. It was digitally drawn so it was easier and cleaner to create buttons for the flash - which needed to be transparent. I felt I should have spent more time concentrating on trying to create this. But, despite that, I don't think it looks terrible nor is it a major weakness in my work.

My key reference was China and my discoveries of their culture and art. I did put a lot of focus on mythological animals animals - especially the Chinese Guardian Lion. While I am impressed with my progression of feeling more comfortable drawing it, and getting a better idea on how to draw animals on a whole, in reflection, I do think I should have focused on human anatomy. What struck me about the animals was a symbolism behind them, but they are out of my comfort zone. I should have used a mixture of what I was comfortable with,and what I wasn't - especially since I ended up using humanized forms in my final outcome.

Overall, I am pleased with the turnout of this project, despite that fact that my main weakness was focussing too much on one thing, and not enough on another, despite the fact that both would be equally represented in my final outcome. Though my strength has been an improvement, and finding an efficient way to put together my final outcome. 

Bibliography

[tiffanyharding95]

Final Outcome

The aim for the final outcome was to educate the viewer on what I have learnt from China, and the general theme of how cultures are different all over the world. While misogyny, a difference between class and underground rebellion (if the protest against the internet censorship can be called that) is not reserved for a select few countries, it can be more prevalent in some countries then others. Especially like one like our own, where we are privilege with free internet access and benefits.

The lack of words or explanation in my final outcome makes it hard the viewer to understand exactly what the interactive game is about. This is purposefully done as well, to give the viewer a taste of how hard it was to communicate in China, especially when being brought up in a world where you expect everyone to speak English.

The viewer is also given an idea of the type of art the China has to offer, since it inspired my drawings and themes in the interactive game.

There had been a couple of changes since the trial version.

At the end of each ‘trail’ you don’t end up at the same image, just with a different focus. Instead they are all different image - they are only similar if class is compared of gender. The only one that is not a different image is the one representing the poor. This is because all self identification and individuality seems to be stomped down on in China, especially if you are of the lower class. At times, they can even be aliens in their own countries.

The ‘Grass Mud Horse’ was also changed, so it fitted in with the rest of the interactive story. The text was taken away, instead replaced with movement. That way, it still goes with the ongoing theme of the lack of understanding, but the little movements still make it humoristic.

The style of the ‘Grass Mud Horse’ is also different from the rest of the drawings featured in the interactive story. It is cartoonier, while the other images are inspired by traditional Chinese ink drawings and the first few drawings I created of the Guardian Lions (the ink and pen). But it was difficult to recreate this style digitally.

This is one of the weaknesses of the final outcome, and something I would need to work on for future projects. Make time to study and broaden my experimentations. Not just the techniques themselves, but also what I am studying. I felt I but too much time focussing one thing, which showed in my final outcome, where the human anatomy illustrated the images look rusty and out of place.

Colour was something that also changed, which was never put into consideration before the creation of the final outcome was put in motion.

Yellow, back in Imperial China, was often worn by the emperors, so it has the association of power in China, which the right have – especially government officials.

Red is another colour that is often associated with China, more so then other colours in China (in westerner’s eyes). That is why this colour was given to illustration representing the middle/working class of China.

Blue is another colour often seen throughout China, especially in the Imperial Palaces. But this has a more western twist to it, as it is a colour representing sadness, giving the reason it corresponds with the ‘poor’ image.

Another thing that is different, from my statement of intent, is that it does not shock nor is it controversial. Instead it confuses the viewer and raises awareness of another culture.

Overall, while changes have been made to the final outcome, I am pleased with its results. Although, in future projects, I would make something like this longer, and take more time of studying a broader range of possible subjects.

[tiffanyharding95]

Sketches and Rejections from my Final Outcome

Sketch of a Chinese Guardian Lion for my Final Outcome. I found it easier to sketch in out large traditionally, and then draw over it digitally.  

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I created a flash trial of my final outcome, using the images that were used to get a rough idea on the layout.

Putting the images into slash was a pretty straight forward process, and not too time consuming so I can focus more on creating the drawings for the final outcome.

It runs smoothly, although it is a tad shorter then I may of wanted it. But, with more images to add, it will take longer for the viewer to go through them all (if they wish).

Because the need for a transparent background, I think the images need to be completely digital, unless I use a traditional drawing as a sketch.

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Rough frames for the trial of my final outcome. The black is what will be seen on the screen, the green is notes or what will be invisible.

The first screen the viewer is greeted with. The typography is mimicking how a Chinese girl wrote my name using a calligraphy set. This already my give some viewer what the will be about, as this is often seen throughout the media if they try to make something look more stereotypically 'Asian.'

Second slide they are greeted with once they press start. Two Chinese Guardian Lions. On representing the female population, the other the male population. In the bottom left corner, a grass mud horse will show up if the cursor hovers over it. This represents the rebellious side of China, that seemed rather taboo during my trip.

These two slides depend on which Guardian Lion you choose. The top for female and the bottom for male. But, it is simply the same image, just flipped. This is in case the viewer goes back to click on the other guardian lion and thinks that it will just be the same route and then not 'play' it.

It is of Roof Charms. The bottom is of the poor (people with little or no money), the medium is of the middle class (doctors and teachers) and the top is of the rich and powerful (the government).

the same image greeted with (although the gender of the people will change depending on which guardian lion was chosen). All will be in grey scale, the only one which will be in colour would be the person that the 'viewer' is. There would also be a 'restart' button to do it all over again.

The overall image is subject to change.

If the grass mud horse is chosen in the second frame, this is what the viewer would be greeted with. The text is circled because that will not be the exact text. It will be Chinese with the English translation beneath. 

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A final decision on how my final outcome will look like. 

Overall, I will need 6 frames (plus a 'secret' one, relating to the Grass Mud Horse).

The idea is that I am showing the western culture what I have gathered from China - which is their is a very big divide between the rich and poor; the divide between gender; their type of thinking; and the rebelious side of China (hence the 'secret' frame of the grass mud horse, which mocks the Chinese internet censorship.)

Since they like to hail tradition in their culture, and because of the amount of frames verse the about of time I have, I think using the line technique in my last drawing is the best way forward. Maybe add more detail to the final frame.

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Using a simple large, soft brush to create a line drawing. The most simple and quickest out of the bunch.

Yet, despite that, it is a joint favourite between this and the second one. Mostly because of how it reminds me of the Chinese ink technique found throughout the Chinese National Museum - mostly on scrolls and fans.

I think I also favour it because it leaves the mind to 'flll in the blacks', and that it does not look so 'stiff'. It has movement in it.

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The above images is another digitally edit of a traditional drawing. I cropped most of the picture to save time. Plus, I thought the rest of the image was too 'awkward' with lines to straight and the tail looking to child like.

The first one, above the two smaller images, is the original finished one. Using a green base, a jade colour, and then purple as shading, it is similar to the other digital drawing. Although, the shade of purple is more saturated and the drawing overall is not attempting a 'painterly' style that the other one was trying to achieve

The only problem with this is, despite the colouring being quick yet eye-catching, the lines are time consuming. Especially since I keep deleting and editing them.

The two below are edited versions of the one above. The one on the left having the opacity of the line being turned down, making it look softer. The one on the right having the purples changed into dark blue colour, which gives off a better impression of jade. 

[tiffanyharding95]

Using the original drawing, the base colour was set down first underneath it, then another layer for before merging them all all before touching it up a little (despite it being a little rough).

Overall, I feel this is too time consuming to do for my final outcome. Plus, the colours don't have that much of an impact, which I do want it to have. I think this may be due to it being overworked, and the colours looking fairly dull - mostly for the shading rather than the base colour. 

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Here I created three lined drawings of the Guardian Lions, all filling a page entire, rather then doing a number of small ones on a page.

I plan to edit these on a computer painting program (paint tool sai), experiments with the different ways I can digitally enhance them, and whether it will be better for my final outcome if they are fully traditional, a mixture of digital and traditional, or fully digital.

As a finish them off digitally, I also plan in making them seem more realistic in the sense that they are not out of proportion (if they were real). Which mean elongating, shortening, changing parts of it completely etc.

[tiffanyharding95]

Each of there drawings are based off items found in the National Chinese Museum. Each are made out of a different material; upper left out of a metal, bottom right out of ivory,and the other two out of jade.

I took interest out of all of them on a whole because of their appealing shapes and their connections with animals - mythological or not.

Bottom right and upper left are both of a dragon. This is an animal that is probably he most connected to China in terms of stereotypes. And, while I would like to explore it because it is visually interesting, it would not help teach the western culture what I have learnt about China.

The other two are of a fish and a phoenix - both made out of jade. While the koi fish is seen throughout China as imagery, the phoenix is something I find more appealing. Often thought as a fiery and stunning, they are also considered rather feminine in China (in contrast to the Dragon), and it is rather often you see statues of them in palaces.  

Like with most of mu drawings, they all use watercolour. What makes the top left one different is that if uses more colour than what  would normally add. While the result is not something I hate, I think it takes away that delicate appeal they I would of wanted (despite it being a metal statue).

[tiffanyharding95]

After studying the shape of lions, and then applying it to the Guardian Lions, this is the result.

As I have said, this was too get a better grip at how they would move, if they were not the mythological creature.

I have also differentiate how I would draw them: black ink with hints of green (as representation of jade), blue ink, slightly washed out with hints of green, and just slightly washed out blue ink. I have a preference for both the washed out ink and the black ink; one being 'looser' and i more comfortable to do, while the other being more detailed, yet I think the mistakes show a lot more.

Although, mistakes are prevalent in all of the drawings due to my limited knowledge on big cat forms. Plus, I found it difficult to scale the head. Too small and it would not look right in reference to the original statues. Too big, and the proportion would look out of control. It is trying to find that middle ground.

[tiffanyharding95]

The Lion King

While the Lion King has little relevance to China, it does have relevance to lions, which I have looked at previously so I will have more confidence when drawing the Guardian Lions. I looked at concept art to gain inspiration, in terms of how they are drawn, rather then the method and tools. I feel that while looking at real life sources, and photos as second best, is important,  looking at how others draw what you want (in this case: 'lions') is a good way to see the best way about going about it. Such as: What should there be emphasise on?

These are some of the concept art of the Lion King:

Despite digging around I have been unable to find the artist(s) behind the images.

[tiffanyharding95]

Wanting to give the Chinese Guardian Lions a more 'alive' feel, I did some studies on lions. More on their overall shape, posing, and how the limps work rather then detail and an in-depth anatomy study - which would take up a lot of my time, and consequently; my project. 

The first image is just using line to get a slight idea of the shape of the lion, movements and poses I could get a basic grasp.

The second drawing, using the same technique as the Guardian Lions (pen and water) is another way to grasp a lions movements and shape. Although, by doing this other then line, it gives it a bit more shape. 

I did not feel that an in-depth study of the details of a lion was necessary, since I am simple using their bodies as a template for the Guardian Lions.

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Another few drawings of the Chinese Guardian Lion.

Here I used a fountain pen to sketch a lined drawing down and then used water to bland of create a hint of shading. I rather like the technique (inspired by traditional Chinese ink drawings), less could be said on the drawings themselves.

I think I may need to do some studies of lions themselves, so I can place the Chinese Guardian Lions in their less static position and to 'bring them to life'.

[tiffanyharding95]

A few more misc. drawings. This time of the architect of China - another thing that struck me. It seems to be a mix of tradition and the new. Even in the places that were not of historic interest had the traditional roofing. Although, they did not ave the small animals on the corners, as seen in the upper right drawing. 

They are known as roof-charms and they were only allowed on the official buildings of the empire.

According to wikipedia: "At the tail of the procession will be an imperial dragon, representing the authority of the state.

At the head of the procession will be a man riding a Phoenix, one legend suggests that this represents a minion of the emperor who grew greedy for power and was hanged from the roof gable for treason. Another version of this figurine is an immortal riding afenghuang-bird or qilin. Yet another interpretation is that this is a person serving the emperor, being watched by the following beasts.

In between will be mythical beasts, usually an odd number of them. The mythical beasts are set to pounce upon the man and devour him should he stray from performing his duties with faithfulness and rectitude."

I would rather like to use the roof decorations as inspiration for imagery for me final outcome. I also rather like that you are constantly being watched the the authoritative figure and the beasts, which could be applied to modern day China, and link with my research of Ai Weiwei and the 'grass mud horse', both which are linked to the limitations and censorship of the internet.

[tiffanyharding95]

Flash Trial II

Using my drawings inspired by the Chinese Opera, I have created another flash file as a practice, wanting to use my own pictures rather then squiggles.

It can be viewed here.

I which I used a few more images so the viewer had a better grasp on it as a comic rather then one image, which you click, that then goes to another. I also think I should of done a button of some sort so the viewer can go back to the start, which is something I will have to keep in mind for my final outcome.

Something else I have to keep in mind; remember to have a transparent background rather then a blank one, which is not blank at all. This will stop being able to click anywhere on the screen and have it go straight to the next image, instead of clicking on the main focus.