Movie poster

Drawing last assignment is a movie poster. And I've chosen a poster which is:

Matt Goldberg (2012), Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows [Movie Poster]. Retrieved from: http://collider.com/sherlock-holmes-2-movie-posters/

I've no idea on painting the poster. So I've googled up for painting inspirations and I found several inspiring paintings with superb and unique techniques. 

Sebastian Cheng (2013). Wolfman [Oil on canvas]. Retrieved from:  http://sebastiancheng.deviantart.com/art/Wolfman-movie-poster-painting-372910176

For example, I'm inspired by this movie poster on the skill of painting the hair of the wolf. The artist uses thick and thin brushstrokes repeatedly to create the hyper realistic look of how hair supposed to be. The hair is not wholly dark but contains different tones and layers. The artist uses lighter colours to paint the hightlighted part of the hair. I'm inspired and I've decided to apply this technique on my movie poster.

Unknown artist (2011). Frank Sinatra Portrait [Painting]. Retrieved from: http://art-on-canvas.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=169

Secondly, this painting has inspired me that the artist applied Cubism technique by Paul Cezanne to create texture. The artist use obvious brushstroke with visible cube shapes and overlapping them to build the tones layer by layer. This is outstanding although not a smooth skin texture is produced. However, it added unique characteristic to the painting. I'm inspired and moved by this kind of technique and I'decided to adapt it to my own poster painting. 

Jessen (n.d.). Sherlock Holmes [Painting]. Retrieved from: http://melanconent.com/lib/holmes/pict/pict.html

Lastly, the background of this painting has inspired me to paint the background of my movie poster. The artist uses thin and soft lines and brushstrokes to create the haziness of the background. I realize that it's similar to my background and it is suitable to use the similar technique as the artist. 

Hence, by combining the inspirations that I gained from those paintings, I've started my movie poster.

It's not a complete outcome yet. But no doubt the inspirations has helped me a lot and I anticipate my final artwork to be done!

Self cube

Creative Thinking last assignment is to create a cube which can describe our own personalities, which can represent us. And we are given a random theme/topic to adapt and justify our personalities to it. And my random theme is a kitten. In the beginning, I've no idea at all to start. So I've googled up to search for inspiration. And I found a picture which has inspired me.

Source of image: http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=3352&pf_id=60997

It's a cube which functions as a home for kitten. So I've been thinking, why not turns my self cube to a home for kitten as well? Lastly, I've made the decision and finalize it. Here is the outcome.

The overall cube is a kitten itself. Then I adapt my personalities to different kittens with different postures. For example, I draw a kitten with Superman attire because kitten is brave. I think I have the characteristic of brave and Superman is my favourite Superheroes character. 

Also, I cut out some geometric shapes to indicate the hole as the inspired image.Then, I placed the kitten that I've drawn on it. So this is how a cat cube inspires me the way I create a self cube.

Vintage poster

The final project for Computer Graphic is to design a catalog. My desired catalog is a travel package catalog. Idea doesn't drop from the sky. So I did my research again to gain inspiration. And I'm attracted to a piece of artwork which is:

Stephen Wright (2012). Visit Palestine [Poster]. Retrieved from http://www.dontflygo.com/2012/05/10/16-vintage-travel-posters-from-asia/

It's a kind of vintage poster of a travel destination. I'm attracted by the vintage style which is simple yet interesting. The overall form of it is asymmetrical balance. The tree creates a focus and emphasis. Complementary colours are used which is blue and orange. Besides, the artist also uses different tones and shades to create a form for the objects such as the tree. Wright uses dark blue to indicate the shading and light blue for texture. It creates a 3D form yet not complicated.

Futhermore, the details at the back is not ignored as well. For the city buildings, the artist uses dark and light tone to show the shadows and highlights. As we can see, the mosque building is standing out from the background because of its colour used. The artist has successfully differentiate the mosque from other buildings by contrasting their size and colour.

I'm amazed and inspired by the this artwork and I've decided to give it a try. For my catalog, I've decided to focus on America's travel destination. After my research on the web, I've done 4 pieces of similar style of artworks to be included in my catalog.

My title of the catalog will be "See the USA". So I've chosen several destinations which are NYC, Hawaii, Miami and Phoenix. I will be doing my catalog in card form. And every each of them will be the front page of the cards. It's inspired and it's a fresh try for me. Inspiration is really important for a designer. I'm working hard on my catalog and I hope the outcome will be satisfying! 

Poker Face

Computer Graphic exercise 3 is creating a magazine layout by using Adobe Indesign. I was lack of idea and I googled for inspiration. Hence, a graphic caught my attention with its excellent composition.

Martin Grohs (2010). Poker Face [Graphic]. Retrieved from http://grohsartig.deviantart.com/art/pokerface-194579704

The graphic which caught my eyes is as shown as above.
The artist uses poker face as the theme for his photoshop manipulation work. In order to make viewers get to know the theme of his work, the artist applies element of poker such as an ace and a poker card to enhance his work. Besides that, the artist uses splashes to make the art looked more interesting. The theme of the colour is red and black while the background is plain. It gives a focus and emphasis on the work.

Hence, I've applied the similar concept for my magazine layout exercise.

 

Here's the outcome!

Instead of random model, I use Lady Gaga as the main figure as we know that Lady Gaga has a song named "Poker Face". 

My work may not as excellent as Martin Grohs but I've tried on my own to create a work of art.

Through this exercise, I've learned more skills on manipulating several images into one.  Besides, I also learn to take other artists' work as inspiration. I believe that throughout more exercises like this, I will be able to enhance my skills in creating impressive artworks.

Creative everyday objects

With a creative eye, the casual observer can discern characters or faces in the everyday objects all around us. French artist Gilbert Legrand takes this a step further by painting and  modifying totally normal objects to turn them into cute characters and give them new life.

The artist lets his creative imagination flows by painting details onto these objects to let us see how he views these objects in a creative way. With the addition of a face and maybe some arms and legs, a spray bottle can become a rat, a paintbrush can become a mangled fox, an axe can become an angry bird, and so much more!

His works has once again inspired me that creativity is hidden in everywhere and your imagination acts as a role to discover it. Imagine that if our households daily necessities are designed by modifying from cute characters, it will be a whole new world!

I think this is how design works. It gives everything dull a new life. And perhaps this will change our daily moods. Hopefully, Legrand’s wildly imaginative creations will help me find the fun characters hidden all around and adapt them in my future assignments!

Source of all the images: http://gilbert-legrand.com/sculptures.html

Creativity starts from belief

 

kaleem. (2010, Dec 31). Best motivational video ever for creative people and startups.. . [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JUFjTOM32g 

  

It's a video which talked about the fear has stopped us from going further. When we were a kid, nothing is impossible, we do everything without scared of falling or hurting. But when we becoming older, we are so scared of failure. Hence, we stop moving forward to prevent failure. Then we are keep wandering on the same spot. 

It inspired me that all of us have endless creativity, yet, we just let the ideas stay on our brain, without letting them go freely, and do them practically. Eventually, we missed the opportunity to start up. I think it's because we think negatively even before we take a try on it. We are too coward to take the risk and circumstances. That's also why and how regret happens. 

I think it applies on me, too. I'm not courageous enough to achieve my target. It's true that if you never step out, you will never achieve your dream. Your dream still remains as a dream. So, it's important to step out and do it, without hesitating and thinking twice. 

Besides the messages that the video gives me, the animation also inspired me in terms of simplicity. The creator uses simple still images and make it animated by combining them. Without fancy effects, the creator still managed to convey the messages by simple animation and typography. It inspired me in a way that how important visual is in communication.

It will be a great inspiration for me to adapt this kind of animation in my future animation project. 

 

Paper Wallet

So the latest Computer Graphic assignment is designing a paper wallet!
When I was out of inspiration, I look at my beloved phone, and I get inspired by it!
Inspired by a phone to do a wallet, sounds not really relevant? No no no, not by the phone actually, was inspired by my phone case :P

Tadaa! That is my phone case. Since the wallet requirement is >30 shapes must be included in our design. So it's just right, I got my direction on how to design the wallet.

The case design is a lion with invented texture on it. The use of lines to create the flows of the hair of lion is interesting. Also, by repeating lines, the direction is also shown . Side profile of the lion indicates the fierceness of it. Textures that have been done create a sense of strength. I'm inspired by how the artist uses repeated patterns to form the attraction. Besides, we can also see contrast between organic lines and geometric shapes. It is interesting as it serves a function to focus and attract.

So, I'm moved by it and decided to manipulate and simplify it to suit my needs and level.
And here's the current outcome.

Although it's not as powerful as my case, but I'm quite satisfied with it!
I'm inspired to add in similar shapes and repeating it to form the flows. As for colours, I'm inspired by other arts also! It is......

 

Vicente Teng (2011). Out of the Container [Doodle]。 Retrieved from http://vicenteteng.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/out-of-the-container.png

I'm inspired by the way artist using only 2 basic colours to fill up. It is simple and does not distract any part as the fact that doodles are easily to be distracted. It still forms an interesting piece although the colour use is basic. 

This is my first time trying out doodles like this and it turns to be not bad!

I realize that inspiration comes from everywhere as you look around. It inspired me to do my assignment and I will be trying it sometime in the future again.