Summative Post 1

The main issue with the imagery that I have created in the first part of the year is that it feels far too safe and that I have settled into a process and aesthetic based on what was working in second year rather than continuing to evaluate and question this. This is primarily a traditional approach to creating imagery in a cinematic manner, using fore, mid and background elements coupled with other compositional methods such as lighting and negative space to create bold final images.

This was largely informed by my past work, particularly the About the Author brief, and my research into other image makers who work in this traditional manner such as Bill Bragg, Owen Davey and Jon McNaught.

Jon McNaught

Owen Davey

Bill Brag

Mono No Aware

Despite these issues there have been some successes, particularly within my Mono No Aware brief. My idea behind this project was to produce a series of folio society style images, ie full bleed, cinematic, narrative images, in response to the Japanese concept of Mono No Aware which loosely translates into a transient, gentle sadness in relation to the impermanence of things.

Problems

The initial two images I created I feel were mainly unsuccessful mainly due to colour and textural choices. I chose colours that were too punchy and vibrant that through of the subdued, wistful feeling I feel is evoked by the concept. Furthermore the images feel too clean and digital. This is partly due to a unconvincing use of texture masks and well as poor choice of drawing materials; the line feel too clean and therefore I could benefit from creating more visceral line work to reinforce the intended tone of the imagery.

Successes

The final three images greatly benefited from these initial reflections and I feel were a lot more successful. This is particularly due to a minimal and reductive colour palate that creates a more evocative set of final images. The choice of orange in particular helps communicate the idea of impermanence through suggesting dusk/sun set and its association with the passing of time. Furthermore, I decided to create my images using graphite stick which I feel has given the images a more visceral, analogue feel which I think better suites the concept as well as context of imagery for publishing.

Don’t Look Now

However, despite these successes with my Mono No Aware project, I think that this period has mainly resulted in unsuccessful imagery and personal dissatisfaction with my project. This is due to the fact that I have settled to readily for an aesthetic and at times feel restricted by it.

For example with the Don’t Look Now posters I think I was too concerned with making balanced compositions that fitted alongside my narrative work without considering what worked best in response to the context of night club posters. This is particularly true of the Volte-Face poster where I feel the Anime esque character and bold colour choice doesn’t accurately mirror the darkness and subtlety of the music in question.

Final Thoughts

I feel like the imagery feels overly static and bland and that I could have been far more experimental with it. This is going to be my manifesto for creating imagery for the rest of the year as currently I feel like I need to really evaluate and push my practice from where it is currently at.