Graphics Evaluation

Creating my final piece

Firstly, I created several drafts of my ideas in my sketch book. This was the design I decided on.

Next, I opened a blank photoshop document and used the brush tool to create shapes that look similar to watercolour. I experimented with different brush strokes and styles until I came up with an effect I liked.

I then drew out my farmyard images using water colour and fine liner. 

I then scanned these into photoshop and used the level tool to enhance the colours and vibrance. I then placed them onto the squares. 

 My next step was to create a basic water colour background. I decided on long grass to help portray what the world looks like from a mouse's perspective. I used simple brush strokes to create the grass and then scanned it into the computer.

Next, I placed the gras behind the squares and used the level tool to make the colours more vibrant. I wanted this cover to be bright with colours so it would appeal to young children.

My next job was to add the text. I had decided on the font "Peanut Butter Cookie" as it was a simple yet fun font and was easy for young children to read. 

Originally, I had decided on using "Peanut Butter Cookie" for the main title of the book but then I decided to really enhance the word 'BIG' by typing it in a large font called "BabyDoll". I then coloured it white to make it stand out.

Finally, to complete the design, I added some small footprints with the opacity turned down to add a touch of detail to make the design more interesting.

Drafting ideas

Here are some of my ideas for my final design.

Copy and Emulation 2

This time, I decided to copy from an artist called Mike smith who paints the basic shapes of the design in acrylic paint and then draws the outlines in fine liner. He then places the two together to create a picture.

Firstly, I drew the black outline of the picture in fine liner.

Then I painted the same design in acrylic paint with no outlines for guidance.

I then scanned the outline layer into photoshop and adjusted the threshold making the outline more bold.

Next I scanned the acrylic layer in and adjusted the layers to make it more bold and vibrant. 

Finally, I put the black outline over the top of the acrylic layer to complete the design.

I then started the emulation using the same process.

First i came up with a design that fits in nicely with the contents of the book (i.e. farmyard images) and then drew it in black fine liner. 

I then painted a simple copy of the shapes of the farmyard images in acrylic paint with barely any guidelines. I applied thick layers of paint to create texture in areas such as the cats fur.

I then scanned the image into Photoshop where i adjusted the colours to make them more vibrant and exciting to help appeal to children.

Then i scanned in the ink drawing and adjusted the ink levels using the threshold tool.

Then to create the final image, I placed the ink layer over the acrylic layer and used various tools to pull the acrylic layer into place to fit the ink layer. 

Copy then emulate 1

This is my Copy then Emulate project. I decided to copy Quentin Blake's illustrations as I like the style of watercolour and black ink fine-liner.

First, I copied some of his illustrations from various children's books such as The Witches and Matilda. First I did a faint pencil sketch of the characters and then I added different layers of watercolour. 

  Finally I used a black fine-liner with a lose hand to give the messy and shaky outline to the characters like Blake uses in his drawings.

Next, I decided to use Quentin Blake's style in my design for Tiny's Big Adventure. Like before, I did a light pencil sketch of the outline of the mouse and it's surroundings.

 I then put on a few layers of watercolour and erased the pencil lines.

Next, I added some flowers to the grass for a variety in colour and the went around the mouse in fine liner, using Blake's shaky style.

 I then completed the rest of the design with the fine-liner.

Finally, I added text in Blake's style and erased any pencil sketches.

Digital type

GCSE Graphics analysis