Task 3: Design
8/3/2024 - 22/3/2024 | Week 5 - Week 7
Johanna Leong Hui Ninn 0359221
Bachelor of Fashion Design Technology (Honours)
Task 3 Brief Recap
Following the analysis of the selected artworks in Task 2, it is required to create our own design work inspired from the pieces of the artist selected by utilizing any suitable medium or materials to convey our visual message.
Moodboards
Subject Character Concept Moodboard
In this artwork, I decided to draw a woman with blond hair. Blond hair is
often associated with concepts of youth, innocence, purity, and beauty in many
cultures. It can represent a sense of lightness, both in physical appearance
and in character, suggesting a gentle and serene nature.
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Halo Concept Moodboard
In many cultural and religious contexts, a halo is a symbol of divine
presence, holiness, or enlightenment. When a halo is drawn behind a woman in
an artwork, it typically symbolizes her purity, sanctity, or spiritual
enlightenment.
With including this concept in my artwork, it enhances the sense of spiritual significance and suggests that the women in my illustration is a figure of purity and grace.
Battered White Wings Concept Moodboard
The image of white wings in art often symbolize purity, innocence and
freedom. White, as a color is often linked to concepts of purity, light, and
goodness, further enhancing the symbolism of white wings.
When these
white wings are battered, it can express an indication of a past struggle or
trauma. Symbolically, the battered wings can represent the scars and
challenges that the woman has faced, perhaps signifying a history of
suffering.
However, by enveloping the woman, they also suggest a form of healing and renewal, emphasizing the woman's resilience and strength to overcome the adversities that was forced upon her by this world. Overall, the battered wings enveloping her symbolizes the complex interplay between suffering, protection, healing, and resilience in the face of the hardships that is faced by womanhood.
Visual References
I was inspired by the look of the 'female rage' expression on the bride in this artwork. Female rage, in the context of this artwork, is seen as a reaction to societal expectations and pressures placed on women, particularly in the topic of forced marriages. The bride's reluctance may stem from feelings of being constrained or forced into a role or situation she does not desire. Her expression reflects a sense of anger or frustration at being denied agency or autonomy in her own life choices. This particular artwork highlights the complex emotions and inner turmoil experienced by women who were expected to conform to societal norms and expectations, even if it meant sacrificing their own desires and happiness.
While applying the expression of the bride in "The Reluctant Bride" painting which is a poignant portrayal of female rage into my own artwork, it displays a reaction of anger and frustration towards the struggles faced by women in the patriarchal society that was ultimately forced onto them.
The application of the expression can be seen in Sketch 3 and the Final Design Artwork.
In this painting, the woman is depicted with a pose and an expression that conveys a sense of melancholy. The woman's head is tilted slightly upwards with her eyes closed, suggesting a moment of deep thought or contemplation.
The pose and expression of the woman in this artwork can be interpreted in various ways. Some view the painting as a representation of the feelings of longing and despair of women, while others see it as a more universal depiction of the womanly experience of suffering and redemption.
The woman's pose in this painting inspired my Sketch 2. Meanwhile her expression of melancholy inspired my Sketch 1 and Sketch 4.
This painting depicts the famous historical French figure Joan of Arc in a moment of prayer with great emotion and detail. Joan's expression in the painting conveys a mix of emotions, including sadness, resignation, and acceptance, all while maintaining a sense of dignity and strength. I focused on capturing the nuances of emotion from this painting in a similar way into my illustrations. I wanted to display emotion of the universal experience of sadness and the capacity of women for resilience in the face of adversity.
The expression of Joan can be seen to be the inspiration of the woman in my Sketch 2. The woman in my sketch 2 is depicted with a downward gaze and slightly downturned lips, suggesting a deep sense of sorrow and melancholy. Her posture and body language could convey a sense of introspection and vulnerability, similar to Joan's stance in Millais' painting.
I was inspired by the coloring style in this artwork. I used similar brushes and the application of shadows formed by the lighting shinning from above. Though my illustrations did not turn out to have an atmosphere as dark as this one, as to keep the overall vibe of Pukirev's paintings; the works of the artist who I was originally inspired by. The style of this artwork includes subtle gradients and textures to add dimension to the image, while also incorporating intricate details and patterns that enhance the overall visual impact. The use of light and shadow is particularly striking, with areas of intense brightness juxtaposed against deep shadows to create a sense of drama and mood.
The coloring style in this artwork inspires my own artwork by showing me how to use color to evoke emotion and create a sense of atmosphere. I am inspired by how this artwork blends different tones and shades to create a harmonious and visually appealing composition. The use of light and shadow in particular has taught me how to create depth and dimension in my own work, helping me to enhance the mood and storytelling in my pieces. To add to that, the brightest part of this specific painting is the part that makes of the halo behind the woman. You can see such elements being an inspiration and applied to all of my sketches and my Final Design Artwork
This particular painting depicts the biblical figure of Mary Magdalene with a portrayal of deep devotion and spiritual contemplation. I focused on capturing the same sense of reverence and introspection from this painting.
Being inspired by the concept of redemption, faith, and spiritual transformation, I was inspired to convey such themes in my Sketch 1 and Sketch 4. This painting by Reni have inspired my illustrations to have highlights of the power of faith and redemption. This painting also inspired me to include a serene and contemplative atmosphere, enhancing the sense of the woman's spiritual experience into all my sketches and my Final Design Artwork.
Idea Sketches
This sketch portrays a woman with bright blond hair, with a shinning halo at the back of her head, and white wings enveloping her body that appear battered. The composition of the wings that appear to look battered is depicted to be a visual narrative that explores the concept of resilience and hope in the face of adversity. This composition is illustrated to convey a sense of spiritual serenity and divine presence. In this sketch, the woman is shown with her eyes closed, her hands clasped as a sign of praying with a look of intense concentration on her face all while bowing her head in prayer as a gesture of humility and contrition.
This sketch can be related to the UNSD Goal of gender equality by depicting a woman in a position of spiritual power and reverence. By portraying a woman in this manner, this sketch conveys a message of empowerment and agency. It portrays the idea that women have the right to express their spirituality as well as freedom in their own way, free from the constraints of patriarchal norms. This sketch also shows the strength, resilience, and spiritual depth of women, highlighting the importance of gender equality in achieving a more just and equitable society.
The design principles in this sketch includes contrast between the shadows and the lighting. The white wings and shinning halo against the dark background also adds to the sketch's contrast and enhances the visual impact. Adding to that, the contrast between the serene expression of the woman and the battered appearance of the wings also creates a striking visual impact. This contrast highlights the theme of inner strength amidst external challenges. The focal point of this sketch is the woman in prayer, highlighted by the halo behind her which draws attention to her figure. These elements create a strong visual emphasis, directing the viewer's gaze and conveying the importance of the moment being depicted. Despite the contrasting elements, such as the dark shadows with the bright halo and light wings, the composition achieves harmony and unity through the overall balance of the elements. The white wings and halo harmonize with each other, creating a unified, ethereal atmosphere around the woman. The halo and wings are traditional symbols of divinity, representing the woman's connection to the divine and her spiritual nature. The closed eyes suggest introspection and inner focus, adding depth to the symbolic meaning of this sketch.
This sketch features a woman covered in pure white feathers, symbolizing purity and innocence. One white wing partially covers half of her face, adding an element of mystery and introspection. Behind her, a bright halo radiating a soft glow, emphasizing her divine nature and inner light.
This sketch relates to the UNSD Goal of gender equality by portraying a woman in a way that can be seen as a powerful statement about women's intrinsic value and worth. By depicting the woman with a white wing partially covering her face, the sketch suggests a sense of mystery and hidden depth, challenging the viewer to look beyond superficial appearances and stereotypes. Furthermore, the halo behind the woman's head can be interpreted as a symbol of her inner light and divine nature, suggesting that women are capable of embodying spiritual power and wisdom. This challenges the notion that women are inherently inferior to men or less capable of achieving something great. I wanted to convey the importance of gender equality in recognizing and valuing women's contributions to society with this sketch of mine as the concept of this sketch encourages viewers to reevaluate their perceptions of women and to acknowledge their inherent dignity and worth.
The design principles in this sketch includes the contrast between the soft, ethereal feathers and the woman's features which creates a striking visual contrast. The stark white of the feathers stands out against the darker background, drawing the viewer's attention to the central figure. In addition, the white wing covering half of the woman's face also serves as a focal point, bringing emphasis to her contemplative expression and the idea of hidden depths. The halo behind her head further emphasizes the spiritual nature of women and importance within the composition, anchoring the viewer's gaze on her presence. Despite the contrasting elements, such as the feathers against the woman's skin and the wing against her face, the composition achieves harmony and unity through the overall balance of the elements. The white color palette creates a sense of unity, tying the different elements together into a cohesive whole. The white feathers is a symbol of purity and innocence, suggesting that the woman is a pure and virtuous being. The halo symbolizes divinity and suggests a sense of enlightenment and spiritual transcendence.
This sketch depicts a woman covered in white feathers, symbolizing purity and innocence. There is a halo that appears behind the head of the woman, signifying her inherent purity and inner strength. However, the serenity of the atmosphere is contrasted by the disturbing scene surrounding her. Multiple hands in the form of the hands of men are shown covering her mouth as an act to silence her pleas of help, gripping her neck in a threatening manner and taking hold of the pure body of hers, symbolizing the oppression, silencing, and violence of woman around the world.
This sketch can be related to the UNSD Goal of gender equality by highlighting the pervasive issue of gender-based violence and the need to empower women and girls to live free from fear and oppression. The image of a woman covered in white feathers, symbolizing purity and innocence, going together with the hands of men grabbing her in a violent manner, can be seen as a powerful representation of the challenges that women face in society. The hands grabbing her, covering her mouth, and grabbing her neck symbolize the various forms of violence and oppression that women experience, including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. By depicting the woman with a halo behind her, this can be interpreted as a symbol of hope, resilience, and the potential for women to overcome adversity and achieve gender equality.
The design principles in this sketch includes the contrast between the peaceful, pure symbolism of the white feathers and the violent, oppressive actions of the male hands creates a jarring visual contrast. This stark difference draws attention to the conflicting themes of innocence and brutality within the sketch. The hands of the men grabbing the woman are emphasized through their position and action. Their presence dominates the composition, highlighting the central conflict and the woman's struggle against oppression. The halo behind the woman serves as a counterpoint, emphasizing her inner strength and resilience in the face of adversity. The repetition of the hands grabbing at the woman's body creates a sense of urgency and intensity. It reinforces the idea of the woman being surrounded and overwhelmed by oppressive forces, highlighting the pervasive nature of gender-based violence and discrimination. Despite the contrasting elements, such as the wings of purity and the violent hands, the composition achieves harmony and unity through the overall balance of the elements. The white feathers and halo create a sense of unity, symbolizing the woman's purity and inner strength in the face of adversity. The white feathers is a symbol towards the woman's purity and innocence. The halo symbolizes her inner light and divinity, suggesting that she is a sacred being deserving of respect and dignity.
The artwork portrays a woman with blond hair and eyes closed in prayer, covered in white feathers which symbolizing purity and spiritual transcendence. The feathers appear battered and worn, suggesting that she has endured suffering and hardship. A halo sits behind her head which signifies her inherent divinity and resilience. Above her head, a bloodied hand which appears to belong to a higher being reaches down to her.
This artwork can be related to the UNSD Goal of gender equality by highlighting the experience of suffering and hardship by women around the world that is ultimately turned a blind eye by higher authorities as well as a diving beings. The halo at the back of her head signifies her inner light and resilience, despite her outward appearance of vulnerability. This artwork depicts women as strong and resilient beings who can endure hardship and suffering while maintaining their inner strength and dignity. It serves as a reminder of the need to address gender-based violence and discrimination and to empower women to assert their rights and live free from fear and oppression.
The design principles in this sketch includes the visual contrast between the peaceful act of prayer and the battered appearance of the white wings. This contrast emphasizes the woman's inner strength and resilience in the face of adversity. The focal point of the artwork is the woman in prayer, emphasized by her central position and the halo behind her head. The white feathers covering her body further emphasize her purity and spiritual significance, drawing the viewer's gaze towards her. In addition. the bloodied hand reaching down above the woman's head is emphasized through its size, position, and the use of color. The overall composition of this sketch achieves balance through the placement of the halo behind the woman's head and the hand that is placed in the center of the illustration. This halo creates a sense of stability and symmetry, anchoring the composition and adding a sense of order to the scene. The white feathers, halo, and blond hair create a sense of harmony and unity within the composition. They symbolize the woman's purity, divinity, and resilience, tying together the different elements of the artwork into a cohesive whole. In the context of the misfortunes of women and the concept of gender equality, the image of a bloodied hand reaching down is a symbol towards a sense of abandonment or neglect by higher powers, including the idea of God. This interpretation suggests a narrative where women feel forsaken by societal norms, religious institutions, or spiritual beliefs that fail to protect and uplift them. By portraying God or a higher power as the bloodied hand that is reaching down to the women in the sketch, it shows a seemingly indifferent or absent divine being in the face of women's suffering.
Final Design Process
Line Art ⮕ Base Colors ⮕ Shading ⮕ Rendering + Background ⮕ Lighting ⮕ Final Detailing and Effects
Final Design
The final artwork portrays a woman with blond hair and rage-filled eyes, covered in white feathers. Men's hands grabbing her represent violence and oppression. This relates to the UNSDG Goal of gender equality by highlighting the struggle of women against violence and discrimination. The artwork is a statement of the pervasive nature of gender-based violence and discrimination in society.
The final artwork shows contrast in the woman's rage-filled eyes with her pure, innocent appearance. The hands of men grabbing her and the hand of God reaching down serve as focal points, emphasizing the central scene. The composition achieves balance through the placement of the halo and the hand of God, creating a sense of stability. The repetition of this artwork is shown by the many hands. The white feathers, halo and blond hair which symbolizes purity and innocence create a sense of harmony and unity within the composition and ties together the different elements of the artwork into a cohesive whole. Her rage-filled eyes symbolize the anger felt by women who are put through injustices. The hands of men grabbing her represent the forces of violence and oppression.
Weekly Feedback
Week 6: After reminder from the lecturer, I would need to include a moodboard which consists of works that inspired us etc. and add explanation writings for each of my sketches. I would also need to mention the design principles applied in each sketch and further explain them.
Week 7: My lecturer suggested to include a less "complicated" artwork for my sketches alongside my current ones. Other than that, all works are already good enough and I should focus on writing explanations with equal quality to that of my artworks.
Reflection
For my assignment, I chose to create an illustration that resonates with the UNSD Goal of gender equality, inspired by the works of Vasili Pukirev. I began by sketching several ideas, exploring different ways to symbolize gender equality. As I developed my sketches, I decided to expand on my third sketch and combine an element from the fourth sketch into my final composition.
Through this assignment I got to lay out my passion for digital illustration and display my skills and it turned out to be a very enjoyable and memorable final assignment for this module.
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