Final Major Project

I effectively used my artist research to support my project. I looked at 2 artists and a film, all 3 of these would evoke nostalgia in people. I looked at Eric Carle, Lauren Child, and Toy Story 3. I selected these two artists as their books were present in a lot of homes and primary schools, meaning many children would experience some form of nostalgia from the books. Toy Story 3 is also a very well-known children’s film meaning that it would evoke nostalgia in a lot of people too. As well as this, my specialist pathway research supported my project. I investigated the process illustrators used and applied it to my own work. Throughout my project I have used primary research. This research consists of still-life drawings, personal experience, and photographs. I have used these aspects of primary research to inform my work and develop my project. If I were to do this differently, I would do more small studies, to ensure I consider fluidity of objects sooner. Also, throughout this project, I have effectively researched techniques, the main techniques I researched was the use of texture and digital collage. However, I feel I could improve my research by spending more time exploring a wider range of materials. Despite this, I experimented with a generous number of mediums, such as watercolour, paint pens, felt tip pens, acrylic paint, and polystyrene. For my secondary researched I used the internet. This was done to a substantial amount; however, I feel if I had slightly more time I could have done more. To generate my initial ideas, I used still- life drawing. I find this to be the best method for me whilst generating ideas. This is because it allows me to explore the object I am drawing and see how I could change and develop it in the future. Furthermore, that still life- drawings give me an insight to something that I can notice and manipulate, such as the interesting, organic shapes that are visible. As this method works well for me, I do not think I would do it differently. 

 

I am quite pleased with aspects of my final solutions. I feel that my photoshop collages came out well. Furthermore, I liked how the polystyrene soft toys were coming along. However, I am disappointed in the fact that I ran out of time to finish them. I am quite fond of my digital collages as I used textured pieces of paper to make them, and I was never a huge fan of digital work. If I were to improve my final outcomes, I would finish the polystyrene models to a high quality. I am inclined to believe that the photoshop collages were the most successful of my final outcomes. This is because I managed to finish them. However, had I finished the polystyrene models I feel that I would view them as the most successful as they took a lot of time, and they were coming along well. If I were to do this again, I would either make the polystyrene models smaller, or I would designate more time to finishing them. The main thing that dd not go as expected was running out of time for the models, I managed this by only focusing on one and trying to get as far with it as possible. Throughout this project the main aspects of visual language I have used are line, colour, shape, and texture. I manipulated texture throughout this project so I could create interesting pieces of art. Furthermore, colour was a huge part of this project as my theme was nostalgia and toys. If I were to do this project again, I believe that I would also look at tone, I would do this to make my work look slightly more dynamic. 

 

My work is dynamic and creative as I have developed the entire project from still life drawings of 3 stuffed animals. To get to my final outcomes I had to constantly change what I was doing, I started off with 3 stiff drawings and ended up with 6-foot-tall polystyrene models of the toys in fluid poses. However, if I were to do this differently, I think I would alter my process slightly and move into some more 3D work. I achieved the outcomes that I did by constantly reflecting on my work and keeping a weekly plan going to ensure that I stayed on track. I feel that this could have worked better, if I went into more detail in my weekly reflections, however. Also, I effectively considered sustainability within the use of my materials. I ensured that I limited the amount of waste I produced and recycled all pieces of paper that I could. To improve, I would attempt to use more recycled materials. 

 

I planned to the best of my ability; however as certain things took longer than I thought they would I ended up running out of time. In the end I managed to conclude my project for the deadline, even though some work was unfinished. If I were to do this project again, I would give myself longer for more ambitious pieces of work. Furthermore, from this project I have learnt that not everything can be rushed, therefore, prioritising certain pieces is better than having a lot of unfinished work. I am hoping that my audience will feel nostalgic when they look at my work. Many people had soft toys whilst growing up, therefore I hope my work will evoke feelings of nostalgia. Furthermore, as I took inspiration from Eric Carle in many aspects of my work, I hope that people will think of him and feel nostalgic because of it. The presentation of my work is effective, I have laid out my wix in an easy to navigate manner and my sketchbook contains smaller pieces of work that would otherwise get lost. Next time, I would also make my own personal website to show off my work without detailed reflective comments. 

 

I have identified my audience well; I am inclined to say this because children will be attracted to my work as it focuses on toys. Therefore, I identified my audience to be young children and their parents. Also, my work is effective in the context of illustration, this is because I investigated illustration and was able to use the process and apply it to my work. If I could change any aspect of my work, I would do more lino prints of a smaller scale. I would do this, so I had several bears that I could manipulate on photoshop. 

 

I have developed as a creative practitioner as I have explored a different specialist pathway to cater to this project. This has allowed me to pick up new skills and revise different creative processes. My personal goals are to continue to develop and learn new skills. This project has supported these goals as I have learnt new things as a creative practitioner. To keep moving forward I will continue to look at different creative practices processes to see if I can pick up new things and apply them to my own work.