Composition

Composition in a piece is vital. The viewer needs to be kept interested enough to take the time to look around the piece, discovering all the different elements. There are many different ways of doing this. Lines, colour, tone, positioning of objects all play a part. I have found two pieces that I think have interesting compositions. 

This is a piece by illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi. For me I can see a triangle composition which i have highlighted by use of a red line. My eye is taken from the face of the figure in the top right hand corner, to the figure in the bottom left, to the ghostly face in the top left. The pieces of paper also help to take your eye around the piece.

This piece was done by Josephine Wall, and again I have highlighted the composition using a red line. There are different detailed scenes in all corners of the piece, and my eye is taken to them by the figure in the centre. I'm guided by the lines created by her arms and legs, and also by her gaze. 

Drawing from life

The task from my third illustration class was to draw people from life who aren't aware you're drawing them. The focus was movement, so if the person moves, you draw their arm in the next position it moves to, resulting with an image with more than two arms, or more than one head. It forced me to draw much faster than I'm used, and to not focus on a 'perfectly finished' piece. The results are below!

Anatomy

This week's illustration task was to chose a humanoid cartoon character and to draw in what I think their skeleton might look like. I chose Peter Pan. I used his outline and drew in what I think it would look like. I found he has a very small rib cage and his arms are very short!

The result...

Brian Froud

Another favourite illustrator of mine is Brian Froud. He says how the creatures appear on the paper, they present themselves to him, and they aren't always friendly...

Illustrations of Tony DiTerlizzi

For years the work of illustrator and author Tony DiTerlizzi has inspired me. From trying to imitate them when I was younger, to using the materials and linear style he uses to create my own illustrations. I have always loved his series The Spiderwick Chronicles. The idea that there is a different world surrounding you, the secret is knowing how to find it.

Open your eyes...