ILLUSTRATION & VISUAL NARRATIVE - PROJECT 2

20/6/19 - 12/7/19 (Week 12 - Week 16)

Neoh Kar Yan (0339338)
Illustration & Visual Narrative
Project 2 - A Digital Triptych

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We were to choose one song from the list of songs below, appreciate the song, hear it through and understand the lyrics. We were then required to sketch initial ideas, figure out the storyline, illustrate and animate ‘moments’ base of our understanding from the chosen song. The songs list are as below:

1. Fly me to the moon
2. The way you look tonight
3. Come fly with me
4. Girl from Ipanema
5. New York, New York

I added all these songs into my Spotify playlist and listened to them on repeat for many days. After getting familiar with all the songs and their meanings, I decided to choose the song "The Way You Look Tonight" by Frank Sinatra. Not only it was my favourite song from the list, but it was also a song which sparked ideas in me.

I went through the song lyrics and started brainstorming. It was my initial idea and an idea that was fixated in my head since I listened to the song. The lyrics of the song painted a picture in my head of an owner's admiration and love for her dog. I proceeded to write down my ideas and look up inspirations online. I was initially inspired by this artist called Yaoyao Ma Van As. Her love for dogs can be seen from most of her illustrations. Seeing her work, I really felt the emotion through her art and wanted to project that as well through my own.

Google Slides:

 

Fig.1.1: Sketches and ideas #1

Fig.1.2: Sketches and ideas #2

Fig.1.3: Sketches and ideas #3

After having my ideas pitched to Mr. Hafiz, he said that my idea is good but my composition can be improved. To elevate the emotions of the viewer, I can enlarge the objects to make it closer to the eye, which projects a more intimate feel between the art and the viewer. He also suggested that for my first scene, I can illustrate the dog's tail wagging from the window instead of the whole head looking out which is so literal.

I also shared my ideas to Mr. Redzwan. He asked if the lyrics are coming from whose perspective. I said the lyrics are coming from the owner towards the dog. Hence, the 'You' from the title of the song is meant to be for the dog. He suggested that I should prioritize the dog more by making it more dominant in the artwork. He searched and showed me some photographs of dogs from Pinterest which explains the theory of putting the dog first and the owner less visible. From that feedback, I learned a lot and understood what he said.

I went back and started drafting on the 3rd scene because my idea on this was more firm while the other two got me a little hesitant. For my initial draft on the 3rd scene, I traced a silhouette of a lady caressing a dog. I also added a moon on the background. The outcome of this was rather simple and flat, there were not enough emotions showcased as well, thus, I wasn't too happy with it. I also illustrated close up views of dogs but still wasn't entirely satisfied with them.

Fig.1.4: Initial draft #1

Fig.1.5: Initial draft #2

Fig.1.6: Initial draft #3

Then came a second feedback session from Mr. Hafiz, he again mentioned that my idea was great, just that he doesn't want me having the same art style as everyone. He commented on my sketches and said that they were not bad, that I could try using it. Hence, I followed his advice and began working on my first scene. This scene describes the owner coming back from work as her pet dog waits for her at home excitedly.

Scene 1: Dog awaits the owner

Fig.1.7

Using the picture on the left as a reference, I illustrated the owner and the window using the colour scheme as reference. Next, I added the tail and added gradient to the shirt.

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Scene 2: Dog welcomes owner

This scene describes the owner being welcomed by her dog after coming back from work. The dog jumps on her, licking her face while swiftly wagging its tail.

Fig.1.11

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Scene 3: Owner watches dog to sleep
This scene describes how the owner loves her dog so much that they enjoy sleeping together every night. The owner watches her dog to sleep and loves the way her dog looks 'tonight'. 

Fig.1.18

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The Final Outcome:

Fig.1.24: Scene #1

Fig.1.25: Scene #2

Fig.1.26: Scene #3

Final Animation:

Fig.1.27: Scene #1 (GIF)

Fig.1.28: Scene #2 (GIF)

Fig.1.29: Scene #3 (GIF)

Fig.1.30: Combined scenes (GIF)