The Social Gathering

Mixed media pencil, black fine-liner and watercolour paint. Final edit on photoshop. 

The illustration above depicts the seven characters I created over the summer: psychedelic butterfly, Ollie the Orangutan, Foo Dog, Tortoise-shell hare, Thumbelina, Horn-boy and Oceana, taking part in a social activity. The activity illustrated is sailing, and the drawing includes a self-portrait. Constructing an effective composition to include all eight characters was challenging, however I am very happy with the end result. The use of tonal shading has brought depth to the drawing, the subtle details of each character brought to life through intricate line-work. The bold blue splash adds movement and drama to the illustration, symbolising the sea spray off the rough waves. I have entered this drawing into the V&A illustration awards 2013. 

Foo Dog

Foo Dog final design, black fine-liner pen

Dry point perspex printing plate 

The medium for this character was inspired by the dry-point prints of Estonian artist Vello Vinn, the intricate detail seen on the Foo Dog relating back to Vinn's intense prints. This was my first attempt at creating a drypoint print, which I produced onto a piece of perspex. So far the prints I have tried to create without a printing-press at home have been unsuccessful, I plan on using the uni printing press soon to try and produce some good prints. The character was influenced by chinese Guardian Lions, known as Foo Dogs in the west, believed to have powerful mythical protective benefits. Overall I am very happy with the end Foo Dog character.