Ink Printing Project
As an art class assignment, we are doing ink prints on flags. The prompt for this project is a symbiotic relationship. I am still currently working on this project. You can read about my progress before printing on flags in the blog post linked on the left.
My Reflection
Design Elements Used:
My piece includes line, texture, space, rhythm and balance. You can see lines in every part of my design, from the curved lines in the curved lines around the borders to the sharp small lines in the underbelly of the main round multi-layered shapes. I used the curved lines on the borders to suggest movement like the main round multi-layered shapes were free flowing. You can see texture in my design in the curved lines surrounding the borders. I added the small rainbow shaped lines inside the larger and thicker curved lines to create texture that would suggest movement. I also added this texture to create more contrast between the negative black space that was in between the thicker lines. I also used texture inside the thinner layer of the main round multi-layered shapes to make them look more realistic by giving them a texture to their shape. I did the same in the underbelly part of the main round multi-layered shapes by adding small sharp lines inside the larger shape. You can see the space in my design with my use of negative space between the curved lines and the main round multi-layered shapes which makes my design less busy and provides more contrasts between the main round multi-layered shapes. You can see rhythm in my design with the curved lines surrounding the borders. The curved lines suggest a free-flowing rhythm that is meant to suggest a calm emotion. I used balance to make sure my design was appealing to the eye of the viewer. I balanced my design with having two round multi-layered shapes in the middle as the focal point and then some above and below to even it out. The borders are balanced around the round multi-layered shapes, creating a border in the four corners of my design.
Interpret the Mood and Emotions:
The mood I wanted to be portrayed in my design was a sense of peace and calm. The curved lines surrounding the borders are meant to mimic waves in the ocean that when watched in real life, the person watching feels at peace. I wanted to recreate my emotion when I was at Tofino watching the waves crash onto the shore gently. It felt so peaceful to watch the water dance. Jellyfish are also seen as cute creatures to most, excluding those who are scared of them, so I felt that they create a sense of happiness too. With their minimal shape lines and more round shape, I felt that created a bubbly mood, especially as two are in pairs close together.
Artist Statement:
Jellyfish have a unique symbiotic relationship between each other as a group. Smaller jellyfish always know to stick together and not stray from the group for protection and this is even without eyes or brains. Even with nothing in their bodies helping them physically stay together, they have an unbreakable bond between one another. Since the flags with my design printed on them were going to be put up on our school for our community to see I wanted to represent the sense of connection that can be felt in our community. Southridge has a great sense of community and even through these recent tough times, we are all there for one another which I think is a special symbiotic relationship just like the jellyfish.
Contemporary Influences
A contemporary influence I looked at was Laurie Hastings. Laurie is an illustrator, designer and printmaker based in Edinburgh. She was born in Hong Kong and graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 2004 with a BA Honours degree in illustration. She has always been interested in exploring the use of texture and pattern to build atmosphere and create visually appealing images. She strives to produce images that capture and communicate the imagery and narrative of a text. I was researching contemporary printmakers and found Laurie and immediately fell in love with her art. Her color palette communicates a happy emotion effectively and her texture in her design is so precise and beautifully done. I wanted to try to best achieve texture in my design as well as she has done in hers. I’ve included some of her works on the right:
Hover over the image to find the arrows to click through the photos!
Cover and feature editorial illustration for Canadian magazine University Affairs, commissioned by Underline Studio. The article explores the problem of prevailing attitudes surrounding sexual assault on Canadian university campuses.
Limited edition silk screen print, inspired by walks amongst the heather in the Scottish hills.
Should I have Surgery? An editorial illustration for US magazine, Brain & Life exploring treatment options for neurological disorders.
Cover and feature editorial illustration for Canadian magazine University Affairs, commissioned by Underline Studio. The article explores the problem of prevailing attitudes surrounding sexual assault on Canadian university campuses.
