- SELF AUTHORSHIP -
Initial Ideas
To start the project I create multiple mind maps of the different things that I could create within this time frame.
A lot of these ideas were discarded along the way however the core idea of "British Wildlife" was a constant throughout.
To start the project I create multiple mind maps of the different things that I could create within this time frame.
A lot of these ideas were discarded along the way however the core idea of "British Wildlife" was a constant throughout.
Illustrators Who Have A Cottage Industry
These are a few examples of illustrators I am aware of that have a "cottage industry" (a business or manufacturing activity carried on in people's homes )
Each of these illustrators sells their work in some way, some favour the tradition of creating prints, where others apply their illustrations to other objects such as stickers or cards.
These are a few examples of illustrators I am aware of that have a "cottage industry" (a business or manufacturing activity carried on in people's homes )
Each of these illustrators sells their work in some way, some favour the tradition of creating prints, where others apply their illustrations to other objects such as stickers or cards.
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Where I Can Get The Items Made?
Here I began the process of finding how I would get artwork produced in bulk, this was an eye opening experience for me as unless you are buying a bulk about the expense is great.
Here I began the process of finding how I would get artwork produced in bulk, this was an eye opening experience for me as unless you are buying a bulk about the expense is great.
Household Useable Objects
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Prints
Card Printing
200 (148x148mm) square cards/ single sided, silk/ metallic gold foil/ full colour/ split over four designs = £223.95
50 of each design, four designs = 50 full sets 1 card = £1.12 |
Different versions can not be printed together when they have special features like gold foiling
50 (148x148mm) square cards/ single sided/ gold foiling, tru card = £108.14 200 cards = £432.56 1 card = £2.16 |
Wrapping Paper
Visual Experimentation With Style (Personal Sketchbook)
I knew that I wanted to do something based upon British wildlife for this project, so chose to start sketching some animals first before starting on the main project.
I knew that I wanted to do something based upon British wildlife for this project, so chose to start sketching some animals first before starting on the main project.
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Christmas Card Research
After talking to Dwayne I realised that I needed a framework for my wildlife art to exist in, because of this I chose to create Christmas cards.
Therefore, I decided to look into some pore-existing Christmas card sets.
After talking to Dwayne I realised that I needed a framework for my wildlife art to exist in, because of this I chose to create Christmas cards.
Therefore, I decided to look into some pore-existing Christmas card sets.
I have been looking at the work of Jan Pienkowski recently, so I chose to take some inspiration from his colours and textures.
Practice Colour Research (Dissertation)
As part of my dissertation project I have been looking into colour within illustration, this practical research in turn affected the way that this project formed through colour choice.
So I thought that it was important to include this sheet as a reference for this project.
As part of my dissertation project I have been looking into colour within illustration, this practical research in turn affected the way that this project formed through colour choice.
So I thought that it was important to include this sheet as a reference for this project.
Thumbnails
For this project I chose to focus on the colour combinations, and shaped to start of with. These were very helpful for me to figure out what I wanted to create for this project.
Also I really enjoyed the blue and orange combination, it works really well and helps to represent Christmas.
For this project I chose to focus on the colour combinations, and shaped to start of with. These were very helpful for me to figure out what I wanted to create for this project.
Also I really enjoyed the blue and orange combination, it works really well and helps to represent Christmas.
Composition Development
These little thumbnail developments allowed me to plan out my designs specifically, and make sure they would fit together.
These little thumbnail developments allowed me to plan out my designs specifically, and make sure they would fit together.
Elements For Design
I decided to create some pieces to be included in my final card designs, these were inspired by the plants that you find in Christmas wreaths.
I decided to create some pieces to be included in my final card designs, these were inspired by the plants that you find in Christmas wreaths.
Snowflakes
I also created some paper cut snowflakes for this project, I had no idea how or if these could be incorporated. However I really enjoyed making them, and just trying something new with this project.
I also created some paper cut snowflakes for this project, I had no idea how or if these could be incorporated. However I really enjoyed making them, and just trying something new with this project.
Circle Birds
Originally I was also going to create a set of 12 birds in circles for cards and calendars, however after I created these I decided that was too much to take on in this short about of time.
So by time was better serpent perfecting a small collection if work that is cohesive, however I still do like the raven painting and I enjoyed getting to paint birds again.
Originally I was also going to create a set of 12 birds in circles for cards and calendars, however after I created these I decided that was too much to take on in this short about of time.
So by time was better serpent perfecting a small collection if work that is cohesive, however I still do like the raven painting and I enjoyed getting to paint birds again.
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Circle Bird Mock Ups (Tote Bag, Coasters and T-shirts)
Watercolour And Ink For The Christmas Cards
This is the pieces that went together to create my final illustration, layering loose watercolour, with a tighter ink layer helped me to both define the animals whilst keeping freedom of brush strokes.
This is the pieces that went together to create my final illustration, layering loose watercolour, with a tighter ink layer helped me to both define the animals whilst keeping freedom of brush strokes.
Putting The Illustrations Together Digitally
I then added in a blue watercolour layer alongside the scanned pieces, I actually really enjoyed this process. It was fun to put it together from separate pieces and create a brand new piece.
I then added in a blue watercolour layer alongside the scanned pieces, I actually really enjoyed this process. It was fun to put it together from separate pieces and create a brand new piece.
Final Set Of Christmas Card Designs
This is my final set of Christmas Cards, I thoroughly enjoyed this project. It has inspired be to work on my own illustrations more, and make a real effort to set up and Etsy in the next few months. It also allowed me to see how expensive everything is, however there are money saving methods that I will detail below.
This is my final set of Christmas Cards, I thoroughly enjoyed this project. It has inspired be to work on my own illustrations more, and make a real effort to set up and Etsy in the next few months. It also allowed me to see how expensive everything is, however there are money saving methods that I will detail below.
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Pattern Creation
Because I wanted a Christmas set I decided to use the assets that I created and scanned to create a wrapping paper,
I followed a YouTube tutorial to create this pattern it was a fun and quite quick process that I will definitely be trying again in the future.
Because I wanted a Christmas set I decided to use the assets that I created and scanned to create a wrapping paper,
I followed a YouTube tutorial to create this pattern it was a fun and quite quick process that I will definitely be trying again in the future.
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Christmas Card Mock Ups
Cushion Mock Ups
Social Media Mock Up
After Feedback Edits
Tony suggested that I should blur the animals out a bit to reduce the decoupage style, I like both versions.
But after printing them II can see the the harsh shadow I had before doesn't actually show up to the same degree when the cards are printed.
Tony suggested that I should blur the animals out a bit to reduce the decoupage style, I like both versions.
But after printing them II can see the the harsh shadow I had before doesn't actually show up to the same degree when the cards are printed.
White Background Cards
Also during feedback, there was comments about people liking the blank white backgrounds behind the animals. So I made a separate version to test how it looked.
Also during feedback, there was comments about people liking the blank white backgrounds behind the animals. So I made a separate version to test how it looked.
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Painted VS Printed Gold
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I knew that I would want to save money if I were to actually produce these cards, so I decided to work out what I could do instead of getting them printed by a company. So I did it the DIY way! Watercolour Paper (50 Sheets) = £18.50 / Makes 100 / Two cards per sheet / Two Watercolour Pads = £37 = 200 cards Windsor and Newton Gold Ink = £6.20 Cost of printing = Helen at reprographics said each sheet cost approximately £0.03 per sheet, as I provided my own paper. £0.03 x 200 = £6 Printing on watercolour paper looked very good and the cards stand which I was so happy about. 200 Envelopes = £16.80 Total = £66 Per Card (with an envelope) = £0.33 |
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My takeaway from completing this project is to try and save to invest in a great printer when I can and save money in the long run. Then I could print on demand,
also no longer be restricted by having to do bulk orders, and have the freedom to make one off things. Also I much prefer painted gold for the way it shone in the light.
also no longer be restricted by having to do bulk orders, and have the freedom to make one off things. Also I much prefer painted gold for the way it shone in the light.