Final Header Illustration

Thinking about the header illustration I knew I wanted it to be more clothing based - some kind of garment, because the main illustration is a scene. I chose to add a little collar and neck to make it more obvious that the type was on a shirt.

Too Flat?

I've had a bit of a problem with the development of this image. At this stage I think the image is a bit too child-like, this may be due to the flatness of the colours and shapes of the things within the frame. I spoke to Ben briefly about what I can do to change the tone of the image and he suggested adding more textures and making the image overall a bit darker.

I think my next step is to try painting some of the things within the frame, this could add more depth and help with the tone.

Ink-Tober 2017

Ink-tober helped me to think quickly and find joy in making images for no particular purpose. Although I had no set theme, most of what I drew ended up being things that I noticed from that particular day. I really enjoyed the exercise of doing a little drawing every day and then seeing them all together at the end.

Scene 1 Roughs

After playing around with photoshop brushes and my first idea of a composition for the first scene, I took some things I liked in that idea and composed a better rough of the image. I like the idea of not seeing the face of Sherlock, which is a reflection of his mysterious character. With this image, I wanted it to be almost symmetrical, whilst also including little hints of the characters.

This is my final rough for 'A Scandal in Bohemia'.

Ink-Tober 2017 Week 4

Day 22-28

Photoshop Tests

I went through a few different compositions and ideas, basically at this stage I wanted to experiment more with media in order to decide on what would be the most appropriate way of demonstrating the tone and atmosphere of the stories. As I am trying to develop my digital skills I have been playing around with photoshop brushes - although I aim to introduce analog media such as painted textures too.

Paintings

I had a lot of fun painting the different elements separately with the intention of playing around with composition on Photoshop afterwards. It's nice to be able to use analog media again, I feel much more free and able to experiment using these techniques.

Choosing Scenes

Scene 1 - Scandal in Bohemia

• 'His manner was not effusive. It was seldom; but he was glad, I think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular introspective fashion'
• '...He chucked to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands together.'
• '...Lighting a cigarette, and throwing himself down into an armchair.'

Scene 2 - The Man with the Twisted Lip

• 'He flicked his horse with his whip, and we dashed away through the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and mortar, its silence broken only the heavy, regular footfall of policeman...'
• 'A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rift of the clouds.'
• 'Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his breast... lost in thought.'

Scene 3 - The Musgrave Ritual

• 'Brunton, the butler, was in the library. He was sitting, fully dressed, in an easy-chair, with a slip of paper which looked like a map upon his knee, and his forehead sunk forward upon his hand in deep thought.'... 'feeble light.'
• 'We went down a winding stone stair, and my companion, striking a match, lit a large lantern which stood on a barrel in the corner.'
• '...it had been used for the storage of wood, but the billets, which had evidently been littered over the floor, were now piled at the sides, so as to leave a clear space in the middle. In this space lay a large and heavy flagstone with a rusted iron ring in the centre to which a thick shepherd's check muffler was attached.'

The Book Illustration Competition 2018

Folio Society/House of Illustration Competition 2018

The Selected Adventures and Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

Including -

A Scandal in Bohemia

The Man with the Twisted Lip

The Musgrave Ritual

3X Inside Illustrations
Binding Design

Ink-Tober 2017 Week 3

Day 15-21

Project Proposal

Briefs

• Folio Society - book illustration competition.
• Independent Leeds - fashion merry go round.
• Publishing briefs - choose stories - books for adults - books for children - look at public domain list.
• Illustration Friday? - Replace Ink-tober when that's over.

Rationale

• Narrative & sequential illustration - publishing briefs - folio society.
• Single image narrative - editorial - one word briefs (small briefs) - want to work on visual metaphors and tone - audience.

ACTION PLAN (so far)

1. Folio Society - 3x illustrations and a binding design. Deadline 15th Jan.
2. Ink-tober - 31 small illustrations, make a pattern, etc? Deadline 1st Nov.
3. Independent Leeds - 1 half page illustration and 1 circle title illustration. Deadline 31st Oct.
4. Publishing brief. Identify books/stories to illustrate.
5. Editorial briefs. Identify articles to illustrate.

100 Word Bio

I am an illustrator from Nottingham, currently based in Leeds. My practice currently consists of shape based imagery which utilises skills in both analog and digital media, emanating detail, colour and narrative. I enjoy working with scenes and responding to literature. I acquire a lot of my inspiration from the things I like to do in my free time, such as travelling, going to the theatre, reading and drawing. I work mostly on publishing briefs for both adults and children, as well as editorial projects. 

or

Sophia Watts is an illustrator from Nottingham, currently based in Leeds/UK.

Her inspiration comes mainly from her interest in time periods and historical references, as well as fictional storytelling.

She enjoys making work that emanates detail within a scene, working mostly with publishing and editorial projects.

Independent Leeds - Brief

Independent Leeds
I got approached again by Independent Leeds to produce work for an editorial and title illustration. I am happy to have the experience with articles which include human interest subjects. My work is not necessarily political and wouldn't suit that world, however the more specific topics of editorials are really interesting for me to base work around. I want to do more of these kind of briefs this year.

Fashion Merry-go-round
The theme of the article I am making work for is based around the Leeds Community Clothing Exchange, themes of which are fashion and eco initiatives. I am very excited to do some work around this as it's quite different to what I am used to. 

Comfort Zones - Task

• The development of the media I tend to go to immediately, is largely to do with my process. At the moment, I work largely with digital media and Photoshop brushes for final outcomes. Roughing is also a large part of my practice and something I really enjoy as part of refining ideas in my sketchbook. I feel that this is one of my strengths, as well as being able to produce work that is aesthetically pleasing, carrying narrative and tone. However, I feel that my practice somewhat lacks conceptually driven ideas which is something I want to think about more this year - is it enough to focus on tone/atmosphere?
• Working with analog media is something I miss about my practice, I spent so long trying to hone in on my digital skills that it has been a while since I painted. I still draw a lot in my sketchbooks but I feel that maybe I loose a bit of charm in my work when using completely digital techniques. Hopefully I rough out my ideas enough that I keep my own 'visual signature' of portraying a feeling/setting even when working in Photoshop.
• Looking over my more recent work, the subject matter is mostly to do with time periods. I enjoy the detail and research required when working with a specific era, usually the Victorian era. I think it could be interesting for me to start looking into other time periods, e.g. futuristic. I don't want to become a one trick pony!

Ink-Tober 2017 Week 2

Day 8-14

Who Am I?

Who am I? - Presentation Notes

1. Hello!
2. Some examples from last year - narrative & scenes are what my work consists of. Shape, colour & detail is important! I would like the main part of my practice to be concerned with publishing briefs and am interested in work that is appropriate for both adults and children - Aesthetics & Tone.
3. I would also love to continue working on editorial briefs, however I want to start being more conceptual with this side of my practice - at the moment I feel my outcomes are a bit obvious. My work fits better with human stories rather than political issues. Topics - smaller briefs.
4. Composition rules - cop.
5. Process - Roughing from text - Colour schemes & experimentation - Working digitally/Final imagery.
6. Anna Bond - Aesthetic, Shaun Tan - Tone & Story telling.
7. Jon Klassen - Subject matter & Tone of voice, Paul Blow - Editorial & Visual metaphors.
8. Subject matter - Time periods, research, detail, costume, narrative, decor.
9. Interests - links to subject matter.
10. Self Portrait - following the above.

Self Portrait

Ideas behind the final design

Following the theme of the time periods I enjoy working with, I decided to incorporate this into my self portrait. I knew I didn't want the character to be too representational, and that was the challenge for me. Eventually, the decision to put some of the motifs I tend to work with into the image helped me to focus on a concept. Overall I am happy with my outcome!

Self Portrait Roughs

Final Rough

This was the final composition for my self portrait.

Initial Roughs

When thinking about how to tackle this task I thought about the elements of my practice that come up repeatedly, different signs and symbols, and the things I enjoy doing. I knew I wanted it to have a 'Victorian' feel, with a contemporary edge.

Ink-Tober 2017 Week 1

Day 1-7

I decided to try and tackle ink-tober this year! I am going to try and do a simple drawing every day for the whole month but we will see how long it lasts. So far, I am enjoying the process of just jotting down a quick image without the pressure of completing a final outcome - although I might make a more finished thing at the end.