Brief
This exercise is designed to push you through a deliberate process of stylisation. Tackle it with an open mind and be prepared to adapt or adopt some of the approaches you discover.
Begin by drawing a cat or dog. Use reference from any source – life, photos or images from the internet. Draw the animal in a way that makes it ‘real’. Remember to describe some aspect of its appearance or personality.
Do a second drawing using no more than five lines. These lines can join up with each other and overlap or can be less connected; they can be straight or fluid.
Now make a collage from bits cut from a magazines and printouts. Let the texture of a tree be the fur for example. Have fun introducing surreal elements. Deliberately distort. How far can you bend reality?
Produce a drawn version (not a tracing) of your collage. When drawing, edit and select from the collage being aware of the properties you want to create a strong character. Review the distorted version and decide how you can refine the image.
This image can now be incorporated into a bigger image. Use your imagination and introduce at least one other element that introduces a narrative. Be creative but consistent in the development and rendering of this additional content.
Key words:
- Draw a cat or a dog
- Draw the animal in a way that makes it ‘real’
- Describe some aspect of its appearance or personality
- Do a second drawing using no more than five lines
- Make a collage
- Introduce surreal elements
- Deliberately distort – how far can you bend reality
- Produce a drawn version of your collage
- Create a strong character
- Incorporate into a bigger image
- Introduce an element of narrative
Photo reference
Realistic drawing
I made my sketch based on an image of a dog that I found online. I thought it’s cute and has got good characteristics to help me with my sketch and my finial character.
Minimal drawing
For the minimal drawing, I tried to use as less line as I can. It started with more lines and more details. For the last drawing, I used just one line without lifting my pen off.
Collage
The process of making collage wasn’t very easy. I tried not to be concerned about the end result and just have fun putting the cutting papers next to each other to make a dog out of it.
Drawing from the collage
Narrative
For making my narrative, I used Procreate. I made a landscape with the brushes I had in Procreate. Then put my realistic drawing on it. After that, I used my drawing from the collage and added some textures to make its character unique.
Self– reflection
Overall it was a fun exercise. I just tried not to be worried about the final artwork and just enjoy the process. I liked the process of making a new character out of a realistic image, it was my first experience. I would like to use this method in the future, probably for making a character for the children books or programs.
I personally don’t know how strong the narrative is? I probably could do more research before making my narrative and the final artwork.
Maryam: OCA Graphic Design 