Julia Boyd

18/12/2014

I t must be the time of year or something! I've discovered another artist today who's work has given me more inspiration!

Julia Boyd is a photographer based in Australia. The pieces of work that captured my attention are her emulsion prints of some of her photographs.

This technique leaves a ghostly image of whatever print you use during the process.

Boyd. J, 2012

Boyd. J, 2012

Boyd. J, 2012

Boyd. J, 2012

I first came across this when I saw some work a fellow student had done at university. It did not register at the time as I was too involved with my own work, but sitting through a recent presentation, another student also displayed some emulsion prints and something clicked in my creativity.

I'm definitely giving this a go. Printing has seemed like too long a process for me to use effectively in my work, this technique looks like it might fit the bill though!

Can't wait!

Michelle Thompson

18/12/2014

I've been looking at the work of Michelle Thompson, a prominent UK illustrator. She has worked with many top clients from The Guardian to The LA Times.

Working in a range of media from paint and inks to collage using her own photos and those collected from outside sources. This technique offers a broad range of creating imagery in an interesting and contemporary manner.

I hadn't really considered collage for my work until studying her illustrations.....but I think I might be hooked!

Plot Magazine - Transgender

The Globe and Mail - Just Like His Father

At the Bottom of Her Valley of No Love

I absolutely love her work! Some of my work does involve moving my own illustrations around using Photoshop, but I never really used a mixture of my illustrations and photographs.

I think it's time to have a go.

Referencing Hiedi

13/12/2014

I had a go at producing something, that might look like one of my finished illustrations for my project. I didn't illustrate it in the drawing sense, as I feel this will be too close to what I have to do in the realisation semester of my course, so I just used the photos I took and some photoshop brushes and text.

It's definitely getting closer to what I want my final pieces to look like, although I need some more themes to my ideas, or rather not include so many differing images of the subjects doing different things. For example, create one finished illustration/picture of Oliver applying his make-up, maybe use two to three images of this process he goes through, to come up with a finished piece of work.

Greg Betza

13/12/2014

An American illustrator Betza has done a series of reportage illustrations based on his commute on the subway and also at a concert of one of his favourite bands, Neutral Milk Hotel.

I'm still undecided if I want to incorporate this on site style of drawing for my project. I get carried away trying to get a polished look to my illustrations, which you can only achieve through longer periods at a sketch book......certainly not the seconds you get to capture someone on stage, or before someone realises you are drawing them while they're sat on the train journey home.

I do admire the gutsy nature of this form of illustration though....and something keeps on bringing me back to looking at the simple lines of all the reportage illustrators I've been looking at.

Betza, Neutral Milk Hotel, 2014.

Betza, Neutral Milk Hotel, 2014.

Betza, Neutral Milk Hotel, 2014.

Betza, Sketching The Line, 2008.

Betza, Commuter Down, 2008.

To be able to do this style of drawing for my project is going to prove a little more taxing in regards to drawing at The Attic, due to the exotic nature of the club, but other subjects such as Heidi whom I meet at her mothers house, may prove easier to study.

David Foldvari

13/12/2014

I've blogged about this artist before, a firm favourite of mine. I love his use of black and the composition that he executes.

He makes some very political statements that people can't ignore. Something I very much admire in today's climate.

The mix of simple lines with some areas of exceptional detail, make for some interesting concepts.

Debt

Untitled

Untitled

There is a bluntness in Foldvari's work, something that makes his illustrations unique to the political agendas of today.

Alphonse Mucha

13/12/2014

After studying the work of Christer Stromholm, I thought about other 'French' art that captures the decadent nature of certain cities. The founder of Art Nouveau, Alphonse Mucha has to have a mention here. The aesthetic nature of his work, showing the female form with intoxicating swirls and colours, is something that may lend itself to my project.

Job, 1896

The Precious Stones, Ruby, Amethyst, Emerald, Topaz, 1900

Lance Parfum Rodo, 1896

I find his style extraordinary for the time period. A very technical ability mixed with a graphic design, that wouldn't be out of place today.

His use of borders and flat colour is very appealing and how these relate to the main subject is something that I'd like to try and investigate for the subjects of my work.

Hellraising Heidi!

9/12/2014

After talking to one of the students at uni about my project, she got me in touch with a friend who does drag shows.

Oliver lives in Sheffield, although originally comes from Derbyshire, Belper in fact. My mother and sister live there as do Oliver's! This meant we were practically related. I arranged with him to do a quick photo shoot at his mothers house.

As I walked up the drive of his house, I wasn't sure what to expect. T-Girls are different to Drag Queens as it turns out, and I didn't really know if I should handle Oliver aka 'Heidi' any differently.

All my fears subsided as the door opened and I was met with a heavily made up face but still in his 'civilian' clothing.

'Aye-up mate' was the welcome and after a quick introduction he said he'd be about twenty minutes to finish getting ready.

Oliver looks a little like the late 'Corey Haim'.

We kept on chatting from different rooms as he changed in to 'Heidi'.

Heidi: 'Have you ever zipped up a gay guy in drag?'

Me: 'Nope!'

Heidi: 'Well.......you're about too.'

It's not often that I'm speechless but this was definitely one of those occasions......as Heidi stepped out of her bedroom.

I was pretty astounded by the transformation. I don't know if it was because of the statuesque figure in high heels, or the fact that Heidi is only 22 years old, compared to the retired men that I have been photographing as T-Girls, but there was a different aura about her entirely!

I was happy with the reference photos, especially with the shadows we were able to get and I'm looking forward to working on the images.

It was also interesting to see the transformation of Heidi, back to Oliver. This is something that needs addressing in the project.

The Lovely Lana

9/12/2014

After visiting The Attic again for reference material, I had the pleasure to meet another regular there. Lana has been coming to The Attic for a while now, the only reason I've never met her before is because she does shows in Benidorm.

Lana differs from Gillian, in that she only spends roughly three days of the week as a man, and this is only to carry out some essential chores which would otherwise prove difficult as Lana.

Lana is a little easier to direct for reference photos and is more forthcoming generally, in front of the camera. I can only imagine this is because of the shows she does abroad.

Unfortunately she wouldn't show me her routine.

Shadow's are where it's at!

9/12/2014

Carrying on from the Christer Stromholm post, I decided to use one of his photos as reference for a new direction in technique. I realised that my previous work on this project has not really involved shadow in the photos I have taken. This has meant I have unconsciously drifted away from the style I am used to.

I picked a Stromholm photo that makes good use of facial shadow (of which there are many) and decided to have a go at another rough image.

I decided to use pro-marker directly on to the paper, without a pencil reference first, which has resulted in a slight mis-match in the eyes. I'm not too bothered about this as it was just an exercise for the sketchbook. My black pro-marker also ran out of ink.

I then scanned it in to photoshop and worked on it some more.

This is getting closer to what I want to achieve. The reference to Place Blanche and a certain French poster quality is quite appealing too. I will look in to the Art Nouveau movement, as the whole feel of those particular art works, has an aesthetic that appeals to my project topic.

Christer Stromholm

13/11/2014

I have been looking at the work of Christer Stromholm in a bid to see what other images there are of the transgender. Stromholm photographed the transexuals of Place Blanche Paris, made infamous because of the relationship to Moulin Rouge.

Stromholm captures the gritty, seedy nature of this place magnificently. The stark, black and white images only enhance an underlying feeling of emptiness.

I want to capture something similar to this in my work. I'd like to mix a humorous theme, with a more dark nature. This fits my style more than the work I've been trying to do of late.

Jacky

Pepita

Carmen

The pictures were taken in the 1950s and 60s. The idea that a group of people living on the outside of society in a kind of 'commune', is appealing to me in terms of this project. The transexuals seemed to have created their own environment, which lends itself to illustration. The fact it is in France has also given me an idea to promote the project in a French Poster format.

Time to pick up a pencil again.

12/11/2014

After my concept panel it was suggested I should explore this project in a more visual manner. Going back to my sketchbook I am still trying to figure out how I'm going to execute the work.

I decided to have a go at some quick sketches using a pen, so the first mark matters and I can't erase it once it's on the paper. This is an important skill in reportage and has the benefit of quickly logging down visually, the important information from a picture/subject.

I only spent a few minutes on each sketch and although I'm happy with the results, I'm feeling a bit rusty in this area. I tried something with a bit more time spent on it for the next one.

Again, I used pen straight to paper, this time concentrating on not drawing the figure with a complete outline to give the illusion of form. From this I wanted to have a go at something more 'finished', to grasp if I'm going in the right direction.

Still not convinced.

Going to try something with pro markers, to get a smoother finish to the original drawing.

Playing Card Design

17/10/2014

I've been wanting to do a playing card design for a while now and after looking at Chadlonius' work, I decided to have a go at it.

Again, not using drawing, just using the photos I've taken.

I think the dirty playing card packs that were popular during the 80s would be an appropriate design for the project......not sure I'll be able to get away with it though!

The Attic Poster

17/10/2014

After looking at Russ Meyers film posters, I thought I'd try something similar for my project and base it on the club I've been researching. As my tutor mentioned I probably shouldn't spend time doing finished drawings, I've decided to just use the photos I've taken and add textures.

I'm happy with the results, but again, at this stage I'm not sure if this is the direction I'll be exploring.

Russ Meyer

16/10/2014

Carrying on from the idea of Punk images/posters, have been looking at the movie posters of Russ Meyers work. A director who worked on the sexploitation genre in the 60s and 70s, many of his films were deemed (too) controversial. His fascination of big breasts and violence was prominent through out his film back catalogue, yet today they are considered cult classics. With numerous strong female characters, he closed the book on gender stereotypes and opened a new page of psychotic female killer! Probably the complete opposite of what feminists want to portray, his films certainly raise a few eye-brows.

What interests me are the posters for his films. Monotone colour with black and white, to get the most visceral image, they are eye catching using the most simple of techniques.

Vixen, 1968

Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!, 1965

Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!, 1965

Mondo Topless, 1966

His photography work also graced the front cover of his films, as during World War 2 he served as a combat photographer and on returning to America, due to lack of work in the film industry, (most of his contacts had died) he found work as front cover photographer for Playboy Magazine.

Chadlonius

15/10/2014

In my search for new inspiration, I have stumbled across Chadlonius' work. From what I can gather, he is a young American artist/illustrator/graphic designer. He has a strong, visual punch in his work which I greatly admire. Vector art is something I'd like to explore and may try this for my project.

The contemporary style is also something that excites me. The work looks just as good on a t-shirt as it would on the wall. For me personally this is important as an illustrator, as it will mean my work could work in different environments.

Bird

Dapper

Gorilla Head

Suicide King

I particularly like the playing card idea. I've always wanted to produce my own set, but again, not sure if it would be relevant to my project.

William Weege

15/10/2014

I have been looking at some new artists, primarily based around the punk scene. William Weege was born in the 1930s and lives in San Francisco. He works in print and is also a lecturer but still sells his own work.

I find his work useful to my project as it tackles some controversial topics, as befits most punk ideals.

His flat colours and use of black give a stark, gritty overtone to his work, which I find appealing.

In Every Government There Exists

1967, 19inx25in

Napalm Poster

1967, 19inx25in

Impeach Jones

1967, 19inx25in

Weege's work is definitely something I will investigate further. I like the poster idea as a way of taking my work forward, although I will make this relevant to a Masters project, I'm not sure yet.

Prelim

9/10/2014

Trying to figure out the quality of line I'll be using if I go down a more simple direction, as regards to drawing for this project.

Wasn't sure if this was too simple, so I added a bit of rendering.

I think the second image works better, although I'm not totally convinced I'll be exploring this style so much.

The text is quoted directly from Gillian regarding conversations that we have had. I quite like the idea of using the text in the background but also making it more relevant to the style I'll be using.

After talking to my tutor, it was also mentioned I probably shouldn't concentrate on producing drawings at the minute as this is the concept phase.