It's Been a While...

Surprise! Yes, it's me again. Back from under the deep, dark crevices of the world. So much has happened since I've been hiding. I've been working on various projects on the new course which will remain my excuse for my absence. Which reminds me, it's now official! I'm now a pre-mature illustrator at University which is a scary and exciting thing to digest. Well, what can I say? University is really the next step in terms of my independence and professionalism. Going back to my work, here are a few different samples of what I've been working on.. So far this is the only project which I'm finding interesting.

University Pre Summer Task

About a month ago, I showed you guys my idea for this task I have been allocated. Here, is the adapted version of that idea which was completed on a larger scale. I will bring this with me during induction week. For this, I had to create a self portrait  which took a different direction in communication. The portrait will allow me to express who I am and what my main interests are with the use of metaphor, symbol and analogy. In this case, my passion for Wildlife and animals. Other than that, The task explained that I could also include a flavour of typography. So I decided to take a typographic approach by including cut-out captions which will describe my character best during the hand-in date. This design was done with the help of my brandspanking new pencil colours and a pinch of watercolour paint.

Sprucing Things Up

Well, another month gone. I hope you guys like the new layout of the Blog. I know, the previous style was vomit so I decided to let the creative part of me flow out of my mind and into my fingers. Not only that, but it's now much easier to navigate and you can also find me on other social networks. Speaking of other social networks, I've finally decided to create a Twitter account. Feel free to check it out and follow me if you wish.

In other news, I am now working on a Summer task that my University tutor has set for me. The key words which the task includes are experimentation, metaphor, analogy and symbol. That's all the information I'm giving out, stay tuned to what it will become and I will try my best to explain. I haven't come around to deciding what mediums I'm going to use or what the size is so I'm not going to be very active on here until it's done. Practising my drawings in my new little sketchbook is something which is also taking up my daily schedule. Gestures, gestures, gestures is what I'm still working on. I enjoy gestural drawing and it'll definitely improve my eye/hand co-ordination. Well that's about it, just a mini update. Hope you guys enjoy the rest of summer as much as I will!

Pink Sets Me Free

My obsession with primates is crazy! I don't know what drives me into drawing these magnificent creatures. I've also recently been combining and experimenting with my new pencil colours to produce these different rough and detailed drawings. I'm now in love with pink line work, it's hard to explain! Pink was a colour I always stayed away from and not because it was a feminine colour, but because I didn't find it a vibrant colour. I think I might make a series out of this, allowing me to extend my visual knowledge on wildlife and dig deeper in the darkest crevices to find my own (or a) artistic style. The work of Andrew Beckett has also inspired me with the way he uses his line work in his sketches. And along with his own interest in animals and nature. I look forward to drawing more now that I have found a lost inspiration of mine.

Crap From The Past

After going through some of my past college work, I stumbled upon this. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you adolescent Tom. This presentation was part of a college project we did back in 2010, during our first year. Our aim for this, was to "re-create" a logo design for the RAF based in Cosford. As you can see, you can tell how nervous I was due to the "errrr" and getting my vocab mixed up. This doesn't necessarily surprise me, as I had to present my work in front of the entire group, including the tutor filming me. And because the batteries in the camera had to magically die, I still went with it. Adding up to about 5 or 6 minutes of chatter. Note at how undeveloped my artwork was as well as my personality. It just goes to show at how much people can change in such a short period of time!

As a treat, I'll give you a (behind the scenes) presentation from one of my other colleagues. Some pretty hilarious stuff, but he was a top notch guy! Enjoy!

All Things Scaly, Feathery and Fury

Now that I'm beginning to loosen up more thanks to my gesture practicing, I've begun to take an interest in human and animal anatomy. Here are some examples of what I've been up to since my gestures were looking more elagant. The bear is more internal rather than external, exposing the ribs and unborn cubs.

Animals have always been one of my biggest inspirations. Even during my childhood, I was mesmerised by nature. Whilst other kids would watch cartoons on Cartoon Network, I would usually sit in my grandmother's house watching countless documentaries on Animal Planet. If I wouldn't have been extending my design studies at University, I would've definitely studied exotic animal care or management. Now that's a scary/interesting thought!

Dawn Of A New Era

Now that the Summer Holidays are here, I thought it would now be the time to prep myself for things to come in September. Scavenging for temporary Summer work is a challenge! So, I've already begun to practice my drawing abilities and extend my visual skills before I begin to study my new course at University. I am also happy to announce that the completion of my course at college was a success! Achieving a final grade of D*DD. It amazes me at how much I've developed my skills since finishing my First Diploma in Art and Design at school. Although, I was a bit of a snot nosed kid back then if I do say so myself.

Gesture/Figure Drawing has been very useful to me when going back to my drawings. Here are a few gesture drawings I created this morning. I now feel that my job is to do as much crazy drawing as I can, even if it includes my fingers burning out.

Final Exhibition And College Graduation

I've come a long way ever since I set foot into college, not knowing how to operate the mouse of a Mac. Those were some hilarious moments. 2 long years were devoted to my studies in Graphic Design and now they come to a close, opening a new door to my remaining years of studying something out of my comfort zone.

The exhibition was a great experience and was something which will keep me alert until my next exhibition at University. Here are some photos of the exhibition in it's development stages. My space was changed around because I felt the need to use up more space for my pieces of body work.

Here is the end outcome of my space. I found the layout surprisingly successful. It was done with the help of a ruler, spirit level and light pencil marks. A stencil was used for my header and a black marker pen. As you can see, this was accompanied with the photography documentation on a Mac along with the development of my digital work. Leading up to the final 3D work at the end. As a result, only 2 pieces of work weren't displayed due to the tight limit of space I was given.

Upon the completion of my space, followed with an awards evening I was invited to. Turns out I was nominated, and luckily won the Cross College Functional/Key Skills award. was a great achievement of mine other than completing my course with high grades. It's really amazing to know that I came out of college with recognition and become a role model to others. Even though I never imagined I could achieve something like this! Thus concludes my studies at college, what a journey!

Cross College Functional/Key Skills Award

- Celebrating Success 2012

If God Had Created A 72 Hour Day, He Would Be My Best Friend!

Well, the Final Major Project is drawing to a close and my exhibition is right around the corner. Nothing but pure panic is running down my leg at this time.. or is that something else? Moving on! The work load produced these past few months has been quadrupled and has now developed a crunchy hard shell, but now it's time to take a bite into that tough cookie. Because it's go time and theres no holding back! I still need to plan my exhibition space and perform some printing, cutting and mounting. You saw my ladybird illustrations previously? No? Get a load of the collection I have in store for you..

And if that hasn't satisfied your tastes, wait until what I have locked in my noggin. You won't be disappointed. Stay tuned!

Lets Go To Town!

Paper engineering is the most essential part of my Final Major Project. That is why I've decided to start working with different paper types with and investigating what I think will work. I had a good play around with some A1 cartridge paper and started to create my own innovative shapes. Bending, twisting and folding each shape came into practise with the help of a glue stick and pen..

Here, was once a flat piece of A1 cartridge paper. Now, transformed into my own wacky 3 dimensional world. Other than cutting out shapes, I've decided to take a step further by cutting out typographical messages and creating cuts which would start to escape the sheet of paper. Now that I've had some bread and butter practice, cartridge paper will be my chosen option for my end of years exhibition. This is because I've found that cartridge paper is an excellent heavy paper which will be used at my disposal to create high quality folds as well as illustrations.

More elaborate insect illustrations have been reproduced from photographs on Adobe Illustrator. The illustration of this ladybird will definately be used to accommodate my paper anatomy.

Said The Spider To The Fly...

Whenever I'm working towards an outcome, there's always something which has certain limitations and makes it hard for me to advance. As my Final Major Project is drawing closer to towards exhibition, I've decided to take a step back so that I can rejuvenate my ideas. I've now decided to create my own vector illustrations and combine them with 3D paper engineering. The 'posters idea' I originally had in mind hasn't been scrapped! The idea will stay and also support my new decision. My chosen theme will be based on insects and my finished project will be available for viewing at the end of year's show at my college, 2 months from now. Other than that, I'm hoping that people will be interacting with my designs other than just gazing at them.

Here, are some images of the development so far. The maquette I've created is just a flavour of many innovative things to come! I have strong faith in the project and if planned out correctly, it will make a huge success during my end of year's exhibition.

Photographic evidence to support my research on insects.

Simple vector illustration which originated from one of my sketches.

Print out of a leaf which was used to make my design 3D and interactive.

Un, Deux, FMP!

Well, with Christmas holidays finally over and my University interviews coming to a close. I think it's about time I announced the early stages of my Final Major Project! I haven't really had a good think about what I honestly fancy, so I've decided to work on the basics of poster designs! Here, is a sample from today I've produced which I have found quite pleasing.

The inspiration of this design, originated from everyguyed.com.