Digital Graphics Basics Tutorials and Finishing 'Loss of Balance' Project

Since I last posted about the Digital Graphics Basics unit, I have developed a series of works mainly based on subject matters that feature trees. As springtime has bloomed in Poland, I have enjoyed photographing a variety of different types of trees in various environments both urban and rural. I have then developed a series of edits in Photoshop, experimenting with effects and filters to create bold works that relate to both my theme and observations I have made of various places in Poland.

As the project has developed, my final outcomes have become more abstract and therefore could be considered as fitting the theme of 'loss of balance' better because they are less about the subject matter and more about the surface and textural elements that are conveyed.

Around a week after I had created my first few graphics, I was told to get them printed out A4 size at the local print shop, Rappid. It only cost 8 zloty for 3 prints (£1.67 each). The print quality was of a very high standard and the matte paper suited the subject matter of my graphics well. I then added some hand drawing on top of my 2 chosen prints using marker and gel pens. I initially thought this seemed like a slightly strange idea when my tutor, Marta suggested it because I thought the class was focused on creating digital graphics. However, I understand the importance of experimentation and I was glad to be encouraged to introduce other mediums into my work as I enjoy working using mixed media. Other processes I could consider is the addition of paint or intaglio printmaking techniques such as etching and serigraphy.

One of my A4 prints - not included in my final digital graphic series

Marta thought the original tree graphics I created were amazing and I think this is why she suggested I use marker pen on top, she has very good knowledge of what will work and what will not. She is also expert in using Photoshop, she showed me some new tools I could experiment with in the development of my 'loss of balance' project such as using the multiply effect. She suggested I create a cycle of graphics. I decided the tree graphics I had created were my strongest images so far so I decided not to develop the other graphic examples I had created at the beginning of the project any further because I didn't feel that they fitted in with the theme as well.

I'm pleased with how my two A4 prints have turned out with the addition of hand drawing on top. Gold gel pen works particularly well in the first print, making each branch of the bushes and trees stand out. The second print has less obvious hand drawing because I used a black pen but the trees are more emphasised with these additional marks.

Loss of Balance Trees 1 - Katowice Vista

Loss of Balance Trees 2 - Bytom off Balance 

My third print in the series is slightly different to my first two prints. It is more atmospheric because I took the original photograph in Kosciuszko Park, situated near my dorm. The colour palette is softer and I plan to get it printed A4 size again but I won't add hand drawing on top because I think the print is successful as it is. The print has quite a magical feel about it and I like the contrast between monochrome and cool colour palettes. I added darker tones to the blue leaves and made the stems and branches yellow to pop in a warmer colour element. The original photograph has been inverted and I experimented with effects such as exposure and saturation.

Loss of Balance Trees 3 - Kosciuszko Park Wanderings

My fourth print shows I have progressed quite far in terms of style from my first print. I have developed into abstraction, creating a highly edited photograph of a tree with many branches. Line is the dominant visual element within the print. I photographed a thick tree trunk and rotated the photograph. I edited in Photoshop, initially inverting the original photo but this made it too dark so I added the yellow background. I multiplied branch elements so that the whole background was covered with line. I blended the trunk colour so that it matched well with the branches. 

I am pleased with this print, it is very different to anything I have ever produced digitally before and I like the boldness of the line and the relationship between green and yellow, it has a lovely naturalistic quality. I intend to get this work printed B1 size to compliment my smaller prints but also show a progression from representation to abstraction styles.

Loss of Balance Trees 4 - Park Abstraction 

Marta gave me an advice sheet with her feedback on the work I had produced so far. She wrote,

'I have a suggestion for you.

Try a larger synthesis based on the graphics already made.

For example, you can isolate a tree from the background.

You can interfere with a given element, change its form, multiply it.

Then make abstract graphics using this element.

It is (it aims to) to unrealise the presented object, in order to give the recipient more room for interpretation and stimulate the imagination.'

I followed her advice for my fourth print in the series, above. I also did some other experiments exploring abstraction and isolating some elements of graphics I had already made.

Forest Contrast

This graphic explores the contrast between bold and faded images. I think it is quite interesting to see how using different filters affects the quality of the image but I think I needed to ensure that the images blended in to each other a little better here as it is fairly obvious that the images look separate. I could have used a larger element to begin with and then selected and edited parts of the image.

Kosciuszko Park Haze 

For this graphic, I experimented with the trace contour filter. I like the fact that image is faded, it adds an element of mystery for the viewer. I think the multi-colours work well together. I isolated an element of my Loss of Balance Trees 3 - Kosciuszko Park Wanderings print. 

Blossom Springtime 

This graphic uses a different photograph, not taken from a graphic I created previously. I have a love for blossom trees and enjoy photographing them. I used the trace contour filter again, as experimented with in the image above, focusing on a green colour palette. I think it reflects springtime in the city of Katowice well, it becomes very green and leafy. I think this image may be more successful if the blossom was more emphasised so I would experiment with this if I was to develop this image further. 

To conclude, I have really enjoyed this first project. This class is not something that is taught at UCA and it has changed my illustration practice in ways I hadn't thought about before. I have an aim of working digitally more regularly and the realisation of being able to use hand drawing incorporated with digital print successfully has made me want to explore the process more as I move into my third year of study at UCA. I will now move on to a theme of my choice and create a new series of digital graphics based around my chosen theme.