For this exercise I had to draw two 12cm square boxes on A4 paper and use them to tell a story, one for the action, and one for the reaction. I did this in Photoshop, so as to get more practice working digitally. Plus I like the clean lines possible with the medium.
Having thought through a few ideas I decided that I liked this one best. It seemed to have a more developed narrative behind it. I also tried a few variations of this concept. This one was the most interesting. I like that the two images are so different. It makes the second unexpected. They also have two different energies, the first image feels calm, whereas the second is chaotic.
I think that the story within the images translates well and can be read without a struggle. It is set in the Victorian era and the dog is chasing the cat from the first image, knocking the woman to the floor as he goes.
The style has been influenced by the last exercise, with the style of Herge’s ‘Tintin’ seeping into the style. I felt a simple approach to the design would be the best approach as it translates ideas well and doesn’t distract from the idea. I’m sure that this was the best way to draw the dog though. He looks a bit like a ball of hair flying through the air. Defining his shape a bit more, like the cat, may have been a better approach, or choosing a different breed of dog. One with shorter hair. I went with this breed however, as it was the one I envisioned when I saw the image in my head.
There was no overall point that I was trying to convey through these images, just a small story.
Some of the lines could have done with being cleaned up and the face looks a little distorted. I was trying to make is as proportionally correct and real as I could. The leg also looks strange, like it’s coming from nowhere. This could be due to the shading of the skirt. Adding more gradient to the shading may have resolved this issue. I am pleased with how the cat turned out. The perspective of the door could have done with being adjusted. It looked right at the time but now the angle seems off and unrealistic.
Illustration log 