For this exercise I had to examine the following three images:
I found all three interested but liked the first image best, by Chas Addams. Each image holds a lot of information and hidden meaning. I find the second image harder to understand. This is contributed to by the fact that the language inside is German. There is a dictionary inside and the character seems to be looking at some kind schematics. This information makes me think of WW2. I am, however, unsure as to what is really happening in the image.
The third image is easier to understand. The patient is about to be stabbed in the back by the doctor. For some reason the doctor seems to get some type of sick enjoyment from this as he has the patient reading an eye exam which warns him of the danger. This is double sided as on the other hand, if the patient is truly having trouble with his vision he won’t be able to read the sign. This makes me wonder if this is some type of test the doctor has set up and if he ever lets any of his patients leave. If they can’t read the image, does he let them leave? This of course is also a representation of a person being figuratively stabbed in the back. Sometimes people are aware that this will happen, but continue down that path anyway and some people are unable to see this coming.
I think I may prefer Chas Addams image best as I prefer the style. I also find the subject intriguing. Also, confusing. I like the clearness of the style and the depth added by the artist. This is added by the dark background, which also adds an air of mystery to the illustration. The style is detailed, yet simple at the same time. The style of the second image is simple, yet effective. It doesn’t keep my attention though since it is so plain and flat looking. In my opinion it needs more detail to add depth.
I like the style of the third image. I like how the shadow is added through black hatching. It creates a unique effect and really directs the eye to where the illustrator intended it to go. I think it is interesting and contradictive how the doctor is in white but the patient is in black. The light shining on the eye exam also alludes to the light at the end of the tunnel, which the patient would be seeing (according to the saying) once stabbed.
Next I was to pick an image and describe as I would to somebody if instructing them in what to draw:
The image is black and white. A woman is cleaning a room. She seems short and wears a black and white dress with an apron tied around her waist. She is holding a mop and is examining what looks to be a big box. There’s lots of lights and dials. Some sort of computer. A tiny many with a briefcase steps out of the box through a tiny door. He holds his hat above his head. They are in some sort of lab. The scene feels clinical and kind of eerie. The style is simple with clean lines and shadow.
Illustration log 