MORE!?!!

Took this book from the Library 'GONZO THE ART - Ralph Steadman' an old favourite of mine, I completely forgot about him and if I'm trying to convey the human condition wtih crazy illustrations I believe Ralph Steadman is the best place I can go.

Results:

After reviewing the book even slightly these were my first two responses to the fact 'In the Ottoman Empire executioners were seen as dammed people, having separate; unmarked graves from the public'

PROBLEM!

I've been wanting my book to be a5 so i've been working in my sketchbook but it was brought to my attention that the way I work; the amount I produce; and using scraps of paper; working in sketchbook isn't the best option for me because any of these could of been 'the one' but since it's not to scale and can't be ripped out can't be used...

PROBLEM SOLVED:

Measured and cut out a sketchbooks work of a5(ish) paper so i can keep working at this pace and any of them could be used 

Idea beginnings.

• Focusing on the mystery of the headsmen hoods
• Evil looking
• My own perception is that it would take a tole on some 'what we've seen, kills us'
• Almost Viewed as monsters

To do:

1. Find a more meaningful approach not just lots of the same thing, looks boring in comparison to whats been illustrated

Tutor feedback and a new idea.

After speaking to Matt it was decided that:

• I should look at exections as whole not just at Armely
• Find more interesting research to really get involved in.

Now Im interested. I found out a lot of disturbing yet interesting facts on the culture of hangmen, interesting stories from across history and much more I decided to go back to Matt with my new found ideas

New Plan:

• Choose 16 facts
• Illustration them how I perceive them
• Look past the facts and what they could mean
• Look at the human condition and not just trying to make this look 'cool'

EDIT

Here my page of the most interesting facts i've found and here's my list of the 16 best/best illustration potential :

• An executioner was entitled to the condemned clothes and anything in their pockets.
• Wealthier benefactors tended to tip their hangmen
• Henry Pierrepoint was sacked from being drunk on the job
• Albert Pierrepoint executed over 450 people in his career 
• Joseph Myers tried to avoid hanging by slitting his throat, he was saved by the prison surgeon; then hung.
• Henry Allen, Britain's last hangman liked to be dressed for the occasion, bow-tie and all
• Hangmen kept a bottle of whiskey to calm the nerve of the condemned 
• In the Ottoman Empire executioners were seen as dammed, and had separate/unmarked graves from the public.
• Henry Kirk was turned down as a hangman for having a 'morbid obsession with the profession'
• Albert Pierrepoint saw graves being dug for nazi criminals he was about to hang and saw it as 'unseemly'
• If the drop of the rope was too long it could take a prisoners head off
• Albert Pierrepoint retired at 72 after he accidentally almost hung his assistant
• James Berry, convinced he killed innocent men gave up being an executioner and turned to serve god
• Most headsman executioners were close knit members of the community but had to keep their identity secret
• Headsman' and Hangmen had to beware after the execution from attack from the criminals friends and family
• Henry Pierrepoint liked to keep notes on the condition of the criminals necks

New book proposal

The 'Armley Gaol -  What don't you know' idea started to run very dry very quickly so in light of further research into Armley Gaol and It's hangmen as well as hangman around at the time I believe I am going to do a pocket sized novelty book on 'How To Be A Hangman'

Through looking at the things that were getting auctioned off from old hangmen, I decided to draw 'What a hangman might need' along with other pages such as 'how to tie a hang-knot' and so forth.

EDIT:

Upon further analysis and much to my dismay, this project seemed like it would be fun however, turned out very much like the old one, It dries up quickly and one you begin drawing it, the illustration almost takes away from the novelty of the facts. More research is need.

Revised Research.

After looking further into Armelys history the execution proportion of it interesting me greatly. I started looking into the executions and the executioners at Armely Prison, one of the hangmen being Albert Pierrepoint, Britain's most prolific hangman and one of the executed being Charles Peace a very romanticised prisoner form that time. Looking deeper and deeper I found out that Pierrpoint is from a dynasty of executions in his family as well as some of his fathers execution gear has just been sold at auction.

Among his things were:

1. A very 'macarbe' diary, detailing the height; weight; age; drop used and even remarks on the condemd neck
2. A very worn tape measure
3. Small bottle of empty Whiskey
4. A bowtie 

Also Harry Allen, britains last hangmans had a auction of similar things including a bag containing:

1. a dairy, with opinons on the how the job at hand went.
2. Legal documents
3. A watch
4. A tape measure
5. A ruler
6. 4 bowties

Front page?

This image is a combination of things of the other pages, I think the red and black works well even if it is very cliche. I think though the combination of images and colour something like this would work well for the front cover. However, I'm running out of ideas and i'm still not sure what to do for all the other pages, I need to do more research.

Reviewed.

Tried a different approach to the same problem, using a fine liner a lot looser then again but using it a little neater. I like them but I don't think they add any more and take away any less than the coloured pencil did.

Current book proposal

Armley Gaol - What Don't You Know.

Series of illustrations on each page corresponding to an alarming fact about the prison.

Illicit drug use is very high.

Highest suicide rate across England and Wales.

Weaker prisoners need better protection.

• I like how the coloured pencil works
• I think the different colours correspond well to the different facts they're representing
• I like the way the pages are filled
• Needs a better way of communicating the facts
• Needs a more 'finished look'
• A lot of the objects are very similar or are hard to understand

Research

Notable information on Armley Gaol:

• Opened in 1847 costing £43,000
• Category B prison
• Used to have A 'Silent System' In operation, stopping prisoners talking to one another
• Between 1847 - 1861 94 executions were held at Armley
• 93 Men / 1 Woman
• Gallows Dismantled in 1965
• Armed Militia Escort to and from Prison
• Women's wing closed in 1925
• Highest Suicide rate in prisons in England and Wales 25 Inmates from 1994-2005
• Crown Court Study Revealed Prisons out there cell only 2 hours a day
• Hostile Staff
• Illicit drug use very high
• Inadequate Healthcare
• Food quality very poor
• Vulnerable prisoners need better protection

Experimenting

Using a different method of making line (pencil dipped in ink) I got something i started to enjoy a little more. The image on the right is more a abstract interpritation on what my perceptions of Armley Prison are but this seems like it's too big a jump.

I'm going to have to do more research.

Armley After visit.

Armley

After taking photos, I did studies from the photos I took and from images I found on the internet.

                                                         
Personally I don't like anything of these things, I don't think the quality of line compliments the structure of the building but it does give some of the feeling I'm going to try and get a across.

After Crit.

From the crit I went the way of dangerous things to do in Leeds and/Or Scary things to do in Leeds. And looking back through my notes I remembered hearing someone mentioning prision so I wanted that to be a avenue I took. First I wanted to look at prison tattoos but after some analysis, It's been one, alot. I wanted something more original. I did some research and it turns out there's a prison in Leeds so I decided to vist it with my photography friend:

Crit. tutorial

We were told to provide 5 proposal questions over the week for  group crit, these were mine.

1. What is Decay?
2. What causes isolation?
3. Why do people climb stupid things?
4. Why do people get tattoos in prison?

• Different Views
• Good/Bad
• Eroding/ Natural/ Opposites
• Natural Process
• Scared
• Scary things to do in Leeds
• Fear drives passion
• Dangerous
• Tattoos not to get in prison
• Scariest situation to put yourself in
• Feelings at the time.
• Talk to Others
• Experiences
• Research - Facts - Statistics - People

It was nice to chat, get some feedback and try and make sense of everything but if i'm honest, I'm more lost than I was before the crit.

Studies.

Several Studies from tree photographs, Just to try and spark some ideas.

  

The above image did-not turn out as planed, using masking

tape to try and create a solid tree structure works but

the amount of negative space makes the image unreadable.

This is one of favourite studies, just using an eyeliner pencil

water and exhaling air in certain directions i managed to create

tree(ish) structures with a sombre feel.

Waste not want not, use pencil shavings as leave.

The second climb.

I climbed another tree:

What goes up, must come down:

This took place at 4am, as opposed to 4pm

IMPORTANT
I'd like to point out, I'm not just recording these for shits and gigs. I think getting into and out of the tree is just as important and staying in the tree. Lots of different things can happen. To me, it's proven a lot more interesting looking for a tree and climbing it.

Finally got to do some drawings, Here and some studies. They're very sketchy and quick but this is what I gathered.

 

These first two drawings and from a selection of images in my sketchbook using a fine-liner or a pencil and quickly sketching the branches around me by only looking at them and not relaying back to my sketchbook for confirmation or it being 'correct'

  

These latter drawings and from another selection of drawings that were much more interesting then my first studies. The tree I happened to be in was quite old and rotting, still strong but decays. it was covered in moss and mold and I decided to just draw the formations of mold and moss not the branches

Group Crit.

Had a chat with some peers and Matt, won't go into detail. BASICS!

• People Watching
• Where people going
• Why are people going there
• What have they done that day
• Are they going into the pub at 1pm?

Good range of ideas and questions raised, focus more on the people than on the place. An the culture split and almost dis-equilibrium of the whole area I was sat in.

• Trees - the solitude
• Atmosphere
• Times and places
• Decaying

Just explore, more research need to be gathered. Analysis things more. Try not to get sucked into the experience remember you are there to take notes.

Matt says : Climb more trees.

I'm still lost...LOOOOOOOOOST

P.s Matt said I can now draw in the trees, This is good.

Seat 3

Seat 2

Well, I climbed a tree.

Sat there, for a little bit. Well nearly and hour. It was in Hyde park, about 3/4 maybe. Was nice.
Was difficult not to draw, got a general idea of things. Main notes include

• Solitude
• Social
• Animals
• Leaves
• Trees
• Dying
• Decay
• Lonely
• No one cares I'm in this tree
• Why does no one care I'm in this tree?

Even though Hyde park was pretty much full of people, Being up there, just chilling. It felt like I was on my own. It was nice.

Again I took like 30 photos, but I'll just show you my favourite ones.

   

As you can see, It go dark pretty quickly while I was up there. Really effected the mood of things. I'm still not really sure where I'm going with this project. Or whats really going on but I did like climbing the tree. 

Video of said tree climb:

WOOOOOOOOOO

Seat 1

Went to the pub:

• Didn't get drunk (Did have a drink)
• Watched people
• Examined said place
• Took notes

Few Ramblings:

Also had to take 30 photos and collect 20 things.
In a pub collecting 20 things seemed quite redundant. since after filling pockets with cutlery and condiments there wasn't much left. I did take 30 photos though. You don't want to see them all though, So here's some of my favourites.

   

1. Got some good laughs
2. Examined the place and the people
3. Got a vague idea of things
4. Nothing really resinated, not feeling it so far.

      "Onwards and Upwards"

New Breif OUIL405

Brief in summary.

The aims of this module are:

To introduce and explore practical and conceptual approaches to the visual research, investigation, and documentation as a fundamental process in illustration.

To introduce and investigate the role of narrative and sequence in the effective development and communication of ideas and concepts relating to Illustration.

To introduce a range of approaches to research and the collecting, organising and documenting of source material.

To further develop skills in recording, documenting, presenting and evaluating work in response to individual reflection and peer feedback.

Studio Brief 1 - The Visual Journalist - You will be required to develop a body of practical, conceptual, contextual and theoretical research in response to a given starting point. You should aim to demonstrate a range of approaches to gathering source material, information and visual content using a range of media and methods. Through a process of documentation, evaluation and analysis you will identify an individual focus for further research and development in preparation for Studio Brief 2. See Studio Brief 1 for further details.

Gotta go find a seat, 3 of them and sit there for like, An hour and take notes and stuff. This might suck.

OUIL403 End Of Module Self Evaluation.

Through this brief I have developed new approached and techniques in applying media I have already used in different ways as well as a better understanding on collage/ mixed media and a aspect of how a digital process can help improve my work. They have all been applied strongly in my development work to help me generate new ways of thinking and better ways of producing different ideas. However they could be used more evidently in my final pieces as opposed to mainly my development work.
         I used collage, cutting and sticking from images on the web, in magazines and photos taken myself which I haven't done before as well as using unusual tools to create line such as a toothbrush; empty biro; straw; blunt end of a paintbrush and a knife. All producing lines and images that outcomes would not of been as interesting if I had approached it with traditional drawing tools.
          From looking through my body of work and knowing my own personal practice my strength seems to lie in the speed and fluidity in which I can produce ideas and keep producing ideas, which at the beginning of briefs gives me a much deeper breadth of scamps and answers I can use to inform the rest of my work.
          On the other hand however It is also a big weakness of mine that I find it very difficult to slow down or work on ideas over a long period of time, this includes idea generation and final pieces. Which in turn can have a consequences on my final pieces making them looking unfinished and not throughout even if it has been. From this analysis I must adapt my process and how I work and start to slow down, considering lines and media more and try harder to focus on a more studied image(s)

5 things to think about doing differently

1. Spend longer on final pieces
2. Broaden media range
3. Analyse Thought process 
4. Application of media
5. Working digitally

What can i I expect to gain from each of these things? 

1. Trying to slow down my process on final pieces and make more considered decisions about them will in turn give a more finished off almost professional look to my final outcomes.
2. I tend to stick to Inks and free flowing media, especially water colour because I know it's loose and It works well with how I work and my tone of voice however constantly trying new media and forcing my self to use alien media will help me evolve as a illustrator and could open new paths of working I would not of come across other wise.
3. Analysing my thought process more after producing images and though-out producing them will allow me to really look at whats working and what isn't and will positively effect every decision from there on
4. Even though I feel I am trying new ways to apply and experiment with media I've had some strong outcomes from this and would like to pursue it will as much determination as I have been so further my process and artist utility belt
5. I've only worked digitally twice ever really and that was for studio brief 1&4 and even though it's not something I instantly feel a connection with or even see it as a way I enjoy working, I nonetheless understand It is a crucial skill to learn and cannot ignore it.

Final Image

Self eval:

Pro:

• Considered type of line
• It looks like my work
• Considered use of colour
• First attempt at digital work

Cons:

• Boring image
• Not well scanned in
• Quote not put across strong enough

I now need to split it into 3 600mm x 300x pieces so It can be printed out then reassembled to it be larger than A3 and not in an a format to meet the requirements of the brief.

EDIT:
After tutor feedback and self consideration, I went against spilling the piece then reassembling it and instead went on to create 3 similar yet separate illustrations from the same starting image.