Evaluation

Re: 'Exploring visual techniques to transform and enhance a theme'


Overall I feel I have explored several different areas which I had previously not investigated throughly within my practise. Deconstructing and analysing the key elements of artists' work has been immeasurably beneficial to me in helping to gain a widened sense of understanding and knowledge for the different visual processes and how they achieve these effects. Applying this question to my theme of 'Unusual Animals' was a great way for me to explore aspects which I usually tend to shy away from and therefore it has been very helpful in showing me how I can employ these techniques directly to my interest of animals and nature.


I have explored how colour can create a different feeling, can alter focus and create contrast within an image, in addition how a limited colour palette can have as much of an impact as a muted or contrasting palette. I also investigated the use of metaphors, exploring how they could be used to help create a subtle meaning whilst not impacting the informative value of the image. I also explored composition and perspective


Looking back at my aims, I feel I have been successfully in exploring ways to utilise visual techniques to enhance an illustration, most particularly with colour, composition and perspective. I feel these techniques all aided in enhancing the my theme of unusual animals, whilst still keeping a realistic element of the subject matter.


I also explored ways in which to create an image which does deviate from the realistic portrayal of the subject matter, as evidenced by my investigations of metaphors and anthropomorphism. I feel this was an interesting area to explore as I needed to retain a certain element of the animals natural characteristics, whilst also morphing and transforming them into something slightly more whimsical and surreal.


Furthermore, I gained knowledge in how different visual elements can be enhanced by combining them together. I found that many artists I explored combined the effects of composition with colour to emphasise the audience's viewpoint on their subject. I also used this method when exploring composition, using different colours to distinguish and separate different parts of the landscape, which I hope to use again in my future practise.


In conclusion I feel this research investigation has been very beneficial to my practise in helping me expand my knowledge of the skills used to construct an illustration based upon one theme. Looking back I wish I had explored certain elements of composition and perspective even further, as these are particular areas of which I had very little understanding of before, however I hope to use this as a learning experience which I will build upon in my Final Major Project. Thus, the project has been successful to me in helping me to discover many new ways in which I can enhance my theme of 'Unusual Animals' and strengthen my practise overall.