Exercise: Image development

This is the image being chosen to develop: it relates to the present social distancing in parks and has some background interest as well the main figures:-

Using the zooming in and out process, areas are selected and given a title word association:-

Stroll:

Exercise:

Wait:

Conversation:

Opposite:

Free:

Concentration:

Recreation:

Meeting:

Relaxation:

The decision is made to focus on the figures. This is chosen due to the bright yellow circle. It reminds of the bright rainbows symbolising hope in the midst of the pandemic and the greenery of the park is soothing. This thought brings to mind whether to add rainbow colours to the park bench. There is a local park with a painted bench which could be added to the poster:-

The same bench at slight different angles:-

Here are the preliminary sketches for the poster:- The tree is omitted otherwise it would break the circle. The bench is retained to show this setting is in a park/ communal garden.

This is a good subject; people meeting up after needing to stay at home to save lives. However they are being careful, respecting social distance. The faces are left non-descriptive so the observer can relate to the images – this could be any meeting you would like it to be ie two friends meeting, a father/daughter, brother/sister, grandfather/granddaughter, two flat mates, business lunch break or two strangers being polite & social.

It seems pleasant to include the dog facing towards the people.

Now the all the figures are made more solid and brought more to eye level so the observer may feel more included in the group. The hair on the female is drawn curving the other way. This gives her character more strength and independence, on an equal footing with the male presence. I find it interesting in drawing how a minor alteration can make quite a difference in communicating a message.

The theme is conversation. There may be the opportunity to incorporate this word into the poster using the “O” of the circle either at the being or end of cOnversatiOn.

I start to experiment on the computer trying to place the bench photo in the poster:-

I have managed after some effort to match the photo of part of the bench onto my drawing. I shall paint the rest of the poster as the exercise requires.

Now I just try sketching in around the word “Conversation” linking the figures

Then some draft colouring which allows for a more expansive outdoor space, may be near a coast, view point, moorland:-

Thinking about hierarchy of the image, a red colour for the dog’s collar will balance the colour in the bench and give the dog some attention too, as although an observer it needs to be included as part of the group.

So an initial draft is complete. Now a copy will be done taking more care. Perhaps the lettering might look better running along the base of the bench. However I decide to keep with the design linking the lettering and the human figures:-

The wording “conversation” is not quite so easily viewed visually as I would have liked. However it is almost like the old fashioned curly telephone wires so that does indicate a type of communication. So the idea of people talking together is there. The tonal colours of the individual’s clothing works better now in keeping with the rainbow bench. The finished poster can have the word “conversation” at the top left.

This is the final poster. The title lettering is plain rather than rainbow colours so that it does not distract from the bench however it is in an arched shape in keeping with the rainbow theme. There is hope of linking up with friends again in person and face to face conversation whilst social distancing, so I have found solace in completing this exercise.

It is now 4th July and a little while since completing this exercise. People are meeting up carefully again. On visiting a local area I see a couple who just fit the image above. He is even wearing a beanie hat and the dog has a red tag on it’s lead. This makes me smile and I enjoy a good leg stretch through the grass and trees with other people about enjoying themselves too.