"How to Write a Book in 30 Days"

For our final editorial we were required to design the cover for a supplement featured in a magazine, the aim of which was to encourage readers to become writers, using the methods in the supplement. I photographed a composition of items typically associated with a 'work process' then used Photoshop to add the text and edit the image.

Madness of crowds

After using it whilst re-doing the past couple of editorials, I was feeling a little more confident at using Photoshop so decided to assemble this piece digitally. Using acrylics to paint the poker chips and the bear, and ink to draw the bear itself, I then used PS to finalise the composition of the piece and add some collaged ephemera.

Sun, sea, sand... and sniffles

 

The article discusses leisure sickness, so I chose to combine the idea of sipping cocktails on holiday, with taking medicine. I love traditional pen and ink work and it is something I've always enjoyed doing, so after fiddling around with the composition I drew the image in black ink then added the colour digitally.

Why small victories matter

 

 

I think this is my most successful editorial piece. After a discussion with a couple of my tutors, I decided to go with the theme of 'seeds' for this article on the importance of celebrating small victories, instead of chasing large challenges. I liked the message that even the smallest of seeds has the potential to grow into something enormous, so after many, many variations I decided upon this idea. Using this as an opportunity to explore alternative techniques I chose to do a lino print, which was then scanned digitally on to a collaged background.

 

How to... decorate

 

For our first unit, 'Contemporary Illustration', we were assigned the task of creating a series of editorial illustrations, whereby we had to encapsulate the content and tone of a body of text in a single, readable image.

I found this fairly difficult at first so my initial ideas weren't great! But I feel I improved as the weeks went on, so I found some time to go back and revisit my editorials using the knowledge and techniques I'd acquired, to get them up to (what I feel is) a higher standard of work.

This article spoke about the futility of self-decoration; covering up natural beauty with the intention of expressing one's identity. I decided to base my illustration around the quote "Earrings are the light fittings of the head" by digitally layering monoprints, and using a peacock feather as a backdrop.

Cat's eyes

From the age of 11, when I had my first art lesson at school, I have developed a fascination with drawing eyes. Not only are they beautiful to admire but its a real challenge trying to capture the shine and depth of light through the convex surface of the eye. So when I was given the project 'Cat and Dog' in my second year at uni my immediate thought was that of studying cats' eyes. Here's one of my initial sketches for the project, drawn from a photo of one of my many cats!

'A Sound of Thunder'

This project encouraged us to look at book cover artwork and depicting the essence of a story in a single image. I was given the science fiction short story 'A Sound of Thunder' by Ray Bradbury, based on the concept described as the butterfly effect. The text could have been a lot stronger but I intend on improving my typography skills during the next year of my course. Particularly when we start looking at illustration used in advertising.