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What Will I Create?
What Will I Create?
Using numerous reference images as inspiration, you will create a "mini" environment that is a combination of at least three different props that go together to tell a visual story about the place and who it is that uses it.
The finished piece will be a contour line drawing of the space and all of it's props that together tell a distinct narrative. Value and color will be added through simple shading using watercolor in the final piece.
What is Prop Design?
What is Prop Design?
Prop design is the deliberate look of pretty much anything and everything - besides the main characters - in an artwork that is VERY purposely created by the artist. Props are designed with the story, style, and the characters who will inhabit the world in mind. Props are also designed to enhance the story and make the world look more believable.
Professional Illustrator Examples
Professional Illustrator Examples
"Asian Food" Aleksandr Pushai
"Concept Art" Julien Rossire
"Living Room" Ira Sluyterman van Langeweyde
"Pierre's Room" Soyun Park
Let's Discuss
Let's Discuss
What props do you see in each example?
What props do you see in each example?
What visual cues tell you what type of characters would use these spaces?
What visual cues tell you what type of characters would use these spaces?
What story is each artist telling in the environment?
What story is each artist telling in the environment?
How would you describe the style?
How would you describe the style?
How does the style of the drawings enhance the story?
How does the style of the drawings enhance the story?
What would you add or take away?
What would you add or take away?
Artistic Concept
Artistic Concept
A concept is an abstract idea. Artists use different concepts to take those ideas from abstraction to reality. The concepts being explored through the lens of the Prop Environment project is Conceptualization.
Conceptualization lies in an artist's ability to create "something out of nothing" by seeing it in the mind's eye. It is the practiced, abstract ability to visualize the end product and the process of creation to get there. Artists conceptualize by imagining the artwork before it is actually created.
Elements of Art & Design
Elements of Art & Design
The elements and principles of art and design are the foundation on which all art is created. They can be thought of like a sentence. There has to be words in order to make a sentence; no words, no sentence. The elements of art are like the words. Without the elements - line, shape, color, value, texture, space, and form - there is no art. That doesn't mean that all elements of art must be used in an individual artwork, just like not every word has to be used in a sentence, but at least one must be present.
The Prop Environment project will focus on the following element of art & design:
Discover some interesting aspect about the element of art & design: form
What did you learn about form and how might you use that knowledge in this piece?
Principles of Art & Design
Principles of Art & Design
If we think of the elements and principles of art & design like a sentence, with the words being a metaphor for the elements, then the principles of art & design are the ways in which the words are arranged. The way in which you arrange the words of a sentence dictates the feel and meaning of it. More descriptive words, and the sentence gives more detail; less words, and the sentence reads sharp or abrupt. The principles of art and design are the way in which an artwork is arranged. Does it appear uneasy, or relaxed? Without the principles of design - pattern and repetition, contrast, movement, emphasis, balance, rhythm, and unity - an artwork would not have a unique look and personality to it. The principles of art and design are more subjective as well. This means that they can be viewed and interpreted by one person differently than they are viewed and interpreted by another.
The Prop Design project will focus on the following principle of art & design:
Discover interesting aspects of the principle of art & design: balance. Explore different ways to create balance and unbalance in a composition.
Project Specifics
Project Specifics
The mini environment you create must be a creative compilation of a minimum of three different props . These props should be purposely chosen and put together in such a way as to tell the viewer what type of environment these objects would be seen in, who the characters are that would live in this world and use these props, and tell a distinct visual story by what is included.
add examples of student work
Getting Started
Getting Started
Review the list of ideas for the final project: Prop Environment and select from each category of what the environment is and who exactly it is for. This list is not exhaustive; it's a starting point in case you're "stuck." If you have an idea you are really passionate about and a specific "character" it is intended for, then discuss that idea with the instructor.
Brainstorm Ideas!
Brainstorm Ideas!
Think of, and write down, whatever comes to mind about your environment, the characters it is meant for, and the style it will look. No idea is a bad idea at this point.
Watch as the instructor brainstorms ideas.
Think Big:
Think Big:
Begin by listing all of the ideas that come to mind about interesting environments and the different types of characters that might use them. Then narrow it down to your favorite three and be more specific about what kind of props would be in that environment.
Learn some ways to get more from your brainstorming sessions.
Get Specific:
Get Specific:
Narrow down your top three choices from the previous worksheet to your final one. Then write, being very specific, what three different props will make up this environment and show your viewer exactly who this place is made for.
Give details as to how these props will fit in the environment, work for the characters who will use it, and tell your visual story.
Working with Reference
Working with Reference
What you choose to work with as reference has a direct impact on how the story is told and interpreted by the viewer.
video of instructor working with reference
Using References
Using References
Effective use of reference is "stealing like an artist," but also a form of inspiration. Artists create an "original" piece by combining together elements that work to enhance the story in a unique way from a number of sources.
Artistic Conventions
Artistic Conventions
A convention is an accepted way in which something is done. It's a variety of things that artists do to create a piece of artwork. Artists use their knowledge of the numerous different artistic conventions with corresponding methods and techniques to portray meaning in an artwork.
Each unit will explore different artistic conventions. In this example, the artist is using the artistic conventions that this project will explore - vantage point, and visual editing. Vantage point refers to the angle that the viewer sees the objects in the drawing at. In the example, the vantage point is from slightly above looking down. We can see this in the angle we are looking at the stairs. Visual editing can be seen in the objects that were included (and those that were not included) to tell a strong story.
Vantage Point
Vantage Point
This convention refers to the artist's ability to vary the angle at which the viewer is looking at the subject of the artwork. This could be from above, or below, or straight on, to list just a few options. Changing the angle at which the piece is viewed adds visual interest and grounds the viewer to a specific spot.
Visual Editing
Visual Editing
This convention refers to the artist's ability to navigate reference material and only choose to include the most important things in their artwork. What is included should only be used to enhance the feeling, mood, style, and/or story of an artwork. Anything that takes away from this should be edited out.
Thumbnail Exploration
Thumbnail Exploration
As you begin thumbnail sketching there are several things to keep in mind. Begin by writing lists of things to remember for the drawing. Include the objects, what the characters are, the style you're imagining. More is more at this point.
Start with shape exploration for each one of your three required objects separately.
Shape Exploration
Shape Exploration
Begin by drawing just basic contour shapes of your objects. Do not add interior elements or details at this point. You are exploring lots of different shapes for the object to create a distinct style and visual interest. This step should be done quickly to explore numerous options.
Once you find a basic shape for that object that you think is successful, tells your visual story, and suits the characters you imagine, create a quick contour line drawing of that object that has limited detail - this is not a finished piece, but is a cleaned up, more detailed drawing.
Composition exploration for all three required objects together.
As you start to draw your objects together in a small scene in one composition there are several things to consider.
Think about the placement of the props in the scene. How do they interact with each other? How does that interaction tell a visual story?
Think about the vantage point, or angle that the viewer will see the drawing at. This angle should serve to enhance the visual story you are creating. Is the viewer looking at the scene straight on? Are they looking down at the scene? Up at the scene?
Think about exaggeration and "style." These objects don't have to look realistic in how you draw them. They can be exaggerated or have things about them that are outside of "realistic." Also consider style. Are the characters that live in this space cute and cuddly? Dangerous? Tall and skinny? Short and fat? The props in the scene should be a reflection of that and look like they belong with those characters.
Shape Exploration
Shapes with Detail
Composition Exploration
Visual Storytelling
Visual Storytelling
Create a narrative by what you include in the artwork.
Style
Style
It's not what you think it is!
Your "style" is not important yet. It'll come with time and lots of practice.
Your "style" is not important yet. It'll come with time and lots of practice.
Style is your way of doing something!
Style is something that takes decades to find - it's a deceptive term
Style simply means the decisions you make when you are drawing. It is a reflection of what you learn and how your art is progressing and your skills are growing. It is not necessarily fixed or something that you consciously choose.
Style should suit the needs of the artwork you're currently working on. It needs to fit the setting, the story you're creating, and especially the characters
Objectives
Objectives
National Art Standards
National Art Standards
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