Category: RP: Part 4

Do some research into artists and illustrators who have used ceramics as a surface for their image making. You might also want to look at ceramicists who have a strong link with image-making in their own work. Find contemporary examples as well as exploring older ceramics traditions. What sort of motifs feature regularly? Could you… Continue reading Research Point: Ceramics

Look at a range of illustrators and artists who use paper as a medium rather than just a surface within their work. How have they used paper and what processes have they put it through? Reflect on their working processes. I approached this genre of illustration with genuine intrigue as it was completely new to… Continue reading Research Point: Paper as a Medium

Identify examples of street art on the walls near you. If you live in a rural community this might be a problem as street art tends to be a largely urban phenomenon. If necessary, pick some examples from the references provided or your own research. Write a short commentary about how this work interacts with… Continue reading Research Point: Street Art

Is there a clear distinction between digital and non-digital illustration? This might be in terms of style, production or the use of interactivity. What is the future for digital illustration? Note down your thoughts. The earliest memory I have of using a computer to produce ‘art’ is the Microsoft Paint application, which had very basic… Continue reading Research Point: Digital and Non-Digital Illustration

Do some research into self-published comics, graphic novels, artist books or fanzines. Find examples that you find interesting or entertaining. Think about the form of this work. How has it been produced and what material are used? Can you find examples of inventive use of paper, binding, folding or printing? Before undertaking this research task… Continue reading Research Point: Self-publishing

Find examples of contemporary caricature and identify the elements of the drawing that help with the character recognition and where the caricature takes place. From the information contained in the drawing, how do you know who this person is? How has the illustrator exaggerated or embellished this visual information to provide caricature? What are the… Continue reading Research Point: Contemporary Caricature

Steve Bell, the contemporary political satirist who produces the If… cartoon strip and other editorial pieces for The Guardian, regularly makes reference to political satire of earlier times by re-working it with a contemporary twist. By doing this he is also making satirical references to the past – making a link between the contemporary moment… Continue reading Research Point: Political Satire in Illustration

Find online social networks that connect with your work or present content that you are interested in. Find a range that covers commercial opportunities, professional networking, archived work, learning opportunities, or discussions around illustration. You might want to join in on some of these forums. What did you find out and how does this inform… Continue reading Research Point: Online Social Networks