Considering Composition

When planning a composition, there are rules that can be followed to help the final outcome be more pleasing and satisfying for the viewer. These rules are generally used within photography or film marking, but can also be applied in art. 

The rule of thirds is one of the most common rules, and works by dividing the canvas into three sections horizontally and vertically, making 9 boxes in total. The lines are used as guides, and if the larger elements of the image run near the guides it becomes more visually interesting, and where the lines overlap are good areas for the main focus. For example, on the image below, the top line of the grid runs along the horizon, and the top right point of the grid is where the cathedral is.  

Rule of Thirds:

Some other methods that can apply for this project would be Symmetry, either by  working vertically or horizontally such as reflections in water, or using Leading Lines. These lines help lead your focus around an image, this is typically done using lines such as paths or roads, adding a possible narrative element. In addition to this, the leading lines may create triangles through the image, with all the triangles meeting at the same point, creating dynamic tension.  

Symmetry:

Leading Lines:

Triangles:

(reference for images and information to be added to reference list later)

Welsh Folktales

I have decided to begin this process by looking into Welsh Folktales, such as the Mabinogion, Gelert, Cantre'r Gwaelod, Cadair Idris and some others. These folktales date back as early as the 12th century, having been passed by word of mouth to begin with and then written and published at the end of the 18th Century. 

These stories are filled with death, war, love, affairs and heart break with fantasy creatures and people, many of the stories being quite complicated being made up of four separate tales. Some tales such as Cantre'r Gwaelod, a story about a city lost to the sea on the coast of West Wales, may be based on true events as evidence has been found to support that there was land further off the coast.  

Before starting to experiment with compositions, I looked to see what illustrations already exist for these stories. Below are some examples found online. These illustrations have used traditional methods such as etchings and painting, and have an old romantic feeling, but are very outdated by todays standards. I was able to find one contemporary illustration about the story of Rhys a Meinir, which has the aesthetic of a screen print with two bright contrasting colours. The image is used as an advertisement and video for a BBC National Orchestra of Wales performance from 2016. 

 3

The next step is to focus on one simple folktale and start experimenting with character design and compositions. 

Depicting complex stories within single images.

In the duration of this module, I will be exploring techniques and formats to communicate narrative in a single image.  I will experiment with creating adaptations of already existing narrative text such as British folktales and also creating original narratives based on idea generating games. My aim is to be experimental with development and final outcomes, but some possible outcomes may be posters, illustrating onto 3D objects, or onto skin and clothing.  

Bibliography

Bradley, S (2014) How To Direct A Viewers Eye Through Your Design. [Online] Available from: http://vanseodesign.com/web-design/direct-the-eye/ [Accessed 9 April 2018] 

Cadw (2015) From Monsterism to the Mabinogion – limited edition comics kick start historic summer. [Online] Available from: http://cadw.gov.wales/about/news/pack-your-imagination-summer-campaign-2015/?lang=en [Accessed 1 November 2017]

Cymru Bywyd (2014) Guto Nyth Bran. [Online] Available from:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cymru/bywyd/safle/pobl/tudalen/guto_nythbran.shtml

[Accessed 3 February 2018]

Hicks-Jenkins, C (2018) Galleries. [Online] Available from: http://www.hicks-jenkins.com/new-gallery-3/2fgkmyd0t25ux9lg45ju0xxybga3t7 [Accessed 25 March 2018]

Jeffers, O (2017) Here We Are. Great Britain, HarperCollins Publishers Ltd. 

Malahide Castle and Gardens (2018) The Castle. [Online] Available from: https://www.malahidecastleandgardens.ie/the-castle/ [Accessed 24 March 2018]

Melin Tregwynt (2017) Beasts of the Mabinogion Exhibition. [Online] Available from: https://melintregwynt.co.uk/blog/2017/4/12/beasts-of-the-mabinogion-exhibition [Accessed 12 February 2018]

National Museum Wales (2018) Sawmill. [Online] Available from: https://museum.wales/stfagans/buildings/sawmill/ [Accessed 20 April 2018]

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Pontio Bangor (2016) Rhys a Meinir – BBC Now. [Online] Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwJWz2utqkA [Accessed 22 October 2017]

Snowdonia Mountains and Coast (2018) Myths and Legends. [Online] available from: https://www.visitsnowdonia.info/myths_and_legends-89.aspx [Accessed 12 October 2017]

The British Museum (2017) Celts – Art and Identity. [Online] Available from: http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/exhibitions/celts/art.aspx [Accessed 11 November 2017]

The National Library of Wales (2018) The Black Book of Carmarthen. [Online] Available from: https://www.library.wales/discover/digital-gallery/manuscripts/the-middle-ages/theblackbookofcarmarthen/ [Accessed 14 October 2017]

The National Library of Wales (2018) Pictures. [Online] Available from: https://www.library.wales/discover/digital-gallery/pictures/ [Accessed 14 October 2017]

The Telegraph (2016) Raft of the Medusa: a grisly tale of in competence and cannibalism. [Online] Available from: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/france/articles/raft-of-the-medusa-louvre-explained/ [Accessed 19 March 2018]

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[Accessed 29 October 2017]

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