From all my research and experimentation into play and children's drawings I have decided that for my set I want to bring a child's sketch to life. The props and garment will not be glamorous but rather crude, playful and spontaneous. I will have to design the characters, props and garment for the set.
I found that people are a common characteristic of children's drawings, they tend to draw what they know and is familiar (like family, friends and home) this helps develop their self awareness and awareness of others.
I want to communicate the idea that the child's spirit can be recaptured at any age. There will be three characters on my set, they will all be the same person at different stages of life; childhood, adolescence and adulthood. The child's spirit can be recaptured through nostalgia, play and memory.
The child will be based on a childhood self portrait that I did. I chose this because I could engage on a personal level with the design as I have memories of drawing it as a child. I certainly had my own style that can be seen throughout my drawings when I was 6, and I will keep the character styles relatively consistent on my set so it appears to be drawn by the same child. The adolescent design will be inspired by the Barbie drawing that Matthew produced in my questionnaire. The adult will be influenced by various sketches I did of female adults and my mother.
For my set I wanted to have both inside and outside props brought together. This would communicate the idea that we don't have to be limited by the constrictions of adulthood (the absence of the roof of the house alludes to this) and rekindle our inner child spirit.
External Props- Skyline and Clouds.
The designs for these props were influenced by my childhood sketches of objects.
Drawing of initial ideas for Characters, Props and Composition:
Child
After drawing up my plan of action I started by making the sturdy wire framework of the body. Using a strong wire I first created the outline of the feet. I created triangular bases enabling support and standing ability. I then created the arms by creating wire loops at the shoulder and the wrist, joining them with wire, this is so I could attach materials and hands later. The loop at the shoulder allows me to attach the arm to the body piece. The body was constructed using 2 large loops that crossed over at the top and bottom and secured into place using wire. Using the same wire I attached the the arms and the legs securely.
When it came to sewing the material on I opted for a brown material similar to the colour of the original drawings I did. I used an old pair of hiking trousers made from MATERIAL******, I cut out the pieces for the limbs and stitched them to the arms and legs first, and then I added the body piece. I used thick string to hand sew the toy together, this makes it appear more childlike and crude. I had particular difficulty sewing the last part of the body up because I could no longer reach inside the body. A final touch to fill out the legs I added tissue to plump them up and enhance their shape. When completed I painted scribbles in white acrylic onto the body. I then shaped hands out of thick wire, painted them black and attached them to the wrists using a finer wire.
The next step was to make the head and face. I started by drawing an outline of my desired shape into cardboard and then cut it out. I repeated this process with the corrugates running in the opposite direction. Then I glued them together and the head was sturdy because of the perpendicular corrugates. I then painted the surface white on both sides, this is to indicate the 'paper' that has not been coloured in. Whilst drying I cut out 2 eye pieces and a nose from cardboard. I painted they eyes white and the nose black (as seen in my initial character design).
Once both the head and eyes were dry I glued them on and painted in a peachy flesh colour the scribbles on the face. I mixed the colour using red yellow and white, and I had to use multiple tones to capture the varying harshness of the marks that were made in the original and crudely drawn design. I added 2 small pieces of cardboard to the end of the face and painted them pink, this would indicated pencil marks falling outside the lines. I then glued the nose on but it kept falling off so I threaded wire to help attach it to the face. I painted a small dot in black to create the pupil.
The next step was to add the hair, I glued bits of string to create some texture for it. When dried I painted the hair black and painted an outline onto the face and body. The mouth was created using wire, wrapped in string and painted black. This was glued above a red streak I had painted indicating lips. I designed the mouth such that the line would protrude beyond the outline of the face, and therefore had to be made from wire. Finally I attached the head to the body using wire and concealing any visible wire with black paint. The final result was very successful, the marks outside of the outline were an effective detail to add. The model is robust and study. The hands were a little flimsy and would have benefited from being glued on using a glue gun rather than PVA. The mouth was time-consuming, I think I will try threading wire through black cable instead of wrapping string around it to create thickness and definition. Cable will also smooth out the bumps and refine the shape.
Adolescent
Before starting to make the life size model I had to do some careful planning of shapes, sizes and materials that I was going to use. I sketched out my initial plans for the top and the skirt of Barbara and then started making accordingly.
The top:
I started by making a flat base which will form the shape of Barbara's shoulders measuring 60cm in width and 40cm in height. I used cardboard creating 2 templates with the corrugates in opposing directions for stability and strength. I then glued and taped them together. I cut out a groove for the head to sit in, but only after I had created the head to get an accurate size. I also created the shape of the pointed hands using coiled wire, wrapped in masking tape to thicken and smooth out the outline. Once sprayed black to create the outline of this 3D drawing I attached them to the ends of the cardboard.
The next step was to create a cage to be placed perpendicular to the cardboard template to create the third dimension. This framework provides a strong base structure to support the head, body and maintain the shape of the figure. I created this sturdy structure by wrapping multiple thick wires around each other. The final cage has 2 parallel wires curving over the shoulders (as I planned) perpendicular to the cardboard, this provides the thickness to the breast of the model.
The next step is to create the garment, which will have to be sewn directly onto the framework I had constructed, free from creases because it will be holding the scribbles (of the drawing) so has to remain motionless. I decided to use an old white bedsheet because the material had to be white and slightly elastic, to blend with the background of my set (as if it is the paper which has not been coloured in). My plan was to create 3 separate pieces to create this top, two sleeves and a third piece running through the middle connecting the sleeves. Using the cardboard template I mapped out the outlines for these parts, lending room as they will have to stretch over the cage I had created. Once I had cut two sleeve pieces for each sleeve I stitched them together using a sewing machine and then attached them to the central piece.
Once sewn together I painted the scribbles on using a vibrant green ink, I chose to use ink because it dried quickly. I then constructed my framework from the top and put the t-shirt over the top. Using a thick green wool I started to stitch the t-shirt to the cage making sure it was tight and not baggy.
Whilst letting paint dry I started creating the head. I started by scrunching tissue into a ball untill I reached my desired size, and secured it with masking tape. I then covered the ball with string, this was to add a scribble effect and texture to the head. Using several layers of PVA glue I secured the string in place. I wanted the head to be robust as I was going to stitch it too the body. I then covered the surface in a thick layer of white paint. When dry I nailed a hole to one side of the head to create the ponytail. The ponytail was constructed using very thick wire painted black, and the hair tie was made from string painted the same green as the top. I then attached the ponytail to the head by poking it in the hole and glueing then letting to set.
Once the hair was attached I used black acrylic to paint on the face. I copied the design from one of my childhood drawings of faces.
The last step was to hand sew the head onto the body, once this was done I painted the outline of the 'Drawing' using black acrylic on the top and head.
The Skirt:
I started by creating a cage for the framework of the skirt. I followed the shape from my designs and used the same technique and materials that I used to create the top. The skirt is to be pleated (like in the drawing) so I created pillars in the cage to support the pleats. Initially I taped between some of the pillars for structural support, however this became a liability when it came to sewing the skirt onto the cage so was later removed.
When creating the skirt I had to measure the cage so that the skirt fit perfectly. I had to use a thicker material MATERIALLLL********* because I was going to pleat it, and the elastic material of my bed sheet would not hold its shape as well. I cut the skirt to shape using the measurements I had taken, and then I hand stitched the pleats in along the top of the skirt. Once sewn together I had to iron the pleats in place.
The next step was to add the scribbles in. Using a brown ink to contrast from the top I scribbled all around the skirt, placing cardboard between the layers so the ink did not bleed through. I could only paint after making the garment because if they were a print the fluidity of the scribble motions would be disrupted by stitching the material together and will not look as effective overall. I then handstitched the skirt to the cage structure.
The final steps were to paint the outline along the outside of the skirt from a front facing angle, and along the pleats. I used black acrylic for this. I then attached the top and skirt together using a cane stick sprayed black, this also created the stomache. I attached the canes using wire from the cages. I then created the feet using sticks and thick wire, which I then painted black and secured inside the skirt using wire.
Props
Lights; Chandelier and Lamp
I started by creating the lamp.I created the frame using wire, which followed the outline of the light design that I had chosen for the set. I then stitched some translucent fine material to the outline. Using orange and yellow ink I created the body and light of the lamp. I purposely left some parts of the material unpainted and falling outside of the outline to give the illusion of immature scribbling outside of the lines. Once dry I painted black lines across the outline, over wire and material. I decided to use acrylic because it did not bleed like ink does. I then cut a very long portion of thick wire and spray painted it black, this would be the body of the lamp. I secured it to the head of the lamp. This prop does not stand independently and will be secured against the white backdrop using nails, tape or tac.
I then started creating the chandelier. I started by making the lights at the end of the chandelier using cardboard, I cut it into the shape of the designs I had chosen to use from my childhood.I made sure to leave some tabs to indicated the pencil marks that went outside the outline. I then painted them white. Once dry I painted the scribbles on in orange. The outline was painted over the top in a red acrylic paint. Acrylic was the appropriate paint to use for painting on cardboard because it dried quickly and would show up stronger than ink. Once the lights were made I created I made the framework by threading a strong wire through a red cable. Using wire I attached them together, I covered the wire in a red paint and then glued the lights on. This prop will be placed directly against the wall to avoid shadowing, using nails, white tac or tape.
The Vase
Following my plan of how I was to create the vase, I started by sketching the outline of the vase onto the styrofoam. I opted for styrofoam because it was already white and would save me time painting. Using a scalpel I cut it out. Using the first piece as a template I marked out the second outline onto another piece of styrofoam. This second piece would provide stability for the prop so that it can stand independently. To secure them together it had to be hollow to fit the flowers inside, so I created cardboard tabs. I quickly painted them white and glued them to both parts of the vase and let it dry.
Once dry I sketched and painted the drawing designs onto the vase. I used acrylic in black to mark the outlines and red to fill in. I then outlined the vase in a blue cable using a glue gun to secure it. I repeated this process on the otherside.
I started creating the flowers using a maleable wire to form the outline. I made the heads first and then attached them to a thicker wire to be the stalks.The thicker wire is more sturdy so can hold the flower heads up. I then stitched some purple material to the petals. I chose purple because the colour of the flowers in the drawing were purple, the outline was yellow so I stitched them on using yellow/gold thread. I then threaded the thick wire through some blue cable, as they were drawn in blue crayon. I then painted the outline of the head in blue to match the stalk. Finally I attached the flowers to the vase by weaving them in and out of a thick wire mesh I had created to hold them together. Using PVA glue I glued them into place, and once dry covered in tape for reinforcements.
The Clouds and Picture Frame
The clouds were very basic to make. Following the jagged outlines I had chosen to use as designs for the set, I used a thick sturdy wire to hold the shape. I created three clouds of different shapes to be placed at the top of the set. I covered them in string to thicken them and painted liberally in acrylic black paint. This process took a little too long so I will have to find an alternative, less time-consuming method for thickening the outline. This increased their definition. They are to be tacked directly onto the wall to avoid shadowing.
Picture Frame
The outlines in the frame were made from a thick wire threaded through blue, red and black cable. I chose this method because it is easy to do and it is more effective and less time consuming than wrapping string around the outside to paint afterwards. The black cable is used for the string attaching the frame to the wall. One flower will be red and the other blue. The frame and tap will also be outlined in blue cable, to match the colourings of the design. To create the flower the scribbles were made from orange tissue paper glued to the outline. The tap's green scribbles were painted onto cardboard that I had painted white. The features were attached to the box shaped frame using wire that was painted blue to conceal them.
The Adult-Designs
When designing my final character I will be creating a garment that can be worn by a model. This brings up very different challenges than any other props I have made. The garment has to look abstract, childlike and fall off of the figure yet also be wearable and relatively comfortable for the model. The natural figure must be completely concealed by the garment so there needs to be some framework built into the design so that it holds its shape. The design will be inspired by my drawings of people when I was a child, I will also use the self-portrait sketches from my research as inspiration. I will also need to design the facial features, expression hands and feet. So drawings that were stick figures are going to be very difficult to reproduce into 3D so I will focus on the more manageable ones.
Some potentially manageable designs I created:
I decided to chose this design to recreate. The body was inspired by my drawing style as a child, the expression matched the one I painted on Barbara, and the whole figure was not too out of proportion.
The makeup
Before doing the shoot it was important that I experimented with painting the face onto a human face. Using myself as a model I proceeded to draw the face I had chosen onto mine. I started by painting my face completely white, by doing this it helps to neutralise the highlights and lowlights on my face. This creates a flattening effect which is important to create a successful 3D drawing. Texture has to matte and the eyebrows must be concealed. I had to use an eyebrow brush caked in white face paint brushed thoroughly through both eyebrows and eylashes to flatten them. I then carefully glued my eyebrows flat with pritstik and applied a powder over the top to conceal the shine. I then gelled back my hair trying to make it as flat as possible, and once dry I started to paint it white. This process was time consuming and difficult because I could not completely flatten the hair so dark streaks appeared. I think that I will use a pair of opaque tights to flatten my hair and conceal my ears, and then paint them white. The last step was to create the features, so using black face paint I painted the features making sure to look face onwards so that the drawing appeared flat as it past over the contours of my face. This meant I had to thicken lines to make them appear consistent in shape. Finally I cut up an old wig and hairsprayed the hairs into a spikey shape and glued them to bobby pins. I then clipped them into my hairline and they stood on end.
The Garment
Following my designs and plans I started by cutting out the basic shapes for the garment. For the body I used an old white bedsheet because the material was elasticated and white, which means it would be comfortable for the wearer. I used a thicker material from trouser legs to create the arms, I thought a thicker material would hold its shape better as it hung off of the arm. I cut them to different lengths as the arms in the design are different lengths. I used a sewing machine to sew all the pieces together. I also created an elasticated collar that was made from the elastic on the bed sheet to hang off of the wearers chin and conceal the neck.
After everything was sewn together I started painting on the scribbles. For the body I used a blue acrylic (i chose acrylic because it is bolder than using ink, and does not waste so much material through absorption) and for the arms I painted white scribbles as the brown material was the base colour. I then wrapped thick wire around itself multiple times the length of the outline of the dress and then I started to hand stitch it too the garment. This thick wire would help to hold the shape of the dress when worn. Once sewn in I painted a thick black line along the outside of the dress.
To create the hands I glued thick wire to a rounded piece of cardboard I cut out. I then painted the cardboard white. Once dry I painted the fingers and the outline in black acrylic. There is also a wire piece which is not a finger and slightly thicker, this is for the model to hold onto when wearing the outfit.
To create the long, rounded shape of the legs I used an old pair of opaque tights. To stretch them out I placed cardboard pieces inside them, this prevents the breaking of the paint once stretched and also stops the paint bleeding through. I started by painting white stripes on, I had to do a couple of layers to intensify the scribbles. I repeated this step on both sides.
When the white paint had dried I painted bold red stripes on aswell. I then repeated this process slightly higher up the leg. I then stuffed the ends with socks, this will elongate the feet and stop them taking the shape of the human foot. The acrylic paint was the perfect material to use to paint on nylon tights, it does not bleed and dries quickly, leaving a vibrant result. The red colour contrasts nicely with the blue of the dress and the green of the top that Barbara wears.
Final Images
Film
I wanted to create a film displaying all the props I had made as well as my concept. In keeping with the theme of childhood and play in my project I decided to create a stop motion animation. It would be a very short film of about 10-20 seconds, and will include some of what I have made and tell a short story. It is a taster of the shoot, garment and concept for the audience. The story is about a young girl who walks home and sees herself as teenager and an adult (model and barbara). The idea that childhood can be recaptured at any age is the idea.
Animation sequence plan:
Starts by walking outside to her home, passing 3 clouds. Approaches front door and steps in, passes vase and looks up at older self (barbara) made in child like style (inner child still alive).
Shows length of Barbara's adolescent body with frame in left hand corner. Barbara's head tilts to see younger self and then turns to the right. As Barbara's face moves out of the camera the chandelier is shown off. Approaches the model (adult Barbara) whose head moves to approach younger self. Model then looks at camera.
Camera zooms out to show all stages of her life off.
Final Video
When creating the final video I created a white backdrop from a large piece of material and laid it flat on the ground. I placed a camera on a tripod and angled it almost directly above the backdrop, I set the setting to flash so that shadows could be mostly disguised. I had the help of my model playing the Adult Barbara in moving each prop. I wanted the stop motion to be slightly jerky at a low frame rate of 10-12 frames per second, I felt this would best reflect the project as it is slightly crude. I made some slight alterations to my initial story plan because of time limitations. I decided to only pass 1 cloud instead of all 3 to keep the viewer engaged. The space limitations meant that had to I cut out some of the props used in the film such as the frame and lamp. I decided to end the film by having the adult Barbara looking down at the child and having the camera zoom in on the child. I thought this was a better resolution at conveying my theme of childhood and the idea that the older selves are engaging with their inner child.
Editing
I decided to use photoshop to edit the animation because this was the only software I had and I was only making a very basic animation. I edited it by opening every photo, in the correct order, into a blank file (approx 89 photos). Then I selected 'file' and 'save for web'. I saved it as a GIF file and an animation, I also significantly reduced the quality for the saving process but this actually complements the final theme I find. I selected a 0.1 seconds delay between each frame and unlooped the GIF.
