DD1101 - silhouette practice

First attempt with generating a character from a silhouette.

The left silhouete, with a triangle base, is a rough concept for an alien species based on the race known as Forever from the musical project Ayreon.

The left, with a circle base, is my character Houston again!

DD1000 - essay plan

This is very rough!

The Art Deco Design Movement--Essay Plan

Reasons For Choice
I have chosen Art Deco as the subject for my essay as I find a genuine attraction to the style. Art Deco is exceptionally elegant and ornate, with a strong sense of optimism and prosperity. This is probably because of the eras in which Art Deco crops up are always the most prosperous.

Beginning Stages and Key Figures
The movement began in Paris in the 1920’s. It reached international fame from 1930 to 1939, at the dawn of World War 2, where it then promptly fell apart.

It was founded by a group of French artists who referred to themselves as ‘the Society of Decorator Artists’. This group included Hector Guimard, Eugene Grasset, Rauol Lachenal, and Paul Bellot, who were the greatest influence on the principles of Art Deco. Their purpose was to demonstrate French decorative arts and how they would evolve.

Art Deco was not named as such until 1968.

Influences on the Movement
It was created as an extension of Art Nouveau, so that was the most crucial influence on the entire Art Deco movement.

Mathematical and geometric shapes also inspired the forms of figures in drawings, and the forms of buildings in architecture, something key in giving Art Deco such an iconic appearance. That also helps in making the art elegant, stylish, and modern: the core intention of the movement.

Many different cultures and civilisations were also inspirational of the movement, too, such as ancient Egypt, Babylon, Aztec Mexico, and African art. When Art Deco first raised its head, archaeology was fast becoming a popular pastime for the rich, and many of these new discoveries in themselves became a symbol of wealth, which, too, was the core of Art Deco.

Themes of the Movement
It was ornamental and modern with the intention of showing off wealth, especially post-War during the 1920s. No politics were involved within the movement as it was entirely a means of personal pride. The wealthier countries became, the more the themes of Art Deco crop up.

Commonly Used Materials
All materials used within Art Deco pieces are now strongly associated with wealth, and stylish elegance. These materials included animal hide, ebony, ivory, chrome, lacquer, stainless steel, inlaid wood, and aluminium.

Design Attributes
Art Deco often made use of many iconic shapes and motifs. These included steeped forms, geometric curves, chevron patterns, fountains, sunrise motifs, iconic ‘Broadway’ font.

Notable Works and Structures
Golden Gate Bridge, the Chrysler Building, Midland Hotel, old theatres, US railways (look up more)

End of the Movement
The initial surge of the movement ended at the dawn of the Second World War, due to many countries losing the wealth that formed Art Deco’s ethos.
There were resurgences in the 60’s and 80’s when there actually were booms of wealth.

Conclusion
Talk about how Art Deco has greatly influenced the art and design of today.

DD1000 - art deco

Art Deco began in Paris during the 1920’s, although it only saw international fame between 1932 and the dawn of the Second World War in 1939. It is a movement very strongly associated with wealth, and so sees resurgences in areas experiencing prosperity--such as, for example, Europe during the lull between the World Wars, where Art Deco began.

It was founded by a group of French artists (including Hector Guimard and Eugene Grasset) who referred to themselves as the ‘Society of Decorator Artists’. They aimed to demonstrate the French decorative arts internationally, and how they would evolve therein. Unsurprisingly, the ornate nature of Art Deco was an extension of Art Nouveau.

However, the term ‘Art Deco’ had not been coined until 1968, by historians.

It was largely inspired by mathematical and geometric shapes, which is a thing very much obvious through a mere glance at their architecture. Achieving a kind of stylish, modern elegance was extremely important for them. Another major inspiration came from history. The art and architecture of ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, Aztec Mexico and Babylon, especially, were an influence. This was due to, at the period in which Art Deco emerged, the world was in the midst of ground-breaking archaeological discoveries. It became fashionable in and of itself to excavate these ancient locations, which coincided brilliantly with the notion of Art Deco revolving around individuals showing off their wealth.

Art Deco was always ornamental. Politics was never involved in any pieces created in the movement, seeing as it centred on personal pride, rather than making statements to change the world. It needed to be modern and, if anything, push the world away from the past and misery, to move into an era of prosperity. This became more prevalent whenever countries grew wealthy post-war, and people were more inclined to showcase their prized possessions and earnings.

A whole host of different materials were incorporated in Art Deco pieces. These included aluminium, lacquer, chrome, stainless steel, ivory, ebony and animal hide: mostly expensive items, now generally considered iconic of the rich, entirely due to this movement. This is very much obvious in film noir, in which many middle-class and rich individuals were seen sporting animal hides or fur, as well as ivory. This is a mentality and association we still have today.

Common motifs in Art Deco included steeped shapes, along with geometric curves, with chevron patterns and ziggurat shapes. Fountains and sunburst designs were also very common.

However, as Art Deco became popular and mainstream and mass-produced, it was derided as gaudy and considered cheap by many. That mind-set was often why the movement would die out.

DD1101 - painting practices

Practicing with a couple of painting styles! The upper image is a method I always wanted to practice, and the lower ball one I already use almost always!

Very fun to do, and I am very pleased with the result! They both need work, though!

DD1101 - black and white character lineart (fixed)

...and here is the fixed version of this! I am very, very pleased with how this came out. The stance is more natural now, and it actually is detailed enough this time, especially with the boots. Much better than them being vague shapes!

DD1101 - black and white character lineart

A digitally-inked version of this!

I was given some great feedback on this, and I was informed of everything that was off about it--the right arm, the left knee, and the not-so-detailed boots.I am currently fixing these things as I type this, so I thought to upload this for the sake of documenting this!

DD1000 - symbolism mood board

Entirely featuring art from Gustav Klimt and Odilon Redon. I adore the figures and paint quality of these two artists a whole lot!

Full version is here!