EVALUATION
Communication Technology 2
Overall I feel like this brief has been the most useful brief I have done so far. I actually feel like its has made me narrow down what field of visual communication I want to pursue and I think that designing tattoo flash is a good step forward for myself to be able to make a living out of something that I enjoy.
I feel like quite a lot of my project was research based, a lot of the time I had to sift through irrelevant research and figure out what was correct/useful to my project. I seemed to be spending a lot of time reading which was not a bad thing in my eyes, but did come as a bit of a surprise to me. However it was to benefit my knowledge and after all that is what I wanted from this brief. I spent a lot of time drawing which was no surprise apart from the length of time it took me to get back into the standard of drawing I used to produce. No matter how long it took it had to be done so I don’t see this as a bad production method.
The research that I did was varied, focused on a many different things and changed throughout the brief. I think my research development was appropriate and benefitted my project greatly as it was the thing that made my project change so swiftly and find the direction I wanted to go in.
Originally I set out to develop my illustration skills and figure out how to get a professional finish by scanning my illustrations into a computer and using a programme such as illustrator to tweak and complete my illustrations. I had no focus whatsoever to my illustrations and just began drawing, my question was as much about finding a focus as it was about developing my skills. My research and development process pointed me in the direction of tattoo flash, which was a more than perfect answer for what I was set out to do. The images I found were everything I had wanted to do and finally I had found the term for it, “tattoo flash”. My question had soon changed to, how do you produce tattoo flash to a professional standard?
I made the decision to explore tattoos in great depth, culturally, historically, technologically and with a hands-on drawing approach. I knew that I would not come out of this brief being a fully accomplished flash artist. It was not my aim to cut corners and just be able to draw better pictures, even though it was a big thing for me to develop my drawing skills. I wanted to start with everything I felt like I should know. I wanted to be more literate at symbolism and iconography within tattooing and also thought that it would be worth me learning in depth about the technological side of tattooing ie the tattoo gun, including how to set it up, how it works, where it came from etc.
I feel like the actual work I have to show is nothing compared to the hours I spent reading, researching drawing etc which is slightly annoying but I know the work I have done has made me feel so much more comfortable within this course and make me less worried about my future. I know that my organisation skills are not the strongest but in this brief I did set my time aside for drawing, researching etc but it was surprising how many times I would set a few hours aside to draw and come up with nothing just because I was not in the right focus. My drawing became spontaneous and I spent a lot of time drawing through the night. I don’t feel like this is a good thing as I want to be able to draw what I need to when I need to. But it was how it happened and I needed to get the work done for the brief, I could not stop myself when I was focused. I did not realise how much time I would spend reading through books, magazines and web articles, reading was one thing that made my research process so long. There seemed to be so much information available that I had to read through hundreds of pieces to find the ones significant to me. Also breaking my ribs a few weeks into the project did not help as I broke the ribs on my right side and I am right handed it limited the amount of time I could spend drawing, but I accepted this and used it as reading and research time. It also meant I could not be in college getting feedback from peers and tutors which meant I was drawing and researching my own thoughts and not getting ideas from others which is sometimes a big help. After the last tutorial when I was able to be back in college I felt like I was given a better direction and the gaps in my work were pointed out. One thing I am quite proud of is how I worked on these gaps straight away and feel like I managed to fill them successfully.
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
These are in my opinion my best designs. I have scanned these into my mac and edited them using photoshop and illustrator to try and give them a professional quality finish.
Here i have my cherry blossom design, two classic pin-up designs, a Japanese koi fish and a realistic modern pin-up girl. I am proud of my final outcome and feel like this project has been a big step for me in finding something a actually want to carry on with, develop, improve and learn so much more over time.
Here i have my cherry blossom design, two classic pin-up designs, a Japanese koi fish and a realistic modern pin-up girl. I am proud of my final outcome and feel like this project has been a big step for me in finding something a actually want to carry on with, develop, improve and learn so much more over time.
Through the last weeks of the brief after my return back to college i have been experimenting with a graphics tablet. This is something that i have not found easy whatsoever. As it has been something that has not been that available to me (with myself being stuck at home for a big period of this brief) graphics tablet work is by far my weakest work but i am still glad i've started trying to develop some skills.
As you can see this is my cherry blossom design worked into the computer using a graphics tablet. Obviously this shows that my graphics tablet work could do with a bit of improvement as it looks as if a 3 year old has drawn this.
I also managed to draw up a rose design using a graphics tablet but for some reason blogger will not let let me upload this which is always a big help. However the rose was definitely a big improvement on the above cherry blossom design. I think it is just one of those things that has to be practiced but i no longer see the skill as being a million miles away.
As you can see this is my cherry blossom design worked into the computer using a graphics tablet. Obviously this shows that my graphics tablet work could do with a bit of improvement as it looks as if a 3 year old has drawn this.
I also managed to draw up a rose design using a graphics tablet but for some reason blogger will not let let me upload this which is always a big help. However the rose was definitely a big improvement on the above cherry blossom design. I think it is just one of those things that has to be practiced but i no longer see the skill as being a million miles away.
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
After researching and learning about japanese tattoos i decided to try and draw up a couple more tattoos for my flash project. I think i already have an idea of what style of tattooing is my personal favourite but i think a good tattoo artist should have knowledge and some ability in each "style" of tattoo.
I drew up a koi fish with japanese water and a cherry blossom design that i made up. While i was drawing out the koi i imagined myself tattooing it on somebody and as i was shading and going through each scale individually i was surprised that i did not find it tedious but actually found it enjoyable. Also placing the cherry blossoms in an effective layout was enjoyable and gave me an accomplished feeling.
I also wanted to re-draw a classic pin-up girl i had designed because in the previous sketch of her there are overlapping lines and outlines that should not be there. So i took some time and drew her again ready to be scanned in and edited.
I drew up a koi fish with japanese water and a cherry blossom design that i made up. While i was drawing out the koi i imagined myself tattooing it on somebody and as i was shading and going through each scale individually i was surprised that i did not find it tedious but actually found it enjoyable. Also placing the cherry blossoms in an effective layout was enjoyable and gave me an accomplished feeling.
I also wanted to re-draw a classic pin-up girl i had designed because in the previous sketch of her there are overlapping lines and outlines that should not be there. So i took some time and drew her again ready to be scanned in and edited.
BOOKS, SOURCES, ICONOGRAPHY
Once i had begun trying to fill in the gaps in my research and knowledge i turned to the library to find some books which could give me more knowledge of iconography and the meaning and style of tattoos in different cultures. In my opinion Tattoo artists need to have knowledge of history, culture and iconography of tattoos to be putting them on a persons body. If a client asks for a tattoo designing that means a certain thing and the artist has no clue of the meaning of the things he has put in it, its not a good start. I want to educate myself and build up my knowledge of iconography overtime so if i do figure out that tattooing is for me and i have my own clients asking me for suggestions on a tattoo with a certain feel or meaning i will be able to throw in my ideas and create a piece of art that is relevant to what the client needs.
These are the books i found most relevant to me.
"1000 tattoos" had a wide range of tattoos in terms of culture and appearance. It began with ethnographic tattoos such as Maori and native tattoos in new zealand around 1770 and natives in borneo around 1900 just to name a few. It was very interesting to see the faces of these tribes and illustrations of the male face broken down to show what each tattoo and the placement of it means.
"The mode of tattooing practiced by the Maoris was unlike that of any other race, and their artistic designs were arranged so that the skin of the face was often completely covered up to the corners of the eyes, and even over the eyelids; and that the stains, though tending to diminish in brilliancy, were indelible.
Moko for Maori men made attractive to women and conspicuous in war. The great chiefs had their faces and bodies covered with designs of extreme delicacy and beauty; and all the men, except the slaves, were decorated with blue-black."
The book also had a large section on classic and "americana" style tattoos.
And one of the most intersting sections for me was, Japanese tattooing.
Also a good starting point for me to learn iconography and symbolism in tattooing as the Japanese style incorporates lots of different meaning through symbolism. One of the most well known examples, the koi fish.
"According to Japanese legend if a koi succeeded in climbing the falls at a point called Dragon Gate on the Yellow River it would be transformed into a dragon. Based on that legend, it became a symbol of worldly aspiration and advancement. "
The koi fish is very popular within tattooing as it it a symbol of determination and perseverance, it has also been said it can symbolize good luck. Koi dragon tattoos are also used to show the transformation of the koi to the dragon basically symbolizing perseverance to success.
Cherry blossoms are another popular image within japanese tattooing.
"For the Japanese the cherry blossom holds very different meaning. The cherry blossom is a very delicate flower that blooms for a very short time. For the Japanese this represents the transience of life. This concept ties in very deeply with the fundamental teachings of Buddhism that state all life is suffering and transitory. The Japanese have long held strong to the Buddhist belief of the transitory nature of life and it is very noble to not get too attached to a particular outcome or not become emotional because it will all pass in time.
The fallen cherry blossom is not taken lightly in Japanese symbolism either. It often represents the beauty of snow and there are many connections made in Japanese literature or poetry to a fallen cherry blossom and snow. This also has been extended to the life of a warrior whose life was ended early in battle."
Once i had begun trying to fill in the gaps in my research and knowledge i turned to the library to find some books which could give me more knowledge of iconography and the meaning and style of tattoos in different cultures. In my opinion Tattoo artists need to have knowledge of history, culture and iconography of tattoos to be putting them on a persons body. If a client asks for a tattoo designing that means a certain thing and the artist has no clue of the meaning of the things he has put in it, its not a good start. I want to educate myself and build up my knowledge of iconography overtime so if i do figure out that tattooing is for me and i have my own clients asking me for suggestions on a tattoo with a certain feel or meaning i will be able to throw in my ideas and create a piece of art that is relevant to what the client needs.
These are the books i found most relevant to me.
"1000 tattoos" had a wide range of tattoos in terms of culture and appearance. It began with ethnographic tattoos such as Maori and native tattoos in new zealand around 1770 and natives in borneo around 1900 just to name a few. It was very interesting to see the faces of these tribes and illustrations of the male face broken down to show what each tattoo and the placement of it means.
"The mode of tattooing practiced by the Maoris was unlike that of any other race, and their artistic designs were arranged so that the skin of the face was often completely covered up to the corners of the eyes, and even over the eyelids; and that the stains, though tending to diminish in brilliancy, were indelible.
Moko for Maori men made attractive to women and conspicuous in war. The great chiefs had their faces and bodies covered with designs of extreme delicacy and beauty; and all the men, except the slaves, were decorated with blue-black."
The book also had a large section on classic and "americana" style tattoos.
And one of the most intersting sections for me was, Japanese tattooing.
Also a good starting point for me to learn iconography and symbolism in tattooing as the Japanese style incorporates lots of different meaning through symbolism. One of the most well known examples, the koi fish.
"According to Japanese legend if a koi succeeded in climbing the falls at a point called Dragon Gate on the Yellow River it would be transformed into a dragon. Based on that legend, it became a symbol of worldly aspiration and advancement. "
The koi fish is very popular within tattooing as it it a symbol of determination and perseverance, it has also been said it can symbolize good luck. Koi dragon tattoos are also used to show the transformation of the koi to the dragon basically symbolizing perseverance to success.
Cherry blossoms are another popular image within japanese tattooing.
"For the Japanese the cherry blossom holds very different meaning. The cherry blossom is a very delicate flower that blooms for a very short time. For the Japanese this represents the transience of life. This concept ties in very deeply with the fundamental teachings of Buddhism that state all life is suffering and transitory. The Japanese have long held strong to the Buddhist belief of the transitory nature of life and it is very noble to not get too attached to a particular outcome or not become emotional because it will all pass in time.
The fallen cherry blossom is not taken lightly in Japanese symbolism either. It often represents the beauty of snow and there are many connections made in Japanese literature or poetry to a fallen cherry blossom and snow. This also has been extended to the life of a warrior whose life was ended early in battle."
Monday, 16 March 2009
THE TATTOO GUN/MACHINE
After watching many many demonstrations of how to build home made tattoo guns, tutorials on how to use tattoo guns and explanations of the anatomy of a tattoo gun i eventually managed to sift through the irrelevant sources and select what i think are the best parts of research to develop my knowledge of the tattoo gun.
This is a brief history of the modern tattoo gun;
The basic machine was invented by Thomas Edison and patented in the United States in 1876[1], Stencil-Pens. It was originally intended to be used as an engraving device, but in 1891, Sean Casey discovered that Edison's machine could be modified and used to introduce ink into the skin, and later patented a tube and needle system to provide an ink reservoir.
The technology used to make modern tattoo machines has come a long way, however. While O'Reilly's machine was based on the rotary technology of Edison's engraving device, modern tattoo machines use electromagnets. The first machine based on this technology was a single coil machine patented by Thomas Riley of London, just twenty days after O'Reilly filed the patent for his rotary machine. For his machine, Riley placed a modified door bell assembly in a brass box. The modern two coil configuration was patented by Alfred Charles South, also of London. Because it was so heavy, a spring was often attached to the top of the machine and the ceiling to take most of the weight off the operator's hand.
Most modern tattoo machines can control needle depth, speed, and force of application, which has allowed tattooing to become a very precise art form. Such advancements in precision have also produced a style of facial tattooing that has attained mainstream popularity in America called dermapigmentation, or "permanent cosmetics".
This is the clearest illustration of the anatomy of the modern tattoo gun;
This link shows a cross section of the skin and how the needle injects the ink;
These are links to an introduction on how to set up a traditional tattoo machine;
From all the videos i have watched this is one of the clearest, purely because you can actually see the parts of the machine that are being mentioned.
An explanation of how a tattoo gun works;
The tattoo gun uses electromagnetic coils to move the needle up and down to drive the pigment/ink into the skin. The needle moves up and down between 80 and 150 times a second, allowing the tattoo artist to penetrate the skin with ink without moving his hand. Most tattoo machines can control needle depth to almost any degree and different needles are used depending on what kind of work is being done. Most versions of the gun are turned off and on through the use of a foot pedal.
Tattoos go into the lower layer of skin, or the dermis. It is not designed to go into the fatty layer of skin. The tattoo machine has to be exact enough to penetrate the scaly layer and epidermis layer to leave the ink in the dermis layer. The needle of the tattoo machine makes little holes in the skin, which the ink is deposited into. The ink does fade out of the dermis layer after a while, so it’s recommended that tattoos get refreshed every couple of years.
After watching many many demonstrations of how to build home made tattoo guns, tutorials on how to use tattoo guns and explanations of the anatomy of a tattoo gun i eventually managed to sift through the irrelevant sources and select what i think are the best parts of research to develop my knowledge of the tattoo gun.
This is a brief history of the modern tattoo gun;
The basic machine was invented by Thomas Edison and patented in the United States in 1876[1], Stencil-Pens. It was originally intended to be used as an engraving device, but in 1891, Sean Casey discovered that Edison's machine could be modified and used to introduce ink into the skin, and later patented a tube and needle system to provide an ink reservoir.
The technology used to make modern tattoo machines has come a long way, however. While O'Reilly's machine was based on the rotary technology of Edison's engraving device, modern tattoo machines use electromagnets. The first machine based on this technology was a single coil machine patented by Thomas Riley of London, just twenty days after O'Reilly filed the patent for his rotary machine. For his machine, Riley placed a modified door bell assembly in a brass box. The modern two coil configuration was patented by Alfred Charles South, also of London. Because it was so heavy, a spring was often attached to the top of the machine and the ceiling to take most of the weight off the operator's hand.
Most modern tattoo machines can control needle depth, speed, and force of application, which has allowed tattooing to become a very precise art form. Such advancements in precision have also produced a style of facial tattooing that has attained mainstream popularity in America called dermapigmentation, or "permanent cosmetics".
This is the clearest illustration of the anatomy of the modern tattoo gun;
This link shows a cross section of the skin and how the needle injects the ink;
These are links to an introduction on how to set up a traditional tattoo machine;
From all the videos i have watched this is one of the clearest, purely because you can actually see the parts of the machine that are being mentioned.
An explanation of how a tattoo gun works;
The tattoo gun uses electromagnetic coils to move the needle up and down to drive the pigment/ink into the skin. The needle moves up and down between 80 and 150 times a second, allowing the tattoo artist to penetrate the skin with ink without moving his hand. Most tattoo machines can control needle depth to almost any degree and different needles are used depending on what kind of work is being done. Most versions of the gun are turned off and on through the use of a foot pedal.
Tattoos go into the lower layer of skin, or the dermis. It is not designed to go into the fatty layer of skin. The tattoo machine has to be exact enough to penetrate the scaly layer and epidermis layer to leave the ink in the dermis layer. The needle of the tattoo machine makes little holes in the skin, which the ink is deposited into. The ink does fade out of the dermis layer after a while, so it’s recommended that tattoos get refreshed every couple of years.
In a quick overview of my project i headed back to the question i was asking and how my project had developed. My original question was "How do you create illustrations this certain style and to a professional standard. My answer so far has been tattoo design/drawings also known as tattoo flash and the use of a graphics tablet to achive more digital based images.
I know that most work i have done in this project has been research and drawing drawing and more drawing. There are a few gaps that i want to cover, i know that i will not ultimately become the professional standard tattoo flash designer that i would like to be by the end of this project. This project is a way for mwe to research learn practice develop and explore the world off tattoo flash. I also want to fit it into the live project coming up, now i have found an area in visual communication i am comfortable with i want to pursue it further.
The main gaps so far in this project are, developing techniques of getting my drawn images from paper to a digital format and editing them to give them a professional finish. Developing my visual language/iconography which is very important within tattooing, developing my skills using a graphics tablet and learning about the technological side of tattooing i.e the tattoo gun.
I know that most work i have done in this project has been research and drawing drawing and more drawing. There are a few gaps that i want to cover, i know that i will not ultimately become the professional standard tattoo flash designer that i would like to be by the end of this project. This project is a way for mwe to research learn practice develop and explore the world off tattoo flash. I also want to fit it into the live project coming up, now i have found an area in visual communication i am comfortable with i want to pursue it further.
The main gaps so far in this project are, developing techniques of getting my drawn images from paper to a digital format and editing them to give them a professional finish. Developing my visual language/iconography which is very important within tattooing, developing my skills using a graphics tablet and learning about the technological side of tattooing i.e the tattoo gun.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)