Literal Illustration

< Back to ILLU5050

We have the next three weeks to work on the book cover, full-bleed illustration and vignette next to the chapter heading (link to the full brief) for the The Man in Black: Collected Stories by the Folio Society.

My assigned audio recording from 'Fear on Four' (Series 5) [1997]:

Chimes of Midnight

Visual Notes - Initial Listen

Reference and Research pt. 1

A Source Book of Antiques and Jewelry Designs by Clarence P. Hornung

Clive Hicks-Jenkins

My Work

(Left) Texture rubbings using chinagraph pencil, inspired by CHJ's approach in the video above. (Right) Photocopy and collage experiments

Full-bleed Thumbnails

PAINT WORKSHOP - Magill & Conroy Studies

Ørnulf Opdahl was also an option, but I chose one Magill and one Conroy piece to replicate.

Process

Full-bleed Idea 1

As I thoroughly enjoyed painting during the workshop session and saw first-hand how great it is for capturing the mood, I chose acrylic for this final illustration.

Vignette Thumbnails

Since the full-bleed was a far away shot, I wanted a close-up of the clockface to contrast it. My middle finger is slightly crooked from how I hold my pencil, so I used it as a starting point.

Either of these could be the final vignette, but I could also combine them digitally and produce another version.

Cover Thumbnails pt. 1

I was kindly informed that the cover should actually be about the Man in Black, rather than our individual stories, so I will be redoing the thumbnails. At the very least, using inkwash for thumbnailing was a good idea.

[ AFTER FEEDBACK ]

*midway project tutor feedback, not formative

Reference and Research pt. 2

It's never mentioned what the exact type of clock is in the Chimes of Midnight, but its components are mentioned - e.g. automata, casing, multiple panels, mechanisms of 'Byzantine complexity'.

Automaton clocks (with links):

18th century George Pyke Organ Clock

16th century Langenbucher and Bidermann's Musical Clock with Spinet and Organ

Other types of (antique) clocks featured: bracket, carriage, mantel and mechanical. Googling 'horology' also yielded some detailed results.

Full Bleed Idea 2

Although the first idea had the right mood, the portrayal of the clock wasn't quite right - too modern and simple. I needed to change it so that the complex mechanisms inside the clock were on display. I switched to Quink ink because a) it has a unique quality and b) it's much quicker than acrylic (timeframe negligence).

Experiments and Thumbnails