RISD illustration class

[jkior]

I'm in the RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) pre-college summer art program in an illustration major. Really cool - its a six-week program, classes four days a week 9am-4pm and one two-hour day. Intense, but incredible fun. Anyway, had an assignment from illustration class to make an illustration for Aesop's "The Little Mermaid." (The beginning of the story, where the mermaid is longing for the surface world from the "long gothic windows" of her father's underwater castle.) Acrylics and watercolor on 9x11 Bristol. (Shoulda used hot press watercolor, but hey.)

http://img12.exs.cx/img12/521/illustration_mermaid_sm1.jpg

I was trying for a dreamy, contemplating theme here. I think the rendering is still a little rough and a little flat, but I'm pretty happy for a totally first time. The slight horizontal banding is because the paper curled; I'm flattening it overnight before submission tomorrow morning. I've never really painted before, let alone had any formal instruction, so I'm kinda stumbling around in the dark with this piece. I'll probably start a sketchbook thread with some more stuff from this and the other classes later.

[Ulysses]

Hey that's pretty nice for a first-time painter. I like the light spilling through the windows but I think that the mermaid could use a shadow or something below the window sill and in the future it might be a good idea to use some references for the anatomy of the figure. Well good luck to you and I hope you get a sketchbook thread going!

[johanson]

jkior,

A sketchbook thread is a great idea. Anything to get you excited/motivated to keep practicing is fantastic.

For starters, not bad at all for a first try at painting, especially considering that you’re still in high school. Those light shafts are starting to work. The rendering of the figure could use some work… but hey, that will come with practice.

Is there a way that you could make the architecture unique to the underwater world? Would they use a different kind of stone, or cut it differently? Maybe there would be some stuff growing on it… I don’t know. Also, concerning the composition, I realize that the large open space above and to the left of the figure is there to help create her feeling of longing for the surface. However, it’s a little boring. Maybe a foreground element or a change in POV. Again, you’ll get the hang of it.

Are you thinking about going to RISD for college? If you are, and you have any questions about the school or their illustration program, then drop me an email or something. I graduated from that program a few months ago, and would be glad to try and answer your questions.

later,

-Andrew

[Denart]

you painted it well, great lighting man

though the mermaid looks rather flat

[davi]

good start, i think you could bring more depth to the background, bring some shapes, values or textures to give it something more than just a teal wash.

[RefrigeratorCo]

Play with atmospheric perspective in the water by darkening the blue'ish hugh. That would also help out your composition because you have a lot of open space.

[RipperMcGuirl]

Great job, particularly for your first time. I find myself wishing for a little more movement in the tail...I think looking at how static the tail is kind of defeats the nice 'floaty' feeling that the hair gives it.
I too am at RISD right now, but I'm here for the summer transfer program, I am going into illustration as well. We have class from 9 to 5 and a half day on friday. I love every second of it and if art is what you want to do for college, I can say that this is definitely an intense art experience and I'm already better after only being here a couple weeks.
Keep it up.

[Elwell]

Very nice job, especially considering your age and experience. A few suggestions...

The light underwater falls off very rapidly and is distinctly blue-green, much more so than you have. The more you play that up the waterier it will feel.

I like the whales, but they could be bigger or there could be more of them. That would also solve the problem of all that empty space in the window.

The pure black of her hair looks heavy and dead. Maybe dark green?

Lastly, if her tail was trailing out behind her it would emphasise the upward/leftward action of her body and the idea that she is being psychologically drawn to the surface.

Who is the teacher, and what did they think?

[jkior]

Thanks! I really appreciate everyone's comments. I already had to submit the piece this morning, so I really can't do a lot more with it. It is helpful, though, because my teacher (Rozzitza Skortcheva) didn't have any real corrections. I think that was mainly because it was so far above everbody else in the class that it seemed better than it actually was.

Great thoughts, everybody! Soon as I get my other work back from grading, I'll post it on the forum.

Thanks

[skrubbles]

I think this piece is really good. The perspective of the arches was done nicely. I do have to agree about the blueness... not just of the water though, but the blue hue would affect the mermaid's skincolor as well... it wouldn't naturally be so yellow/orangy underwater... especially that far underwater.

[Jason Manley]

work on your figures...do LOTS of life drawing. you will do very well if you know your figures to the best you can. start studying your anatomy as well. get an antomy book and draw everything in it over the next year or so.

good luck....have fun


J