Alejandra Soto Dart 442 Concordia University
Original Concepts ettrine is the initial letter in a text presented in a bigger, more ornamented format. They could be heavily ornamented to the point where creating a lettrine was an art by itself. Although some had margins to limit them from the text, others integrated with it.
Illustrated Manuscript
The Project began from this element and developed Books filled with decorative illustration and as lettrines through different directions. , they were heavily ornamented.
http://www.enlumineor.com/images/p_galerie/lettrine_L.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/CodexAureusCanterburyFolios9v10r.jpg
Objectives For this project we were to explore the use and creation of lettrines in different texts, with the creation of either an entire alphabet or only a few letters, but exploring their real uses.
Week 1 For this week the assignment was to explore and define the direction we were to take for the project, delivering 2 letters of the alphabet. We were free to create them entirely or remake them from existing typefaces. In my case those letters were B and H.
Inspiration For this part of the project I took what I had seen previously of illustrated manuscripts and lettrines. Some seemed to relate to nature and elements found in them. Some of my initial concepts to explore were:
Fireworks Steam Fire Frost Spiderwebs Organic patterns
Sketching During the sketching process I explored with different forms and ideas and many of the previously set concepts were discarded for their limitations and lack of practicality.
In the end the concepts delivered explored different ways of illustration as well as materials. This included the jellyfish B’s, the tree shaped B and a fragile wax H which broke before any picture could be taken
First Proposals
Week 2 This week we were assigned to improve on our initial concepts and explore more ideas for those who were not satisfied by their previous work. This was an opportunity also to change the course of our work and explore other techniques and colors.
Second Proposal For this the tree B was improved and organic lines, contrast and collage were explored. Except for the collage, most of the color was removed to make it simpler and highlight the strokes. The first and third concept received positive reactions.
Week 3 After corrections from the previous week, I was assigned to do research and improve the chosen concepts (which was the tree B) in order to accomplish a more fluid stroke and decide on the aesthetics of my alphabet. Organic lines, high contrast and nature were analyzed further.
Research
Additional research mas made to find works from Aubrey Beardsley and Alphonse Mucha, two representing artists from the Art Nouveau movement. Beardsley provided with idea of making contrasts without the use of colors, giving a more natural and certainly darker look. Mucha on the other had was a guide for fluid lines and thick contours.
http://25.media.tumblr.com/806e0f5dc411bb27272bc2658cf71644/tumblr_muqaoraGox1qcg3zwo1_1280.jpg http://revoltingwoman.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/gayledc038.jpg http://uploads5.wikipaintings.org/images/aubrey-beardsley/sir-launcelot-and-the-witch-hellawes.jpg
Sketching Sketching process began with attempts of including the alphabet into a tree, which was later changed. Practice to making fluid free lines aided the process
final Proposal Illustrations advanced with the first real lettrines developed, of which only a couple experienced some change, once the new direction was fully established the rest of the alphabet was to be created.
Week 4 This was the final week for developing the alphabet, once I received green light for the letters made in the previous week the rest of the alphabet needed to be made. w Some of the letters’ sizes were slightly modified in order to adapt them in to the grid and allow them to fit together in a coherent way
For its creation the alphabet was first made in individual sheets of paper and inked. A grid was made in the final material and each letter was traced in it and then inked.
Some of the letters’ sizes were slightly modified in order to adapt them in to the grid and allow them to fit together in a coherent way
The final alphabet was presented. As it was mentioned, the alphabet was inked by hand which required great care. Later a few adjustments were made to give to give more space between letters and margin. Future plans for this alphabet include the possibility of color, digital tracing as well as printing in a larger format. The final alphabet was presented. As it was mentioned, the alphabet was inked by hand which required great care. Later a few adjustments were made to give to give more space between letters and margin. Future plans for this alphabet include the possibility of color, digital tracing as well as printing in a larger format.
Fonts used were: -Agency FB
Font Bureau Agency, designed by David Berlow and Morris Fuller Benton
-Basic Title Font by Przemyslaw Hoffer http://www.dafont.com/przemyslaw-hoffer.d4259