NJABULOH 190291 Portfolio 2020
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The Noble Savage
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Honorable Mentions
Botanical Illustration
02 Printmaking
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Picture Book
Concept Art
contents 06
Retail Illustration
BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATION Event 1
For this bref: we were required to create a series of botanical illustrations by exploring a myriad of techniques and ultimately create one botanical pencil render and one watercolour render.
Observational Drawings were a key part in this brief and we completed these by spending a day at the Stellenbosch Botanical Gardens where we were required to create a series of botanical illustrations from the many flowers to choos from. We were required to explore various techniques to explore sensitivity to the mediums in our observational drawings.
Exploration of combined techniques
In this process I really enjoyed playing with more wet mediums such as ink and washes. I was given the opportunity to explore the ink wash method a little better but exploring the technique on different types of paper. I found that making use of the wash method required immense amounts of patience as is the nature of botanical illustrations.
We were finally required to create a realistic render of a single plant of my choice. I chose a plant that has a lot of fleshy properties to it as I as I did not have the ability to render such surfaces before. It required a real amount of patience from me that I never had applied on a single drawing before and the issue I had originally was that the marks I was making on the illustration were very harsh and required lots of cleaning up but once I had started to slow down I was truly able to render the parts I was working on with alot more sucess.
Exploration of colour making use of the watercolour medium Watercolour was initially very frustrationg to work with, I struggled with paint consistency a whole lot and as a result I would get these really saturated colours that would clash with the actual colours that I wanted to render. The key to watercolour, as I learnt again with much patience, was to actually really use the water and build up my colours as opposed to the method I was using which was pretty much
On my final attempt for a realistic rendering of a plant I chose a dying leaf that I had found in my garden, I needed to find something new to paint as I had gotten bored of the other plants I had drawn. I chose a dying leaf because I knew it would be challanging to accomplish. I liked how the changing colour posed a challange for me that I had never previously tackled before. While I was painting the leaf I realized a new problem I had not previously considered, the leaf was changing colours and tones right before my eyes which made it challenging to constantly keep track of and being forced to paint very quickly with a medium that requires patience was also a challange on its own, however these challanges made drawing the leaf way more engaging for me and made it a very ideal subject.
PRINTMAKING Event 2
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For this bref: we were required to explore different print making techniques to learn new ways of image making. The key element of this brief was the exploration of various techniques that would inform our image making and also how we explore sensitvity to the various mediums to discover new and interesting way of making.
Collographs: I found that in this particular brief I had a bit of trouble with exploration as I was very intimidated by getting started because i did not have the ability to just blindly start the process of creation without an image in mind. Once i had started working with collographs that seemed to slip away I was truly able to let go and create interesting images with the collograph process due to the fact that I was more intrigued by the kinds of textures I was getting as opposed to the final result of the image. Once I had started to make I tried combining the stencil technique with the collographs and i really started to have fun with this process. I like being able to throw in random objects that would be informed by my concept to create a clean yet really packed image.
I am normally very comfortable creating and rendering characters so in order to explore my style further I decided to create a pencil sketch of a greek statue and explore recreating it in different printmaking techniques I did this because I am very intimidated by blindly creating images so in order to counter this I needed to create an image and see what the various results would look like in relation to the original sketch I had created. I found that this process was really helpful as I was able to apply sensitivity to create various effects using the printmaking techniques that would inform me on how to work with the mediums in future.
Watercolour Monotype
Thinners Transfer
Dry Point
The exploration of Oil Monotypes was very interesting as at first I was still trying to hard to carve images from the oil paint I did not really enjoy making flat textures with this technique but after a little more exploration I started to play around with using turpentine to create some interesting images from the plates. I really started to have fun once I learned the reduction technique and it started to get me sensitive to the medium a bit more.
My next point of exploration was the combination of various print making methods to create images with a bit more narrative to them. I really enjoyed using the stencil method once it was combined with other methods so I decided to explore combining this method with Oil monotypes and collographs and various random objects to see what kind of images I could draw from this method.
Exploration of thinners transfer method by cutting up textures I had created from collographs and combining them with images cut from a magazine.
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I made use of my images from my botanical drawings as referrence for my watercolour monotype exploration. Water colour, again, is a process that requires immense patience and it is no different towards monotypes as well and I really enjoyed the textured results from the watercolour monotype technique.
For the Dry point technique I needed an image that would have the best lines for me to work with and with my heavy handed style of drawing the blind contour drawing I had created as part of my botanical study was the best suited image for the task at hand. The strong bold lines allowed me to discover bold and sharp prints after they had gone through the press.
Dry point etching that used my pencil render that was completed in the botanical study as referrence.
THE NOBLE SAVAGE Event 3
For this bref: we were required to combine what we have learnt in the first two briefs and use that to create a book cover based on the readings supllied. You may select a name as well as angle to explore on your own.
In his many notes on his travels through the african continent, the European traveller Franรงois Levaillant makes much mention of a certain native individual by the name of Klass, he writes about his fondness of this native and how this companion has become like a brother towards him and as a sign of affection he makes referrence of Klaas as The Noble Savage. By exploring the idea of the noble savage, my concept aims to explore the different ideas of power emmited through the western visual language and addresses the complexities of their relative misrepresented counterparts. The project aims to look at the idea of the Noble Savage as seen through the lens of 18th century romanticism philosophers, and aims to serve a critique to the idea of nobility as seen in the west. The idea is to explore representations of power but also aims to make a comment on the internal battle between the aspired power in relation to the idealized self as conceived in the western philosophy.
I created a series of prints that I wanted to serve as imagined artefacts that are the result of stereotypical representation of the two cultures I wanted to juxtapose. I then layered the artefacts over each other to create a character that represents the paradoxes that exist within this juxtaposition.
My concept aims to use the visual meaning behind artefacts and their fragments in order to explore the hybridity that exists within western cultures and native sensibilities This character is an embodiement of that concept..
Book Cover Mock Up:
CONCEPT ART Event 4
For this bref: we were required to design concept art for a video game idea of our own conception. Design a character for your video game, an environment that shows the characters Journey, and a companion for your video game character. Create a Composition that shows all of these elements as well as compile a GIF for the elements of your Concept Art.
Discovering Bobo: Crafting the charachter for my brief was my favorite part of the concept art brief. I was really able to explore different body positions and compositions with the same character which was a challange for me in the beginning. After a process of exploration I was able to pick out a body position that served the concept I had come up with best.
To create the world that my character would live in I divided my workload into the following steps: 1. Draw and Ink the Sketch on Paper 2. Highlight the focal point of the illustration 3. Fill in the colours from the chosen colour palette 4. Remove the linework on the focal point 5. Brush in the shadows and textures 6. Brush in the highlights and and light sources
Bobo’s Journey (uHambo lu ka Bobo): Bobo’s Journey is based on the story of a young boy living in a shanty town where only the strongest survive, In his young age Bobo has made it very clear the ambition he has of becoming the strongest in the community and being a leader that can be of help to his community. Bobo has one special advantage, he has been blessed with the company of Ancient African spirits that he summons using a special handcloth that he has recieved from his grandfather, who in his time was the strongest in the village and protector of the peace. With these abilities Bobo aims to fight foe after foe to get closer to his goal and ultimately be the new protector of the peace.
PICTURE BOOK ILLUSTRATION Event 5
For this bref: we were required to explore various image making techniques and produce a picture book, graphic novel, or an artist book. we were also required to create a narrative for this picture book and explore how to communicate that narrative through picture book illustration.
My concept for the picture book was a response to the lack of inclusion of people of colour in popular media as well as the misrepresentation of black bodies in the media we consume. The characters in the book are inspired by real life heroes that I would like to share with the world as inspirations to people like myself. The aim for this project is to bring the narratives of “othered� communities to the fore and redirect the perceptions formed about these groups. This book aims to inform individuals that have felt excluded by the media that they too have important stories to tell.
In order to create the magical world in my picture book I explored a very layered approach to my image making that involved the use of combination of techniques. Firstly I created a series of monotypes where I used an inked up plate that was dissolved by making use of turpentine. The removal process allowed me to add more colours and create a blend of interesting textures. Once I had scanned the textures I manipulated them through the digital platform and created cut outs from the textures I printed out. Lastly to add the finishing touches I used a charcoal pencil to highlight the elements of the shape to create a form that I would later scan in and construct through the digital platform.
One of the biggest challanged I encountered was working with this character that I had created in the narrative that I had created because my character had no facial features I could not express certain emotions traditionally.
I had to find alternative ways to express emotions and characteristics without the use of eyes or a mouth.
I paid close attention to the manner in which characters that dont normally have regular facial features use body language to get the message across.
Through these studies UNITI was able to express a variety of emotional values for example the feeling of shyness by the way they slouch their shoulders or joy by the way the raise their arms.
UNITI AND THE GREAT BIG ADVENTURE A book about a little child who loves to read stories and embarks on an adventure after finding a special book that allows them to enter a magical world that will take them from being a shy little child who feels like they are lonely in the world to a child who is surrounded by people who love them and look like them and it is through this love that they win their confidence back.
RETAIL ILLUSTRATIONS Event 6
For this bref: we were tasked to do thorough research on the specific interests within the retail industry, target market, and surface design in general. Examine the two possible options with regard to sustainable design or cultural appropriation. You will be required to design a retail brand for either textile designs for a clothing range or patterns for your own sustainable kitchenware
DELINQUENTS CLUB: The key philosophy behind the brand is that we as the “new youth� are a disruptive force to be reckoned with. By using the name delinquent we are implying that we are a nation of young people designed to go against the status quo. The alt youth is made up of a generation of individuals that are influenced by nostalgia and pop culture, they stick out in the crowd and are unapologetic about it.
TOXIC WASTE The toxic waste collection is a project aimed at raising awareness about the toxic nature of paper waste with hopes at triggering consumers into being more conscious about the way the consume and dispose of paper, promoting a healthier attitude towards recycling.
Paper waste is a major issue being it is not just the waste that is harmful but also the production of paper that can ultimately become very harmful to the environment. 97% of all paper comes from trees and it takes about 320 litres of water just to produce 1 Kg of paper. This project Is aimed at highlighting the dangers of paper waste by making use of patterns to show the removal and cluttering process of the paper production to waste cycle. representations of our carelessly playful use of this revolutionary and potentially harmful product. About 70% of waste produced by offices is made up of paper alone. At this moment over 199 tons of paper are being produced that will ultimately end up in a landfill somewhere in the world where accumulate and pose a threat to the ecosystem around it.
The idea is simple, we want to send the waste produced by offices and schools on a 360 degree journey in the paper waste cycle. So instead of filling up landfills with paperwate we want to send the waste back to the points in which they originitate by producing a range of products produced by this type of waste. We want the consumers to not only prurchase the items but also, in so doing, get themselves educated on the true extent of their irresponsible waste practices. The aim for this inititative is to promote a positive attitude towards office waste management with a fun and interesting twist to the way we consume everyday products
I wanted to recreate classic summer tie dye motifs for my artworks, this was mainly due to the process of colour mixing and imperfect results that one gets with the tie and dye technique. I had read up on the paper making process and I wanted to highlight the idea of removal that I had seen take place in the cutting down of trees as well as the ink pollution caused by the bleaching and dyeing process of making paper. Due to unforseen circumstances I was unable to create tie dye patterns with actual fabric so this called for some innovative thinking. I decided to use a technique that I had picked up in my past brief that involved creating textures out of oil monotypes that are made by applying oil printing ink on to a plate and slowly and carefully dropping in turpentine to create an image from the ink. I managed to get some really interesting forms from this process but they would still need to be treated through photoshop in order to attain the results I was trying to get from the process.
The furniture designed in this project will be create using a paper composite made out of paper and a concrete solution that allows the paper mache to strengthen up enough to have the ability to support a heavy load.
We attempted redefine office culture with the project through the furniture designed in unconventional ways and making use of loud unconventional colours and patterns . In order to truly redefine office culture we also designed clothing that would turn the idea of the traditional blazer into a canvas that will be used to boldly proclaim the message of the brand.
The auxiliary products are all made from upcycled dead stock and discarded materials collected from landfills and the donations of discarded fabrics.
HONORABLE MENTIONS Personal Work
THE MAYORS OFFICE The Mayors office is a podcast documentary that is the brain child of the African creative and storyteller, Mpumelelo “Frypan� Mfula. The podcast is based on a series of impromptu conversations with many young people from all over Africa, from different sectors of industry and various life settings, the conversations aim to create a Pan African dialogue between the African people and the platform aims to be a catalyst of that diologue. The illustrations are a visual representation of the journey of the storyteller and the experiences the share with the many people they encounter in their journey, we make use of the boat and its journey as a metaphor for the journey the storyteller takes.
introduction Ink wash on paper, digitally coloured.
The Afrofuturist Ink wash on paper, digitally coloured.
Water Moves as Community Ink wash on paper, digitally coloured.
Roy The Connector Ink wash on paper, digitally coloured.
DIRTY ELEVEN BOXING CLUB Experimental project that was inspired by the Hilbrow boxing club located in downtown Johannesburg. Reimagined through the lens of the Dirty Native Studio, the project is merely an exploration of the �Never Say Die� attitude displayed by the residents of the inner city that would possibly exist in this gym.
Grim Reaper Digital Painting
Dirty Pete Digital Painting
Dirty Zulu Digital Painting
Miscellaneous illustrations that served as an opportunity to explore image making through various techniques that I would ultimately process through the digital platform.
Omne Trinium Perfectum Digital Painting
Sne’gugu Mixed Media
MADONNA A series of representational portraiture, inspired by Classic European style oil paintings, the portraits are meant to reimagine the warped interpretation of black bodies in popular media by using classic modes of representation found in western modernity. The halo is a prominent symbol that appears as it appears in the classic oil painting such as the Madonna. The portraits are all given Nguni names that each represent the character of each of the individuals in the paintings. Digital Paintings
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