Statement of intent

Leeds College of Art BA (Hons) ILLUSTRATION OUIL603 Extended Practice

Level

06

Credits 60

STUDIO PRACTICE Statement of Intent Name

Jay Stelling

Date

19/10/17

www.j-stelling1518.blogspot.co.uk

Rationale Since my career aspirations revolve around the two fields of puppet fabrication and illustrating children’s books, I intend to finish this module with a portfolio of work appropriate for positions as a model maker (in companies such as LAIKA or Mackinnon and Saunders) but which also demonstrates my interest in children’s book illustration.

In order for my portfolio to demonstrate a range of skills and processes relevant to both of these fields, I plan to conduct a balance of challenges: some briefs that focus on book illustration, especially for children, alongside briefs that will push my model making techniques.

Themes / Subjects

Storytelling: Fantasy, Fairy Tales, Macabre/Horror Tone: Ethereal, charming, magical Character: Personalities, people, face shapes, diversity World Building: Atmosphere, scenes, places, environments

Products / Methods of Distribution Animation / Animation studios, festivals, show-reels Portfolio / Website Art Dolls and Puppets / Exhibition or Collective Showcase, magazines Children's books and Merchandise / publishing, publishers, book shops

Practical Skills / Media / Formats Sculpting: clay/wood/paper mache/paper clay/plasticine - expressions, features, details Fabrication: Armature, joints, costume, hair, painting Set Building: Set design, prop making, lighting Animation: puppet movement and manipulation Illustration: Character Design, drawing, book proposals, story boards, composition, sketchbook, roughing, observational drawing, character studies Book Cover Design: typography, layout

Brief 1: Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal Character Design Competition

Deadline 22nd November 2017

Rationale: Character design is a specific element of illustration and conceptual art which I have not fully explored before.

I would like to try and get to grips with this process, including using a sketchbook and roughing. This brief would encourage me to consider and establish my characters further before moving forward with them. The competition is judged by members of the Henson family/organisation and the Froud family, who are big inspirations to me; it would be incredible to gain advice and feedback from these individuals. Entering this competition may help me to network and make connections in the fantasy art/puppet making sphere.

Brief 2: The Folio Society - The Selected Adventures and Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes

Deadline

17th January 2018

Rationale: The story belongs to the mystery genre and has a dark, often macabre tone which suited my work well in a

previous brief about Edgar Allan Poe. I’m also excited by the idea of working on a book and know that this would be a significant brief to practice making illustration for the publishing industry. In previous modules, I’ve relished the research aspect of briefs and I know that having a subject to read into will make my outcomes more informed and intriguing.

Brief 3: Stop Motion Animation / Proposal Animation Festival Submission?

Deadline

2018

Rationale: This project could be a great occasion to collaborate with another practitioner(s) from Animation and share our knowledge. I enjoyed collaborating in Responsive and would be great to get experience working with animators, like a real animation studio.

Work on a full animation to put in my show-reel, demonstrating an ability to follow a project through and a dedication to the craft.

Brief 4: Art Doll Quarterly: Haunted Fairy Tales

Deadline

15th March 2018

Rationale: ADQ was successful for me last year - a great way to get into magazines. This call for submissions sounds perfect for me in its subject and tone! I'd like to do something Burtonesque with Hansel and Gretel including a very creepy scene. This year I want my entry to be an ILLUSTRATION not just a DOLL.

Brief 5: Editions

Deadline Ongoing

Rationale: I will be challenging myself to improve my sculpting skills. In this self-directed project, I will learn more about

industry standard materials and technical requirements in puppet fabrication such as the use of armatures and joints. I will make multiple versions of the same features, using a trial and error approach. I hope that this project will be an opportunity to build on my skills and refine my practice.

ACTION PLAN​ – use this section to identify specific tasks that you need to complete in order to resolve the brief.

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BA (Hons) Illustration - Level 06 OUIL603 Extended Practice STUDIO PRACTICE

Project Proposals 10 steps to producing persuasive project proposals

1. Set clear aims and objectives 2. Be SMART (Specific , Measurable , Achievable , Realistic , Time Conscious) 3. Use words from your brief 4. Justify the need for your proposal 5. Describe your audience 6. Describe your motivations 7. Consider the reader 8. Eliminate vagueness 9. Visualise the ending 10. Assume nothing