More experimentation with botanicals

 After playing around with observational drawings I decided to use it in my practise and revisit that abstract style using traditional media which I experimented with previously. To develop this further I wanted to think more clearly about the shapes making them bolder instead of an accidental blend that could be seen last time giving a muddy effect. To do this I really thought about layering and making sure the layers between were dry so I could really build up that sense of colour. 

Above shows the final outcome of the piece I created. I used a mix of gouache followed by pencil to add some finer details and outlines of leaf shapes. I actually was really happy with this piece and definitely felt it involved a process. For example with the first couple of leaf bases i didn't feel it was working and felt some of the colours did not compliment each other. However, i wanted to carry on and try building it up to see if it would change the overall feel of the piece, to which i did. I even wanted to think about adding in some of the elements relating to the main characters. So i use a contrasting orange to create an animal print that could be seen throughout the painting, i feel the use of coloured worked and added a contrast yet still complimented the overall tones. 

I liked the colour palette so much I decided to scan my work in and use Photoshop to pick out the individual colours from the layers. I felt this would be a great idea so I could develop my pattern further digitally so i could look at how it could be approached using a different type of media. 

Therefore once i had a specific colour palette i decided to head onto Procreate for Ipad to begin playing around with layering digitally and using digital brushes to help give a similar yet an overall cleaner look. My process was very similar as i thought about different coloured bases and how i would layer them to create the final image. However, by working digitally i was given the freedom to go back into my work and adapt to make them work and fit better together. 

Below shows my final piece which i created, I decided to use traditional inspired digital brushes to help add that fun texture which was seen in my original however i was able to clean it up more. I really liked how it turned out as i feel it still has the overall charm and yet makes the colours feel more vibrant connected. It also allowed me to imagine how i could use this pattern in a final piece.

For example, once i finished with the final design i felt i would be fun for me to play with the design and put it into a final design to see how it could work in a project. I chose to create a notebook page as this is instantly where I could imagine the pattern working best. I played around with the layers and combining it with the white area intended for writing. Below shows my final mock idea of how this particular pattern colour be used to create one of my intended final pieces. 

I definitely like how it looks overall, however, I feel there are elements that need to be revisited and looked at further when it comes to looking at a final design. For example i am not sure all the layering of the leaves over the white page works and maybe feels too much.

Therefore, moving forward I want to look at the idea of pattern design further as well as maybe thinking about using the animals to bring more narrative elements into the patterns that I intend to create.