Sunday 29th March

Today I set out to create my stop-motion animation. I had not created a story board as I had previously created bullet points on my blog of what I wanted to happen, and thought storyboards are sometimes unrealistic as they are not achievable. As I had a clear idea of what elements I wanted to feature I decided to just go along and experiment with the ideas in my head, and then it would not matter if things had not worked and I left them out. I had created all the characters that I wanted to feature, I had Snow White, The Prince, The Evil Step-mother, The Step-Mother in disguise, a few trees, bottles of poison, apples, letters, and a book box that would contain all of it. I had two faces for each of the characters, so it would look like their eyes and mouths are opening and closing. I also created two versions of Snow White and The Prince, as there is the scene where Snow White is sleeping and The Prince kisses her to wake her up, I created an image with Snow White lying down, and then The Prince was bent over and I was going to make him enter the frame bent over and he would then kiss her. However, as I did with all of my characters apart from Snow White, I did not create a full body as I thought they would appear at the bottom of the frame and therefore you would not see their full body anyway, but once I started creating my animation I thought it looked better for them to be placed in the centre of the frame. So I decided to add the bottoms to all of the characters, but when it came to the second version of Snow White and The Prince for the kissing scene, it appeared to be quite complicated. I then realised that if I cut the arms and legs of the characters (as I was already planning to) I could use the characters I had already made and just manipulate them into the right position for the kiss scene, I thought this would work effectively. However, when I began creating the stop-motion of The Prince walking up to Snow White lying down, it dawned on me that I would not be able to manipulate him into the right position to kiss her, so I decided I would use the lettering to suggest he had kissed her. I think this worked really effectively.

Above shows the SLR camera I used on a tripod, I used the SLR as it has a quick shutter speed, and a really good quality of photos. The tripod allowed the camera to stay in the exact same position at all time which would add to the stop-motion effect of making everything else look like it's moving. However, this did create one problem. I originally had the exposure too high, so the beginning images of the opening text are very bright and the colours are not too visible, as I moved on to create the imagery of the stop-motion I realised and turned the exposure down, making the colours more intense. However, as I had already spent a long time doing the opening text I decided I would just edit the first images on the computer once I had uploaded them all. Although you can tell the images are slightly different in their appearance, I did my best and I don't think it looks too bad. The colour also varies throughout the animation as the sun goes in and out, and also changes throughout the day. I did think about this when setting up my position (as shown in the picture it is near the worktop and in the shadow) I thought the position I had chosen would mean that the sun wasn't effected too much. Although I did edit the colours throughout the film in order to get the colour and brightness to a similar level, I quite like the fact it's not perfect and the colours can vary. The whole point and style of my animation was I wanted it to look hand generated and home crafted, from the polkadot background to the floral text.

As shown in the picture above too, I wanted to use the box book I had bought and decorated to contain the story and make it seem like it was an actual book. Originally I had thought I would have the book opening up, and then have the characters coming directly out of it, although when I began doing the stop motion I realised it wouldn't work as the depth of the box is so deep and the characters are flat. I decided instead that I would fill the bottom of the book with polkadot paper, and have the animation zoom in right to the paper and then the animation start so it would look like the whole animation was taking part in the book, and then at the end of the animation it would zoom out again. 

I did not have a time scale or plan for how long I wanted the animation to be, I just decided it would be as long as it needed to in order to contain all of the points I wanted it to. When I uploaded the photos and then imported them into imovie, and edited some of them that weren't needed and also edited the timings of things, I added the track by Fyfe Dangerfield that I had used in my practice animation. The track was 3:15 and I needed it to be 3:41, with the help of my dad I cut and pasted some parts of the song in order to make it fill the time I needed, as I knew the feel the track gave to the song was one that I wanted. Although the song isn't perfect, it's what I wanted and I think it is pretty good. The Song finishes just as the book begins to close, and I think it draws it to a close perfectly. Over all I am really pleased with my animation and the way it turned out, and it is almost exactly how I wanted it.

Thursday 26th May

I created another short animation, this time just using text to see which I would like to feature and how. I decided that I like the polkadot background for the text, but when introducing characters I may use a plainer background. I also decided I prefer just the plain scroll of letters rather than them coming up from the bottom of the page, however I may use some of the spinning letters as demonstrated with the 'A'.

I decided to practice adding sound to my animation too. I chose the song 'She's Always A Woman' by Fyfe Dangerfield as I think the lyrics could relate to Snow White, as the whole song is about a woman. The song has a gentle tune and is a lovely song, I like the feel it gives my animation as I feel they fit well together. I originally selected this song as I thought it was most suitable out of all the songs on my iTunes, however now I like it so much I think I will use it for my final animation.

Wednesday 25th May

After getting the felt tips, I worked on all of the images I had created. I also decided to change the font on the box book I had designed, in which everything comes out of at the start of the stop-motion animation. I decided to use different floral print letters on the front of the book, which will then remain consistent throughout the animation, in introducing the characters and any other text that will feature. I think it's best to keep the font the same throughout the animation for a sense of continuity, each of the letters are also slightly different as they contain a different colour and floral pattern.
When creating each image of the different characters, I created at least two expressions for each, which I will swap around every few frames to give the impression the characters are blinking/opening and closing their mouths. I also created an additional expression for Snow White so she looks shocked as she bites into the apple and falls to the ground.

Tuesday 24th May

I decided I would just do a few shots of the Snow White paper doll moving, to see what the effect would be in the stop-motion video. I decided that I wasn't actually pleased with it, the way the body is proportioned to fit the split pins means that it is not the recognisable Snow White silhouette. I decided, even though it is last minute, that I will redo the paper doll and adjust the other 'props' I have created for my stop motion. I've decided that even though it won't move as well as the split pin paper doll, I will create the traditional Snow White shape, and instead of using split pins I will just have the different parts loose but still overlapping (as it will not be visible they aren't attached on video), this will also allow more freedom in movement.

I went on to create most of the 'props' I wanted to use, after deciding I want the stop motion to feature the following:

• An opening line
• The introduction of Snow White/The Prince/The Evil Step-mother
• The Evil Queen getting jealous of Snow White falling in love with the Prince
• The potion disguise the Queen takes
• The apple the Queen takes to poison the apple
• Snow White eating the apple and falling to the ground
• The Prince rescuing Snow White
• 'Happily Ever After' text

I want to add colour to them using felt tips to get a nice vibrant colour and make them look as cartoon like as possible. I will need to go to town in the morning to get some felt tips.

Monday 23rd May

After thinking and testing out ways yet again of how I can attach the book to the cover, I realised the way I planned on sticking the 'spine' of the pages onto the book would not work, as when the pages of the book is turned, the spine moves. I decided the easiest way to resolve this would to be to stick card around the spine of all the pages, this would then stick to the inside cover while still letting the pages of the book to be turned.
I attached it all together with double sided tape, it worked quite successfully, and even though it is not that of a professional standard, I think for what it is it has worked quite well.

Saturday 21st

Today was spent sticking each single a3 page onto an a2 page, so it would then be paired to make a double spread. I then stuck each of the a2 pieces back to back with double sided tape, as I am hoping this will mean all the corners will stick together and not peel, meaning the pages can all turn easily.
I placed all the pages stuck together (now nearly a book) into the cover, however when holding the pages into the cover I realised I will need to make some alterations. Although I planned to place in accent colour end papers to give my book a high quality finish, I realised as the book opens and the cover sits flat, the first page attaching the book to the cover needs to be larger, as it needs to bend round the spine too. 
I'm glad I've realised this problem before sticking the book to the cover, and before buying any paper or cutting anything that will be vital. I'll try and resolve this issue tomorrow, I will then go on to add all the finishing details to the book.

Friday 20th May

This is the cover of my book. Today I painted these letters in gold to then place onto the front of the book. I began to stick them with superglue, as I thought it would be the strongest and easiest option, especially as some of the thick letters are slightly bent so will not stick so easily. However, on one letter I placed too much of the glue, and it dripped onto the centre of the front cover. I could have turned the cover over so it would just be on the back, and start again, but I am a perfectionist and I would alway be drawn to this imperfection. So, as it did not take too long to cover the board in material, I started the process again.

When it was done I knew not to make the mistake of going near the superglue again, so I used double sided tape which worked just as well as superglue.

I think the cover is coming along really nicely, although I may add some extra detailing as I don't want it to look too plain. It needs to be simple, but not too simple.

Thursday 19th May

Over the past few weeks I have been thinking of a simple yet effective way of binding my book. I had made a book previously which used screws and bolts in order for it to stay together (as shown below)

However, this meant that there is no spine, and the book does not freely open as I would like it to, as it is slightly restricted. I knew I wanted my Snow White book to look like an old fashioned book, like so:

I started to look over the weeks of ways people have bound books they have made online, and after reading some of the instructions it seemed like quite a time consuming process for something that might not even be the right outcome.
I decided I would get a thick piece of card and cut two rectangles slightly larger than my A3 pages. I would cover them together in material leaving a tiny gap in between them so it would allow them to fold in half and become the cover for my book. Although it would not be a proper spine, and the whole book would be quite thin as a whole piece, it was the easiest way of having a conventional book. However when I came to cut the card I began to discuss it with my parents. I took all the pages I had created so far, and realised that actually they are very thick, as I was just thinking they were flat a3 pages, but with all the materials and extra pieces of paper I have used, it was actually quite thick. As I discussed it further we decided that it would be a good idea to try and create a spine for the book, so as I had measured out the covers, I just added a 5cm rectangle onto the width of it. I thought if it goes wrong the most I would have to do is cut it off and try to think of another way of using the back and front cover.
In the meantime, I cut the piece out as a whole, and in the centre I scored the 5cm rectangle on both sides. I then added lots of tape as I knew as soon as I tried to bend the scored edges it would break and come loose. After taping it the cover was taking shape quite well and I thought it would be successful. I took the dark green fabric I had bought over the weekend (which is cotton based I think, but has a lovely slight shine to it) and ironed out all the creases as I did not want this ruining the smooth finish I wanted. I decided to use double sided tape to stick the fabric to the cover, because using PVA or any type of glue would case it to crinkle as glue tends to do. I also thought glue would not hold the fabric as taught as I would like it.
After sticking the fabric down and making sure all corners were tucked in ready for the end papers to be placed in, I turned the cover over. It is much better than I ever expected it to be, and the fabric gives it such a nice finish. It's simple yet very effective and I don't think I could improve it if I tried.

Wednesday 18th May

I decided to redo the page with the continuous line drawing with Snow White and the woman giving her an apple as the composition was not working. Even though I am slightly pushed for time, I would not be happy with putting the page into my book. I decided to go for something completely different, and not a 'scene' from snow white. I created a skull image, as it related to the text when Snow White bites into the apple and falls to the ground. The skull is quite a sinister image, which is what i wanted. However, I decided to play on this by creating the image using floral fabrics which are quite delicate and pretty.

I used the text from the previous page, and just cut it out and stuck it to the skull I created. I decided a dark brown would compliment the colours of the skull and would make it a bit more interesting than just a white background which can be quite bland. I think the composition works much better than the previous page featuring this text, however I still feel it could have been improved with more time.

Tuesday 17th May

This particular page is the only one that is meant to be read landscape rather than portrait, although I created the imagery so it looks as if it could be viewed portrait too. I wanted to create a simple cartoon style picture, as I knew I was then going to go on to create a cut out background. Even though I have used the knife to create some cut out images, I have not created anything as detailed as this, so it was a bit of an experiment when I did this, however it worked well so I decided it was good enough to put in my final book. I then painted the cut out flowers and leaves background gold, and added an even more metallic gold to give it the appearance of being even more special. I then cut out the words from my typewriter text and decided to place them in a less conventional way. The reader might get slightly confused when reading it, as it is to be read in clumps and sections, rather than from the left hand side all along to the right hand side. I did this as when I had done page after page I wanted to confused the reader slightly, and keep them interested, which is a bit of a contradiction from the plain drawing.

As it is traditional for the last line of fairytales to end in 'happily ever after' I wanted to keep this tradition. I decided it would be best to keep it simple, and I knew I definitely wanted to hand generate the type. I decided to print a scroll (which is also associated with old style fairytales) and then place it upon one of the backgrounds I had sponged and used throughout my book. Overall, I am pleased with the font and placing of the scroll in the centre of the page, as well as the size. However, the muted colours seem to drag the page down a little. I think when the book is complete I may introduce some hand drawn flowers into it to bring some colour to something which is meant to be the nice, happy, fairytale ending.

Monday 16th May

After creating the composition, which I really like as the characters create a sort of frame on the page, I decided I wanted to do a collage style as I have done on some of the previous pages, however I didn't quite want the mosaic technique I have done before. I decided to use different fabrics and some paper I found round the house to make the image, but I cut each material to the exact shape and size rather than using small squares to make up each part. I didn't use the exact colours as traditionally done by Disney, but I think that adds to it.

I then thought the middle of the composition didn't feel full enough, so I again decided to add some text that summed up the main theme of the page. I used cut out letters where the colour scheme also went with the page. I then added typewriter text at the bottom of the page, as I thought it would be too much to have the text split up over the top and bottom

This is personally one of my favourite pages, and I wish I had used the same collage technique on some other pages I have created.

Sunday 15th May

As I have already created two large pages of the expression of the old woman using this collage style, I thought it would be appropriate to have the evil queen before she disguises herself. I thought using the same materials, colours, and technique would allow the reader to realise this and put two and two together quickly. I think my initial idea was good but I can't help thinking this page is slightly bland. I don't really know how I could improve it, I don't think changing the materials would improve it as the old woman pages work really well. I think it's maybe down to the fact the old woman pages are more experimental and this seems too controlled. I may be able to work over the top of this and improve it, if I have time I will definitely come back to it.

Saturday 14th May

Doing this page was more about showing all three characters that the text talks about rather than focusing on a scene. I created each character individually and then cut them out with the intention it would give the page more depth, I also added materials to it that would bulk it out slightly and add more texture. I stuck down the characters in a position which I thought reflected the text quite well and gives the sense they are interacting. I stuck it down on tracing paper (as I have used on each page as I like the look it gives) it was recycled tracing paper and had some text on it, which I planned on painting over when doing the background. However, when I stuck down the characters I liked the look the text (which is actually printed backwards and makes no sense) gives. I decided to get more paper and cut the text out and add to the effect on this page. Even though it completely doesn't relate to the story of Snow White, or what's going on with this scene, I really like it as a piece of imagery.

Friday 13th May

I used the newspaper cut out style that I had used for a different scene in my sketchbook. The technique has worked well however the composition is just not the same as the woodland scene in my sketchbook, therefore I am not happy with this page and if given more time I would definitely add in the woodland scene using newspaper cut outs, and then think of a different composition or just another technique to create this page. However I am pushed for time, and although I have not rushed myself, I don't have time to redo this or any other pages.

Thursday 12th May

I used the original smaller version from my sketchbook to create this page, I photocopied it and then worked over it as it took a couple of hours to do originally. I changed the background to black which I had not previously done, as I thought the negative image would stand out even more. I continued the monochrome theme with the use of white text. I used a stamp set I had purchased to create the text, all letters have a different font face which I really like. The over all page has a really strong feel, the only thing I think is a slight problem again is the flatness of it, but I don't know if that's necessarily a problem or a personal preference.

Again, I had to create another page in order for all the double pages to sit together. I wanted to have a complete contrast to the negative image page it was sitting next to. As the double spread before features Snow White scared and frantic in the forest, I thought I would do a continuation of this. I selected the scary trees from the forest and decided I wanted to achieve a real cartoon like feel. I drew it onto tracing paper and blobbed wet paint on the black of it so it would bleed and mix together, I then used the cut out letter style text from a paper bag I had. I personally really like the imagery, it could be improved by using a different background but I still am quite pleased with it, and it is a complete contrast to the previous image which is what I wanted.

Wednesday 11th May

In creating this page I wanted to use a similar technique to the tree page I had created, using threads and beads to stick down rather than being embroidered on. I then worked into it with blood red nail varnish and a black marker and tippex. After placing the typewriter text top and bottom of the page I thought the composition wasn't the best it could have been, I thought I could introduce the main sentence of this page and bring it into the imagery, however I wanted it to be a little bit different. I decided to cut out the letters from a newspaper, and even though the font faces would be different I would stick to the same colour scheme as I have on the page (black, grey, white, red). I then embroidered and drew an outline on the letters with gold to make them a little more special.

After creating the 'Huntsman' page I started thinking about the pages I had already created, and the ones I wanted to go on to create. I realised if I wanted some of the pages to be next to each other or work as a double page, I would have to add some extra pages in. The 'Huntsman' heart page was one of the pages that needed another page to sit next to. I began researching the story again and some of the imagery that feature in both the book and film, I knew that I wanted something that would relate do the page I just created so I decided just to do a simple portrait style page of the Huntsman. Even though it is a slightly more controlled style, and the colour palette is different these two pages look quite good together. This page is quite flat but seeing as I have other pages that have materials and more depth to them I think I will leave it as it is to create contrast.

Tuesday 10th May

As I planned to previously, I created the page of text to accompany the dwarf page. I wanted to use a different text to what I have before, as I am combining different techniques and processes to give a mismatched feel. I think this text is really playful and I like the way it sits alongside the other page, even though they do not match, this is why I feel they work. I think maybe I could have introduced some more depth if given more time, creating the letters so they are slightly raised off the flat surface just to give it more interest.

I then used my type writer to introduce another size and type of font, the text states what actually happened in the original story. I will go on to combine the typewriter text with handwritten typefaces as I really like the combination of both together.

I also used this background to place the text on, as I have done previously as well, I think as there is a mix in styles on the other pages it's nice to have some sort of continuity on the purely text pages.

Monday 9th May

I did the page that features the seven dwarfs outside the cottage. I did this page quite neat and controlled which is a bit different to the other pages I've done so far, as I want to create some contrast. I only used paint on this page which is also different as the other pages all use mixed media. I need to go on to create the text page that will accompany it. I want to try and a different font to what I have previously that will best suit the imagery.

Friday 6th May

I went to Hobbycraft and got a box that looks like a book, I thought this would cut down time in making props for my animation. I painted it a dark green colour and then picked out the details in a gold colour, I then painted the inside white like pages of a book. I then went on on to create a paper doll Snow White character, which fits perfectly in the box book. I need to finish Snow white, creating different eyes and mouths in order for her expression to change in the animation. I then need to go on to create the other props that will feature in the animation such as the Prince and the poison apple.

Thursday 5th May

I created the page with the magic mirror on, I decided I wanted it to look special and thought the use of sequins, glitter and beads would do this. I also then used foil to create the mirror like surface. I decided to place the text around the frame in order to create interest and make it seem a bit less conventional, It also added to the frame of the mirror and emphasised it.

Wednesday 4th May

I created the text to go with my tree page I have already finished. I used the same colour scheme as the tree, with muted browns which I sponged on to the page to give a soft effect. I used the same text that features on the page behind the tree as it is quite childlike, and I thought it was good as I was playing around with different font faces. I decided to stick to using black on this page especially, as the text can get lost on the background. I think I can just about get away with it.

I then created the text to go with the evil step mother pages. As they are a double page I decided that I will create a whole page of text to feature before the double page. I used the same font as I did on the tree page and the same colour background, I thought any page that just features only text should be similar so there's a continuity throughout the book.

Tuesday 3rd May

As I planned to previously, I redid the page with Snow White page and this time I am a lot more pleased with it. I remembered to use the absorbent tracing paper so the ink would dry. The ink therefore blended less and the dress looks a lot better as it is two different colours. As I wanted to experiment with the font faces I decided to create text that would look like embossed letter labels (like shown below:)

As the page is meant to be dark and scary I thought this would add to it, I used the fact it was a double page spread and took advantage of this, the text spills over across on to both pages rather than starting on the left page and filling it top to bottom, and then doing the same on the right. I think this works really well and when placed into the book it will stand out as slightly different.

Saturday 30th April/Sunday 1st May/Monday 2nd May

In my sketchbook I had already created some embellished sketches by sewing them by hand, this was mainly typography which I thought had worked really well, so I knew I wanted to use it in m final book. In my practice of the embroidery I had created the opening lines of the tale, this worked well with the font and also in the fact that I could embellish the first later, as is tradition in fairytales. When I chose my composition out of the three I had sketched for this page, it featured the type as well as the outline of these two characters it is introducing. Creating this page was very time consuming as it was all stitched by hand, however I think it is well worth it, and it's the only page I am embroidering.

Friday 29th April

This again is another copy of a smaller original I did in my sketchbook. When I created it then and evaluated it I said the text was not readable and was just for illustration purposes, so I will need to create a page of text to accompany it which I will do next week.

Thursday 28th April

I decided before creating any of the other pages I would need to start planning the pages of my book so I have an idea of where I am going with it. However, first I needed to edit the story so it is not so long, and features the more sinister elements too. I then created a rough plan to place the text where I wanted on each of the different pages, I then  created 3 sketches with different compositions for each of the pages featuring the text I had already planned, then selected the page which I would work best.


I then began to work again on the images that are almost exact copies, as I am working over the photocopies I have done of them. I started on the Snow White image.

The dress looked a bit green as the inks merged together a bit more than they did in the original, but I thought it looked okay so started working on it further. However, I used a different type of tracing paper on the back to trap the ink, and over a few days I have realised it's not absorbent, therefore the inks are still wet and are running and mixing. I have decided I am going to re do this page using the original materials I did before so the dress will stay more as two seperate colours. 

Wednesday 27th April

Although I have only just began planning the pages for my final A3 book, there were two pages I was absolutely certain I wanted to feature in there, I had created smaller versions in my sketchbook but had decided they had worked so well that I did not want to change them in any way, these were the two pages of the evil queen in her disguise as an old woman (as shown below).

I decided what I would do is use the photocopier to photocopy the image, but blow it up to the larger a3 size that I wanted. I photocopied them onto thick tracing paper which I have previously worked on, I decided to do this as I have been playing round with using paint on the reverse side of the tracing paper as it shows through and creates some interesting patterns, which I have used in the background above and in some other areas. I then started working into the A3 images, it has taken a lot longer than I thought it would, especially as half the work was done for me by photocopying my original drawings. I will have to remember this when working on my other pages, and try and begin to work quicker.

Shown above is the two A3 pages I created which are going into my final book. They are very similar to the original smaller ones I created, however there are some changes to the colours and materials I used. I have stuck them to a larger piece of paper so they are ready to be constructed into the final book.

Tuesday 26th April

I started today by creating a drawing of the evil queen, I wanted to create an image of half and half (her normally, and when she creates the disguise as an old woman for herself) I placed it on a page I had left blank, just before the other images of the old woman disguise I had drawn. However, I much prefer them to this, I think the idea was really good but executing it proved really difficult and I don't like the outcome so I will not develop it any further.


Today, I also took the Disney Snow White book I have been working from, and edited down the story so that it still makes sense, but it's not as long. I then wrote it down and added the extra details such as the Brother's Grimm, more sinister elements. I then went and numbered each bullet point and created page layouts of which text will fit together in which page. I may come back to change this at a later date, but for now I think it works well. I then started to roughly plan some compositions for each page in order to see what they will look like. I will create two or three sketches for each of the pages and then will decide on which works best.

Monday 25th April

Someone saw this image on a blogging website and thought of my work. I thought the image was really strong as it uses negative space in order to create the silhouette of Snow White. The image is taken from the forest scene when Snow White panics, the scene is quite sinister as the trees are scary and the music adds to the atmosphere. I wanted to try and take this idea and change it slightly, I wanted to use the Disney silhouette of Snow White, rather than the adapted version as shown above. I also wanted to use the animals from the Disney version.

I think my image has worked quite well, however the original image has more depth to it as some of the woodland animals overlap slightly, where as mine feels very two dimensional and flat. However I like the way I have worked on to white paper and then stuck it on to brown. Some text created on the typewriter may work well to accompany it.

Saturday 23rd April

I used tracing paper to over lay two images of Snow white as a skeleton. I tried to create a large image of the face in the background which would be fainter, and allow the image in the foreground to stand out. However, the image in the background is covered, I wanted the skull to show through, however only the hair and bow is visible. I could develop this by the use of different media and materials in the foreground image, as once again the image has become quite flat. I'm still unsure whether I want to use this image in my final book or not.

Wednesday 20th April

I used today to go into London and visit the other exhibitions I did not get time to see when I last went. Firstly I visited the Saatchi gallery as I had gone on the website to look up the work of Paula Rego, and wanted to go and see this painting in real life as you can not get the whole experience just viewing it online. However, when I got to the gallery they informed me the painting was no longer at the gallery, it is just on their website. I took a quick look round the gallery but didn't spend too much time as I wanted to get on to the other places I had planned to visit which I knew would benefit my project.
Next I went to the St. Bride Library for printing, publishing and the graphic arts. I wanted to go to take a look at the books on typography and calligraphy. The library was a lot smaller than I had thought, however I did find one or two good books explaining some techniques. The first book is 'Lettercraft' by John R. Briggs and the second is 'The Encyclopedia of Calligrapgt Techniques' by Diana Hardy Wilson. I will go on to research these online or maybe even buy them in order to get a closer look. The library was useful but I thought maybe I'd get a bit more out of it, I was looking for some unusual font faces but they all seemed to be quite plain.
I then went on to Kensington Palace, to the Enchanted Palace exhibition. I have visited before and the exhibition is one of my personal favourites, they create such an eery atmosphere with beautiful props and costumes. I did a few sketches in my book which I will develop and incorporate into some experimental Snow White sketches.

Monday 18th April

Although I have kept up evaluations on this blog about each page I have created, I had not created any annotations in my sketchbook. Today I set out to do this, starting from the very first page I had created to the very last, as it was over 60 it did take a few hours! However from now on I am going to keep up to date with the annotations as I create each page.
I then began to sort out some pages I need printing out to file in my visual reference folder, I will continue this tomorrow.

Friday 15th April

I decided I needed to act on the advice given during my group crit the other week. I took the advice of having a two layered image, both featuring the same outline but one showing the 'perfect' Disney version of Snow White, and the other being a skeletal version, to show how sinister the themes are in terms of the poison apple. I think the idea is really good, and I like the way they feature exactly the same silhouette, however, I think as the whole a4 paper is pulled up to reveal another image, they become very detached. I think I could develop this if I cut the actual silhouette out, and you lifted this rather than the whole page up.

Taking the idea of Snow White being in this skeletal form after eating the poison apple, I adapted the famous 'kiss' scene to feature this too. I like the image but I used water colours, I don't think the subtle tones work within the image and when creating this again I will use acrylic paint of oil pastels in order to get stronger and more vibrant colours. I also combined some type using the mismatch stamps I have used before. I think this works well in framing the image.

Tuesday 12th April

As I left a page blank previously after my other Seven Dwarf's page, I wanted to go back and do some more imagery on them. I created a scene in the woods with their cottage in the background. I think the composition works really well but I need to develop the image with different textured materials, as I started to do with the cottage made out of wooden sticks. I mixed water colours and oil pastels to get a mixture of subtle and more intense colours, however when I went to fix the oil pastels with hair spray it caused the black marker to run. I quite like the effect it created in the wood part of the page,  but on the dwarfs it ruins the image as you can not see them as clearly. I need to come back to this composition and develop it at a later date.

Sunday 10th April

I ordered some stamps off Ebay to create some of the pages of type with (as well as handwriting some) I left a blank page in order to continue something on from a previous page, and on the next I just tested out the stamps, using a page from the Disney Snow White book (which relates to the image I will come back to create on the page next to it). I really like the mismatch of the stamps as they all feature different type faces. Some of the letters, however, do prove a bit hard to read, and I think I will have to adjust them by going over with a black marker. I will also experiment with printing on different colours and surfaces, this page was just to see how they would print.

Saturday 9th April

This page needs more development and maybe more materials in order to create the wood with all the trees. Other colours may be nice to bring in as it just seems very boring and plain. As I thought this when I was creating it i stopped focusing on finishing the dwarfs and just paid attention to the background info. I could maybe draw back on some materials I used in previous projects before christmas. For example, I sewed green netting into a scrunched up ball and used it as the greenery for the tree which worked really effectively. I think that might bring this page to live a bit more with some more texture and some different colours. I will develop this later, as well as looking at the seven dwarf characters.

Friday 8th April

I decided to watch the film I had planned on earlier, Brothers Grimm. I thought it would be useful as the story is based on the fairytale writers, and features a fictional tale as well as lots of elements from many of their stories. However, there were only a few references to the story of Snow White. The film contained the famous 'Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?' as well as a quick shot of an old woman knocking on a door with a red apple, amongst some other small references. Although it did not relate a lot to the story of Snow White, or help me in terms of telling the original story, watching this film has proved quite useful to me. I took photographs of imagery that I think portrays a sinister feel, as well as a video I recorded that I think will be useful to my stop motion animation.
I have printed the photographs I took of the film and filed them in my visual reference folder, I am going to go on and use these images to inspire some pages in my development work. I will then come back to the video (shown below) when researching and making my animation to accompany my book.

Thursday 7th April

I used the same background for this page as I was playing on the shocked and frantic expression I wanted to create in Snow White's face. I thought the materials and colours could emphasis this and it has worked well. I worked onto the black background adding additional lightning bold style shapes. I used the same technique I have previously done for the backgrounds in order to create the colours in Snow White's dress. However, I used drawing ink as the consistency of it is a lot more liquidy, which means it would run which is what I wanted, as I did not want it to sit exactly in the outlines as it gives the impression again of being too controlled. Although I had thought about how the liquids would run, I didn't initially think of how the colours would mix together, however I really like how it has happened and created swirl type patterns too. 


I feel this is one of the strongest pages in my book, and it just goes to show how working out of your comfort zone can pay off as I think the best work I have created so far are the experimental pages. I think it would work really well to use this particular page in my FMP as it really does make you feel the frantic panic Snow White is in.

Wednesday 6th April

Carrying on with experimenting using different materials, I took a page from my book which I had produced in a 'controlled' way, I took it and replicated it using different materials. It still needs some improvement but I think in this instance I prefer the original, which was created using fabrics. I think I will maybe go on to combine the fabric materials but in a less controlled way to come to a better compromise. 

However, I do think the background works effectively. As I had already identified it gives a good 'sinister' and dark feel I have used it more than once. I created it by squirting black paint onto the page in my sketchbook, I then press a sheet of tracing paper against it, this leaves some areas stuck to the paint and others not, which also gives a bit of a texture.

Tuesday 5th April

As already identified, I need to work on being less controlled in my work. I took today as my opportunity to do this. I selected a strong image of the wicked queen which I have already created in my book and decided to use this and develop it. I created two pages, one using more muted colours, and one using brighter colours. I created the muted colour one first as I thought it would work best in portraying the more sinister image, however once it was completed I felt it could be stronger. The mixed media, however, did work so I decided to continue with this element. 

I then created the second image with the bolder colours, I think the strong colour of the purple is what makes this image so successful and I have selected this one to use in my FMP rather than the other, more controlled, images. I will work on developing some of the other more controlled images and try to use mixed media in order for them to become more exciting.

Monday 4th April

Today, the whole of my foundation course took part in a group crit, this allowed us to look at each others work to understand what they are doing, and give advice on how they could adapt or develop it further.
Peers looking at my work said the following:

• I could use the element of pop up sections in order to censor certain parts of the story- having the truth underneath the pop up section that is revealed as the mechanism is in action.
• Another peer suggested I tried to look at work of a previous student she knew, who created an animation (which I will also do alongside my book). The previous student had created 3D and then animated them with the use of stop-motion. 
• As I am playing with the light and dark side of the story, someone suggested I use contrast and colour in the pages themselves, e.g. the Disney story would be bright, happy colours, and the Brothers Grimm side darker shades and tones.
• Another student developed the pop up idea in terms of how the truth would be revealed- suggested that I should use tracing paper and have the nice illustration on top, then when lifted up there would be the same outline but with a more sinister illustration.
• The use of type could play on the nice and evil themes, I would have to explore the connotations of each type face and how they make the audience feel.
• Instead of having an animation, another peer suggested I could have the old fashioned style wheel rotating animations, maybe even hanging from the ceiling as some sort of installation.
• Someone then suggested instead of having the animation as a stop-motion animation, I could replace it with a flip book.
• I then identified myself as the other group members were asking me questions about my project that I need to look at ways of bookbinding and how I want my book to look.

I then spoke to my tutor briefly about some of the work in my book, she pointed out to me that a lot of the pages in my book were too 'controlled' and that I needed to work on my experimentation. I began by creating a single line drawing that I then worked into with paint.

 

Sunday 3rd April

I tried to create a page spread that might actually feature in my book. It featured the scene from the book where the Prince kisses Snow White to wake her up. I continued the theme that I think is working well in terms of the envelopes, and thinking about it, I would place the part of the original story where Snow White is sick and it dislodges the apple.

Thursday 31st March

I decided to use the artist Hayley Potter to create my next page as I had stated in my SOI I think her style and techniques may be useful in creating a bold image.

I used the last image of the Prince carrying Snow White as they fall in love. I thought it would be the best image to link to the work of Hayley Potter as well as staying relevant to the story and not doing it for the sake of using the artist. I played on the minimalist feel and added some type created by my typewriter, which says 'Happily ever after' three times. I feel the composition works really well and the page is so simple that it creates a really strong image and gets the point across.

I added an envelop in the polkadot pattern I have previously worked with as I think it creates interest while still remaining simple. I think this is important to keep it simple so the two pages work well as a double spread. These are personally two of my favourite pages and I want to add to them to use in my FMP. The envelope also contains a letter which says 'The dwarfs forced the wicked queen to dance on hot iron shoes until she burnt to her death' as in the original story although Snow White and the Prince do live happily ever after, the queen dies a more gruesome death than is told.

Wednesday 30th March

I experimented with different types and colours of card in order to see which would stand out. I quite like the combination of the two different shades of green, especially as it is an ongoing colour and theme throughout the book. I also created a brown envelope and stitched in it, I think this adds really nice detail and I could develop the motifs to sew on to it. I could sew motifs that are connected to the theme of the secret that is inside the envelope.
I also did some illustrations of the woodland animals that feature in one of the Disney versions' scenes. However, if i do develop the use of these characters I need to work on the composition and placing of each.

Tuesday 29th March

Using a cut out technique I created this rose. I thought it could be used in combination with text or just as a decorative page. However I think the composition is not right and this page is not interesting. I think this could be improved with a stronger colour in the background to make the cut out technique stand out, but I don't think I will try and improve it as I don't want it in my final FMP book.

Experimenting with font faces and the positioning of text on the page.