Project One Completed

A scanned version.

Above is the completed version of project one. The idea behind it is an investigation into old and new media. This is a subject that I happen to be interested in and wanted to explore. By using this idea, I chose a classic botanical illustration. What interested me in this is that due to that fact that we now have hi def cameras and video, the classic botanical illustration is an art form that is becoming obsolete. There is no longer a need for someone to draw delicate illustrations for the purpose of study. So, with that as a starting point, I chose certain areas of the illustration to build in blender. I took great consideration on what elements I would model, I wanted the models to be evenly dispersed throughout the image. I didn't want the image to be to heavy with either the real illustration or the 3D modeling. After modeling I used photoshop to place the models over the illustration and smooth out the edges a bit. Once this was completed I printed it out and used coloured pencils to go over the modeled parts. I chose to do this and not leave it totally in its modeled form because I wanted to make the viewer have to examine the image to find what was made with technology and what was done by hand. The idea came from wanting
a seamless combination of the two so that the viewer has to go into the image and investigate it at the same level as one who was studying a real scientific illustration for information. From the top I heavily colored the models and left a few traces of blender showing through, like the wire frame. The farther down the image the less hand coloring I did, and the more of the pure model can be seen. I wanted to have the wire frame element visible because I liked how it was clearly made in the computer yet it mimics the idea of the internal structure a plant has. For the background I decided to place a close up of the pure wire frame versions of the bud and pistils of the flower. I came to this decision after a conversation of why would you use a computer, what could blender do that the illustration can't, what was the advantage. By using the wire frame and placing the pistols inside, it goes with the idea of being able to see the internal workings of the plant, following the classic botanical theories but taking it further by doing it in a style that was never done. Then by making them lighter in colour and placing it behind the main image it creates another element, an image that the viewer may not have initially seen. I chose to present it like a classic scientific botanical illustration because I felt that it added to the idea of an old tradition that is not seen any more.
I'm rather pleased with how the whole thing turned out. I was worried about how my colouring would be because I hadn't done anything at that level of precision in quite a long time. I really enjoyed doing it and would like to continue making more in the same style. I would also like to experiment with printing it on different qualities of paper. This is an idea that I would like to pursue because I believe that I can push it further.

Here are some close ups of the image.