Visual Language: Module Evaluation

From the outset of the module it has been my intention to broaden my use of material and to establish and refine my working method. This involved a distancing from comfortable tools, for example I now understand that biro is not universally appropriate. Furthermore I have become more confident with my use of line, this stemmed from my investigations with the brush, particularly in how it can be applied to create texture and the impression of atmosphere. Loosening up my application of line in this module has directly influenced the manner in which I have created large quantities of scamps and roughs in all of my projects, this has in turn improved the proficiency of resolutions.
The greatest change in my methodology has been the consideration of shape, while before I would have been bogged down in linearity I have more often applied shape as a tool of development and composition.

I found the second brief of the module most invigorating as it allowed me to apply the principles of successful imagery to my work. The tasks allowed me to critically review how I employ the use of dynamic viewpoint and depth, I can now appropriate them to instil specific tone.
The colour theory segment has revealed why I have often struggled with choosing the appropriate colourations within imagery (and thus avoided it often), I frequently mixed quite rich colours with the more desaturated, without realising the implicit results, this was a hit and miss method, but as a result of the introduction to colour theory I now appreciate the consequences of colour.

My personal achievements within the module have been the capability to regularly document my progress, which  has greatly assisted with the evaluative process. Additionally I am quite impressed with my material and process testing. Of course, there is an unceasing room for even broader testing,  I have investigated several successful techniques such as tape-based stencilling, alpha channel manipulation which have become highly influential in my methodology.
The module has also forced me to establish a more consistent attention to the face and character, previously I had become quite monotonous with all characters sharing the same furrowed brows, however the tasks in material usage and colour have helped to develop and establish a more resolved character creation method.

However, there is vast room for improvement. Firstly I remain dissatisfied with my frequent inability to infuse my work with sufficient voice or emotion, the module gave ample opportunity to apply various methods to communicate a whole variety of tones, and yet I find my work has too often been barren in this respect. Admittedly my attention to anatomy needs a lot of work, which would easily be improve by attending extra curicular life-drawing sessions. I am also malcontent with my use of lens and wish to use it more often for reference and texture documentation.

Finally, the analysis of work has revealed the components which allows imagery to be successful (or less so), this has allowed me to think and write more coherently about my own examples and then respond with visual developments. It has also demystified 'the professional' and shown that they are subject same rules and methodology that we students are. By having tangible reasons why a professional piece of illustration is successful in accordance to visual language I have learnt to improve my own work.