GOAL
The goal of this assignment was to practice adding texture to illustrations by placing a simple canvas image to the background and experimenting with photoshop settings. By doing so, we were able to give off a painted look to our work. All that was left for us to do afterwards, was use our already existing illustration skills and paint something of our choice.
PLAN
Prior to this particular lesson, one of my favorite musicians, Amber Liu, was finally released from a contract with an overly constricting label. It was one of the very first times that they was able to create music without having to fit the image their old label had placed upon them, and they started off strong with a song about how they felt when they weren't allowed to express themselves freely.
It took me quite a while to decide on a reference image I wanted to use for this illustration, but eventually I decided on one that I felt fit Amber's new song, "Hands behind my back". The position feels extremely posed, with Amber's emotions locked away behind their eyes.
CHALLENGE
It definitely took some of time to capture the look of pain behind Amber's eyes, but after a lot of trial and error, I think I captured it perfectly. The way they gaze off camera suggests that they have a secret, and I feel like the flowers are a great representation of the femininity that the label was forcing upon them.
Design-wise, I stuck with an oil-like paint appearance to match the canvas texture, with Amber's toes slipping out of frame. This detail was to signify how desperate they wanted to be free from their cage, and be who they truly were. I then added the lyrics of their new song to the background, repeating it until it filled up the page; just like how one bad thought can repeat itself in your mind.
LEARNED
Normally I wouldn't be one to add a border like this to an illustration; however, I feel like something as simple as this can add the finishing touch to a piece. In this case, I feel like it represents the box Amber was placed in all of those years, and I'm glad I pushed myself to include it.
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