Ink Narrative Project
Nanami Cowdroy
”Born in Sydney Australia, Nanami Cowdroy has close bonds to her mixed Japanese-European heritage. Growing up with such contrasting cultures and surroundings has greatly influenced her style of art and the way she expresses her creativity.
By intertwining complex characters and highly detailed objects, her pieces reflect a juxtaposition between foreign and familiar entities and environments. Her imagination is illustrated through works which are both elaborate and exotic. She is drawn to subjects, which may on the surface seem delicate or fragile, but are given strength and depth through her pen and ink techniques, intricate hand illustrative style and mixed media compositions.
Her signature detailed style reflects a refined monochrome palette with her name ‘Nanami’ (meaning ‘Seven Seas’ in Japanese) stamped in red. Fluid line-work and watery creatures are some of her favourite subjects and distinctive forms which feature in her artworks". (http://www.nanamicowdroy.com/bio/)
”Born in Sydney Australia, Nanami Cowdroy has close bonds to her mixed Japanese-European heritage. Growing up with such contrasting cultures and surroundings has greatly influenced her style of art and the way she expresses her creativity.
By intertwining complex characters and highly detailed objects, her pieces reflect a juxtaposition between foreign and familiar entities and environments. Her imagination is illustrated through works which are both elaborate and exotic. She is drawn to subjects, which may on the surface seem delicate or fragile, but are given strength and depth through her pen and ink techniques, intricate hand illustrative style and mixed media compositions.
Her signature detailed style reflects a refined monochrome palette with her name ‘Nanami’ (meaning ‘Seven Seas’ in Japanese) stamped in red. Fluid line-work and watery creatures are some of her favourite subjects and distinctive forms which feature in her artworks". (http://www.nanamicowdroy.com/bio/)
Objective:
You are to create a Nanami Cowdroy style ink line drawing that juxtaposes complex layers of imagery to create a narrative on a social/environmental/political issue of your choice. The visual focus is on simplifying objects using clean lines, shapes, and a hint of value shading. This simple form of drawing allows the complexity in the design to be created by tightly layering elements within the work, as if an explosion of a story. Ask yourself: what are you passionate about when it comes to the everyday issues around you? Create awareness through art.
Big Ideas:
1. An artist’s intention transforms materials into two-dimensional art.
3. Refining artistic expression requires perseverance, resilience, and risk taking.
4. Purposeful artistic choices enhance depth and meaning in artistic works.
5. Aesthetic experiences have the power to transform our perspective.
"Narrative--or story—art represents events taking place over time. These events may, however, be compressed into a single image that implies something that has already happened or is about to take place." (http://www.moca.org/pc/viewArtTerm.php?id=24)
Instructions:
Step 1 ……. Choose your theme/narrative and make a list of relevant imagery: consider significant characters, objects, symbols, events, and possible design patterns that will get your idea across to the viewer.
Step 2 ……. Compose a rough sketch in your sketchbook – discuss with Ms. P.
You're aiming for a well thought out, complex, layered composition (consider COI, ROT, movement, and balance).
Step 3 ……. Draw composition (in light pencil) on Cougar/Mixed Media paper.
Step 4 ……. Ink final drawing - Sharpie and Trend Pen – use graphite to add value (midtones) by shading contours, leave white for highlights.
Step 5 ……. Artist statement – typed according to guidelines. Title your piece thoughtfully and say something about the work.
You are to create a Nanami Cowdroy style ink line drawing that juxtaposes complex layers of imagery to create a narrative on a social/environmental/political issue of your choice. The visual focus is on simplifying objects using clean lines, shapes, and a hint of value shading. This simple form of drawing allows the complexity in the design to be created by tightly layering elements within the work, as if an explosion of a story. Ask yourself: what are you passionate about when it comes to the everyday issues around you? Create awareness through art.
Big Ideas:
1. An artist’s intention transforms materials into two-dimensional art.
3. Refining artistic expression requires perseverance, resilience, and risk taking.
4. Purposeful artistic choices enhance depth and meaning in artistic works.
5. Aesthetic experiences have the power to transform our perspective.
"Narrative--or story—art represents events taking place over time. These events may, however, be compressed into a single image that implies something that has already happened or is about to take place." (http://www.moca.org/pc/viewArtTerm.php?id=24)
Instructions:
Step 1 ……. Choose your theme/narrative and make a list of relevant imagery: consider significant characters, objects, symbols, events, and possible design patterns that will get your idea across to the viewer.
Step 2 ……. Compose a rough sketch in your sketchbook – discuss with Ms. P.
You're aiming for a well thought out, complex, layered composition (consider COI, ROT, movement, and balance).
Step 3 ……. Draw composition (in light pencil) on Cougar/Mixed Media paper.
Step 4 ……. Ink final drawing - Sharpie and Trend Pen – use graphite to add value (midtones) by shading contours, leave white for highlights.
Step 5 ……. Artist statement – typed according to guidelines. Title your piece thoughtfully and say something about the work.