Graphic narrative - Sketches

To create the start of my graphic narrative I had to sketch the basic backgrounds that will frame the coloured photography of the child growing. Here is my initial sketches without the star photography that creates the story.

The last of my image was my hardest as I will place a hand drawn camera over a selection of photographs shown in a similair style to wallpaper. To draw this camera was my largest task as I beleived that it should look handrawn and not traced. Here are the few steps I took to get to my final image :

My next step is to add my photographs to create the finished timeline.

Graphic Narrative production : Graphic novel research

The book that I have chosen is :

This book shows the styles that are possible to create with graphic narrative. It starts with one basic scene of the created matt asking his wife the time and then opening the fridge, this on the first page was the typical style we rely on from a comic but then on the next page it shows you a different perspective. Madden then creates the scene multiple times using humour to show the multiple angles and styles that comics can actually take for example on one page he uses Bia tapestry but on the next he shows us the scene in a completely different style. The book throughout mostly stays in black and white colour code although there are a few colour prints they are rare. The use of this colour system could be for many reasons for example it causes drama, it is also the most stereotypical colour scheme for most comics as they used to be printed for children in black and  white newspapers that often don't use colour print. This traditional look is kept in many of the comic styles that this book is trying to represent meaning the Madden will be defeating the objective of copying other styles by using colour. 

The use of text within the narrative is limited as each page is the same scene although it does change with the perspective in certain scene there is few added words except those necessary to make the piece make sense such as adding the phrase "I thought" when the perspective had changed to his thought and feelings on the subject. The text is inciteful and gives us the needed look in some scenes to understand fully what is happening especially when the imagery is lacking such as themes shown in the book like minimalist where the scene is not clear. 

Graphic Narrative : Storyboard

To create an outline of what I want my final project to look like and to see how I could creatively create a timeline not only from the photograph's but also using the surronding area. Here is the time line I have created.

Graphic Narrative : Statement of Intent

Statement of Intent/500 words+/Images

Graphic Narrative.

Name : Sophie White

Create a clear statement of intent on which to base your Graphic Narrative. You will need to consider each question carefully and use this form to plan your ideas and possible area of interest.

You can discuss your ideas with your lecturer this week and then email Paul, pparsons@southdowns.ac.uk by the 09.02.15 (5pm) with a carefully written script idea,  (check for spelling, capitalisation and grammar!). You should aim to include and expand your answer from the starting point giving you a clear and concise plan for your Graphic Narrative.

Please answer using the blog, include images, present creatively. Also ensure that your blog is upto date (Jack ‘n’ Jill workshop, Artist review,  Artist response, ideas and storyboarding)

What Song lyrics have you selected? Why?

My main song selection is an indie song called Child by BriBry a small artist mainly known through Youtube. From this song I have chosen the first verse to use as my graphic narrative these are the lyrics I have selected :                             I’d like to win father of the year                                                                                                                      From the day you’re born till when I’m no longer here                                                                              Your number one from all                                                  I’ll take to your first ever school play                                                                                                                               If your villager 6 and you have no lines to say                                                                                         Well I’ll still be in the front row, filming for the upload                                                                             Of your big day I have chosen this song for many reasons including its emotional values as it is easy to empathise. The story that is told throughout the song is deeply emotional and has a clear outlook. The story tells us of his need to be the best father as possible this could very easily be portraited through photos.

What format will your Graphic Narrative take? (Comic, children book, illustration etc…)

My graphic novel will be a mixture of photographic imput and hand drawn illustration.  This will come in the from of hand drawn backgrounds that include a simplistic look such as it just being a photo frame and a single object. I will use older family photos for the photographic element this photos feature my older brother growing I choose these specifically as they suit the lyrics as each element slips into place.

How will you change your script to make it more modern, historical or futuristic twist to your script, illustrating a mood/style or intended target audience?

I will not change the script to make it more modern or futuristic instead I will keep the charters within the 21st century will older elements shown in a flashback manor shown through the photographs. This is bringing an another element to the script but is not straying from the main subject. The house in which these photos are being displayed are within the here and now. The intended target audience will be people that have just started being fathers themselves . This has been done mainly for the audience due to the clear references in the son. This will set the mood as emotial and empathetic this will make the characters in the narrative seem realistic espeacially as the photos are.

What designers or illustrators do you feel will influence and inspire the style you are working toward and why?

I have struggled to find an artist that has a similair style to which I have choosen although I researched various comic artists such as Marjane Satrapi and Chris Riddell. Both individual elements that were inspirational such as the illistration style that Riddell uses and the bold black and white that Satrapi uses. I think that the style that I want to do is unique as a mixes handrawn images with the colour and realistic view of photography. This is how I want my graphic design project to be completed using the hand drawn influences but also with its own unique style.

Which techniques and materials do you hope to use? List and include source i.e. collage, photographic, typography, drawings, diagrams etc…

I hope to use a mixture of photography and handrawn designs to place the photos within a house setting with connected objects. I will use photographs taken from my brothers childhood showing him through the various stages of his life. These photographs will be drawn into the same frame at different locations in the graphic narratives voice.