Saturday 30 October 2010

Argos Advert 'Crooner' - Bing Crosby, White Christmas



Bravo to Bing, something so expected when you see it for the first time. Oh! the wonders of those rotten capitalist advertisers!

Cheryl Cole - 3 Words



Visual effects by The Mill

Monet (Online)

To celebrate the opening of Claude Monet's new exhibition at Grande Palais in Paris, a beautifully smooth website has been created to commemorate many of Monet's work. I just love how much the website works and how easy it is to wander around, but also the looped soundtrack of classical piano adds a very sophisticated touch. Find it here.

Tuesday 26 October 2010

Maybe One Day

Feeling good...

Everything is go for this project, just some odds and ends to clean up this week, plenty to keep busy with. Below is a painting I just about managed to finish on saturday. And I started it in June so it's been a long time coming.

Saturday 23 October 2010

Tuesday 19 October 2010

Crystal Fighters - In The Summer



Later... Live is just about the only program on telly that showcases that good new fashion talent like this band. Their name's been whirling in the wind, and I'am so glad I found them.

10 INFLUENCES:

Here's a brief summary of my top 10 influences, some of which are scattered around my blog:






Une

The Mill: Produce the most stunning post production special effects and visual effects in general. They dominate the creative advertising world through innovative adverts, always breaking the boundaries and shedding light on how well produced and thought through one single advert can be. Although I'am against most advertising alone, The Mill make adverts exciting, and most of all, worth watching. They've created countless moments of advertising history, with highlights being the Citreon Transformer car, the latest series of Cadbury's adverts (including that gorilla), and Reebok's classic "belly's gonna get'ya" campaign.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFWvToN9Cyo&feature=related - Showreel 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfIbj-gFtX0&feature=related - History Showreel






Deux

Miss LED: She reinvented street art in to being a woman's world by taking over the streets of London and reshaping street art styles in to something she now manipulates. She uses a lot of feminine symbolism and voluptuous characters that flirt and flutter around her artwork, drawing on a lot of Pre-Raphaelite references.
Her unmistakable style has meant she's had the privilege of working for many a high profile client, from the likes of pouring paints over a Vauxhall for Brick Lane's Art Car Boot Fair, to being commissioned to draw over custom Reebok's, and illustrating on to one of Selfridge's stunning windows.
Miss LED hasn't just broken the graffiti mould, she's smashed it in to smithereens, becoming the first ever female winner of Secret Wars (the live art tournament) and building her drawn world in to a fully functioning art business.
She's someone I aspire to, and that's why I regard her as a very solid influence.

http://www.missled.co.uk/






Troix

Scroobius Pip: I've mentioned him a couple of times previously within my blog. He's not so much an artist but a majorly intelligent poet with a wise way with words and likeable philosophies encompassed within his lyrics. My intrigue and curiosity about Scroobius Pip (and beat-making sidekick Dan Le Sac) stemmed from the release of their debut album "Angles". I found that the whole album spoke out to the world on various potentially dangerous, and often quite dark, subjects. But this is a trademark of Pip's talent, of standing up, flying against the current and promising not to be another act that gets washed up in the flotsam and jetsam of the pop sea. Together their work evokes realistic imagery upon the first listen, with detailed story-telling techniques and motivational (but not preaching or ranting) ideas to essentially "make the world a better place".




Quatre

Colleen Henderson-Heywood: She's the strongest, most selfless person I know. My journey with Colleen started back in 2007 when I started my first week of work experience in year ten. It's funny how two weeks of work experience at Colleen's company at the time - Mine! Creative - became an untouchable bond, in the least cliched way as possible. Through the last through years Colleen has always been a constant guardian through not only my own darkest moments, but everyone else's. And that's who Colleen is to me, a guardian. But this isn't her professional role, although it may as well be! Colleen was diagnosed back in 2005 with Parkinson's disease (a degenerative disease that damages the ability to control our muscles from our brain, not attacking the muscles themselves) of which there is no cure. Since then, her role of helping anybody who asks has elevated her to becoming a European Ambassador for Parkinson's disease, establishing campaigns that offer priceless advice to those in need, and promoting positivity.
This was for her and everything she's given me:

http://www.behance.net/gallery/4-Days-and-10-Pens/195575

Cinq




Romain Gavras: Gavras is an ingenuitive French director, famous for a few extremely challenging videos, based around ideas of Parisian gang violence, ethnic cleansing and the lives of rockstars. His two most shocking videos: MIA "Born Free", and Justice "Stress", have challenged our modern ways by showing the ugly truths of our past and present. MIA's "Born Free" video points fingers of disgust at ethnic cleansing by shocking the viewer in to accepting what has happened and does happen when power looms over the masses in the wrong hands. Many of the graphic scenes within the video aren't appropriate for the light-hearted, which meant both this video and Justice's "Stress" were banned from public viewing on music channels.
Controversy is cemented as Romain's middle name in his video for "Stress", which portrays the journey of a group of young boys who choose to terrorise civilians, beginning from the run-down outskirts of Paris, and in to the more recognisable areas of the city as various crimes are committed on the way. The story essentially shows the decline of control over young people and the lack of discipline and guidance in their lives.
But what makes Gavras' films are how they are shot, the beautiful cinematography and a hand-held homemade feel that only adds to the harsh reality.







Six

Phil Dunne: Since being about 16 I've always kept an eye out for Dunne's work. He's a brilliant illustrator from Dublin, who hails with an original and contemporary style that features heavily within branding. Over the years, Phil's developed a style that encouraged the use of comic-book-esque story telling, fused together with amazingly complicated drawing skills. A repeated presence in his work tends to be the use of modern pop culture and ideas of fashion and image, as during the daytime Phil works as a window dresser. This means that the influence is always accessible, from viewing clothes in-store to keeping current on the fashion front.
This year, Phil took a new, refreshing change in how he works, by integrating the use of high quality photography, and layering these delicately with his intricate drawing, he's managed to fuse two worlds that work in a harmonious synchronisity.
Hopefully one day I can perfect a seamless portfolio of work much like Dunne's.

For plenty of examples of Phil's work, visit his website on:

http://www.lovetherobot.com/

Sept









Francoise produces the most colourfully palletted portraits in a bright and vibrant street art style that carries a massive energy and certain youthfulness in every swipe of fluerescent colour.
Francoise's way of slashing colour and layering it over and over produces a fast, almost cinematic drama of beaming lights and danger. It is the sharp degrees, quick angles and fluidity of colour that allow her paintings to burst and flourish out, from even a computer screen.

And what's best about Francoise's portfolio is the sheer mass of work she has produced in her signature style, constantly evolving and maturing over the years.div>










Huit

Evgeny Kiselev: His work is astounding, uses colour with such wisdom and dominance, just creates digitally illustrated work that flows with a lot of grace and finesse. The way he balances the use of subtle gradients of colour provide the undertones of the work, layered above the complicated - almost anatomical - illustrations. I like the fact that you question how the work has been produced in the first place - whether it is entirely computer generated, or part by hand. In this sense Kiselev's work is shrouded in a bit of mystery. At other times his work can seem very flamboyant and pyschedelic, reigniting a modern version of hazy days of the past. Another aspect of Evgeny's work is the sheer amount of detail in his work, and the potential for large-scale printing. Some of his work would look incredible either as massive prints that could be easy to paste out on to walls, or printed as complicated wallpaper for a true 60's electric feel.

http://www.behance.net/gallery/Retrodelica-2_0/575069
http://www.behance.net/gallery/Astra-05/543167








Neuf

Belleville Rendezvous: Is such a wonderful film, it's the kind that leaves you wanting more and more of the same story. But about the story, it follows Madame Souza, the grandmother of Champion, a young man on the road to the Tour De France. But when Champion is abducted by the scheming French mafia, Souza commences on a journey to uncover the truth and return Champion to the Tour De France. Along the way, Madame Souza meets various comical; almost surreal characters, including the Belleville Triplets, for which the film is called, who perform a 1930's style feather-boyer clad cabaret act in what looks like New York. I just love the way that the whole film is drawn and animated, aside from the story, it's nice to admire the detail of the work and the life that has been injected in to the story. The film is a must see, with hilarious action chases with dubious mob members and a great final climax. Bring on Les Illusioniste!

Dix

Improving: I find myself influenced by a lot of previous work, whether I feel embarrassed or quite proud of the work I've produced in the past, it is always something I devote my spare time to improve on, and to excel as an creator in the best way I can. It is sometimes seeing my own work from GCSE or even early BTEC work that proves that I can improve, with enough patience on whatever work I'am doing. In this way it's quite a self-indulgent idea, but it's never a soul influence, more as something lingering in the back of my mind, along with everything else. Belief in yourself is priceless.

Monday 18 October 2010

Phil Dunne

Since being about 16 I've always kept an eye out for Dunne's work. He's a brilliant illustrator from Dublin, who hails with an original and contemporary style that features heavily within branding. Over the year, Phil developed a style that encouraged the use of comic-book-esque story tell, fused together with amazingly complicated drawing skills. A repeated presence in his work tends to be the use of modern pop culture and ideas of fashion and image, as during the day Phil works as a window dresser this influence is always accessible, from viewing clothes in-store to keeping current on the fashion front.
This year, Phil took a new, refreshing change in how he works, by integrating the use of high quality photography, and layering these delicately with his intricate drawing, he's managed to fuse two worlds that work in a harmonious synchronisity.
Hopefully one day I can perfect a seamless portfolio of work much like Dunne's.

For plenty of examples of Phil's work, visit his website on:

http://www.lovetherobot.com/

Friday 15 October 2010

Blue Blood (official video)

Street Anatomy

I've been featured for a year and a half and still they can't get the description right!

http://streetanatomy.com/2009/04/03/anatomic-fashion-friday-%e2%80%93-4-days-and-10-pens/comment-page-1/#comment-43154

Thursday 14 October 2010

Justice - Stress by Romain Gavras

Plan

For now, once I've finished writing up my bibliography, I should produce portraits of each missing person I have researched, including Andrew Gosden, Madeleine McCann, Shannon Matthews and Claudia Lawrence.

We need a plan Charles.

So I need to write up a plan for my copy. It means placing in order which sections of my theme I'll cover first. All I know right now is where to start and where to finish. Here's what I reckon:

Beginnings:
+ Build up, motive, perspective from the missing person.
+ Arriving in new destination (bewildered/panic) or other.
+ Eventuallity and consequence, where does the missing person end up. Essentially, what route does their life take since "running away" or simply going missing.

+ Cut to family. Initial reactions during the first 24 hours. Accepting it. Time winds on and tensions rise as it seems the brother/sister/mother/father have been gone so long.
+ Panic and utter fear for the child or parent. (Need to place focus on the phases of loss and emotional states that follow on from realisation.
+ Seeking help. Police, social services, private investigators.
+ Constant worry and concern, although progress may be made a familie's grief is unstoppable.
+ Relationship between family and social services/police.
+ Result of the search.

+ Police perspective; how a search is carried out and investigated.
+ How long a search lasts.
+ Interference from family members.
+ Result of search from police perspective.

+ The purest relief and out pour of emotion when the missing person is finally found.
+ Persistance of familie's search after the police find nothing.
+ A familie's grief (giving up) / or relentless dedication to persue the search.
+ The support of other friends and family.

+ Return to the story of the missing person themselves. Still missing? Presumed dead?
+ How long has it been since they've been missing? Months, years? Are they living a healthy life alone? Homeless?

+ List of foundations that support missing persons (maybe touch on shelters (Shelter) and the work of the police force.

-

It may mean I have to add to this list as it's all I can think of at the moment. I intend to start work on write-ups very soon, maybe this weekend just to get a start. I'll also have to calculate how much writing I might have to do in order to cover the certain percentage of my 24 pages.

Tuesday 12 October 2010

Missing - Idea Summary




Idea Summary

Every single page of this book is a dedication to the lost, those that have lost, and some that have, eventually, found their loved ones. It’s a dignified insight in to each dimensional perspective of missing someone or being missed, highlighting outside approaches from the media and the police force, along with private investigators and voluntary work conducted by friends and family. I intend to place a further focus on motivations and consequences that surrounding the choice to “run away” voluntarily and the tremors that it leaves, often destroying the fragile balance of a family. This will also lead off in to the direction of a
families harrowing experience, lacking a key member of the family and sacrificing anything to get that one person back, regardless of whether it means to pay with time or money.

This feeling of being left on the edge of a cliff in the dead of night is an
incomprehensible emotion, which I hope to try and get my head around within the
duration of my book’s content, of which it will be copy heavy due to the large amount of
information needed to cover such vast areas of this mountainous topic. It’s also imperative that I’ve explored within my research clear examples of disappearances that have occurred mainly in and around Leeds or the Yorkshire area at least.

It is with these examples that I intend to delve into the situation and interpret it as respectfully and truthfully as possible, minimising any personal opinions and allowing the copy to flow on an average wave length which remains understandable for anyone choosing to read the book.

By way of conveying the aspects of becoming victim in any shape or form, it is crucial that the copy is balanced with relevant illustration styles that contribute to the overall mood and atmosphere of the book, which should feel quite personal, but open and sympathetic,
constantly talking in a dignified manner. By fusing David Shrigley’s emotional illustration style with my own complicated abstract forms using the classic children’s toy Spirograph, my visuals will display that reverent heart of the book.

In a symbolic sense my own compassion will be reflected in the complicated lives of the people that suffer this loss, with the circles reflecting both the missing person, lost and adrift in an impossible group of people, or the scattered phases that a parent or sibling would go through. The Spirograph circles will also allow a setting for the Shrigley-esque style that will plant quite a handmade and almost story-like feel to the book, escaping any in-depth over complication that could potentially occur in the balance of the written work.

Monday 11 October 2010

Francoise Nielly








Francoise produces the most colourfully palletted portraits in a bright and vibrant street art style that carries a massive energy and certain youthfulness in every swipe of fluerescent colour.
Francoise's way of slashing colour and layering it over and over produces a fast, almost cinematic drama of beaming lights and danger. It is the sharp degrees, quick angles and fluidity of colour that allow this paintings to burst from even a computer screen.

And what's best about Francoise's portfolio is the sheer mass of work she has produced in her signature style, constantly evolving and maturing over the years, becoming.




Jamie T - The Curious Sound

Sunday 10 October 2010

Corinne


Tonight she dominated the stage like a real goddess, accompanied with enigmatic, burning riffs, carefully balanced with other sombre and soothing songs from her two outstanding albums. I'd Do It All Again. Her unmatchable voice controlled the room, as each song flowed seamlessly in to the next. Effortless.x

Saturday 9 October 2010

Light Night.

Involved:

Smiley Faces, Noodles and Runner Beans
Photographic watercolour illustrations of wasps swarming out of paper folds
Really decent photography
A lady intent on decontamination
An Edwardian dinner party with masquerade masks and bewildered members of the public
Cake
Awful examples of "art work"
Nice people looking after the awful examples of "art work"
A mass of choir singers
A kaleidoscope projection of Random Shoes
Man-made Maze
Late night Harvey Nichols
A Chorus of "Mercy"
Ratboys of Leeds
Laura and Ellis
The Royal Park Pub
Dedication to win Eeyore
Mad karaoke singing
Late night cinema
Surreal short films
-end-

Friday 8 October 2010

FLOWERS




Gardener's World - Wallpaper photographs (stock quality). My dream job to keep taking photos of flowers and earn alot of money from it. Nice.

These New Puritans - We Want War - BBC Radio 1


We Want War - Maida Vale

Thursday 7 October 2010

The Mill History Reel

And this is The Mill's "History Reel". Pure brilliance.

The Mill Showreel 2010

The Mill: Producing the best visual effects in your world. This is the

latest in their annual showreels, I love it when a new one comes out.

You're never sure if you're watching something they've produced

because they're never credited on screen, and they bloody should be.

Everything they do is absolutely stunning and leaves me in awe to see.

Faithless Bombs

l

A very clever politically motivated single taken from a very, very

politically motivated album. This, "To All New Arrivals" and "Spiders,

Crocodiles and Kryptonite" are my favourites of that one album. Maxi

Jazz is like evergreen, and I admire him in the same way as I see

Scroobius Pip.

Thinking... Floral
















Spirograph Experiments (Digitised)










So these are the digitised versions of the drawings. I'am going to formulate a relevant colour code instead of a basic yellow/red/blue. Must remember all colours for the designs must be formatted to CMYK for photoshop.