For assignment one I am to create an illustration that visually responds to the following extract from Italo Calvino’s 1972 novel Invisible Cities. I am going to create this using my A4 sketchbook and using a mechanical pencil so I can get as much detail in as I can as I will work quite intricately, I will use a graphite pencil for the dark parts.

Thin Cities 5:

“If you choose to believe me, good. Now I will tell how Octavia, the spider web city, is made. There is a precipice between two steep mountains: the city is over the void, bound to the two crests with ropes and chains and catwalks. You walk on the little wooden ties, careful not to set your foot in the open spaces, or you cling to the hempen strands. Below there is nothing for hundreds and hundreds of feet: a few clouds glide past; farther down you can glimpse the chasm’s bed.

This is the foundation of the city: a net which serves as passage and as support. All the rest, instead of rising up, is hung below: rope-ladders, hammocks, houses made like sacks, clothes- hangers, terraces like gondolas, skins of water, gas jets, spits, baskets on strings, dumb-waiters, showers, trapezes and rings for children’s games, cable-cars, chandeliers, pots with trailing plants.

Suspended over the abyss, the life of Octavia’s inhabitants is less uncertain than in other cities. They know the net will last only so long”.

Mind-map:

My Illustration – Full & Up-Close:

Evaluation:

What I didn’t expect when drawing this piece was how much detail I was actually supposed to include. Of course, I read out the list of items I needed to draw but didn’t think about how the composition of the image would change as I included the ‘steep mountains’ and the ‘abyss’ below…next thing I know I only had a 1/4 of the page to draw the ‘city’ on! I chose to create this illustration without perspective, I decided to use the ‘rule-breaking’ approach as I wanted to draw this as creatively as I could with the imagery coming out of my brain without needing to use a ruler!! I suppose there are aspects of the ‘flat’ perspective? I wanted to create a strange atmosphere in this illustration as that is what I thought of when reading this extract. I feel as though it shows all the details of the writing and the illustration has a good context. If I was to do this again I would maybe add colour? But this time I wanted to focus on the actual image and details rather than what colours to use, that’s why I just used linework and monochrome tones. This was a really interesting assignment as I really needed to read the extract and think of how the city would work on paper. I think my outcome works and relates to what is written. I wonder what Italo Calvino would think of this representation?

Reflection:

Demonstration of technical and visual skills – materials, techniques, observational skills,
visual awareness, design, and compositional skills

I feel as though currently I am showing awareness of these technical and visual skills as I have used a variety of mediums already and the exercises have given me a chance to experiment with different techniques and briefs.

Quality of outcome – content, application of knowledge, presentation of work in a coherent
manner, discernment, conceptualisation of thoughts, communication of ideas

I think my learning log ideas and process note-taking have improved as instead of trying to write out a comprehensive ‘essay’ of what I have done, I now explain the process, materials used, and the thought process I have along the way. I still need to focus on the presentation of my work as I struggle to find good lighting (as I work on the weekends only so by the time I have finished a project it is normally dark) and will have to think about purchasing a photography light so I can take good images of my outcomes.

Demonstration of creativity – imagination, experimentation, invention, development of a
personal voice

I think this is where I am strongest at the moment, I still have a ways to go when developing my personal voice/style but I feel like I am being imaginative and experimental in as much of my work as I can.