Independent Leeds - The Brief

Independent Leeds
I was very flattered to be asked to do another article illustration after contributing to the past two issues. The way this one was given to me was a bit different, for the past two I was just given a general overview of what the article was about and worked off of that. This time I was given the whole article, and it was told like a story from one man's experience of a local restaurant.

Tasty's
The writing focused on 'Tasty's', a restaurant on Roundhay Road. I particularly liked the inclusion of the recommendation of the taxi driver. Because the last image I did was based on food and sharing, it was a close up of food and hands, I wanted this one to be different. Hence, most of my ideas initially are from the outside of the restaurant, including the taxi mentioned.

Mock Up

Poster

As a final design, I liked the addition of the text at the bottom of the image. I think it gives it more context overall. I am thinking about making this a part of a set of musical themed prints, as it is an interest of mine - maybe a set of three using the same colour scheme. I made a couple of mock-ups to potentially put on my Etsy store, of which I want to create and add more things to in the coming months at uni.

Final Poster Design

Sweeney Todd - Demon Barber of Fleet Street

I decided to add a line from the film at the bottom of the poster. As I am a big fan of musicals I wanted some kind of reference to that in the image. Overall, I am pleased with the composition and colour choices I made. I think if I did the project again, I maybe would have chosen a subject matter that was a bit easier to think about in terms of different scenes and layouts. However, I am glad I took on the challenge of Sweeney Todd and I feel like I have put my own twist on the idea. I could have taken the steam coming out of the pies idea bit further, but for me it still has the desired effect.

Colours

I found choosing colours actually quite difficult for this subject matter. For a while I couldn't seem to get away from the dull blacks, greys and reds we are used to seeing in relation to the film and artwork. I tried to think about the time period a bit more, I took inspiration from the mid-Victorian era, doing this I managed to put together that was a bit more interesting and less of an obvious choice. I wanted my poster to be something that was recognisable as the story of Sweeney Todd, but also different to everything I have seen before.

Tests - Rough 2

After drawing out the Mrs Lovett character, I spent a lot of time working through different colour schemes. I found this very difficult, I still wanted the image to be recognisable as Sweeney Todd, however I didn't want to be really obvious with the colour choices. The tone also had to be right, I want it to be moody and kind of dull. I liked the yellow initially but something just wasn't right as an image overall, I then tried out darker clothes and a lighter background - but it looked way too mystical and witch-like. I think as I progress with the development of the design, I may need to think about an entire colour scheme which I can apply to what I have so far.

Tests - Rough 1

Character Work

I took rough 1 to work on initially, as the focal point is Mrs Lovett I think it's important to get that right first. At this point, I am just testing things out and working through potential ideas.

Colours & Composition

The colours I have used to work on this rough are very typical of the theme. I don't want this to be the case in my final design - I am trying to step away from the things people think about straight away when someone mentions Sweeney Todd. I will draw my colour inspiration from other topics relating to the story. 

What I don't like

I think this idea is far too busy and I realise I am spending more time working on characters, who in reality are tiny in  proportion to the frame, I think I will continue working on rough 2 and develop that further. I will leave this idea here and start fresh.

Costumes

Sketches of what Mrs Lovett could be wearing, I feel like this will develop as I decide on colours and styles within the image.

Final Roughs

Rough 1

Because I found it difficult to decide on one idea from my initial roughs, I chose two to develop properly on Photoshop and explore further. This is a rough idea, I don't know whether it is too far zoomed out - although I like the idea of including more of a sense of a old London street.

Rough 2

After rough 1 I drew out a plan of what a closer composition to Mrs Lovett could look like. I had an idea of creating an image out of the steam from the pies held by Mrs Lovett which I like a lot. Although the poster is A2 in size, I don't want it to be too busy, this is something I usually struggle with as I love detail - I can get easily carried away. I am also thinking about adding the hand of Sweeney Todd on the shoulder of Mrs Lovett. As this idea develops, I may change this as I think it could look a bit like a murder mystery. The blade is also all wrong, but I will re-draw this at some point.

More Roughs

Thinking about the different angles and compositions regarding Mrs Lovett and her pie shop, I went through lots of variations of similar ideas. I knew I wanted Mrs Lovett and the pies to be the main focus, however it was quite difficult to decide on an angle. Also, I feel as if I might include a subtle reference to the character of Sweeney Todd somewhere - in the form of a reflection or shadow perhaps. But at the moment, thinking through drawing is how my ideas are developing and changing.

Character Ideas

I thought it might be helpful to draw different faces of what I imagine the main characters to look like. I drew Sweeney Todd although at this point I don't see myself using his actual face in the poster design. As at the moment I have Mrs Lovett in my mind to be the focal point of my image, I want her to draw your attention.

Faces from my summer sketchbook, just going through different ideas of a female character. My first drawings of Mrs Lovett I decided were too harsh looking. She is of course a sinister character, but in my mind also takes pride in her appearance. In other words I want to portray her as an attractive yet sly woman, in accordance with the fashions/style of the Victorian era.

Initial Roughs

When thinking about ideas around the story of Sweeney Todd, I was drawn to the character of Mrs Lovett. Generally, I prefer drawing women, I'm not too sure why this is and it is something I want to work on a bit more, however for this poster, I thought focusing on a character like Mrs Lovett would work nicely, especially as I knew I wanted the pies to be a focal point.

There were some other aspects that interested me initially, however a lot of these things (e.g. the window) I had to put to the side. I feel like I have too many ideas going around my head and it will be easier and more effective to focus on one in particular.

Independent Leeds Feature - Wild Gathering

The magazine is out and Independent Leeds were kind enough to send me a copy to my home address in Nottingham. I think this is my favourite editorial image I have done so far, I am very happy with the composition and overall message of sharing and preparing food in response to the theme of foraging.