Edgar Flavio Tanjung / 0378967
Illustration and Visual Narrative / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
TASK
Composition
Week 5 / Research & Sketches
The second task for this module was to create a background for our character. Since Corviel was inspired by a fallen angel, I decided to try on a few approaches for my background: controlling the skies, hiding in cathedrals, or in battlefields as a war angel. I made the following thumbnail sketches to visualize my ideas.
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| Fig 2.1 Thumbnail Sketches / Week 5 (25/10/24) |
Out of the 6 sketches I made, I felt like the second one (standing in the middle of the cathedral) would work best since it would help with the ominous and mysterious feel of the character. To make a better looking background, I looked for some references for my design.
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| Fig 2.2 References / Week 5 (25/10/24) |
To help me with the direction of my work, I made a backstory for Corviel:
"Prior to its evolution, Corviel was once a revered guardian who watched over the heavens. In the past, it was respected and worshipped by many. But after losing a battle, it lost its sight and corruption seeped through its wounds. As the corruption spreads, Corviel's body transformed into something fearsome. Its once gentle hands grew into claws, and eyes formed on its halos to adapt to its blindness. It now hides among the abandoned temples people once built in its honor. Shrouded in resentment, it pulls anyone who ventures too close to these temples; draining their souls as a form of revenge."
I then proceeded to continue with a more refined version of my previous sketch. With the composition I'm going for, referencing the overpowering upshot found in the Framed Ink book, it would be best to go for a three-point perspective and set the camera lower to create an intimidating feel for Corviel.
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| Fig 2.3 Initial Sketch / Week 5 (25/10/24) |
To further emphasize its dominance, I also used the pyramid composition and used the rule of thirds composition to place interest points. In addition, to make it easier for me during the finalization process, I decided to color and refine the sketch. To add to the narrative, I also added a human whose soul is being absorbed.
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| Fig 2.4 Initial Sketch / Week 5 (25/10/24) |
Week 6 / Revision & Digitization
Based on the feedback given by Mr. Hafiz, the angle should be lowered to make a better pyramid composition. To improve it, I lowered the vanishing points at the bottom, making the platform hidden and changing the perspective of all the other objects.
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| Fig 2.5 Revised Sketch / Week 6 (30/10/24) |
To start with the digitization process, I first blocked out the main shapes of my background and colored them according to how the light would affect it.
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| Fig 2.6 Shapes Blocking / Week 6 (30/10/24) |
To create the stained glass, I first made a flat pattern without the use of perspective, as starting with the perspective would make it challenging to have consistent shapes. I then used the free transform tool to adjust it to match the perspective.
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| Fig 2.7 Stained Glass / Week 6 (30/10/24) |
I then added more details with the ridges in the pillars, drapes, carpets, and candles. I also altered the colors from my blocking to fit my initial sketch and used gradients to create shading.
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| Fig 2.8 Detailing & Coloring / Week 6 (30/10/24) |
Because the coloring in Corviel's original render don't follow the lighting in the background, it would look weird if placed in the background without any alterations. Because of that, I made a shadow by using the multiply blending mode. Since the light shines from the window behind Corviel, I also used the gaussian blur effect on the shadows to create a rim light effect. I also duplicated the eyes and nails layers, and used the color dodge blending mode to make those parts glow as it would look quite dull otherwise.
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| Fig 2.9 Before and After Shadows / Week 6 (30/10/24) |
To make the lighting even more impactful and have the background be more cohesive, I used gradients and the gaussian blur tool to create the lights from the window, a vignette on the border of the background, and a pinkish aura radiating from the bottom of the stairs.
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| Fig 2.10 Before and After Finishing Touches / Week 6 (30/10/24) |
Final Results
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| Fig 2.11 Final Results / Week 6 (30/10/24) |
REFLECTION
The process of making the composition was quite the challenge as trying to conceptualize one that makes sense and look good took some time. Finding the right colors was also not easy as I needed to experiment different combinations to make every elements blend well. I'm quite satisfied with how my work turned out but I do think I can do better on some parts. Unfortunately, due to time limitations, I wasn't able to put a human inside the final version. However, I think it does help put more attention to Corviel which was a great result.