Exquisite Corpse Project (the low stakes fun one ¯\_( ͡• ͜ʖ ͡•)_/¯ )

Exquisite Corpse is the process of combining unrelated visual components to create a random image. You will each select, at random, the biographies of fictional characters each of which you will bring to life (via illustration, if that’s not clear).

NO.25- Ralph of Warwick 

Profession: Ghost

Notes: Stonemason who fell to his death in 1248 while working on Lincoln Cathedral. Haunts the toilets adjacent to the cafe.

I decided that the above image was too simple and I don't think it was a piece where I pushed myself the most. Taking that initial outcome as inspiration, I decided to have more fun with the piece and aimed to produce something that wasn't as serious. I let go of the notion of, 'it has to be perfect'. I should do this more often as I had a lot of fun with it the second time around, and produced the following: 

I think this one is a lot more fun and depicts a- well- a ghost haunting the bogs. I also decided to add my piece onto an image of a grubby looking toilet cubicle, just to push the piece a little further. The outcome can be seen below: 

No.45- Lola

Profession: Drag Queen

Notes: Described in this song...

I was excited to get Lola, as I like Drag culture and I love watching RuPaul's Drag Race. I live for the drama, but more than that I love seeing the over the top outfits and makeup, drag it definitely an art form in itself and those who do drag, are very talented individuals.   

Drag has come a long way since the 70s, the five o'clock shadow isn't something you're gonna see on many drag queens these days. However, since Lola by The Kinks is base on a 70s Drag Queen...a five o'clock shadow is something that came straight to mind. I decided to look at Drag during and around the time period and used the images as inspiration for creating my work. 

Key features for me are the bold red lips,  blue eye-shadow (throwback to 8 year old me), thick eyebrows, heavy black liner around the eyes, beauty spots and also a strongly defined chin. Bearing this in mind I went and created a colour palette for my piece. 

After completing the above, I decided to remove the harsh black line as I felt it wasn't needed. I then proceeded to add either a lighter or darker shade around the parts I was outlining, and I think this looked a lot better than the black. Taking inspiration from the 'Ralph of Warwick' piece, I added Lola onto a slightly more complex background as opposed to the simpler singular solid colour. I think this works well overall. 

No.8 - Original Bug 

Profession: mid-Victorian entomologist and entrepreneur

Notes: Was convinced spiders could be exploited in the production of silk.

For this one I looked at snazzy Victorian men with big mustaches: 

Again, I added my work onto an image, somehow I think this makes the overall piece feel more finished. 

I initially struggled with this one but I am willing to say that the finished piece is OK, however it isn't one of my favorites. I think that the colours used are too dull and the skincolour is very dull too. I decided not to include this one in the finished book.

Finished book