Bethia Wentworth - Asian Elephant

Batik - Wax & Ink on Fabric

Wire

Ink based Watercolour Pencils

I chose the Asian Elephant as my focus for the Research Methodology Unit. I was particularly interested in exploring the irony associated with Elephants being worshipped as Gods, whilst being captured, tortured and controlled by people of the same contradictory culture and religion. To visually reflect my research, I made a selection of images which represent an individual article/subject about Asian Elephants, followed by a hand made book to display them. During this project, I experimented with a variety of different materials such as Batik, Etching, Wire, Linocut, Fabric and Drawing.

  

Fabric - Handmade Toy

3D Scribble - Wire 

Etching

Koby Prior - King Cobra

For my Research Methodology project we were told to choose an animal, I went with the King Cobra as I already have a interest in snakes. I started off in the project researching deeply into the many meanings of snakes in different cultures, I found myself drawn to the fact that snakes are seen as symbols of protection in many places in India and that's how I stumbled upon the King Cobra. I then began to focus on the King Cobra's maternal instincts, as it is one of the few snakes that will stay with its young and care for its eggs. The female King Cobra will stay with her eggs until they hatch (which is around 40 to 90 days) , not leaving their side for food and drinking only rain water, I found this an amazing link to the symbol of protection that snakes are in India. I also began to look into the King part of the King Cobras name, looking into Indian royalty and their palaces. Taking inspiration from the door frames of these magnification homes I designed a King Cobra statue that would take home in any palace as a statue of protection. 

A lino print of my first female King Cobra protecting her eggs. I added the colour first then layered the print on top.

My final design for my King Cobra. I wanted her to share the colouring of the palaces I had looked at, turquoise, pink and gold were colours I had seen a lot and they go wonderfully together. I wanted the King cobras cape to look almost shield like, as if you'll have to break that down before you can get to her venom and her eggs.

The start of my King Cobra sculpture. She was made from air drying clay so I had to work fast. I also made her 20 eggs to protect.

Freshly spray painted and still a little wet, here she is all finished. I also spray painted her eggs and the sat nicely in her coils.

Thomas Harrington - Loxodonta africana

These images are taken from my Research Methodology unit. When given the choice of which animal to pick for me it was a very simple choice, the Elephant, more specifically the African Elephant. These are the mightiest of mammals and as I discovered through this project their scale is incredible. I enjoyed using soft, sketchy lines to convey their peaceful slow existence. 

A 2 minuet sketch with ink and dip pen of a baby elephant.

A close up study of the eye using black ink and a brush

Fine liner drawing of a mother, sister and calf.

Drawn with a soft graphite stick

Digital drawing comparing the scale of the animal to doors for children. 

Rachel Jinks - Peacocks

From my Research Methodology project, I took an immediate interest in the feathers and eye like shapes within the Peacock species. I loved the colours in the feathers, the way they would change in different lighting, pinks, purple’s, gold’s all shimmering in the sunlight. The eyes on the feathers are used for a number of things including, initiating the mating process.

Drawn with a fine line black pen, painted with water colours.

Abstract look on the Peacocks tail & feathers, drawn with a fine line black pen.

Portrait photography, high saturation, white screen background. An eye for an eye.

Portrait photography, high saturation, white screen background, edited on photoshop to show the different and unique colours. (Final Piece)

Ivanova Pretzel - Koi Fish

Wood panel laser etching

Experimentation on different designs
and skin patterns

Water colour and cutout
experimentation

For the Research Methodology unit I looked at the koi fish. I have always been in awe of the beauty and grace that the koi portrays and wanted to explore and learn about my animal more. In my research I discovered that there a literally hundreds of koi fish types and skin/scale patterns (some that have still yet to be discovered!) and it led me to want to explore the colouration of the koi fish. I also learnt about the meaning of the koi in symbolism and myths and found that depending on the pattern the koi holds, defines its meaning, for example an all gold koi represents good fortune in money and work. I wanted to truly capture the vibrant colours that the koi fish sports and their meanings in my project and so i concluded my project with making 3 silk satin hangings, each sporting their own design and meaning different things.

Adversity, Ambition, Overcoming challenges
and Energy.

Struggle, Determination, Inevitable success and
Strength.

Balance, Peace, Connection and the zodiac sign
of Pisces.

Amy Hogg - The Penguin

For my Research Methodology project i chose to focus on Penguins, and in particular the Rockhopper Penguin. There are many breeds of penguins, however i was drawn to the Rockhopper penguin as its one of the smallest species of it's kind, growing up to only 20 inches tall.

                                    (Plasticine penguin models, photos taken on Southsea beach)

Whilst researching the penguin, i found that the species are consistently used in children's media such as books and films. I decided to use this as a focus point for my final piece, i wanted to find out what made penguins so appealing to children and why they are subject to the idea of anthropomorphism so much.

(Oil Pastel drawing on black paper)

(water colour painting on card)

(Acrylic and watercolour painting)

    For my final piece I created a life size image of a Rockhopper penguin, and a children's book inspired image of a penguin colony; this overall image was inspired by the children's book 'Wheres Wally?'

Alice Fox - Anaconda

For my Research Methodology project I chose to study a large predator, the Anaconda snake.
I found out that they are very smart creatures that need a lot of skills and strength to survive, yet they are portrayed in most cultures and stories to be a sign of evil. I wanted to show that there is more than what meets the eye.

 (bull point pen & water colour)

Snakes depend on their strength to catch their prey. They suffocate their victims using there body by wrapping around and squeezing. I wanted to show the skill and technique used for their survival.

 (chalk & charcoal) 

(pen & ink)

 One of the most interesting research I found was the story of Adam and Eve. Although I wanted to avoid portraying the animal as a evil predator, it also showed how cunning and smart it was.

 (pen)

After sketching many ideas I came to creating 3 different motions of a snakes head. Trying to show the strength within the snakes jaw. I used symbols of strength from different cultures highlighting my aim. I did this by screen printing in the colours of a Anaconda and block black to bring the symbolism forward.