Task 3: Digital Triptych

01/06/2023 - 30/06/2023 / Week 9 - Week 13
Reema Arif Hamza / 0362792
Illustration and Visual Narrative / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Task 3: Digital Triptych

Content

Lectures

Week 9: Learned about light and shadow (chiaroscuro)
Week 10: Learned about patterns, drawing modes, and the width tool.
Week 11: Continued the week 10-12 exercises.
Week 12: Tutorial on Task 3
Week 13: Class canceled, briefed on final assignment through recording.

Instructions

Task 3: Digital Triptych

Choose a story written by Edgar Allen Poe and break down the narrative into a 3 act structure. Introduction-Climax-Ending. Then create 3 panels digital triptych illustrating each act.


Process

I chose to illustrate the story "The Masque of Red Death" by Edgar Allen Poe. I broke down the story into three acts. 

To summarize the story is about: 

A fictional country is plagued by a disease called the ‘red death’.  Even though there is a plague spreading in his country Prince Prospero feels happy and hopeful. So he locks up his castle and throws an extravagant masquerade ball. 

Everyone was enjoying the party but then a mysterious figure in a red hood enters the castle at midnight. The prince goes to confront this figure and then dies. Then everyone dies because the ‘red death’ has infiltrated the castle. 

Fig. 1.1 Three Pont Act, Week 9 (01/06/2023)

I went through Pinterest and other online platforms to look for references. I wanted there to be a strong contrast of gold hues and red/black hues. To depict the divide between a luxurious ball and a plague. 

Fig. 1.2 Visual References, Week 10 (08/06/2023)

I sketched each act as a panel. The first one is the ball happening while the plague is outside. The second one is when the red death enters the ball. The third one is when the prince confronts the guest and everyone dies. Refer to the feedback below.
Fig. 1.3 Sketches 1, Week 11 (15/06/2023)

After receiving feedback, I went back to the drawing board and focused on symbolism and simplifying my panels.  I found that they used to paint crosses on the doors of those who had the plague and I found that the raven was a symbol of death (mentioned in Edgar Allen Poe's poem "The Raven"). 

I chose to make the first panel set outside the castle looking in. While the masquerade ball is happening the outside hints at symbols of the plague. The second panel shows the prince confronting the mysterious guest. The third panel shows dead bodies being circled by ravens while a clock shows they're out of time. 


Fig. 1.4 Sketches 2, Week 12 (22/06/2023)

Overall, I feel my concept is much stronger going into my digital process now. I started by adding details to the background and planning my composition in black and white to get a sense of depth.

Fig. 1.5 Digital Process 1, Week 13 (26/06/2023)

Fig. 1.6 Digital Process 2, Week 13 (26/06/2023)

Fig. 1.7 Digital Process 3, Week 13 (26/06/2023)

I changed the last panel to a pile of dead bodies and a skull because I feel like that was a stronger way to show that everyone died. 

Fig. 1.8 Digital Process 4, Week 13 (28/06/2023)

I played with colors for a long time, struggling to make it cohesive and harmonious between the panels. I think the 2 color palettes helped create a strong contrast. I chose to have red smoke come out of the skull because the red death actually makes everyone ooze out blood as they die. 

Fig. 1.9 Digital Process 5, Week 13 (29/06/2023)
Final

I added some small framing details and adjusted a few things. Overall I feel like the story is depicted clearly and cohesively. Below is the Final Digital Triptych. 

Fig. 1.10 Final Digital Triptych, Week 13 (30/06/2023)

Feedback

Week 11
I should avoid cutting panels otherwise it seems like a comic. Instead, I should refine my design to include more symbolism. The saying: A picture that tells 1000 words is a good way to look at it. 

Reflection

I learned a lot through this assignment about breaking down a story and being able to depict a whole story with limited imagery. I enjoyed taking the time to mull over which ways to set my composition and what to add. Next time I would like to take more time to add details to the second and third panels. 

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