A mixture of 3D paper experiments over the past couple of weeks....

Continuing on from the astrolabe, I wanted to look at other objects attached to naval navigation. This is to develop an idea discussed with Will Hargreaves about the poster. I researched more into the object described by my client, which is a sextant. I drew the object and then attempted to make it.

(The above image is a concept of having some of the characters within the 3D object to suggest the protagonist being persuaded by her peers).

The photos show its current appearance. It proved to be very time consuming and I began to doubt how effective this 3D object would be once it was photographed. Would the audience recognise the object? and is it too overthought? 

In an attempt to solve this problem, i went back to drawing characters and objects in my sketchbook. I have been struggling the past couple of weeks, getting my head round why i've ended up making objects rather than drawing. I really liked my way of illustrating people and decided to try bringing that back into my practice. I decided to use some of these drawings to create paper cut images.

The letter: Communication and letter writing are strong elements to the text. The protagonist, Anne, is to be known also to be a keen reader. A film adaptation of the text in 2007 portrays the character to store away old love letters from her love interest, Captain Wentworth. However, the most important connection to a letter, is the final scene in which Anne receives a letter from Wentworth, announcing his passion for her. I explored the idea of a letter as a power metaphor in the poster. Also it would be a interesting way to display the title and details of the theatre production. 

I did have some issues with the letter paper experiment. The type is far too small, and could cause trouble with the reader not seeing the information clearly. Also the paper supporting the letter to stand up, is blocking some of type.

I really liked this character. The application of line with the paper cutting technique really works. However, it still feels very flat, especially when placed next to my attempt to make a shirt collar and cravatt.

The past few images show how I have been experimenting with turning my analogue linear drawings into to paper cut art. Some I have started to add 3D elements to, to make them stand out more as individual images. I am getting a little sick of working purely with black paper as it is getting very monotonous. The last image above is my favourite out of all of them. This is because i am starting to bring back some of my earlier explorations into naval imagery into my current experiments. This would look really nice with the protagonist looking down onto the ship in a bottle. It would suggest yearning and also make the viewer what the navy has to do with the woman. I'd like to think that this would make the reader intrigued. I would like to keep on exploring these images as 3D performative illustrations, touching much more on a theatrical outlook on the text.