#graphiccommunication

Artists and designers can all agree on how difficult it is to draw hands. Drawing hands is something I have always struggled with due to their complex shapes and not being able to get the proportions right. This is why for the second Bardot Brush tutorial I wanted to follow I chose the tutorial titled: ‘How to Draw Hands // People Skills’ (Link to tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsOjtyqiA7U). The tutorial explains that the most effective way to draw hands in a stylised fashion is by first learning about the shapes and features of the hand in detail. It is extremely easy to visually depict a hand drawn in it’s most simplistic form, yet to be able to draw it well it is important to know the main details and features of the hand, such as the palm, the 5 digits, the fact there are multiple bendable joints, the knuckles, and the creases/markings etc in the palm. The tutorial then goes on to explain how to initially start drawing the hand through shapes, such as a trapezium for the palm, and circles for where the knuckles/joints would go, then lines to roughly outline the length and direction of the fingers. This initial drawing made of shapes can then be traced to produce a more detailed image. Using this technique to draw hands from different angles and in different positions can help to form a general idea in your mind of the form of a hand, and can help when drawing one in any angle/position. This tutorial will prove extremely useful for future work and has made drawing hands seem less intimidating/unachievable for me.

This online procreate tutorial from the YouTube channel ‘Bardot Brush’ (Link to tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lipLpRoh8YM) explained how to use photo references to create a stylised illustration in procreate. The tutorial explains how to define characteristics of a subject matter, break it down into simple forms and learn to make creative choices to draw it in a stylised fashion. I chose this tutorial because drawing/illustrating from real life has been something I have struggled with in the past, so learning that you can start from simple rectangles and circles and develop this further to really understand the form of the subject is very valuable. Drawing a bear from different photo references and angles using this simple technique helps to truly learn the form of the subject matter and this helps when drawing with no reference. The final drawing is still very simplistic and could be developed further through the use of different textures and brushes within procreate. Completing this tutorial has been extremely useful and will be relevant in any illustrative work I do in the future.

The six main principles of design are:

1. BALANCE - Balance in design is similar to balance in physics. A large shape close to the centre can be balanced by a small shape close to the edge. Balance provides stability and structure to a design. It’s the weight distributed in the design by the placement of your elements.

2. PROXIMITY - Proximity creates relationships between elements. It provides a focal point. Proximity doesn't mean that elements have to be placed together, it means they should be visually connected in some way.

3. ALIGNMENT - Alignment allows us to create order and organisation. Aligning elements allows them to create a visual connection with each other.

4. REPETITION - Repetition strengthens a design by tying together individual elements. It helps to create association and consistency. Repetition can create rhythm (a feeling of organised movement).

5. CONTRAST - Contrast is the juxtaposition of opposing elements (opposite colours on the colour wheel, or value - light/dark, or direction - horizontal/vertical). Contrast allows us to emphasise or highlight key elements in your design.

6. SPACE - Space in art refers to the distance or area between, around, above, below, or within elements. Both positive and negative space are important factors to be considered in every design.

The six main elements of design are:

1. LINE - The linear marks made with a pen or brush or the edge created when two shapes meet.

2. SHAPE - A shape is a self contained defined area of geometric (squares and circles), or organic (free formed shapes or natural shapes). A positive shape automatically creates a negative shape.

3. DIRECTION - All lines have direction - Horizontal, Vertical or Oblique. Horizontal suggests calmness, stability and tranquility. Vertical gives a feeling of balance, formality and alertness. Oblique suggests movement and action.

4. SIZE - Size is simply the relationship of the area occupied by one shape to that of another.

5. TEXTURE - Texture is the surface quality of a shape - rough, smooth, soft, hard, glossy etc.

6. COLOUR - Colour is light reflected off objects. Colour has three main characteristics: hue or it’s name (red, green, blue etc.), value (how light or dark it is), and intensity (how bright or dull it is).

Researching the key elements and principles of graphic design has enabled me to contextualise my work and the work of artists/designers I am influenced by. Each principle/element mentioned is crucial in order to convey a particular theme, message or idea within a piece of work. When creating pieces of creative work in the future I am now able to consider each element and principle of design and apply the appropriate ones in order to be able to communicate a particular message.