Project 2 - Animation
So for this project I joined my group a day late due to me being asked to switch groups because there wasn't enough people in my current group so we got split in different groups. I joined the group that had the rhyme "Row Row Row Your Boat", and it was set in the Renaissance period and the genre was Adventure. When I joined the group, they already had the main idea down. Everyone in the group was given a main character to do research and be in control of and do future storyboards and art of. I was tasked with Fatima who is a Moroccan slave in Spain and she gets freed with the help of the main character Alonzo.
Research
Artist Research: Diego Velázquez
Las Meninas
Velázquez was a Spanish painter who worked for the royal court, so a lot of his paintings show people from high status. In Las Meninas, the main focus is a young girl (the princess), but there are many other figures around her, including servants, attendants, and even the artist himself. The painting is quite complex, but what stands out is how everyone is placed differently depending on their role.
The young girl is placed in the centre and is brightly lit, which makes her the main focus. Around her, other figures are darker or pushed to the side, which shows their lower status. Even though they are all in the same room, not everyone is treated equally. Some people are clearly more important, while others are almost overlooked.
This painting is useful for my project because it shows how young girls were positioned within systems of power. It also makes you think about who is being looked at and who is ignored. The setting feels controlled and formal, which reflects how structured society was at the time.
Artist Research: Bartolomé Esteban Murillo
The Young Beggar
Murillo focused more on everyday life, especially people who were poor or struggling. In The Young Beggar, he shows a young boy sitting alone, wearing torn clothes, picking at food. The painting feels quiet and personal, and it shows a different side of life compared to royal portraits.
The boy is placed on his own, with soft lighting that makes him stand out. There is a lot of detail in the textures, like the ripped clothes and the rough ground, which helps show his situation without needing to explain it. The overall feeling is quite sad and reflective, but also calm.
This painting is useful for my project because it focuses on vulnerability and the experience of young people. It shows how children could be affected by society, especially if they were poor or without support. Compared to Velázquez’s work, this feels more human and emotional, which gives a different perspective.
