Editorial Illustration 

As asked I went through my newspaper today and looked for an illustration, this is the one I came across: 

"We're like panting 'Reservoir Dogs' on Platform"

• Is this illustration decorative, conceptual or informational? 

Informational. It informs the visual eye of the scene that is set. 

• Does it use a metaphor to convey an idea or does it have a narrative base? 

A Narrative base. 

• Is it representational, abstract or diagrammatic? 

Representational. 


This article discusses Ian McMillan's experience of his train commute and the ongoing "nervousness" of the number of carriages that will be available on his train vs the number of travellers. I went through the article and underlined the messages I was receiving when reading. The words that told me the story. The words that set the scene. This is an article of one mans commute and his story is told well. The headline used for this articles are the words he uses to describe one particular scene, "The four of us stand in line. We look like a tribute band. We look like an out take from the Abbey Road cover". Que Tim Alden, the illustrator. 

This illustrations depicts four business men, in suits running the length of the platform, you'd assume to catch their train and beat the other travellers to the carriages as described in the article. 

Very cleverly, the business men are striking in black and white. The platform is grey and red. The figures steal my attention first, the scene of the platform secondary. The illustration has movement, the men are running, their ties are flapping in the wind as they go. They are carrying briefcases, the luggage described in the article. Interestingly the men are faceless, however bizarrely, faces don't feel necessary as the fast pace, the rush, the scramble along the platform is all that is needed to describe the scene. 

I researched the 1992 'Reservoir Dogs' poster as I had a feeling this may well be where Tim Alden sourced his style for this piece. Bingo! The black and white figures in suits. The film title is in brilliant red. Again, the black and white figures capture my imagination first. A very pop art fashion. This is quite fascinating to me as I would expect the illustrator to do something completely original, however he actually used the existing style of the film poster that would relate to the reader, the reader would probable recognise the style of the piece, working perfectly alongside the headline. 

From the listed headings I have chosen to work with 'How green is your food?' 

I started by doing an initial brainstorm of angles and areas my illustration could stem from: 

However, as suggested my help, I sourced and article to read and work with. I have chosen this article from 'Fork in the Road'. I have chosen this article as it is a comprehensible guide to my subject area. 

https://www.forkintheroad.co/what-is-green-eating/

'What is Green Eating? Your Simple Sustainable Eating Start Guide'

I started by reading through this article, and with a highlighter pen I highlighted key words and sentences to help me make a start on my own illustration. 

Reading the text a second time, I drew freely as suggested using a fine line and coloured pencils. Here unconsciously, I saw a focus on the words "Green eating means choosing responsibly grown fruits and vegetables".  I really enjoyed this as it has pointed me in te direction of a starting point. 

I took my favourite 3 sketches here and created thumbnails: I tried to explain that the planet and our vegetables should work hand in hand. In two of the drawings, the vegetables grow out of the Earth, depicting a healthier growing system. In the third thumbnail there is a set of scales. The planet on one side, the vegetables on the other. In an ideal world, the two would be of equal balance. 

Focusing on the planet as a healthy growing bed, I sketched out a refined version: Less air miles, less chemicals, less carbon emissions, organically grown, chemical free farmed vegetables. Here, growing directly out of Earth, the carrot is large, healthy and lush. 

Line drawing: 

Identify what the function of your illustration will be...

• Fresh. 
• Curious. 
• Appealing. 
• Friendly. 
• Green. 

I would like my illustration to prompt a curious response. I would like it to be a message. A friendly message, without judgement. A seed of thought to the consumer that may lead to a re education of mindset. An appealing and contemporary illustration to look at, to carry around. I would like fresh and green colours. 

I coloured my line drawing in crayon. I used as close a shade as I could to the actual subject matter. What I noticed in my thumbnails though is that the meaning of my words meant more with a green background. So using this as further thought I added a background, using a different shade to the green of the carrot leaves. I don't want there to be a firm or neat boundary to the background colour, as I like the thought of it being a green version of space: 

Now to add text. I want the text to run through the centre of my illustration. To emphasize the message, I would also like the text to be the colour green. I had a look through the text styles I had available and I chose 'AR Christy'. This choice as made as it looks modern and contemporary, as awareness around this issue appears to be. it is bold and obvious: 

Now to move this on to the final stage. The original illustration I studied was in landscape, measuring 5.5 inches by 3 inches. The obstacle I face here is taking my design here and fitting it to that shape. 

Whilst getting to this stage, what I like the thought of is adding shopping bags to the background. A further message to the consumer. In the current climate I feel it it important to use paper bags as a pose to plastic.  Could my illustration be printed onto brown paper bags? 

Line drawing reworked into a 5.5" x 3" box: 

Here I have re-positioned my design to make it look like it has been printed onto paper food bags ready to be filled with fresh fruit and veg by a consumer. I will add the same fresh colours as my initial work above. 

 Colour is re applied along with the text: 

Final illustration: 

Reflection:

This has been one of the most useful exercises yet. I very much enjoyed dissecting Ian McMillan's article and the corresponding illustration. It has made me even more aware and interested in the illustrations I am seeing alongside the articles I am reading in  newspapers and magazines. It was also really interesting to see how an existing idea (Reservoir Dogs) can be recycled and reborn into something new. An interesting twist. 

Working on my own illustration was made much easier by following the suggested steps. Drawing freely has been something I have enjoyed over recent exercises and I do find the results rewarding. I am aware of previous feedback where I haven't completely got the point and where my results aren't polished. I do have this in mind,  and with practice, I hope to conquer.