Weekly Summary: 4

Narrative:

Making comics has always been my interest and I can't think of a better way to explain my narrative than to make one. In my story, humans have become so obsessed with time, (almost like they are all worshipping the clock) time is money, being late has consequences, etc. The gods who for centuries, not expected any form of worship from us, finally had enough. They thought that humans are narcissistic as we have become so obsessed with a concept that we created rather than being thankful and making the most out of what they gave us, the world around us.

With a strike of lightning, all timepieces in the world stopped working.

People then started discovering crystals in their bodies. The silence of the ticking clocks were replaced by the horrified screams of humans as they discovered that something is very, very wrong.

Scientists tried to study the crystals but couldn't find anything other than they are just crystals. Black market deals stated popping up, with promises of the removal of the crystals. However money is not the only price. Attempts of removing the crystal creates a pain similar to a numbing toothache. It is as if someone if grinding your bones, not intensely painful but for some reason it is unbearable. People also tried to sell the crystals that are removed, however since everyone has them , they lost their value.

It was the online forums that figured it all out. Correlations between actions and the growth of the crystals started forming. Others have tried to do nothing but sit at home, wait for the 'epidemic' to be over, but it was there to stay. it was then realised that the only way to stop the crystals growing is by doing good deeds and making the most out of life. Every child born after the lightning strike has pure diamonds on the top of their hands. It's beautiful and reflects their innocence. During their teens, the crystals are 'activated'.

Crystal Ideas:

Instead of the crystal growth starting on arms, I decided to have it grow wherever people's sins originated. I also thought of different types of crystals to match different sins/actions. The tar/oil like aesthetic of the hematite is perfect for hideous crimes like murder. Fulgurite however is made when lightning strikes sand and it creates a statue like crystal which I think reflects laziness.

Model Sheet:

After asking for some critiques fro my peers, I fixed a couple of things. One of them suggested that I clean my silhouette because the edges of the crystals don't make sense. It probably added half an hour of work but it was a great advice because it looks way better than when I sloppily drew the crystal. I learned to be more refined and clean with my work and to have patience because it does pay off.

I also realised halfway that the first and last arm are opposite hands so I flipped and redrew the last one as shown below.

Final model sheet:

I added more depth to the arm. I looked at the brief again after I finished and realised that we were asked to do an orthographic view which I forgot to do. Another lesson learned; keep referring to the brief.

Final Piece Thumbnails:

Everyone that I asked agreed that the bench design is the most interesting one. I then drew quick sketches of different ways someone could sit on a bench but my first design still appealed the most to me. I think It works well in terms of composition so I decided to go with it.

Below are the images of the progress of my final piece. The idea is that a man knew he doesn't have a chance in surviving and that it's too late for him. As he was sitting down and reflecting on his life, he was crystallised and became some sort of statue which is the version of death in my narrative.

If I was to redo this final piece, what would I change?

I probably would find an easier way of painting the crystals. I painted on top of filtered(oil paint in Photoshop) images which took a very long time. I also need to do more environment studies because I realised I'm not confident in painting environments.