Research
Clouds Moodboard
What are clouds
What are clouds made of?
Clouds are made up of lots of tiny water droplets or ice particles floating in the sky at different heights.
How do clouds form?
As the sun heats water it turns into an invisible gas called water vapour, this is called evaporation. The higher up you get in the sky, the cooler the temperature, so as water vapour rises it cools. Eventually it becomes cool enough to turn back into water and a cloud forms, which we can see in the sky.
How do clouds float
Clouds are warmer than the surrounding air, meaning that they float because warm air is lighter than cool air.
This is because when water vapour cools into water droplets a small amount of heat is released.
Cloud Formations
Why do clouds look different from one another?
There are 10 different cloud types all given Latin names based on their shape and position, these are:
Cumulus
These look like fluffy balls of cotton wool. Usually cumulus are found on calm clear days and indicate fair weather, but they can grow into towering thunderstorms given the right conditions.
Stratus
These are flat, grey, featureless layers which often sit low to the ground, hiding the clouds above. Sometimes these can produce a light drizzle. Fog is simply a stratus cloud which has come down to surface level, so when you walk through fog, you are actually walking through a cloud.
Stratocumulus
A layer of stratus clouds can break up to form cumulus or an area of cumulus can squeeze together to form stratus. The period in between is its own type of cloud, known as stratocumulus.
Altostratus
The 'Alto' clouds are found in the middle of the troposphere, between the low level water-based clouds and the high level ice-based clouds. Altostratus is a mid level stratus cloud which is usually thinner than stratus and usually lighter. If you look carefully you may be able to see the sun shining through.
Altocumulus
Like altostratus, altocumulus are just a mid level cumulus cloud. There is a difference however, as altocumulus are visibly smaller than cumulus and are made of both ice and water.
Cirrus
Cirrus are the highest level clouds, made entirely of ice, this are wispy looking clouds which look like horses tails.
Cirrocumulus
These are cumulus clouds at cirrus height. Cirrocumulus is composed entirely of ice and look like little fish scales in the sky.
Cirrostratus
Thin wispy layers high in the sky, cirrostratus are unlike their mid and low level cousins as they can give rise to beautiful optical effects such as Haloes. The sun still shines brightly through these layers so even though the sky may be covered you still can see your shadow faintly on the ground.
Nimbostratus
'Nimbus' is the Latin for rain cloud. Nimbostratus produces long lasting rain or snow that is light to moderate intensity. These are tall stratus clouds existing at low and mid levels.
Cumulonimbus
Also known as 'the king of clouds' cumulonimbus are responsible for bringing very heavy rain and hail to an area over a short space of time.
These are also the only clouds that can produce thunder and lightning. Cumulonimbus are very tall and grow through all layers of the sky often with a giant 'anvil' shaped top.
Why this research is relevant
I have researched clouds and their formations for a better understanding of when and why I should use different clouds within my art work instead of blindly adding any shape cloud or formation. This gives my work a more authentic feel and becomes more immersive. Additionally with greater understanding I am able to exaggerate and stylise the clouds to match the style of my illustration.
This research also directly impacted my 3D cloud formation sculpture witch wouldn't have been possible without the relevant research prier to creating it.
Weather
Definition
The dictionary definition I found for weather is;
Noun
The state of the atmosphere with respect to wind, temperature, cloudiness, moisture, pressure, etc.
Verb
to expose to the weather; dry, season, or otherwise affect by exposure to the air or atmosphere.
Synonyms
Synonyms from the thesaurus for weather are;
Climate
Elements
Clime
What is the root of the word weather?
Weather comes from the Old English word weder which means 'air, sky; breeze, storm, tempest', which, in turn, comes from the Proto-Germanic wedram meaning 'wind, weather'
What is Weather?
Sticky heat, windy blue sky's, rain, thunder storms and snow are an array of extremely different conditions, but are all types of weather. In our atmosphere, each day a range of events happen this is what creates our weather. Weather differs all over the world and changes within minutes, hours, days and weeks. A lot of this weather occurs in the troposphere, the atmosphere closest to earths ground.
Air pressure changes control the weather events happening in an area. Air pressure is the result of the vast numbers of air molecules that produce the atmosphere. Usually high air pressure makes the air flow down and fan out when its near to the ground, preventing clouds to form. However with low air pressure the air flows together and then upward where it converges rise, cools and forms clouds.
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Weather and climate
Climate is the average pattern that takes place over several decades. different regions have different regional climates. An example of this is a tropical islands climate is extremally different from the climate of Antarctica. Where as global climate refers to the average of all regional climates.
That said the weather patterns are expected to change as the global climate changes, Although it is impossible to say whether a certain days weather is affected by climate change, it is possible to predict changes in weather patterns that might occur. For example as the climate warms scientists predict more severe weather events. Also predicted is less extreme cold winter days and more hot summers but this doesn't mean no more winter weather, actually snow storms may even be more expected in certain regions with less cold air clouds are able to carry more water witch in turn will create more possibility to make snowflakes.
ENSO
Earths atmosphere and oceans connection has an enormous impact on climate conditions and the weather we experience. El Nino and La Nino, combined known as the El Nino Sothern Oscillation (ENSO), these are periodic departures from expected sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the equatorial Pacific ocean. these ocean temperatures that are cooler and warmer than normal can change patterns of weather around the world by influencing low and high pressure systems, wind and precipitation. ENSO can bring an abundance of greatly needed moisture to a region, while creating extremes of too little or too much in others.
The impacts of ENSO can create an array of hazards to people and property from heatwaves, droughts and floods. Its not just us as people that are at risk from the impacts of ENSO consequences, for example with unusually warm ocean temperatures corals to become bleached by distress.
Why this research is relevant
I have researched weather and the affects climate change has on it so I have knowledge of how climate change causes extreme weather.
Pollution and climate change
Dictionary definition of Pollution;
The presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance which has harmful or poisonous effects.
Natural phenomena's can cause air pollution and climate change through dust storms, earthquakes, erupting volcanos and meteorites crashing into the earths crust witch is when the dinosaurs may have met their end. After a giant meteorite kicked up so much dust that for decades blocked out the sun and stopped the production of photosynthesis and prevented plants from growing.
We are also adding to the potential threats by contributing to the air pollution and global warming with our resource-intensive lifestyle. We are producing and consuming more than ever before and as a result we are generating more greenhouse gases, Additionally other air pollutions in the form of particulate matter and chemicals including black carbon.
Climate change and air pollution may seem like two very different issues, however they are in fact closely interlinked. This means if we reduce air pollution we can protect the climate. Air pollutions include much more than just greenhouse gasses, principally carbon dioxide but also nitrous oxide, methane and many others.
There is a big overlap and the two often interact with each other. For example, particulate matter from diesel engines create air pollution that is circulated around the globe, traveling to the most remote places including the polar regions. As a result the snow and ice darkens slightly when it lands on it, leading to less sunlight being reflected back into space. This is contributing to global warming. Additionally the slightly higher temperatures in the sub-Artic region also encourages plants to grow a fraction bigger, however when multiplied over millions of small plants this also effects the darkening of the earths surface, leading to further warming.
The good news is that immediate changes to air pollution levels also have immediate effects. Quick action on reducing highly potent, short-lived climate pollutants - methane, tropospheric ozone, hydrofluorocarbons and black carbon—can significantly decrease the chances of triggering dangerous climate tipping points, like the irreversible release of carbon dioxide and methane from thawing Arctic permafrost.
Why this research is relevant
I am using this research to inform my climate change element of my project for ethical and educational purpose so that my audience can be made aware of the current global crisis and also have some well informed facts that they can take away and make informed decisions about the future as my audience is the next generation and can hopefully make a defence.
The Ethics of Climate Change
In an ideal world where people are perfectly governed, equal and rational when faced with climate change and global warming people might come to the optimal decision based on scientific facts of climate change and come to the conclusion that something need to change and as such make international agreements to restrict greenhouse gas emersions to avoid harmful climate change.
However we don't live in such a world as this, we live in a world where it dose not matter how advanced or overwhelming the science behind climate change is, It will never be sufficient enough to influence what people do. With so much research and evidence, that science can now forecast how server climate change will become based on the given levels greenhouse gas levels, unfortunately experience has shown us that science alone will never be enough when taking environmental challenges head on, considerations of fairness, equality, and the justice must also inform any successful international agreement.
This is definitely true with the three major ethical dilemmas that are now complicating the debate on climate change. The first is How to balance responsibilities and rights of the developing and developed world. the seconded is How to evaluate geo-engineering schemes designed to slow or reverse climate change and the third How to assess our responsibilities to the future generations who must live with the climate we are shaping today.
Sustainability
The dictionary definition;
The ability to me maintained t a certain rate or level.
Sustainable art is about about creatively finding new ways to make art that will benefit the environment, weather that is by using accessible and natural materials, or by inspiring social awareness on pressing environmental issues, like climate change, deforestation, greenhouse gases or the throw away world we live in.
Climate change and endangered species
The threat of climate change is genuine as our planets temperature rises and our fossil fuel reliance is by far the biggest contributor. Temperatures globally will continue to rise and have severe consequences for animals and humans alike unless we make some radical changes.
Bellow is a gallery of just some of the animals that may face extinction from climate change.
Red panda's and climate change
Under a growing threat Red Panda's are just one of the species across the globe that is impacted by climate change, with less than 10,000 left in the wild, leaving them on the endangered list.
With average temperatures rising in their natural home of Sikkim, within its forests the red panda only occupies habitat within a very narrow temperature range. Therefore red pandas will need to relocate to higher elevations so they can adapt to the changing climate.
A scenario that is troubling as almost 70% of the red panda's suitable habitat in Sikkim is outside the designated protected areas. Meanwhile human activities are taking a toll on the local forests and the future of the red pandas are uncertain in the changing climate unless the forests are secured.
Not only are the red pandas battling with the changing climate but additionally with communities using the surrounding forests for fuel for their homes and the ever growing risk of forest fires.
Why this research is relevant
This research was a direct inspiration on my character design for the creature companion for my adventurer in my comic illustration Archie. I chose the red panda as I thought this would relate well to my targeted audience. Red pandas are cute, expressive and sometimes a little bit silly and thought this could be something I can exaggerate within my illustrations to keep the audience engaged.
Colour Theory
Colour theory is used in the visual arts as guidance for colour mixing and the visual effects of colour combinations. This is colour terminology based on the colour wheel, which separates colours geometrically into primary colour, secondary colour and tertiary colour. Colour theory is used to enhance visual arts and can help to convey certain feelings or mood within an art work.
I want to try and communicate feelings and a mood within my art work, by using colour theory. Setting a mood is greatly important to me and I feel like it will give my art more depth.
Why this research is relevant
The design Museum
I like this artists take on sustainability and how they use materials that would have otherwise been thrown away and added to the ever growing issues on landfills in this throw away society we live in. This is a fantastic way to show how we can reuse martials in a fun and interesting way.
Skottie Young
Skottie Young started his career creating comics like Spider-Man and Venom. He moved on to adapting the L.Frank Baum OZ novels at Marvel with Eric Shanower. He also created the Marvel comic series Rocket Racoon with Jake Parker.
I really like the illustrations in Skottie Young's Middlewest comics he created, they are striking and well composed with contrast in tone, shadow and colour. The weather in these comics have been animated with life and is a character itself.
This style of illustration is inspiring to me and I think I could take this concept and adapt it to my own work for my FMP.
Why this research is relevant
These illustrations are aimed at children and you can tell by the style in which Skottie creates them with large heads with a small stumpy body, this is a very child like character design and many artists use these proportions.
I like how child friendly these style of character is and I plan to experiment with proportions in my own work.
Why this research is relevant
Jake Parker
Currently working out of his home studio in Gilbert, Arizona, Jake is New York Times best selling illustrator, raised on a cultural diet of cartoons and comic books. This stared his love for illustration, Now aged 45 he has illustrated several books and comics and also created a popular online art challenged named Inktober. He has also worked on Marvel comic Rocket Racoon with Scottie Young and self published a comic of his own SkyHeart. Not only has he worked on illustration projects but he also works within the film industry and has worked on films such as Rio and Ice age: Dawn of the dinosaurs. Parker works with some big name clients including Marvel, Disney Animation and Warner Brother Animation.
He is the co-founder of the online site SVSLearn.com where thousands of people can learn how to be a professional illustrator like him.
I find the way Jake Parker builds his worlds and the colours he uses interesting. He uses lighter hues/ less saturated colour to push back the elements in his illustrations, for example the way he uses this technique to add depth by pushing back the buildings or mountains in the background and uses more saturated colour in foreground, with the main character so that its the main focus of the image.
This makes for a dynamic and engaging look and feel.
This is a feeling I want to try and incorporate into my own art to give my work more depth.
Why this research is relevant
Jake Parker designs characters with a lot of personality using key poses to show case the characters attitude, gesture and actions this paired with the black outlines of the character pushes the it to the foreground and makes it pop.
The colour choses he uses also bring the whole image together.
Zootopia
Character Design
World Building
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Disney is well known for their creative illustration and animation, and I really like how they have created Zootopia. The world building in this animated movie is out of this world. The shape language of the environments directly link to the anamorphic characters that live within each space. The colours are vibrant yet compliment each other beautifully. Additionally the transport also connects the different environments together by running through the whole world that Disney has created.
I would love to be able to create a concept as well thought out as this that would be believable yet creative at the same time.
Why this research is relevant
Studio Ghibli
I love Hayao Miyazaki style, the colours work really well to compliment each other. I find the style fascinating with the soft painterly background behind the strong outlined characters with flat colours and simple shadows. This style works great to immerse you into the world he has created and still allows the characters to pop. The layering of colour to create transparency throughout the elements like the smoke or rain really works and leaves you with a more authentic feel. The light within his art work is spectacular with the way light bounces off of surfaces and casts shadows in a believable way.
I am very inspired by Miyazaki's style and want to try and implement some of his techniques into my own art work.
Mythical Creature mood board
 48396891_350 |  R (6) |  R |  R (11) |
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 R (12) |  R (10) |  drago2 |  nino4-1400 |
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Audience Research
Presentation Techniques
Mood board of ideas and insperation
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Initial ideas
I really like the way the Pixar exhibit is displayed with concept art and the 3D models of the characters together giving you an insight into the process and design of the characters. I would really love to have an exhibition of my work displayed in this way.
I also really love the way DC comic displayed their artwork of the finished comic page central with black and white line concept art around it. displaying it this way doesn't detract from the main art piece it gives body and and context to the work.