Part 2: Assignment 2

 A local tourist board would like three or more illustrations celebrating an event or location where people are interacting, taking in the scene and generally enjoying themselves.

Taking into account the illustrations I have done for previous reportage exercises and the mediums I felt most comfortable with and which gave the best effects I decided to go with pen and watercolour.

My initial research took me to Hollow Tree's Farm Shop in Suffolk. It is a beautiful destination spot, in the heart of the countryside and offers many wondering things to do there.

Of all the things Hollow Tree's offers I wanted to cover their annual Christmas tree farm. It is a beautiful place to pick the perfect Christmas tree. Overlooking their farm with the grazing sheep and they offer lot's of different sizes and types of trees. 

During my trip I took a couple of very quick, rough sketches and then took lot's of photos. The staff were very accommodating and allowed me to take as many photos as I wanted and allowed us to walk through the farm area of trees too. Here's a selection from what I took.

I work best when taking in mental notes and lots of photos and then working up my illustrations at home where I am more relaxed and can concentrate. I am a hyper sensitive person that picks up on everything around me and that can really interfere with my concentration for drawing accurately, hence the very scratchy first sketches.

Testing out wax crayons for the colour but it wasn't the look I wanted.

I really enjoyed creating these series of illustrations, firstly summarizing my experience in pencil sketches and then using those as a stepping stone to the final illustrations. I intentionally brightened the clothes of the people to add to the vibrant feel.

Final Illustrations:

My final illustrations celebrate the Christmas tree farm, overlooking the sheep and the fun of choosing the perfect tree. I chose to use this type of reportage illustration because of my love of nature and the countryside. It is such a wonderful experience going to Hollow Trees I wanted to use that for my destination.

After practicing different ways of drawing people and practicing some perspective I think gradually my composition and perspective are improving and I'm slowly finding my way of illustrating people in a simpler way.