For the last few months I have been busy working on the illustrations for Sanitise, which will soon be brought to life by animator, Calum MacAskill. They will depict the thoughts, feelings, fantasies, obsessions and visions of our almost silent female protagonist; who, while in the quiet, 'clean', privacy of her own bathroom, explores female and sexual identity, female insecurity, cultural expectations and domestic ideals.
These themes are similar to that of my solo practice, it was therefore a perfect opportunity and seemed a natural setting for my work. I was very excited when Caitlin and Mel approached me to collaborate on this project.
We began with a few development days, discussing all things from themes, image, set design and lighting, to toilet habits, hair, sex toys, and mould. This process was something very new and enjoyable to me, as I usually work alone, even when doing commissions for artists/theatre groups, my involvement is usually to a much smaller degree.
We came up with a rough animation storyboard. Knowing that there was a possibility these would change, as the show was still in development, I concentrated first on the strongest scenes - sections that were definitely going to make it to the final production.
These themes are similar to that of my solo practice, it was therefore a perfect opportunity and seemed a natural setting for my work. I was very excited when Caitlin and Mel approached me to collaborate on this project.
We began with a few development days, discussing all things from themes, image, set design and lighting, to toilet habits, hair, sex toys, and mould. This process was something very new and enjoyable to me, as I usually work alone, even when doing commissions for artists/theatre groups, my involvement is usually to a much smaller degree.
We came up with a rough animation storyboard. Knowing that there was a possibility these would change, as the show was still in development, I concentrated first on the strongest scenes - sections that were definitely going to make it to the final production.
I began working in my usual drawing style, mono-printing - meaning I draw everything backwards - I find this loosens up my drawings, as I am not concentrating on how the final image will look, more about the actual process of the drawing itself. It's an almost mediative state, a very child-like approach, which I find most natural. This also helps to create a rough, quirky line, which I felt was suited to this project as the images would be moving - this style gives the drawings a sense movement even before they are animated.
With the set being mostly white/off white, with items sporadically appearing in full colour, I decided that these black line drawings would be strong enough as they were against the white 'canvas', perhaps with a little touch of colour here and there, the team agreed that this would be an effective visual outcome.
From the short animations I have seen Calum create so far, I am amazed at what he can do with so few of my illustrations. I'm eager to see more of them come to life, and am very excited to see the whole show come together.
With the set being mostly white/off white, with items sporadically appearing in full colour, I decided that these black line drawings would be strong enough as they were against the white 'canvas', perhaps with a little touch of colour here and there, the team agreed that this would be an effective visual outcome.
From the short animations I have seen Calum create so far, I am amazed at what he can do with so few of my illustrations. I'm eager to see more of them come to life, and am very excited to see the whole show come together.