Project: Everything into Nothing (a look at opposites)

OBJECTIVE

Throughout time, artists have been commissioned to immortalize

daily events, stories, emotions, happenings and statements. We
have worked tirelessly to document current events and pay
homage to times and places, often times using our talents
to sanitize or idealize our chosen subject matter.
For this project, I am asking you to envision and imagine yourself
as an illustrator and bring to life two opposing opposites. In a style
of your choosing, show us what happy and sad looks like. Or full
and empty; real vs. fake.
Consider what it means to be the opposite of something, while
also taking the opportunity to provide some commentary on how
you see some of our present-day socio-political narratives.
Make your own statements and tell some new stories!
ASSIGNMENT

Transplant one, two, three (or however many you need) figures, or
characters from a specific time period into the present day in two
separate illustrations: one illustrating a certain theme and the
other its opposite.
• To do this, first choose a small number of famous pieces of art
from past decades/centuries to research thoroughly. Learn the
stories of their creation.
• Work to find out who commissioned the work. Why was it
done? What does it represent/display/symbolize? What is
significant about the artist’s style? What parallels to today’s
society can you find in any aspect of the
piece?
• Let these pieces inspire you, push you and guide you to find
your voice, your style and your inspiration.
REQUIREMENTS

• 2 separate illustrations
• No limit on the # of figures you incorporate, but be aware of the
time you have to complete this task.
• The research that you have done should be “carried” into your
project. For example, if you were inspired by Art Noveau, that
inspiration should be evident.
• The same figure(s) need not appear in both pieces, BUT both
pieces need to be and look related.
• Your work should be completed in full color, unless you can
convince me your concept is better in grey scale.
REMINDERS

• Consider all options for your subject matter. Dig deep. And then
dig deeper.
• The statements you and your classmates wish to make through
your illustrations should be as diverse and individual as you
yourselves are. Don’t worry if your approach is totally different
from everyone else’s ideas. Find yours and commit to it.
• Don’t feel like you have to be super-serious with the subject
matter… fit your illustration style to your
own personal tastes. (Can you see some potentially humorous
solutions?)
PARAMETERS

SIZE: 15” x 10”, each Illustration. Horizontal format.

MEDIA: Gouache on illustration board.
SCHEDULE

10/23 - Project introduction and discussion re: "What is

Illustration?”

12/4 – In-progress critique. Finalized, fully developed sketches are

due and expected.

1/16 - Final Art Due. Visit UWM’s Peck School of Art for critiques
and tour.
What is illustration?
An illustration is a decoration, interpretation or
visual explanation of a text, concept or
process, designed for integration in published
media, such as posters, flyers, magazines, books,
teaching materials, animations, video games
and films. The illustration also means providing
an example; either in writing or in picture form.
Illustration has been around from the time cave
people began drawing little stick figures on their
cave walls. While it has come a long way from
there, illustration is still a significant manner of
communication and expression.
 Woodcutting

Pencil

Charcoal

Lithography
Traditional Watercolour
Illustration Acrylic

Pen and Ink

Digital

Gouache