Ferreira - SI 5: Puppet and Puppet Master

 

In this sustained investigation, I wanted to take a broader approach to my focus. I wanted to show that young adults can feel controlled or manipulated by figures of power. The eyes in the back represent the puppeteer, and they remind me a lot of The Great Gatsby (analyze that how you will, just thought it was a cool connection). I may have to broaden my sustained investigation topic to fit this in full, thinking mainly about changing "student problems" to "young adult problems".

My process for these types of images has remained consistent since I started returning to digital art earlier this school year. My idea usually comes from problems my friends or I have experienced and stems from there. I do a sketch of what the image is supposed to look like in a sketchbook, then import it into photoshop and trace using curve tools and fill it with solid colors. I then use the dodge and burn tool on the layers to add shading. This is a relatively new step, I used to do cell shading as part of my fill process but found I liked the burning method more. I've been trying to add more realistic elements as part of digital backgrounds, as I like uniting the realistic and surreal or unrealistic. I might've gone overboard on this piece, having fire, lightning, and mountains, but it helps to draw the piece together and lead the eye downward despite it being top-heavy. As far as composition and process goes, I wanted to limit myself color-wise to fit in with my other sustained investigations, which for the most part have lacked abundant color.