After our photoshop induction I felt relatively confident in my ability with it and decided to test this out on my initial idea for a sign. I used a mixture of different images from online to create what I think would be something you would see outside a tavern. For the actual design of the sign I wanted to incorporate lettering as well as an image, however after some research I found out that in medieval times there was no lettering on signs because many people couldn’t read, seems obvious in hindsight, but something I hadn’t quite realised until now. As a result, this has confirmed I want to make my set fantasy(something I have been muddling over until now), as it gives me some leeway on materials I am able to use as well as the lettering on the sign, plus it just makes it that much better. 
Unit 2
Floor Boards
These floor boards have been a pesky business, after cutting out, scratching and varnishing each one ready to be stuck down, I was quickly advised by David that floor boards in medieval time were actually much longer as that was the easiest way for them to cut and place quickly. This was a large oversight on my part which I should have researched and realised sooner rather than waste a lot of time – lesson learned.
I have now cut and varnished the proper floor boards ready to use which look good. Hopefully I can use the old floor boards elsewhere so as to not waste the time and material used on them.
Stone Wall
This wall was quite an arduous task of getting right, I’m still not quite sure I’m finished with it as I keep seeing little things to add or take away, but I am happy with how its turned out and think its a convincing take on a stone wall. I found the key to getting it right was to make the painting as random as possible, to give it a real stoney feel.
I used kapaline foam board and tore the protective paper off revealing this easy to mark foam. After I engraved it using the back of a scalpel and technical pencil, I started painting areas with different shades of grey, although I soon realised I should have used wet brushing to get in all the cracks and crevices before instead of after this so as to make sure non of the foam is showing through. However, after some more finer work, I used a dry brushing technique to give it a lovely rocky finish.
Medieval Table
I made this table out of PVC plastic and obeche wood, which has been sanded, scratched and painted with acrylic as well as a varnish to look like an authentic wooden table, which I like to think is pretty convincing!
Making Some Barrels and Stools
Over Christmas I decided to make a start on my colour model, and after a quick trip to the amazing 4D Model shop, I made a couple of barrels and a few stools to get a better idea of how it would turn out. I was pleasantly surprised with them and am really pleased with the final product, I’m sure I will go back into them later on to give them more of an aged look along with everything else, but a good start so far.
Using White card for the barrels I cut out the plank shapes, engraved and wore them down a bit before slightly bending them, then painted with acrylic and stuck them together. I then used painted paper for the metal strips along the outside of the top and bottom of the barrels.
I used PVC plastic for the stools so that I could sand and round the edges, then cut into them to give it that authentic bar stool look. Then painted using acrylic.
GUNPOWDER – BBC Drama
Gunpowder is a show which didn’t quite grip me through its story(perhaps because the ending was preordained through years of Firework nights), but mostly through its sublime use of grotesque sets and gorgeous lighting. Every inch of every shot is either full of thick, oozing mud or dark chiseled candle light, which brought that world alive for me. Throughout I was thinking to myself how much I just didn’t want to be there, which I think is testament to how well this shows lighting and sets were put together. The use of constant contrasting light between harsh, cool and sinister to the warm candles in the homes and pub scenes really set this short series apart from the rest. Sets that stood out to me include the Tower of London which felt like a foul labyrinth you’d never wish to stay in, or the executioners block where by far the most gruesome scene takes place, I found to be cold and eery, a set and scene that draws you in and something I wont be forgetting for some time.
WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 00:00:01 on 17/10/2017 – Programme Name: Gunpowder – TX: n/a – Episode: n/a (No. 1) – Picture Shows: Thomas Wintour (EDWARD HOLCROFT), Robert Catesby (KIT HARINGTON) – (C) Kudos – Photographer: Robert Viglaski
This series confirmed to me that I wish to create a period set, more specifically a tavern as I think it fits my chosen location perfectly. Whether I do a fantasy take on this I am unsure, but look forward to getting started on it.
Technical Drawing
Finally finishing this technical drawing was a massive relief for me, taking me far longer than I would have liked and resulted in me having to start my white card model before being able to complete the drawing. This surprised me as on the surface I assumed it would be a viable task, however figuring out where items were and had to be placed in relation was tricky to wrap my head around at times as I wanted to make sure it was correct. I also believe my writing could do with some improvements, which along with becoming a better and faster technical drawer, will come hand in hand. Having completed it I am excited to push on with my white card model and making it look as good as possible.
1/25 Scale Person
Learning how to scale down to 1/25:
Ear Sculpting Complete
After much pain and torment over the last couple of weeks trying to get this ear right, I have finally finished it. Adding little by little, moulding this piece of clay around its been a surreal experience, becoming more and more engrossed as time flies around you. I feel I could carry on for many an hour longer pushing the clay around, but finally seeing it come to fruition it is satisfying to move onto the next project.
Over the course of these two weeks i’ve learnt a lot; From plaster casting objects in the Casting Workshop and welding in the Metal Workshop to the idea of scaling an object up in clay by creating grids and understanding 3D perspective, its been an exciting period and I can’t wait to try these in my own practices.
V&A Exhibition Trip
Having visited the Victoria and Albert museum for the millionth time, it gave me a breath of fresh air as I walked down the corridor of the 12th-16th century medieval renaissance gallery realising how much of this I could bring into my set. Perhaps tone it down a couple of centuries, but the way it was crafted is beautifully done, and would love to use this as inspiration for how I can reimagine doors, windows and candle sticks. The steel and iron work was also perfect for how I can make a frame for my tavern sign to hang above the door.
The V&A also had a special exhibition dedicated to plywood, which broadened my awareness of the material, understanding how it is “an everyday material that can be used in extraordinary ways”, and as a result will try use more often in my future work due to how versatile and cheap it can be.
Bending Sticks 