Hybrids and me: sketches

Based on my influence map, here are some rough sketches of hybrids and the zebra anatomy, looking at the faces, side and how both can be formed as well as skeletal structures.

Zebra Influence map

The images within this influence map contains specific parts that I would like to concentrate more on when making my hybrid designs. The zebra cartoons on the top of the map are from The Lion King which I find that the simple design on the feet, head and stripes are quite interesting.

The middle left image is to focus on the posture as well as how the legs move when in action. The middle right image is a close up image of the stripes of the zebra even though zebras have various stripe patterns, I felt that having an image of it helps act as a rough guide.

Again the bottom left image is the whole look of the zebra, focusing on the structure of the body and the hooves. Lastly, the bottom right image is the close up of the zebra's head, looking at the designs and patterns of the stripes on its face and looking at the structure of the head and the eyes.

Hybrids and Me: Hands and feet sketches

Just some quick sketches of my hands and feet from different angles as part of my hybrid development.

La Belle Et La Bête (1946) review

Directed by French poet and film maker, Jean Cocteau, the film is considered to be one of the original classics of the French Fairytale. A French romantic fantasy from the classic Beauty and the Beast where it tells the tale of a girl sacrificing herself in exchange for her father’s freedom falls in love with the beast.

Title screen for La Belle et la Bete

A half ruined merchant lives in the country with his son Ludovic and his three daughters, Félicie and Adélaïde who similarly alike in Cinderella are Anastasia and Drizella and treats Belle (played by Josette Day) as a servant. One day, coming home from a business trip, the merchant gets lost in the middle of a forest and seeks the place for shelter. He finds an old strange castle, on the way he finds a rose and picks it for Belle.  However the castle’s owner appears, a half human half beast (played by Jean Marais) who possesses magic powers sentences the poor merchant to death, unless he gives up one of his daughters in his place. Belle sacrifices herself for her father and stays in the castle, which throughout the course of the film the two characters go through a series of events that show them the true meaning of love as well as discovering things aren’t what they seem.

Based on two French fairytales, the first which the film has mostly followed on with the same title was written by Jeanne-Marie Le Prince de Beaumont and published in 1757. As for the second fairytale, La Chatte Blanche by Marie-Cathérine d'Aulnoy and published in 1694, a part of the narrative from the book was taken which the servants were magically reduced to arms and hands whilst performing all servant’s chores.

Sevant's being reduced to arms and holding some candles with "Once upon a time.." written to introduce the story

Like most classic films, the film starts off with credits sometimes either written on a chalkboard and sometimes not, as the credit rolls there’s some wash wipes of people walking pass in front of the camera to show the next set of credits. Then the film begins with a written comment from the director himself, explaining why he made this into a film. He talks about the passion in making the film and the troubles happening at the time. Like (Andy, IMDB),”He ends this written dialogue with a comment that will forever remain in my mind. He says, "...and now, we begin our story with a phrase that is like a time machine for children: Once Upon a Time..."”, which with this line, it hints to the audience that this story is aimed at people of all ages but, it’s like it is used to bring out the child in all of us as it is easy to understand.

The film sets in medieval- Elizabethan era judging by the clothes and the lifestyles such as high class people (like the sisters) ride in box carriages carried by four men. The village and its people have characteristics similar to the time of the Salem witch trials, where everyone is superstitious of myths and legends as well as luck and fortune.

The making of its special effects were well thought out such as the arms on the walls, which holds a lit candle and moves in the direction of the person walking in before turning it off again leaving the area shrouded in complete darkness with only a single source of light from the roof coming in. Another thing is that the makeup used on some servants’ faces to blend in with the walls, giving them a live statue look which their eyes follow around some characters. The make ups and prosthetics used on Marais which according to Marais, it took him 5 hours to complete them. The set design at that time was very good as for most of the time Cocteau had to improvise, since it was near the end of World War two as well as France about to be demolished. But because of this, fear was in everyone’s minds during the war but finding love in the darkest of places helped made the film become a big hit.

The creepy servant face on the fireplace walls have make up  and well blend them into the walls.

It is noticeable of how other films to this day were influenced, such as Cinderella, Disney’s version of The Beauty and the Beast and Snow White, where looking through a magic mirror can reflect on a person’s true identity. So basically the film’s moral slightly goes in the lines of “Don’t judge a book by its cover” as there are more things than just the appearance.

Though in the story, everyday at seven o’clock, the beast will appear to Belle at the dining table and asks her the same question, “Will you marry me?” Belle’s replies the same answer. “No” and declares that she will never marry him. However, the more she replies, the more her heart softens. As her heart softens, so does the beast’s inhuman nature, it is obvious that from the start of the film onwards, he wants to retain his humanity but is slowly stepping backwards of progression to the characteristics of a feral beast, as depicted in the scene where he is in the garden and tries to hold back his instincts to catch a deer. His love for Belle is strong since he asks her the repetitive question at the same time and place, though it is obvious that he is in pain as noticed when he tells Belle not to look into his eyes.

The scene where Avenant, Ludovic’s friend (also played by Marais) is shot down by a statue of Diane inside the pavilion whilst climbing down to get the Beast’s riches, the idea of using the statue of Diana is interesting. Dating back to the Roman mythology, Diane was a Roman goddess of hunting and beast. The story behind the roman goddess goes as a Prince named Actaeon went and spied on Diana bathing, he gets caught by Diana and as punishment, and she turns him into a stag and sets his dogs upon him. So it is noticeable of how Cocteau was inspired by this and also added some parts of the story onto the film itself. “Suddenly the shots of mauled deer and the countless dog statues in the film make more sense. Cocteau accurately observed that the elements of the Beauty and Beast tale date back much further than we usually think.”(Silver Screenings, silverscreenings.com)

The odd thing about the film was the beast’s transformation and “and, how appealing Marais is as the Beast, and how shallow and superficial he seems as the pompadour prince. Even Belle doesn't leap cheerfully into his arms, but looks quizzically at her new catch and confesses she misses the Beast.” (Roger Ebert, robertebert.com) though the rewinding effect of the fully transformed prince landing back onto his feet looked quite convincing. Though the part where the prince and Belle fly off to his palace and declares her queen looked amusing as well as looking similarly to the effect of superman flying off with Louis.

List of Illustrations:

Cocteau, J (1946) Film Cover:

http://enchantingimagery.tumblr.com/post/7728096055 

Title screen for La Belle et la Bete:

DailyJae, (2011) La Belle et La Bete (online):

http://dailyjae.wordpress.com/2011/07/08/la-belle-et-la-bete/ -(accessed on 29/09/11)

The servants arms holding candles with the line, “Once upon a time…”

Bert (2011), La Belle et la Bete (1946) Beauty and the Beast (online):

http://bert-trashboi.blogspot.com/2011/03/la-belle-et-la-bete-1946-beauty-and.html?zx=4557a0a1048a53d9 – (accessed on 29/09/11)

The servant’s make up blending into the walls-

Mavis, (2010) La belle et la bête (Jean Cocteau, 1946)(online):

http://stagevu.com/video/ypvtljuugddw -(accessed on 29/09/11)

Bibliography:

Andy (film critic) (2004), Beauty and The Beast (1946) (online):

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038348/ - (accessed on 29/09/11)

Silver Screenings (2007), Review of La Belle et la Bête (online):

 http://www.silverscreenings.net/fantasty/review-of-la-belle-et-la-bete/ - (accessed on 29/09/11)

Ebert, R (1999), Beauty and the Beast (1946) (online):

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19991226/REVIEWS08/912260301/10233 - (accessed on 19/09/11)

Life drawing class- Week 2

Hellos!!

On the second week of the Life drawing class, we were told to be more confident (which I found a challenge). This would mean that lines had to be either done in one go or  built up quicker within  30 minutes between changes. I think that my drawing is slightly improving though still needs to practice more!

The first image is of the model sitting with her back towards me, this I found quite easy to draw but as the picture shows, from the waist downwards and the left arm are slightly out of proportions. This image was done within 30 minutes.



The second image is of the female model again only from the side in a standing pose. At this point, we were told to draw like as if we're taking the pencil "for a walk". I found that drawing the facial features quite hard but the shading on the image was quite easy done. Done this in 25/30 minutes.

The Third is of the model standing with her hands on her hips in a very "unique" way, as having them set backwards which I found this quite challenging. Again we had to use less pencil strokes which I found this too quite challenging as I usually draw images as shapes. So using my judgement by drawing a single line in one go, I was quite happy with the result since I haven't drawn just using my judgement instead of shapes in ages!! Drawn in 25/30 mins.

Lastly the fourth image, which by this time there's only 15 minutes left until class finishes which was a challenge to me to get all the details within that time. So as you can see in the image below, the only "most toned" area is her foot so hopefully next time I shall use the time more wisely in drawing the proportions and add in tones if neccessary.

Hybrids and me: Facts on subject B- Plains Zebra

Name of Subject B: Plains Zebra (Equus burchelli)

Also known as: Equus quagga, Common Zebra or Burchelli Zebra.

Family: Equidae (hoofed animals characterized by one toe).

Found in: The Savannah grasslands of South Ethiopia through East Africa ,South Angola and eastern South Africa.

Height: 112 to147 centimetres at the shoulder.

Weight: Varies, from 175 to 385 kg. Though males are usually about 10% larger than females.

Can live for: 20 to 30 years.

Diet: grass and sometime twigs or leaves.

Description: The stripes of plains zebra are rather broad, especially towards its rump. The colour differs from black to dark brown on a white background. There is no color difference between male or female zebras. However, plains zebras vary in colour and pattern depending where they inhabit.

Hybrids and Me: My "other" subject- A ZEBRA!!

After entering "The telepod of awesomeness", I was pleased to find out that my animal (and subject B) is:

Equus burchelli.

...In other words, a Plains Zebra.

This creature is something that I am excited working with, like the advantages of the stripes, the anatomy structure and the colours. My journey begins now as a hybrid creature...