UWM Illustration
The Hero or the Villain? (You Decide)
Gouache on illustration board Two 30.5cm x 40.6cm illustration boards December 2019 Exhibition Text The Hero or the Villain? (You Decide) is an illustration that investigates the characterization of the Greek goddess, Hera. It combines a modern version of her with classic baroque paintings' style. The pieces prompt the viewer to ask what it means to be a villain or a hero, and if Hera was either or both |
Inspiration
When I heard the prompt for this project "what's old is new again", I immediately thought about Rachel Smythe's comic, Lore Olympus. It's a modern retelling of a classic myth, which totally fits the bill. I brainstormed some opposites with this in mind and came up with the opposite of hero/villain. I know it's pretty cliche, but I've noticed in recent shows and books that villains and heros have become more complicated. They aren't black and white anymore, which as a writer myself, I adore. No one wants a villain that's just bad, they want a backstory. And a hero that's imperfect? Now that's good storytelling.
Anyways, with this opposite in mind I thought about the comic and which character would fit best. Hera stuck in my mind due to something I'd read about her a while ago, how she's only "evil" because in Greek society a woman who disobeyed her husband was breaking tradition. However, in modern times she is a symbol for women who have been cheated on and forced into silence, or even blamed for their significant other's attention wandering. So, I want to place Hera into classic baroque paintings, which often portrayed scenes from Greek mythology, and contrast how she was depicted in the past to how she is viewed now.
When researching baroque paintings I stumbled on the two above. I think the poses are perfect for the story I'm trying to tell. The first, Mrs. Siddons as the Tragic Muse, is a portrait of the leading tragic actress from that time. She is said to have come up with the pose spontaneously, but the confident coolness struck me. I can see putting Hera on her throne here, looking smug on the outside.
The second painting, Self-portrait in the image of Mary Magdalene, is a piece with religious connotations. However, I chose it because of the expression on the woman's face. She looks like she's struggling with something. This is where I can see Hera struggling to deal with a husband who doesn't respect her, even disgraces her with no remorse.
Anyways, with this opposite in mind I thought about the comic and which character would fit best. Hera stuck in my mind due to something I'd read about her a while ago, how she's only "evil" because in Greek society a woman who disobeyed her husband was breaking tradition. However, in modern times she is a symbol for women who have been cheated on and forced into silence, or even blamed for their significant other's attention wandering. So, I want to place Hera into classic baroque paintings, which often portrayed scenes from Greek mythology, and contrast how she was depicted in the past to how she is viewed now.
When researching baroque paintings I stumbled on the two above. I think the poses are perfect for the story I'm trying to tell. The first, Mrs. Siddons as the Tragic Muse, is a portrait of the leading tragic actress from that time. She is said to have come up with the pose spontaneously, but the confident coolness struck me. I can see putting Hera on her throne here, looking smug on the outside.
The second painting, Self-portrait in the image of Mary Magdalene, is a piece with religious connotations. However, I chose it because of the expression on the woman's face. She looks like she's struggling with something. This is where I can see Hera struggling to deal with a husband who doesn't respect her, even disgraces her with no remorse.
Planning
Above are some notes from the presentation introducing this project, along with me brainstorming some opposites. On the left you can see me fleshing out my ideas. I looked at the original compositions of the paintings I chose and made some changes to fit my needs. I also practiced drawing in Rachel Smythe's style.
There are some things I'm putting in the diptych to unify them. I added some curtains because I've seen them in baroque paintings before. I also made the background the same color i both. Below the photo on the left is the last full planning sketch I did before making the full color sketches. I tried inserting Hera into the paintings. I made the arms of the throne a bit too wide, which I adjusted in my full color sketch. I also changed the dresses a little to look more Grecian. After getting feedback on my full color sketch I made some changes to Hera in the one on the right for my final gouache piece. I made her a bit more confident, and I added a peacock feather as well because they are associated with her in Greek mythology. Below are the sketches I made while working out this revision. |
Experimentation
This work was the first time I'd used gouache so I played around with it before starting the illustrations. First I tries just painting straight from the tube. Then I tried mixing colors together to see how it would work. The paints mixed like acrylics, so I felt pretty comfortable when I had to make my own colors. Finally I added different amounts of water to see how the paint would spread. I decided that gouache paints are a strange mix of acrylics and watercolor. They didn't create the effect I'd expected, which kind of disappointed me. |
Process
1. I cut the illustration board at school and then brought it home.
2. Before I went any further I revised my original sketches and experimented with the gouache paints. 3. Next I sketched out my compositions on the illustration board. 4. I mixed the yellow for Hera's skin and painted that, then her hair and eyes. I made the blue in the peacock feather the same as Hera's eyes so you could see a correlation. 5. I tackled the "hero" Hera's dress first. I played around with the more watercolor aspects of this medium to create the skirt. 6. Next I did the chair and throne. For some reason the brown gouache I had was kind of messed up. It was separated and kind of hard to paint with, but I did my best. 7. Next I painted the "villain" Hera's dress, and both crowns. 8. I painted the background. I struggled with this a lot. 9. I painted the curtains, then added the black details on Hera's face. |
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Reflection
I was excited to use gouache for this project, but it didn't turn out very well. It worked more like watercolor than I expected, so the background of the paintings doesn't look as solid as I wanted. I also wasn't able to blend like my baroque inspirations. Still, I enjoyed experimenting with a new medium and creating this piece.
Compare and Contrast
Similarities:
Differences:
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ACT Responses
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork.
The way both baroque and Smythe used colors inspired my choices. I also tried to imitate Smythe's style more than my own.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Smythe uses Lore Olympus to confront modern issues. I can tell she cares a lot about her work. She also casts Hera in a different light, giving her character more freedom.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, ect. while you researched your inspiration?
A lot of people think old stories don't apply anymore. However, as Smythe and many other creators have shown, with modern touches classic stories and their lesson can still have impact today. They can even be used to comment on the problems around us today.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
I wanted to investigate Hera and what makes someone a villain or a hero.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
It's my personal opinion that Hera is neither villain or hero, and it's up to each person to draw their own conclusions, but through my research and investigations I've decided that she falls in that morally gray area most people are in.
The way both baroque and Smythe used colors inspired my choices. I also tried to imitate Smythe's style more than my own.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Smythe uses Lore Olympus to confront modern issues. I can tell she cares a lot about her work. She also casts Hera in a different light, giving her character more freedom.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, ect. while you researched your inspiration?
A lot of people think old stories don't apply anymore. However, as Smythe and many other creators have shown, with modern touches classic stories and their lesson can still have impact today. They can even be used to comment on the problems around us today.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
I wanted to investigate Hera and what makes someone a villain or a hero.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
It's my personal opinion that Hera is neither villain or hero, and it's up to each person to draw their own conclusions, but through my research and investigations I've decided that she falls in that morally gray area most people are in.
Bibliography
“Hera, Goddess of Marriage and Childbirth, Queen of the Gods.” Greekgods.org, Greek Gods, www.greek-gods.org/olympian-gods/hera.php.
“Mrs Siddons as the Tragic Muse.” Mrs Siddons as the Tragic Muse | Dulwich Picture Gallery, Dulwich Picture Gallery, www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/explore-the-collection/301-350/mrs-siddons-as-the-tragic-muse/.
“Self-Portrait in the Image of Mary Magdalene by Artemisia Gentileschi: History, Analysis & Facts.” Arthive, arthive.com/artemisiagentileschi/works/538688~Selfportrait_in_the_image_of_Mary_Magdalene.
Smythe, Rachel. “Lore Olympus.” Www.webtoons.com, Webtoon, www.webtoons.com/en/romance/lore-olympus/list?title_no=1320&page=1.
“Mrs Siddons as the Tragic Muse.” Mrs Siddons as the Tragic Muse | Dulwich Picture Gallery, Dulwich Picture Gallery, www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/explore-the-collection/301-350/mrs-siddons-as-the-tragic-muse/.
“Self-Portrait in the Image of Mary Magdalene by Artemisia Gentileschi: History, Analysis & Facts.” Arthive, arthive.com/artemisiagentileschi/works/538688~Selfportrait_in_the_image_of_Mary_Magdalene.
Smythe, Rachel. “Lore Olympus.” Www.webtoons.com, Webtoon, www.webtoons.com/en/romance/lore-olympus/list?title_no=1320&page=1.