ap studio & graphics [ 12th grade ]

My question for AP Studio is "How can I illustrate the emotions felt in songs?"

My experimentation is evident in the array of styles and colors used throughout to match the feeling of the song (If a song felt sad with the tune and lyrics, I reflected this with colors and positioning). Research is clear the number of things that I had to study closely in order to draw accurately (Flowers, stone, water, etc.) I revised my question a little bit by changing it from "How can I convey emotion" to "How can I illustrate emotion" to reflect the fact that I had been doing illustrations. Practice can be seen from my sketches, practicing poses and anatomy and positioning to test my limits and improve myself.

[ Project one ] "Melancholy Man"

Based on the song "Melancholy Man" by the band The Moody Blues.

For this I painted the statue of David in the ocean with stars falling. I went with

a cool color palette to give off a feeling of melancholy and loneliness.

"When all the stars are falling down

Into the sea and on the ground,

And angry voices carry on the wind,

A beam of light will fill your head

And you'll remember what's been said

By all the good men this world's ever known."

~~~

[ Project two ] "Reflektor"

Based on the song "Reflektor" by the band Arcade Fire.

For this I drew my original character, Rembrandt. I went with a high frequency, bright color palette to give off a feeling of chaos and fear.

"Just a reflection of a reflection,

Of a reflection, of a reflection, of  a reflection

Will I see you on the other side?
We all got things to hide."

~~~

[ Project three ] "Epitaph"

Based on the song "Epitaph" by the band King Crimson.

For this I painted a person in agony. I used a faded red palette to convey

fear and confusion. I purposely left this piece incomplete to invoke the feeling of something missing.

"When every man is torn apart

With nightmares and with dreams

Will no one lay the laurel wreath

When silence drowns the screams?

Confusion will be my epitaph

As I crawl a cracked and broken path

If we make it we can all sit back and laugh

But I fear tomorrow I'll be crying."

~~~

[ Project Four ] Retrovertigo

Based on the song "Retrovertigo" by the band Mr. Bungle.

For this I wanted to incorporate a feeling of blankness and disconnect.

"Now I'm finding truth is a ruin

Nauseous end that nobody is pursuing

Staring into glassy eyes

Mesmerized

There's a vintage thirst returning

But I'm sheltered by my channel-surfing

Every famine virtual

Retro vertigo"

~~~

[ Project Five ] Comfortably Numb

Based on the song "Comfortably Numb" by the band Pink Floyd.

For this project, I did a self portrait. Out of all of my projects so far, I think this one is the most personal to me. It is a statement on how I struggle with mental illness and how I feel disconnected and distant from everyone.

"There is no pain you are receding

A distant ship, smoke on the horizon

You are only coming through in waves

Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying

When I was a child

I caught a fleeting glimpse

Out of the corner of my eye

I turned to look but it was gone

I cannot put my finger on it now

The child is grown

The dream is gone

I have become comfortably numb"

~~~

[ Project Six ] House of Wolves

Based on the song "House of Wolves" by the band My Chemical Romance.

For this I drew my original character, Rembrandt. I wanted to invoke a feeling of paranoia and despair with this piece to convey how my character is truly in the story he's in.

"Well, I think I'm gonna burn in hell

Everybody burn the house right down

And say, ha

What I wanna say

Tell me I'm an angel

Take this to my grave

Tell me I'm a bad man

Kick me like a stray

Tell me I'm an angel

Take this to my grave"

~~~

[ Project Seven ] Pink Cigarette

Based on the song "Pink Cigarette" by the band Mr. Bungle.

For this I drew my original character Helena. I wanted to invoke a feeling of loneliness and sorrow. I decided lighting would be a good way to express this, while keeping the background a seemingly normal sunset.

"Hush me, touch me

Perfume, the wind and the leaves

Hush me, touch me

The burns, the holes in the sheets

I'm hoping the smoke

Hides the shame I've got on my face

Cognac and broken glass

All these years I've been your ashtray"

~~~

[ Project Eight ] Ocean of Noise

Based on the song "Ocean of Noise" by the band Arcade Fire.

For this I drew my original character Laika floating in a body of water, surrounded by objects that relate to luck in one way or another (shattered mirror, horseshoe, etc.). I went with a cool color scheme to reflect the calming feeling of the song and to reflect Laika's cool attitude.

"In an ocean of noise

I first heard your voice

Now who here among us

Still believes in choice?
Not I!"

~~~

[ Project Nine ] Cotard's Solution

Based on the song "Cotard's Solution" by Will Wood and the Tapeworms.

I wanted to invoke chaos and fear by depicting a possession-like event. The Russian text reads "Be on guard". I was heavily inspired by Gekidan Inu Curry's art for this project.

"Carving my initials in the back

Of my hand in case of losing track

I forgot, remember to forgive?

It's times like this that make me wish that-

I wished that I could live, I don't wish I could live but

SOMEBODY'S got to stay!"