Artist research into theme

During this project I want to do a lot of research ensuring that I have a lot of inspiration from other artists and have explored all themes and adaptations of the book and films. This way I not only have inspiration but I can make sure my work is as original as possible as I really don't want my work to appear like someone elses in any way. I want to recreate the characters and imagery in a darker and more flamboyant appeal.
John Tenniel

One of John Tenniels most famous collections of illustrations are that of Alice in wonderland. Especially this one in particular- it's the one that stuck out to me most as a child as well, alice cradling the flamingo during her famous game of croquet with the queen. I love the simplicity of these drawings and how sketchy and certain they are. They portray the writing perfectly.

Although I admire John Tenniel his work is very dated as you can see from this depiction of the cheshire cat. Basically, it's just a cat. It lacks the imagination of the later adaptions which I love but have to respect that this was done many many years ago and was the style of the time. It's always good to reference his work though as it's very popular and more people know and can relate to it as the original drawings in Lewis Carrolls Alice in wonderland and are part of many peoples childhoods including mine.

I really like this drawing of the white rabbit, it's very representative of his character as his posture is very rigid and straight and there is a slight look of worry in his eye. I like his ceremonial attire, it's very representitive of it's time of creation. I can imagine if it was in colour it would be very bold and bright. It's a cute drawing but not very inspirational as a piece of art or anything to aspire to.












Annie Leibovitz

Simple editorial photographs of a beautiful young blonde as Alice depicting various parts of the story with luxurious surroundings and imagery here are two examples

Salvador Dali
I'm not a big fan of Salvador Dali, his work is too messy and quirky for my taste but I like the style of these pieces in particular because of their abstract nature and the way they connect to the story of being in a dream world. There is always speculation that Carroll was under the influence of drugs when writing this story and these paintings give off a hallucinogenic appeal which is why I think they reflect the story perfectly.

Cheshire cat variations

This is my favourite depiction of the cheshire cat, it is Tim Burton's variation from his 2010 film Alice in wonderland, known as "Chessur" he has mystical abilities that allow him to float and turn invisible which has many possibilities when it comes to creating art, I can leave parts undone or fading away which would look brilliant. He is also a philosopher known for his philosophical debates and annoyance of Alice as well as others and is the owner of many famous quotes such as "I'm not crazy my reality is just different than yours" and "We're all mad here" and I could include these in my work.

Disney 1951
I'm not really sure about this example, he's one of my favourites mainly because of his particular smile and the coloured stripes on his fur- this is a new take on the cheshire cat and I like the eccentric colours and character of him in this film. Although I don't like him as much as Tim Burton's he's a really good example and would be really good to reference in my work.

1999, Alice in wonderland
This time is completely different variation instead of complete computer graphics or cartoon animation they've mixed in a real life face (Whoopi Goldberg) against a model of a cat with the aid of computer and the result looks really good. This is something I could and have been thinking of doing with photographs and painting over it.

The Queen Of Hearts
Throughout the years there have been many variations of the queen of hearts as she's such an adaptable and strong character, there's so many possibilities but these are a few of my favourites.

There were two Alice in wonderland films released in 1951, this example of the queen is from the none Disney production which combined stop-motion puppets and live action.
This is the Queen of hearts colour character design (Lou Bunin studio's, 1949) and was done with pencil, pen and ink and gouache on paper by production designer Bernyce Polifika. People didn't react well to the production as a whole especially compared to the popular disney version, people didn't like the animation as a whole claiming the colour was faded and aged and that the production was tacky and looked "rushed". Personally, I love the colour used in this design, it's creative, a brilliant use of the colours, very complimentary, representive of her character and of the time in which it was made. I wouldn't personally create something like this for a main recreation of a character as I'm looking for something more realistic but it's perfect for a background character or a childrens book or decorational purposed but it's one of my favourite designs- it really captures her mood and bossy nature.

This is Tim Burton's Queen of hearts portrayed by Helena Bonham Carter (Tim Burtons wife) in his 2010 version of Alice in wonderland. A completely unusual and original creation, I love the special effects used creating her head extremely large adding to her ferocity and self centred personality.

This is a simple example of what I would do myself, photography. I could photograph someone dressed up with the right makeup and hair etc possibly add to it on photoshop. I like the fact that this particular depiction is beautiful and luxurious rather than clown-like and scary looking.

This painting on wood with acrylic is by Glenn Arthur who I reference a lot in my work. It is a painting of the queen of hearts and mimicks a playing card. I really like this idea I think it's really creative and had this in mind before I even saw this piece. I don't really like this piece as a whole though I think the rest of his work on fairytale characters is a lot better and more detailed but as a collection of characters they are very good. This piece os part of a four part series and look brilliant all together, the example is below. But alone they are weak looking and look much better as a collective piece all in one.

Variations of Alice
There has been many variationsof Alice over the years but because in the story she is a young child the depictions of her have always been innocent with her angelic pale face, golden locks and bright blue eyes. I want to change this. I want to create an older more adult themed Alice that isn't restricted by the childrens story aspect and more created around the darker themes hidden by her innocence.

This piece of work is by Jasmine Ann Becket-Griffith and is a lovely painting in acrylic of Alice and the Cheshire cat. I love the image of the cheshire cat in this one, he's mischievous with a menacing grin that gives of the impression he has evil intentions. Alice on the other hand seems oblivious with an innocent vacant expression.

Wendy Ortiz
Ortiz is one of my favourite artists that I've come across and frequently reference her in my work. This piece is done on sketch paper with charcoal and ink. I love that it's done on an everage piece of scrap paper like a doodle of some sorts giving off a real rustic style of illustration that I admire and is a technique I've used.

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Another idea I had was to take photographs of people dressed up as the characters by my design and self made props/accessories such as hand made clay pocket watches, face makeup and a collar made out of playing cards....

Glenn Arthur

I've used Glenn as a reference in my work before but he's perfect for what I have planned. He did a series of paintings of depictions of fairytale princesses and characters but recreated them in a modern dark way which is something I have planned but slightly more adult than just afew tattooes and weird imagery, I do however like the dark backgrounds such as the forests he soemtimes does. In this particular image Alice is cradling the white rabbit who seems less human like than he is depicted in the book and other films, she has bold tattooes and heavy makeup which I really like as it gives her maturity. On the other hand even though he has modernised her as a person he has failed to modernise the clothes and they are slightly dated and don't quite fit in right. Maybe he left them as a contradiction as he does this quite a lot. But if I had one improvement that would be it.
Also, as you can see below there is two examples of other fairytale characters he has transformed: snow white and little red riding hood. Personally I think these are much better and particularly the snow white one. I love the deep red background with the sillouhette of the queen behind her. I think it looks brilliant against the detail of the main image and the wood effect behind adds extra character. He is creative imaginitive and there are lots of element of his work that I love and aspire to.

 

I'd really like to reference this piece of work in my current project, it's one of y favourite pieces that I've done and I have some really good ideas for it.

I was thinking of maybe using the same image and very similar markings on the face and creating lots of red roses for the hair in different materials, some 3d and some thick cardboard dry point prints and creating a collar out of playing cards, some of them maybe burnt and red paint dripping from various places with a sort of title underneath with the quote "The queen... she likes 'em red" with some sort of scroll underneath all tea stained and dirty and burnt in the style of like an old edwardian roll script but unravelled along the bottom.