Deconstruction can often be seen as a form of criticism, where one is able to discover, identify and interpret the concealed marks, ideas and configuration of works. In our workshop we looked at the way our images were constructed, pulling them apart and analysing the way they were put together. We were asked to focus on the aesthetics of the image, symbolism, shape, colour, text and tone.

Instead of using my illustrations, I decided to deconstruct a part of my photography, with my focus being the profile of a man. I started to manipulate the structures surface, looking at the way lines have been created and formed together to build this profile. I did this by drawing out parts of the face in pencil and pastels. As we were asked to focus on tone and colour I thought it might be intriguing to take apart the colours that build up the mans face by cutting out magazine extracts. This definitely made me look at all of the underlying tones that formulate an image. I then used these to reconstruct his profile.

During this workshop I realised that once you start deconstructing something, the creation doesn’t necessarily have to be at an ending. Deconstructing helps exceed the boundaries and lets us create in new and different ways, without being confined to one image.

 

Reconstruction

The reconstruction workshop was aimed for us to communicate our own personal interpretation and understanding of ‘illustration’. My main take on illustration is that it’s a very versatile form of communication, where ones ideas and concepts can be presented through a wide range of mediums. Drawing is often the chosen medium but illustrations can also be created using photography, painting, film, animation, sound, textiles, sculpture and more. To be able to communicate this visual personality of mine, in the A3 folded micro-magazine, we repurposed our existing illustrations to assist in this creation. 

As the front cover for my micro-mag I created a collage using coloured paper and fine liners to  demonstrate my personal philosophy of illustration. The word ‘Illustration’ is placed in the background, and all mediums and types of art that I consider to be related to illustration are depicted in the foreground. I found that this would help give the reader a clear understanding of what my micro-mag is trying to convey. 

I then aimed to collect a large range of illustrations to further imply my intention. These illustrations included photography, sketches, collages, ink drawings, paintings and a comic strip. I used the photocopier to copy, scan, print and resize these illustrations so that I was able to position them into my micro-mag. I constructed and finalised my magazine by cutting and sticking the illustrations into the folded A3 micro-mag.