Body Language

Week 10

This week is similar to the last but this time with the focus on body language. I struggled a little bit with this one to remember that the focus was on the body language and not necessarily the dynamic poses like last time but I like the six images I've ended up with. I used jelly gouache for all of them because I've been loving using it and I find that they give off such a lovely effect that makes an unfinished image feel a little more finished.

Research and Inspiration

---

Thumbnails

Angry Boss

• two figures
• an office setting

I used my jelly gouache for all of the paintings this week because I have been enjoying using it so much. Initially I wasn't going to do this one in black and white but soon after I started I decided to go with it. I wanted to give the impression of a big looming figure so that's what I did, the arms crossed and strong stance shows the anger from the boss and the small feeble figure in the bottom is somewhat like a cowering dog, showing that they know they're in trouble.

Good News

• a single figure holding a phone
• 1950s

I wanted the figure to look like she was really excited, picturing she's maybe just been asked out on a date by her crush or something else a teenage girl in the 50s would be excited over. I made sure the hair and dress reflected the 50s quite dramatically so that there's absolutely no confusion. 

Mum can we go now?

• two old friends meet on the street
• teenage daughter of one doesn't want them to talk for long

There's not a whole load to say about this one - it does what it says on the tin. I went very dramatic with the pose of the teenage daughter, remembering that its better to be too dramatic than too subtle to get the point across. I tried to make the friends look like they were deep into a story by talking with their hands to show that the daughter had already been waiting a while and was getting increasingly fed up. 

The Anniversary

• a couple celebrating an anniversary in a restaurant
• they hate one another

This one might be the weakest of the bunch, I wanted to keep it realistic so I didn't want to have them arguing over the table because I would have had to make it look dramatic to show the anger but it could have ended up looking quite comical. I decided to make them be completely ignoring each other on their phones but nowadays its not really that uncommon to see this between couples that don't hate each other. 

The Big Jump

• a figure in an aircraft
• just before first parachute jump

For this one I wanted to show him ready to jump but looking back to whoever is in the aircraft for reassurance. He looks ready to jump but naturally nervous for his first solo jump.  

Genius at Work

• serious concentration
• academic or scientific setting 

This one I wanted him to look really committed and invested in his work so I reached into the back of my mind to scribble down whatever remains of my maths A level. I really like this one because it feels quite convincing to me.  

---

Instagram Posts of the Week