Thumbnail Concepts

Having looked at a range of ideas with reference imagery, I have started to take these to paper experimenting with some thumbnail composition ideas. Perhaps a bit rough and sketchy, these are some of the basic ideas in my head I've begun to delve in. I will most likely continue to experiment with these taking them further conceptually, and into digital realms as concept paintings to resolve their designs.





The idea of the carnival is growing on me, although I need to further experiment in compositions to best present this. Being aware that this will be my first self directed scene in Maya, I just hope I have ability to take this concept on without being too ambitious that I may lack the execution. I guess much trial and experimentation is necessary to ensure I am able to do this.

Any thoughts most welcome.

Reference Imagery #3

Moving on from established concepts, the idea of a carnival came to mind as something that could be conceptually different and challenging. A natural symbol of joy and fun, it can perhaps also be turned into something quite sinister and unsettling for an uncanny effect.

Reference Imagery #2

Some more research into reference images to further explore ideas.

Interiors
I believe an interior environment could work well in creating some dramatic compositions, where the use of light can be manipulated in particular unhomely ways, similar to that of James Casebere.




Grand architecture/Churches
Another opportunity to construct imposing architectures that are naturally unhomely with the manipulation of scale in bold shapes and forms, perhaps reminscent to Marlene MacCullum.






Kitchen
Whether commercial or home, a kitchen can be home to an assortment of objects that can be manipulated to convey an unsettling uncanny effect.

Reference Imagery #1

To help gather ideas down, I researched into a wide number of different resource and reference images for inspiration. The main goal is to create an environment influenced by the conceptual ideas of the tableux vivant and the uncanny, thus I have begun to look at a range of environments both interior and exterior particularly with communal public areas such as towns, transports and prisons where the absence of people can bestow grant an unhomely effect. With the right lighting, framing and composition, I believe some of these could work really well for a dramatic effect.

European Street
Creating a street or town devoid of any public life could be unsettling similar to that of Steffi Klenz.






Underground train
Devoid and empty, public transports such as trains can be pretty creepy when they continue to run uncompromising on schedule even without passengers.






Prison/Ward
A naturally unsettling environment being a place of sin.