Paige Maddox- Visual Application

                                              Celtic Homes: I've recently started to research how the Celts would have lived. To extend this , I've started to research what their homes would of looked like and how they were made.  The Celts lived in homes known as Roundhouses. The walls would of been made by using mud, straw and tail. The roof were made from straw and would of been thatched. These houses would of been beneficial at the time because they were easy to defend. Inside the Roundhouses, there would of been a fire in the centre. Fires were lit for cooking and heating. Celts liked patterns and decorations. This is suggested by how they placed firedogs by the side of the fire. Firedogs were made of iron. Animal heads would of been shaped on each end of the iron.  References: Living Big In A Tiny House  2020 Tiny Homes Of The Ancient World: Celtic Iron...

 

One Day Project- Favourite Meal:  

Boudicca Character Design: I've now began to produce some character designs.  I've been focusing on creating characters that are suitable for my target audience. Because I want my piece of work to be educational for young children, I've decided to make these designs in a cartoon style. Based on my ideas, I've drawn Boudicca as a child. I believe that this drawing style works well.  I think that my character drawings are successful because I've drawn Boudicca from different perspectives. These three illustrations present Boudicca from the back, a 3/4 angle and from the side. Another reason why I think these illustrations are successful is because I've applied pattern and detail to her hair and clothing.   However, I do believe that these drawings could be improved by experimenting with colour schemes. 

 

 I've gathered together some illustrations that others have made of Boudicca. Gathering these images has been useful because I can see the similarities and differences on how people have previously tried to portray this historical figure.  All of these images show Boudicca with long hair and wearing a colourful tunic and cloak.  Many of the images I've found show Boudicca in a chariot alongside her two daughters.  No one knows for certain what Boudicca looked like so I  can use these images as inspiration when creating my character designs. 

To extend my research, I 've now began to look at the weapons that the Celts would have used when they were in battle. They would use swords, spears, daggers and shields. Because the Celts liked crafting. These weapons would of been made of iron and the shields would of been made of wood. The Celts liked patterns so these details would of been added to their helmets and swords.  I'm now going to use these images as inspiration when creating my own illustrations. These images are useful because  I can now apply the right amounts of detail and use the right colour schemes.   

                                                              Boudicca's Childhood: Her parents passed away from contracting smallpox. This left Boudicca as an orphan. Her older sister looked after her until the royal family adopted them.  Boudicca was 7 at the time. She lived with the royal family until she 14.  She was taught how to fight with a sword, shield and spear. She learnt horseback riding at a young age.  These facts have been useful because I've learnt about Boudicca's upbringing and how it made her the woman she was. I am going to consider this research when deciding what narrative I want to tell about Boudicca.  Reference:  Joey,11 2013 Boudicca: The Warrior Queen Available at:  Boudicca: The Warrior Queen | Youngzine (Accessed: 17th February 2021)

                        Interactive Book Research: I have continued to think about target audiences. For this research, I've started to think about how I can draw in the viewers attention to the illustrations and the story. I've been looking at different ways on how I could visually present my work. This could be by experimenting with layouts, designs and mediums. All of these elements can be used in inventive ways to engage young readers. I have watched a range of short clips that show examples of interactive books.  The first book that I've looked at is called 'There Are Cats in This Book' by Viviane Schwarz. This book has many paper folds and text that encourage and engage the reader to turn to the next page. I believe that this layout is effective as it allows children to use their imagination. Viviane has also created another book called 'There Are No Cats in This Book'. This book shows the same cats who want to leave...

                                      Book Inspiration: I have now began to think about target audiences and how they can influence my character designs and art style. For inspiration, I have looked at a variety of books that are about Boudicca. The illustrations for these books vary based on their art styles, mediums and colour schemes.  The first book that I've looked at is called 'The Song of Boudica', which is by Mick Gowar. The illustrator for this book is Mark Beech. The illustrations that are within this book interest me because they have been made traditionally. The mediums that appear to have been used are pencil, watercolour and pastel. I think that these mediums have made these illustrations successful because they reveal the uses of tone, texture and lighting. Mark Beech has used pencil to apply mark makings on the clothing. This is effective because it adds detail. I like how...

 Celtic Clothing: Their clothing had checkered and striped patterns on them.  Men wore a tunic with a belt, trousers and a cloak.  Women wore dresses that were fastened with a brooch.  If you were a superior member of the tribe, such as a King or Queen, you would wear a neck torc. These were made of gold, silver or iron. Patterns would be engraved onto them.  I believe that this research has been useful because I am now able to create some clothing sketches and designs that are relevant and factually correct for my characters.  Reference: BBC Iron Age Celts Available at:  BBC - Wales - Education - Iron Age Celts - Factfile (Accessed: 10th February 2021) 

 Celts in Battle:  They rode horses so that they would appear taller and superior.  They wore helmets that were either made from bronze or wood. These helmets would have two horns on top of them. Celts would put paint on their body and face. The paint that they used was a blue dye called woad.  They would carry weapons. Shields were either made from metal or from wood that had been covered in leather. Other weapons such as swords, daggers and spears were made of iron.  They had warrior schools. Most warriors were men but a few of these schools were run by women. Men would put lime in their hair to make it appear lighter. They would use this to spike their hair.  Horns would be blown before battle. They would  shout battle cries.  They would chop off the heads of the leaders of their enemies. 

              About the Celts: There were many Celt tribes in central  and Western Europe. This includes: Britain, Ireland, France and Spain.  By third century BC, they lived and were in control over most of the North of the Alps mountain range within Europe.                Designs:  Many Celts got involved with metalwork and wood carving. Craft work also enabled them to make jewellery that was made by using gold and silver.                The Britons: They lived in the Northwestern area of Europe (France).  Most of them wore hats known as Coiffes. Coiffes means "hats of lace". Reference List:   Who were  Celts 2019 Available at:  Who Were Celts - HISTORY (Accessed: 28th January 2021)

                                                               Facts about Boudicca:   Her name means Victory. She was Queen of the Iceni tribe.  It is believed that she liked to wear colourful clothing.  It is said that she had long red hair that reached down to her waist.   She lead over 10,000 men into battle.  She defeated the Romans in three battles.   Her death is uncertain. Some people believe that she drank poison after the Romans defeated her and her tribe. Others believe that she died of an illness.  Reference List: Interesting Facts- Boudicca Available at:  Interesting Facts - Boudicca (weebly.com) (Accessed: 2nd February 2021) Ancient History 6 Things You Might Not Know About Boudicca Available at:  6 Things You Might Not Know About Boudica | Sky HISTORY TV ...