Digital Photography & Imaging - Final Project

Chan Qian Hui 0334447
Digital Photography & Imaging
Final Project - Recreating Surrealism Artwork

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FINAL -  RECREATING SURREALISM ARTWORK

For this Project we were tasked to recreate a surrealism artwork found on Instagram. I searched through a few artworks and found one which I really liked.

Surrealism artwork :
The artwork which I chose is "Whole Foods" a surrealism oil painting on canvas by John Brosio. I found this artwork in his Instagram page @johnbrosioart and I really liked the concept of UFO's on a field of cows. It feels really mysterious yet comedic at the same time.

Fig 1.0 "Whole Foods," 24 x 46 inches, oil on canvas, 2011. By John Brosio @johnbrosioart

I analyzed through the artwork and sorted out on the elements in the artwork which I need to recreate and search on stock images.

The main elements of the artwork are :

1. The background scenery with grass
2. The clouds
3. The cows
4. 1 big UFO with stairs and 2 stands
5. 3 small UFO's

Stock Photos

Based on the analysis which I made on the artwork, I searched for stock photos which has the highest similarity to the actual artwork and used it for my final project.

Fig 1.1 Stock photos used in final project

While for the UFO in the surrealism artwork, I couldn't find a proper photo which I really liked so I decided to create the UFO using things which I can find in my house.

These are the items I used to replicate the UFO parts : 

1. The top bowl of UFO - soup bowl
2. The bottom disc - plate
3. The UFO stands - chopsticks

Fig 1.2 Photos taken for final project

Work progress :

Fig 1.3 Process of final project (placing of background, cows and clouds)

I first started by placing and masking the background, the clouds and the cows into the artwork. 

Fig 1.4 Process of final project (adjusting colours of clouds)

Fig 1.5 Process of final project (adjusting colours of sky)

Then I masked the clouds and adjusted the hues, brightness and contrast. I also painted a layer of orange on the clouds and behind the clouds to create the sunset colour. 

Process of creating UFO :

The process of creating the UFO was the hardest in my opinion because I had to constantly retake photos of the plate and bowls to get the correct angle. Not just that, I had to colour and adjust the different parts of the UFO in detail to get the aluminium effect on the surface of the UFO.

Fig 1.6 Process of final project (initial attempt of UFO)

My first attempt of putting the plate and bowl photos together. The angle of the plate was too flat and I had to retake the photo.

Fig 1.7 Process of final project (second attempt of UFO)

I decided to go with this photo of disc because it matches well with the bowl and the angle is suitable as well.

Fig 1.8 Process of final project (adding bottom bowl and shadow)

After I added another bowl at the bottom, I realized that there was an awkward space in between, so I added a layer of black shadow to cover it up. But I also realized that the top bowl was too reflective and shiny so I had to make some adjustments to it.

Fig 1.9 Process of final project (painting on the top bowl)

I painted the shiny parts with the same colour and but the UFO seems quite dim and dull now.

Fig 1.10 Process of final project (adding reflective effect)

I painted white on one side of the bowl to create a light reflective effect which suits a aluminium surface more.

Fig 1.11 Initial completed artwork

I adjusted the reflective part slightly and also the colour of the sky to a purple colour and compared with the blue sky I had initially. 

Fig 1.12 Second completed artwork

I preferred the purple sky because it fitted the overall mood better because the shadow of the UFO is very dark and gives off a really mysterious vibe. The purple colour of the sky matches the mysterious vibe and I decided to keep it like this.

After showing to Mr Jeffrey, he commented that I should make the top part of the disc to be sharper by adding a thin layer of shadow. He also commented that I could add light rays coming out from the door of the UFO.

Fig 1.13 Third completed artwork

Initially the light ray was too dim so I increased the brightness of the light rays in the final recreation artwork.

Final Process GIF :

Fig 1.14 Process GIF of final project

Final Surrealism Recreation Artwork :

Fig 1.15 Final Surrealism Recreation Artwork

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Animation

First attempt :

For the animation, I animated the UFO, clouds, cows and the light rays to give a sense of realism. So everything feels realistic as each photo element has it's own motion.

Fig 2.0 Process GIF of cow animation (puppet tool)

 

Fig 2.1 Process GIF of cow animation (puppet tool)

Fig 2.2 Process GIF of light ray animation (scaling)

Fig 2.3 Process GIF of light ray (radial fast blur)

Fig 2.4 Process GIF of clouds (position)

Initial attempt of animation :

After looking at my animation, I realized that the background 2 UFO didn't completely flew out of the artwork. So I had to adjust on it. Besides that, the motion of the cow and light rays were not very obvious so I wanted to make some small adjustments to it.

Final animation of final surrealism recreation project :