Final Hamlet Poster

Here's the final artwork that I used for San Jose Youth Shakespeare's production of Hamlet. The play is halfway through it's run, and it's excellent. See it if you are in the area!

If you are with a non-profit Shakespeare company, and would like to use this image for your poster, please do. Just let me know, and I will send you a high res image.

#29 - Hamlet Poster - In Which the Fountain Splits

Today was a long day in the studio. A bit grueling, but very successful. I did my first real split fountain, and I think it came out really well. Always trying to learn new things. The first step in the process was sort of ridiculous: I spent nearly two hours just mixing ink to get the right color. The rest of the process went like this:
Get the inks and brayers all raring to go...

Ink up the title...

Ink up the middle...

Ink up the gradation at the bottom...

Ink up the gradation at the top...

Press that sucker... Lather, rinse and repeat 28 times.

#29 - Welcome to Linochadia

I got the big OK from the director, and off we go! This should be a pretty straightforward piece. The only thing that will require a little futzing around will be the split fountain background.

Here's the first block, waiting in anticipation of the gouge:

And here it is, all done, waiting in anticipation of the ink:

I've made buckets of linochad already, and my studio is Linochadia. Ah, the feel of strips of lino stuck to the bottom of one's feet! Track it 'round, I say! Track it everywhere! Track it to the outskirts of our fair home!

#29 - Hamlet, Hamlet, Hamlet

I've sketched, cut, pasted, Sharpied, White-Outed, photocopied and stared at this poster. I've been working on it pretty much every day since my last post, but I haven't been happy with anything I've made until now. It has been a difficult process, especially the not liking it part. I think I've finally achieved a visual harmony, with all of the elements marrying well. I'm beginning to love it, and am looking forward to doing a final sketch.

So, here's the latest.

#29 - Hamlet

I've been sketching out ideas for the poster for San Jose Youth Shakespeare's upcoming production of Hamlet. After trying a few different ideas, I think it's starting to gel into something good. Here's the latest:

Seems like a skull is a must do for a Hamlet poster, so this one is reflected in a mirror. Pretty spooky.
I like my sketch, but how to manage the layers and planning? I needed to try it out. I used little blocks and chose parts of the image to work on. I only spent a day on this, and carved at high speed just to get an idea of colors and layers. I still need to put another color on: gray to go over the skull in the mirror, and maybe to add some highlights to the plant life. The test print really gave me some good ideas of things to try, but it also showed me the pitfalls. I do see that a piece like this has to be planned out, every inch of it. Here's my sample print:

Print #13 - Hamlet, In the Bag

Happy with this. Happy, happy.

Print #13 - Making Progress on Hamlet

I redrew my Hamlet sketch, and I am pleased with the result. I think it needs a few tweaks, but otherwise it's far more deliberate and intentional than the first sketch, and I'm ready to call it done.

Now, to color. I have to think about that. I had not envisioned color when I saw it in my mind at first, but I'm willing to consider it. The look is rather Gothic, and I think color will soften that aesthetic, and bring more life into the image. I can also use color to emphasize the focal point of the face and skull. So, I will spend some time sketching with color, and will post what I come up with. I need to get rolling because I only have until the 28th!

Print #13 - Sketching for Hamlet

Well, this is a very stereotypical image, don't you think? And so unapologetically Art Nouveau. Ahem. Just starting with what I like and know. I want to redraw this a few more times in order to really develop the design. I need to experiment with the look of it to achieve a decisive result. I just wanted to post this to show that I am working!