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Project 5 Final: Gemini Virus Novel Illustrations

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I have illustrated several aspects from Wil Mara's novel, The Gemini Virus  (2012), a very graphic and detailed novel about a deadly virus that started in a small American Town, then quickly spread throughout the surrounding cities and states. Because of the amount of disgusting detail in the novel and with the very real Coronavirus pandiemic I thought I'd spare my classmates that amount of gore.  I chose images that stuck with me as I read that I think would give the viewer enough information to interest them in possibly reading The Gemini Virus , themselves. So, I guess it's kind of a promo image. I wanted to show part of my process by showing the copyright/royalty-free images I used from Pixabay.com (left side) and the end results of my Photoshop Illustrations (right side).

Project 5: In-Progress with Layout

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I still haven't fully decided what the other two images will be, but that's what I'm working on today and the rest of the week. When I signed-up for this digital imaging class I had a goal of learning new techniques to become a better illustrator. I've had a lot of fun with this idea and I'm excited to continue this illustration page. I hope to post again soon!

Project 5 In-Progress: New Ideas!

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Hey Guys and Gals! After Ed's comment and a conversation we had I think I'm going to work on a few images and lay them out into either a graphic novel panel/page or a promo poster for the novel which would express a few scenes from the story instead of one scene. Updated Image: First of all, I added the patient on the hospital bed and have included some reflective light from the monitors. I have also desaturated the red linen cart and blue oxygen tank that are close to the observation window, as those colors were drawing attention away from the patient and the observers at the window. One thing to note in this scene is that in the book the patient is covered in full-body puss-filled vesicles and blisters. She is described to be covered up to her neck in the hospital blanket, which has wet yellow spots all over from the bursting blisters (I warned ya'll it was graphic). Before going out of her mind the 7-months-pregnant woman tried to cut her baby out in order to sav

Project 5 (Final Project): Progress

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I decided to work on the illustration for The Gemini Virus, as I didn't get any feedback since my last post and I felt strongly about this story. I looked up hospital rooms on this royalty free image site, Pixabay.com, to set a base for my illustration. Here's the original image: Here's my progress on adjusting the image and creating an illustration:

Project 5: Illustration Idea In-Progress

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Please see my previous post introducing my idea on book illustration before continuing to this post. I did a little sketch on the quote I was thinking about using to form an illustration idea. I don't know if I'll actually use text in the illustration, at all, but I just wanted you guys to know what's supposed to be going on. I kind of want to leave a little imagination to the viewer -- but maybe I shouldn't? And I don't think I'll go full-on cartoon-y, either. This is just a quick digital sketch. I might also make the POV from the doctors behind the glass so we can see the woman better. I'm not sure yet. Ideas are welcome. ... I can also do a children's book illustration that is more heart-warming and gentle. I've worked on this little guy/gal (sex unknown and supposed to be ambiguous) for one of my clients in a freelance gig I have for a children's book series. What would you guys rather see me focus on for this last project? Wa

Project 5: Open Project Ideas

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Hey gang. My idea is to make a book cover or book spread illustration, perhaps for a children's book, or a more mature genre. I've been reading a story about a viral outbreak called The Gemini Virus by Wil Mara. Though it's a very graphic novel with quite disgusting imagery described I've been very intrigued in thinking about what an illustration would look like, and thought it might be interesting to make one of my own. I have made little quote images for The Gemini Virus, as well as an image I Photoshoped of myself  having the early stages of the virus for Instagram. See below.

Project 4: Progress Update v4.3

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Here's my update! I took away the masks and triptych framing, allowing the background colors to blend together giving a softer transition both literally and metaphorically -- as babies transition through development very quickly and seamlessly. I also used one version of my hand-written haiku repeated in the background to make a (hopefully subtle) texture, and to emphasize the message. I feel that the message is important for viewers to consider. I understand some messages work better without "instructions" or precise direction and emphasis, though I thought it would be another design element that would nicely add-to the composition. I also added more to the blue and yellow backgrounds and added a new foot on the middle baby image with my Wacom tablet. For my next set of critique comments I'd like to know do you feel the texture pattern of the haiku works as-is, should I modify it, or should I get rid of it? Also, do you feel this composition works well without