Online Greenlight Review

Anita Gill 3/10/2011 Anatomy

The animal that I have been spliced with is a Bald Eagle. I began by researching images relating to the animal. I created this influence map using a number of different types of images:

(Figure 1: Influence map 1)

I was particularly drawn to the movement in image 1 and the theatrical feel in 2 and 7. Images 3, 5, and 6 are examples of bird/human hybrids in mythology which I will be using in my written assignment. I thought it would be best to start drawing what I know and then work on from there. I started my hand, feet and face/head studies, some of which can be seen below.

(Figure 2: Hand studies)

(Figure 3: Feet studies)

In terms of the eagle, I then started drawing the anatomy, as well as also drawing the human skeletal structure:

(Figure 4: Eagle skeleton)

(Figure 5: Human skeleton)

Having heard that silhouettes are a good way to start a project, I thought this would be the best way to start creating the hybrid creature. Below shows the silhouettes and initial sketches I have drawn so far:

(Figure 6: Silhouettes)

(Figure 7: Further sketches)

(Figure 8: Eagle sketch)

The first drawing (top left on figure 6) is a basic silhouette of a human skeleton. I thought I could begin to add wings and other eagle-like features therefore, I also drew an Eagle silhouette below the skeleton to work from. I then tried to combine them. Some are full figures, others just wing ideas etc. I like the head sketches in figure 7, which are all slightly different from one another however, the full body images look too angelic therefore, I needed to rethink the direction I was working in. I looked back at my blog, in particular the first influence map. I realised that it was the movement and theatrics that I was drawn to. I then created another influence map researching this aspect:

(Figure 9: Influence map 2)

The images involve more movement. Even the ones in which the Eagle is still, there is a sense of movement, wings spread and in some cases, ready to swoop. I have now gone back to the basics and started creating sketches from purely the skeletons as can be seen below. I will then move to experimenting with the body however still purely with the skeletons. This will allow me to really find a pose which works. I can then begin to flesh out sketches and silhouettes on Adobe Photoshop. I feel that these images are more successful than the previous silhouettes. They really allow me to play around with the underlying shape of both humans and Eagles to create an interesting hybrid.

(Figure 10: Skeletal experimentation)

Written Assignment During a presentation, I was shown a number of different images regarding this project. Two images that inspired me were of the Sirens and the Harpies. I then decided that an idea which would fit in well the project would be researching birds in ancient mythology and the reasons behind the combination of women and birds. My essay introduction: This essay will focus on hybrid creatures, especially bird/human combinations in a number of ancient mythological texts. Sirens and Harpies, half woman, half bird, are two prime examples of hybrids found in The Aenied, The Odyssey and Metamorphoses. Another creature which is found within Oedipus the King and Ovid's Metamorphoses is the Sphinx made of up of a variety of animals including an Eagle. These books will be used to back up points in my essay in addition to using God, Goddesses and Mythology, Encyclopedia of Greek and Roman Mythology and Myths: Tales of the Greek and Roman Gods. Bibliography Homer. (1946). The Odyssey. Revised Edition 2003. Translation by Rieu, E. London: Penguin Group Impelluso, Lucia. (2008). Myths: Tales of the Greek and Roman Gods. U.S.A: Abrams Littleton, C. (2005). God, Goddesses and Mythology. U.S.A: Marshall Cavendish Ovid. (2002). Metamorphoses. Translation by Golding, Arthur. London: Penguin Group Roman, Luke & Roman, Monica. (2010). Encyclopedia of Greek and Roman Mythology. Sophocles. (1942). Oedipus the King. 2010 edition. Translated by Grene, David. U.S.A: University of Chicago Press Virgil. (1990). The Aeneid. Revised Edition 2003. Translation by West, David. London: Penguin Group