RESEARCH
In my research, I watched Wuthering heights (1939) and looked at fashion aspects to make sure I accurately execute my final pieces. I looked at some articles that break down the book and films which made it easier for me to understand the whole aspect of Wuthering heights. I looked at landscapes, watched videos to grasp the detailed surroundings.
IDEAS
Whilst watching the film I drew some mock ups to try understand the book/film characters more and to ensure I have a foundation to start on without making characters up. This helped me in the long run as it helped me establish my chapter heading, the clothing and the overall aesthetic.
DEVELOPMENT
My development stage was a roller coaster as I thought I was getting somewhere with my ideas yet I was so wrong. In the long run I changed my finals which completely contrast to my thumbnails and development but without this stage I would never get the final I have now.
FINALS
These are my final designs for my book “Wuthering Heights”. I have changed my ideas whilst developing my thumbnails and in the development stage as I had a better idea to put Catherine and Heathcliff in Edgars Linton’s mansion ‘Thruschcross Grange’ to suggest how their love always brings them together even though they can’t be with each other. I also wanted to symbolise Catherines death more as she dies in her room in Edgars mansion. I wanted to catch Catherines and Heathcliff’s last moment together to repress their passionate desire and love for each other.
I first started with watercolour and fountain pen to illustrate them in her room. I wanted to capture both of them in each others hands to again show their deep desire. However this painting did not satisfy me as I knew a lot was missing from it due to not making enough thumbnails for my last idea. Yet, I tried again, in colouring pencils from Derwent and fine liner to see if I can capture a similar picture using a different media. I was actually quite happy with how it turned out and I did change quite a lot from my first ‘final’ one.I added a bookshelf as I thought it fitted better instead of the fireplace and the painting above as bookshelves were largely popular within the 1800s especially within the upperclass- I wanted to indicate Edgars wealth and what Catherine dreamt of which was wealth. I adjusted the window in my second final as whilst watching Wuthering Heights (1939) I was really attracted to Catherines death scene when Heathcliff picked Catherine up, both looking through the window onto Withering Heights. I really wanted to draw a window with a view to indicate my inspiration from the film. I also positioned Both Catherine and Heathcliff so that they could be both looking at each other but also turn their heads towards the window- I also wanted to draw Catherines dress from the side. The only thing that I could’ve improved on is my perspective as the bottom of my drawing looks a little wonky.
For my book cover I really wanted to draw Edgars mansion how I imagined it on a really gloomy day (Catherines death). I really wanted to implement Catherines death through both of my drawings as in my opinion it had a huge impact on Heathcliff and Edgar. I also used colouring pencils and fine liner for this one as I wanted both my book cover and my illustration to have the same media used which made it look better. I used procreate for my chapter heading as I wanted to try something new and I really liked the result. I used a HB pencil brush to create the rough effect to make it look more realistic as if it was drawn in pencil.
For my book bind I used water colour and a fountain pen as I did really want to use water colour in one of my illustrations so I decided book bind would be the better option. I was inspired by the colours from Wuthering Heights (2026) in Catherines bedroom walls in Edgars mansion which were originally a light pinkish colour motivated by Catherines skin. I thought this was a weird but creative touch to her bedroom and decided to use this to my advantage. I made the colour a lot darker however as I wanted to give it a more reddish tone symbolising Catherines and Heathcliff’s Love for each other. Additionally, I also added some roses on the top and bottom of the book bind to again suggest the deep passion and desire both character have for each other. Lastly, I added the gold/yellow to make the book bind seem a little more premium.
