Alphabet.

[joglynne]

OK here goes.

I mentioned some days ago that I have been commissioned to produce an Alphabet series of canvases. As I have been asked by some forum members to give an idea of how I work I have photographed my initial sketches.

I start working on A3 paper as it gives me plenty of room to doodle so please forgive the quality of the photographs.

The series is to be light hearted and will be seen by both children and adults. I have had problems with V X Y and Z so any bright ideas that anyone can come up with will be gleefully accepted.

I am still waiting to hear what size canvases are wanted so I can't move on to my final designs until I know how much detail I can include.

[joglynne]

....and the rest of the alphabet sketches are here, if you're not totally bored with seeing my thought processes by now.

[TheDaddy]

You could do Z in black and white stripes
X in a sort of electric blue and balck for x rays
V could be in the shape of a 2 fingered Churchill salute or the other way round depending on how chavy your audience
Y could be done in yellow

Probably no use to you what so ever but I am on the last day of my hols and a bit bored now

[joglynne]

Thanks for the input Daddy.

Z... I have kind of settled on zebra fabric with a zip but I'm not enthusiastic about the design so far. (It's bottom right on the last thumbnail)

The X-ray idea is difficult. Each letter's design will include gold leaf and primary colours so my designs all have to take that into account. I had thought of an electrocuted cat thingy, a bit on the lines of a cartoon where you see the animals skeleton, but I am also constrained by the amount of detail I can include in a small design. Any more ideas?

I had thought of the Churchill salute for V but children would, with their usual 'bum' humour, misinterpret it and I have no wish to cause offense however unintended.

Y for yellow is soooo tempting but with using gold leaf the use of the colour yellow doesn't really work to well.

I have one option that I can use for any letter, and that's semaphore, but it feels like a cop out to use it for anything other than the letter S.

[Maggy J]

xylophone?

Xerox a duplicate copy of an X?

Xanadu?

X marks the spot?I think that's the best one only on a treasure map.

X chromosome? Then you can do the Y chromosome...

Yacht?

Yahoo?

Yak?
Yankee?Stars and stripes?

Yarn?
Yarrow..a very pretty herb.

Yawn?
Yew tree? Yoyo?Yucca?

Zodiac(not the car)

Zulu?A Zulu shield?

v for Vine its the only one my dear...

Or Violet,Violin,Viper,Volcano.

Sorry not much help..

[SnoopZ]

Y = Yellow submarine

[joglynne]

@ Maggy. I had noted down X marks the spot but must have been having a thick moment because I was thinking about Spot the Ball type Xs and dismissed the idea. I do like the treasure map. Will have a play with that one. Cheers.

The other one that appeals is Zodiac. I will have to wait and see whether I have enough room to do that one. I fancy doing a full zodiac for myself !!!

@ SnoopZ. A fun idea but the use of that much yellow wouldn't work unfortunately.

[Scrubbs]

What about a "furry" "F"? and a "P" shaped pillow "S" shaped sock? and a "golf" tee

a Q of little people all in a Queue?

[joglynne]

Originally Posted by Scrubbs

What about a "furry" "F"? and a "P" shaped pillow "S" shaped sock? and a "golf" tee

a Q of little people all in a Queue?

Thanks Scrubbs. Bit difficult to make gold leaf look furry and I am fairly happy with my flower design, the pillow would be difficult to convey given the small size I will be working with.

I like the socks idea though, I will have a play with that one and see where it leads me.

T...Golf Tee...I hadn't thought of that one. I've never played golf so will go and do a google. Maybe a flag sticking out of a hole...........my gold fish with a golf club would work for G?

My head is starting to hurt

[Xaccers]

Don't forget, there's only 25 letters at christmas!





(noel)

[joglynne]

Originally Posted by Xaccers

Don't forget, there's only 25 letters at christmas!





(noel)

[lauzjp]

great stuff Jo, I can't draw to save my life!

[joglynne]

Just an update.

My clients approved my sketches last week and I left them trying to decide how they wanted me to proceed. As much as I fancied doing 26 individual canvases they would have been a nightmare to hang and I advised them to very sure before they choose this option. I suggested that they consider using multiple letters on less canvases or even going the canvas paper route and splitting the work into two or three letter sections and using large off the shelf frames...which would be their cheapest option.

This morning I have received their written agreement and have been asked to produce seven 20 X 26cm (8 X 10") canvases and the clients wish to be responsible for the final framing and hanging.

So I am pleased as I get to do the bits I like without the hassle of dealing with my picture framers and hanging my work. Just have to wait now whilst I get their written agreement on my revised fees but as I know this is just a formality I can get on with producing the final scale designs and, with any luck, start work on the canvases by the end of the week.

As I enjoyed getting peoples input on the letters I was having problems with maybe some one would like to come up with some ideas for the addition 2 spaces I will have to fill. (7 frames X 4 designs). I thought I might use an ampersand for one space but am open for suggestions.

Oh and forget any suggestions such as W.C. John has already been hit over the head with a wet kipper for that one.

do you get a deposit ?

[altis]

Stirring soup with a spoon in an 'S' shape