Edit: I decided to completely change my design after thinking about it for a while, so here’s my new design. The inspiration and style is still pretty much the same. I’m taking inspiration from Tomsky, creating a 2d piece out of multiple different layers, each representing a color or object. The backdrop will probably be transparent blue acrylic to give off an icy look (same color material, the difference will come from the stacking. It’s also mostly colored that way to create contrast in the design.) The penguins themselves will be hardwood, and will probably be either stained or painted to create the colors. For the actual penguins, they will be built with the black being the lowest layer, then the white, and then the orange/yellow.
Below this is information about my original design, which I decided to scrap.
For my preliminary design for the layers project I decided to make a wall mounted artwork with a mix of sci-fi and fantasy themes. I took inspiration primarily from Tomsky, particularly his method of building a 2 dimensional drawing and adding depth through its layers. I also plan to incorporate different colors of wood, either by using distinct colors of hardwood or by painting them in order to distinguish between colors and layers, much like Tomsky. I eventually plan to add much more geometric detail within the wings, similar to the piece I posted below by Shadow Fox.
A piece by Tomsky I found particularly inspiring.
The previously mentioned piece by Shadow Fox. I’d love to be able to incorporate something like the detailing on the wings into my own final design.
Hi Alex,
Do you have a specific color scheme in mind for your piece either with wood types or paint colors?
Hi! Do you have plans for how many layers you are doing and if the details are going to be their own layers or painting details?
I will have at least 4 layers, the 2 background layers in acrylic, the black layer, the white layer, and maybe, depending upon how I divide it up, the orange/yellow could be a fifth layer. In terms of color, I’ll use a transparent blue acrylic for the two background pieces, so the color difference will be a result of the overlap (the one in front will actually be darker). For the penguins I have yet to decide whether I want to do wood colors and make the black out of dark woods and the white and orange out of lighter wood, or to stay faithful to the design colors by painting/staining the wood.
Hi Alex, how thick do you plan on making each layer? how do you plan to represent both the shape and color of the penguins accurately?
Hi, I like the scene that this drawing depicts! I was wondering, what is your plan for the size of this piece?
Hi Alex! I’m curious, how do you plan to have your piece displayed?
I appreciate the subject you chose as well!
Hey Alex. What made you choose penguins as your subject? The blue acrylic for an ice look is a great idea!
I love those penguins, so cute! Have you thought about what size you will make the piece?
Each layer will be 1/8 inch thick. With a total of 4 layers, 2 for the acrylic and 2 for the penguins, the piece will be a total of 1/2 an inch thick. At present the dimensions of the piece will be approximately 11″ by 7″ and it will be displayed probably by hanging it on the wall. I chose emperor penguins as the subject for no particular reason other than that they are my favorite animals. I also recently went to the New England Aquarium and saw a bunch of African and Rockhopper penguins so they were at the forefront of my mind. I have concretely decided at this point that the white and orange layers will be at the same layer height and I plan to create the colors by either painting or staining it. I have yet to decide which.