Book Binding & Embossing...

Yesterday I picked up my printing from F.E.Burman and took it straight to Wyvern Bindery in London, They had my chosen leather material read, they explained to me how I was to get the embossing logo over to them by email and how it was to be set out.

Last night I had my logo sent over to the binders - I had to invert the colour so that the logo writing was black rather than the black background, As whichever part of the logo is blacked out will become Gold embossed, Once they received it they then resized the logo for me to suit the book size.

Logo Inverted

My Logo

Embossing Plate

Creating the BOOK...

PAPER MERCHANT...
Testing paper samples, comparing the different textures and density.

When choosing the paper for my book I wanted a 'rough' effect, and a translucent mist for the quote pages. I decided the book would look more professional and luxurious with thick paper at 300gs on a 'Purest White' tone to really show up all the different colour ranges throughout the book.

BOOK PRINTERS...
I have taken my chosen paper and my PDF file of my Indesign book document to F.E.Burman - One of London's leading printer companies.

Due to the translucent paper I had bought for the quote pages, I had to recreate my book document with white back pages (so you can see the image underneath) before they could print, F.E.Burman were very helpful and went through the process with me, The Book will be ready in 2 days!!

On the hunt for the perfect Clasps...

The book Aesthetic holds an ancient mythical presence, therefore I aim to decorate the book cover in an interesting accent to complete the quirky design.

Antique Book Clasps

CLASP INSPIRATION...


I have searched through many clasps 
all with their own unique detail...

When researching into buying      

trimmings to decorate any  I have to 

take into consideration the book size, structure and running theme, including colour the colour and design style...

I decided that I needed a clasp that could be attached to a strap across the book...

THE CLASP...

Turn-Lock Clasps Antique Brass Finish by Leather Art Workshop
www.leatherartworkshop.com

Final Images Chosen - Post Production In Process

Now that all 42 of the final images have been chosen, and the photographer has airbrushed every one of them, I have taken it upon myself to be in charge of the editing including the image lighting and retouching. In order to give the images that extra darkness that I desire. In order to do this I have used post production to adjust the contrast, saturation and highlighting.

Postproduction has really helped to highlight any important details of my makeup design that I want the viewer to focus on, it has also contributed to the atmosphere, creating a 'darkness' to the range of colourful concepts.

Here are a couple of the final edited images...

Gluttony - By Poppy Van Praagh www.PVP-visages.com

Sloth - By Poppy Van Praagh www.PVP-visages.com

Pride - By Poppy Van Praagh www.PVP-visages.com

Wrath - By Poppy Van Praagh www.PVP-visages.com

Greed - By Poppy Van Praagh www.PVP-visages.com

Lust - By Poppy Van Praagh www.PVP-visages.com

Envy - By Poppy Van Praagh www.PVP-visages.com

The Final Images...

Over the shooting period and the last week just gone, I have been choosing the final images to be edited for the majority of my sins, although I am still waiting on two more, Lust and Pride.


When deciding on the final images, I have come to realise that in order to create a project with so many separate shoots involved, they must hold specific elements; such as lighting continuity, variation through angles and poses, and most importantly it must hold a similar atmospheric feel to each individual photo shoot in order to create a series of imagery from the same folktale.


With my book layout I will need 6 Images of each character this will include the main full length image, a close up head shot, 3 variation of angles and the back of the book Collage. Within these chosen pictures, It is imperative that they show the Greek name scarification, clear detail of the makeup design, handmade headpieces and handmade costumes. The images must also hold perfection through their stance and emotion.

Lights... Camera... Action...

Over the past two weeks I have been shooting my final images for the project '7 Deadly Sins', I created a two week time frame and booked the models in within these dates, which gave plenty of room for adjustments.

During this time I experienced the fast paced industry with both its highs and lows, including model cancellations, studio double bookings and broken props on arrival.


I learnt to take on difficult issues and overcome the situation by keeping onto of the project work load with organisation skills as well as communication and time management skills. It is important to deal with any complications as and when it happens, yet keeping in mind this kind of problems could occur on any occasion, therefore having an alternate option available is a definite requirement from the start when setting up project.


I corrected these issues by organising new models, luckily for the same  day shoots, re-booked one of the models on a day the studio was free still within the time scheduled period and managed to repair the props that arrived faulty.


Unfortunately more technical issues occurred from the start, when setting up the studio props, the continuity of the images were almost impossible to keep accurate. This was due to the lighting and prop movement that was indisputable due to studio client bookings. The photographer and I came to an agreement, that the images would look more interesting and expressive for each character to have their own personalised setting, which meant the movement of props and lighting would no longer cause a problem.


The POSE...


Putting aside the obstacle of complications, the final shoots went well, the choreography of the 'doll like' expression and stance created an unsettling and obscure affect. When explaining the movements I wished to recreate, I took along with me pre printed 'Doll-like' images.

The reason why all the models have similar 'doll-like' attitudes is due to all their sins being connected through common traits. They are all self-indulgent and self-obsessed which is also the reason for posing them as dolls, with empty expressions they are only interested in their own emotions and fixations.

Lighting Change...

The lighting and prop change for each sin allowed an advanced creativity to run through each shoot with movement now able to become more free flowing and experimental.

Originally I wanted to incorporate flame lighting into the photo shoots... but unfortunately this could not work. Luckily we started shooting the sin Wrath, who's colour palette of reds complimented the fire light glow, when looking over the images during the shooting process we realised if used with any of the other models we would have compromised the colour palettes needed to create each character. For this reason we kept the flame lights out of the rest of the shoots.

The original set up for the 'Greek Feast'

GREED... gadgets and gizmos

After researching 3D Nail Art inspirations, I practised making my own nail designs for the sin 'Greed'.

I wanted to create an edgy and eye catching statement. With this in mind I used nail extensions, black and metallic beads, metal effect chain, metal wire shapes and using super glue adhesive.

3D Nail Art 

To compliment the dark jewels of Greed i have experimented with diamonte covered ears using black and silver gems. Inspired by the images below.

Diamond Ear Cuff

NAILS NAILS NAILS....

                   

3D Nail Art - Made from rhinestones and pendants

3D Nails 

I have been inspired by 3D nails so much that at the last minute have decided to create my own for the 7 Deadly Sins shoot.

Below you can see the inspirational pictures of nail art that I aspire to live up to...These nails will compliment Greed perfectly, it will show attention to her 'Greedy hands'.

   

      3D Nail Art - Made from wire gauze

           

3D Nail Art - Made from pearls and diamonds

 

            3D Nail Art - Black crushed crystals

3D Nail Art with materials and beads

     

                      

                              

                          3D Nail Art - Made from Beads 

Costume modification....

Costume making for Envy

I have taken on an assistant to help me with the work load, Jodie Day a student in her first year also studying in the degree course that I am currently in my last year of, Jodie has listened to my requirements and assisted me on the whole, 


she has also taken on the role of fellow dress maker in which she has worked well and used her initiative to create and modify the costumes to the briefs description.

The skirt has been splashed with dripping black paint

Jodie and I gathered together all the trimmings and costumes and collaborated together to enhance the look of the garments.


We gave each outfit an 'edgy' appearance taking into consideration current and past fashion trends.

INSPIRATIONS...

Last week to finalise the project photo shoots...

And the props have been ordered for hire...


Th revised studio set has been hired by www.themesinc.co.uk see below for prop hire images

2 x Greek Pillar Prop Hire

2 x Flame Light Prop Hire

Greek Urn Prop Hire

These props will  be accompanied by other decorations such as drapes, Ivy, a table decorated with a Gold cracked bowl with infamous Greek fruits such as black and red grapes, Pomegranates and figs. The set will be decorated in  rocks and stones, and a refurbished antique chair.

TWO week until the final shooting...

A Trip to London...


Trimmings and treasures unfold in the city of London, at New trimmings LTD I purchased fashion trimmings to accompany my fashion Togas. Pricey but intricate... the bits and bobs you can pick up from the many fashion accessory outlooks in London are intriguing and certainly mind blowing, the variety is far to wide spread for just a one day visit, but a lot of places like this are shut on a saturday!


Finally after trekking around London I reach the final shop and collected detailed accents to compliment my designs. Heres a sneak peak...

Fashion Trimmings from New Trimming LTD

After searching for costume accessories I looked around London for book binding and printing companies, Im looking for something a little different from the standard hardback and glossy pages.


I found a lovely old fashion book binding shop in London luckily they were just closing as I got there, so they let me in anyway!


Iv decided to go for a roughed up green leather material to bind my books with, with this I have decided to accompany the binding I have decided to add on a couple of extra additional decorations, such as straps and unique buckles or clasps!


Here are some of the sample snippets of the materials I chose from, Final choice top right (Green/Brown Leather).

Book Binding Sample Materials

SCARIFICATION....

From the testing I realised the scarification needed to be larger, consisting of a greater depth and perfection focusing on consistency of the letter size of each model depending on the length of each word.

PAINTED HANDS....

Today I was looking for inspiring ideas for my project, I wanted to add something a bit different to the mix, something textured, quirky and edgy. I found some images of the kind of thing I would like to recreate within my photo shoots... Painted hands, with textured material like MUD mask for Sloth to match his neck, or dripping black paint for Envy to match her makeup design.

Powder painted hands

Hands pressed in black paint

Hands decorated with MUD Mask

Project Revised...

After feedback and looking over the testing images I have decided the background set should follow along the Greek mythology route... with this in mind I have been sourcing set and prop hire companies and found some beautiful pieces like greek pillars, fire stands, chaise lounges, drapes and more...


Here are a few images of the props I am considering:-

Gold Chaise Lounge Prop Hire

Flame Effect Pedestal Prop Hire

        

       Greek Pillar Prop Hire

Greek Grape and bowl table display props

Heres a couple of links that i found some of these props on:-

http://www.moreproduction.co.uk

http://www.themetraders.com/props/props.php?lang=uk&keyword=greek

http://www.eventprophire.com/themes/classical

http://www.themesinc.co.uk/searchresults.php?code=160&Submit=Search