Experimental Project

When the experimental project first began I had a tough time coming up with ideas that used different types of animation. My first idea was to do stop motion animation, however, I was unable to settle on an idea that I was happy to experiment with. I decided to compose a first person perspective view of my interests in life such as volleyball, hiking, paddle boarding, ocean swimming etc using a GoPro. After this, I would then add 2d animation into parts of it, such as fish swimming alongside me. However, after reviewing the footage I captured, I was finding it very difficult to get this to work. Therefore, I had to revise my plan. This is when I came across the following video whilst doing research for paint animation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dKy7HNU4vk&t=65s 

         Although the video wasn’t animated, I felt like attempting something similar using Stop Motion animation. I ran a few tests prior to my final film that were not recorded. As I was unable to get my hands on marbling ink, I read up on some alternative techniques online and decided to test out acrylic paint as a replacement. During the first few tests, I found that I used too much paint which proved to sink to the bottom of the water. To rectify this, I mixed more water with the paint so it was similar to the consistency of milk. This helped the paint from sinking, but the combination didn't blend together as well as I had hoped. 

      After some more research online, I discovered that using liquid corn flour instead of water would sort out the awkward blend, and would also created the effect I was after. This combination of corn flour and acrylic would be the closest I'd get to achieving the marbling effect. I completed some extra tests before I felt ready to start the stop motion animation.  

       The stop motion film was carried out in my flat using continuous lighting provided to me by a friend, and my own camera. I set two lights on either side of the work space I had prepared, including a tray (as my canvas) and various blends of paint.  

     Personally, I feel like the whole experimental side of the project went really well. I was happy with the final outcome. I am particularly pleased with the abstract self portrait at the end of the animation because I like the way the paint bled over the surface giving an interesting effect. Despite my positive review, looking back at the project now, I wish I had illustrated the things I am interested in as well as a portrait of myself to finish. By this, I mean I would have marbled the elements I stated previously, such as volleyball references; like painting the ball being served over the net. It would have been nice to see more parts of myself throughout the entire stop motion and think this would have been possible if my original ideas weren't hindered.