The student completed an evaluation of a project to design a steampunk character. Their process involved researching the steampunk genre, creating sketches of a character, scanning and editing the sketches in Photoshop, tracing a vector outline in Illustrator, using tools in Illustrator and Photoshop to color and add details to the character, improving their technique, and reflecting on what they learned. Overall, the student found the project educational and enjoyed gaining new skills in creative software.

1. Evaluation
My first task was to research several aspects on the Steam punk genre and its
influences (concepts, clothing, artifacts etc.) most of this was achieved using the
Internet and supporting notes have been taken. After doing this I created a word
document, which viewed my working plan, a list of things I have to work
through.
My next task was to produce sketches and ides of what the character I had
chosen would look like. After doing so I then scanned the picture on to the
computer and built on it (labels etc.)
After doing this I took a picture that then was uploaded on to
the computer/mac. This was to give my character a basic shape
or outline (Human body shape). From here I began to search for
pictures relating to steam punks so for example the arm or leg of
a steampunk. I didn’t need to find a hat however this was
because when I took my picture there was already a shaped hat
for me to be worn. I used the magnetic polygon lasso tool to
crop out the body part and then copy and paste on to my
character.

2. After being satisfied with which parts would go where on the characters body I
then saved as a jpeg and put the picture on to Adobe Illustrator. Here I created a
vector drawing lining out the shape of my character and where the parts would
go. Producing a vector drawing gave a more realistic look towards the character.
This was achieved by using the pen tool in illustrator. The pen tool allows use to
create vector drawings.
After tracing vectors through illustrator I progressed and put the outlined
vectored image onto Photoshop. This was to color in the character using the
paint bucket tool. This was a lot quicker and easier as the paint bucket tool
allows you to color in the certain area you click on however that area has to have
a closed path otherwise the color will spread across open areas.
Note: filling an area with the paint bucket tool may cause areas around the fill to
be pixelated. To fix this either uses the slice tool in Illustrator to fill in areas of
which you wish to color in.

3. After reviewing and looking back at my work I realized my work may have not
been at its best effort therefore I recreated my project however in a more
detailed way.
I took more care with my work by layering each part of the body and naming
them this was to keep the work professional and not have any errors between
joints etc.
Instead of filling each part with a color I decided to use the eye drop color tool in
illustrator this gave me great quality in my work and every pixel was coloured
allowing the work to look professional
Note – CMYK Cyan Magenta Yellow & Black
The color pallet allows you to edit colors so simply
grey is in between Black and white.

4. Another useful technique I discovered was curling using the pen tool. By holding
down and dragging out in the area you want the pen tool allows you to create a
creative curl resulting in more realistic looking drawings.
Some times after curling you may want to curl in the
opposite direction and the pen tool may nnot allow you to
do in the way you want -
The way to fix
this is by holding Alt and dragging the extra line which is created after curling
with the pen tool for example –
This is the same curl as the picture above right, however after
holding Alt and dragging in the extra line I have been able to
reset the shape of the line allowing me to curl in the opposite
direction.
Overall I found this project easy as not many of the tasks were challenging.
At first the project seemed difficult as I had no creative ideas or an open
imagination on what a steampunk is or looks like. The research gave me an
informative insight on the genre artwork even culture of a steampunk. After
doing so mind maps and mood boards allowed me to get my ideas down.
Sketches I scanned into the computer etc…
During my time in illustrator, I came across many problems however overcame
then and also developed new skills like using the pen tool or even just coloring in
using illustrator. The result of my work is something I would have never been
able to accomplish weeks ago as no knowledge was acquired. I didn’t rely on the
teacher too often and some of my colleagues were helpful in developing my new
illustrator tool skills, in return I was able to help them.
This project has been a creative and enjoyable also educative in terms of learning
how to use software such as Photoshop and Illustrator.