On a productive roll, more design work from today.....

Mr Peachum.

Mac's gang. Cunningly disguised women.

Inspiration for Dolly.

Jenny.

While drawing I have spent my entire day drinking earl grey and watching Harry Potter: Behind the Magic. It has been a good day!

The project I am working on at the moment is design for Opera, we have been able to choose between either 'The Beggar's Opera' or 'The Threepenny Opera.' Easily swayed by the fact that Threepenny's script refers to Victorian London I made my choice pretty quickly!

Early on in my research I came across a beautifully written, atmospheric description of the East End in Victorian London, written in 1881 by Richard Rowe, it describes the 'Gloomily picturesque panorama' where buildings are 'Veiled' in a 'Wilderness of mysterious murk.' This has inspired the aesthetic of my project and mad me focus on the idea of smog, shadow and deception. Here is how I have been getting on.....

Painting to music. That big black intruding mark? Macheath.

The orange is Mrs Peachum. Walking over everyone else. Domineering, noticeable, not one to cross.

Today I have been experimenting with silhouette for Filch and Mrs Peachum before drawing their designs.

Filch and a beggar.

Group of beggars.

Mrs Peachum's hands on hips.

Mrs Peachum. Comic proportions that are verging on unattractive.

Side profile?

Working from the 3D forms and shadows. The calico and cork are Filch!

Images from my Filch and Beggar moodboard all focusing on the idea of exaggerated and comic disguise.

Final Design.

Mrs Peachum moodboard. Gaudy,  tough and rough, stolen jewellery, OTT.

Final design in progress.

Only about another 10 or so to go!

This week was our Costume Show! I got to wear costume interpretation student Nicola Tate's brilliant Mrs Andrews dress and see my 'Trinculo' design brought to life on the catwalk. Enjoy.....

'Mr and Mrs Andrews' - Gainsborough.

I bow down to the interpretation students. Beautiful work.

Check the quiff! Might have itched Nick to death but like a pro he didn't let it show and am really happy with how it turned out!!

 Days like that make me realise how fun my degree is. How often do you get to dress up as an 18th Century lady and make a caricature of a Teddy Boy?

Leave you all with this rather fetching image. HA.