Puzzle: Draft and Research

After some thought about my puzzle ideas I decided that I would go with my first design concept- the dragon relaxing with a cup of tea.

While I really liked some of the other concepts I felt that this was the best fit for the brief and also quite a fun idea.

I began to experiment with different background elements and, because I liked them so much, decided to incorporate my sheep into the background.

Figure 1: Puzzle Concept

I decided it was a good time to experiment with some very rough colour, and try to create a mood.  I experimented with quite bright colours as I felt these would best suit the mood of the scene.

Figure 2: Colour Concept 1

Before finalising my design and linework I began to do some research to further expand on the idea. I left this until after deciding on my initial concept as I didn't want my ideas to be too influenced during the early stages of development.

Illustrations with Tea Parties:

Figure 3: The Mad Hatters Tea Party. R, Matthews.  (n.d.). Retrieved from http://abstract.desktopnexus.com/wallpaper/255931/

Figure 4: Vintage Tea Party. K, Greenaway. n.d. Retrieved from http://olddesignshop.com/2013/10/vintage-tea-party-kate-greenaway-illustration/

Figure 5: Tea Party In Nature. Tjapa2007. (n.d.).  Retrieved from http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-image-tea-party-nature-fantasy-scene-computer-graphics-resting-place-image33381431

Cafes:

As reference I gathered some imagery of outdoor cafes.

Figure 6: Folsom Historic District. California Home Network. 2005. Retrieved from http://folsom.calhomenet.com/historical.htm

This image (figure 6) has made me decide that I definitely do want to go with red for the umbrellas - just as I originally blocked in.  I like the warmth the colour palette of this photo gives.  However I want the cafe to be in a more garden like setting, but one a bit more groomed then the image below (Figure 7).  Of these photo's I had to include Figure 9 for its beautiful fantastical look and lighting, despite that it doesn't really match the feel I am after. 

Figure 7: Amani's garden cafe.  2011. Retrieved from http://amaniyajuunews.wordpress.com/2011/08/11/celebrating-15-years-of-amani-ya-juu-outreach-programs/

Figure 8:  Italy Cafe.  (n.d.) Retrieved from http://shesamaineiac.com/tag/travel/

Figure 9: Naples Cafe in the Evening. T, Ratcliff. 2006. Retrieved from http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2006/11/23/naples-cafe-in-the-evening/