Creating Your Own Protest Poster Inspired by Frank Brangwyn
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Creating Your Own Protest Poster Inspired by Frank Brangwyn Sir Frank Brangwyn • Born 12 May 1867 in Belgium. • Moved back to Britain aged seven. • Died 11 June 1956. • Amongst other things he was an avid printmaker. • Largely self taught without a formal artistic education. The zeppelin raids: The vow of vengeance. Frank Brangwyn, 1918. © David Brangwyn Sir Frank Brangwyn • Produced over 80 poster designs during the First World War. • He was not an official war artist. • His grim poster of a British soldier bayoneting an enemy soldier caused offence in both Britain and Germany. The Kaiser himself is said to have put a price on Brangwyn’s head after seeing the image. Put strength in the final blow. Frank Brangwyn, 1918. © The Estate of The Artist / Victoria and Albert Museum. Given by the Underground Electric Railways Co. of London Ltd. William Morris • Born in 1834 in Walthamstow. • A very famous artist and one of the founders of the English Arts and Crafts Movement. • In 1861 a Decorative Arts company called ‘William Morris & Co’ was set up to do carving, stained glass, metal-work, paper-hangings, fabrics, and carpets. Jane Morris in medieval costume. Drawing by William Morris, about 1861. © William Morris Gallery Brangwyn’s Link to William Morris • When Brangwyn was 15 years old (in 1882) he did an apprenticeship with William Morris. • Brangwyn spent his time enlarging designs and tracing drawings. • He ended his apprenticeship in 1884. African Marigold chintz design. William Morris, 1876 © William Morris Gallery Protest Art and Posters Protest art is a broad term that refers to creative works that concern or are produced by activists and social movements. Poster: A large, usually printed placard, bill, or announcement, often illustrated, that is posted to advertise or publicize something. 5 Basic Elements of a Great Poster 1. Subject 2. Text 3. Image/Imagery 4. Composition 5. Impact Peace. Frank Brangwyn, 1918. © David Brangwyn, William Morris Gallery 1: Brangwyn’s Subject • War posters: First World War. • Evocative – trying to get support for soldiers and victims of war. • The subject is chosen to get an immediate and emotional reaction from the viewer, such as a call to arms, national support, sympathy and pity. • To achieve this Brangwyn’s subjects often included children, violence or anger. 2: Use of Text • Simple. • To the point. • In capitals. • Easy to read. • The text is more than just words on a page: It is part of the composition – carefully placed and help convey the message. Belgian & Allies Aid League. Frank Brangwyn, 1915. © David Brangwyn, William Morris Gallery 3 and 4: Composition of images Single colour – keeping it simple Subjects evoke pity and admiration Horizon lines Composition well proportioned Focal Point: solidarity and resistance Belgian & Allies Aid League. Frank Brangwyn, 1915. © David Brangwyn, William Morris Gallery 4: Composition Shapes lead the eye around the page © David Brangwyn, William Morris Gallery 4: Composition Strong contrasts – chiaroscuro highlight key subjects © David Brangwyn, William Morris Gallery Formal Elements & Devices in Poster Design Centered Composition / golden section © David Brangwyn, William Morris Gallery Shape Negative space Formal Elements & Devices in Poster Design Silhouette Dynamic shape Figure / Ground Perspective / picture plane © The Estate of The Artist / Victoria and Albert Tonal shapes Composition Museum. Given by the Underground Electric Railways Co. of London Ltd. contrasts Looking at posters and sketching • Identify the 5 ‘Basic Elements’ • Create a thumbnail sketch of one of Brangwyn’s posters. • What is a thumbnail sketch? Sketches drawn by Sydney Carline, British artist and pilot during the First World War. Date unknown. © IWM (Art.IWM ART 4536) .