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

Shapes lead the eye around the page

Strong contrasts – chiaroscuro highlight key subjects

Centered Composition / golden section

Silhouette Dynamic shape Figure / Ground Perspective / picture plane

• 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)