ABOUT THE PROJECT
Dublin Canvas is an idea, a community art project intended to bring flashes of color and creativity to everyday objects in the greater County Dublin area. Less grey, more play.
The project takes previously unused public space and transforms it into canvases to help brighten up each area, making Dublin a more beautiful place to live, work and visit.
The project takes previously unused public space and transforms it into canvases to help brighten up each area, making Dublin a more beautiful place to live, work and visit.
I painted this traffic light electricity box in July 2021.
Initially, the drawing is developed following a template and I have created it by thinking of
what could best suit the location chosen, so that it would fit within the context.
Initially, the drawing is developed following a template and I have created it by thinking of
what could best suit the location chosen, so that it would fit within the context.
THE ARTWORK
I am really passionate about character design and the way each one created
can fit a place and tell a story, so I wanted this to be part of the illustration.
can fit a place and tell a story, so I wanted this to be part of the illustration.
The image is about this elf-looking girl exploring something
hidden by the leaves of a tree, using a candle lantern.
I aimed to add a little bit of "fairytale" look to that spot by the tree and the canal.
The color palette is inspired by the colors present in the area
such as green and orange from the trees and the Victorian/Georgian buildings in Dublin.
I like the idea of people walking by and hopefully feeling like
that corner has something magic to hide.
As the light changes during the day and filters through the tree leaves,
it creates different shadows and highlights on the image,
which adds a little extra enchanted feel to it.
hidden by the leaves of a tree, using a candle lantern.
I aimed to add a little bit of "fairytale" look to that spot by the tree and the canal.
The color palette is inspired by the colors present in the area
such as green and orange from the trees and the Victorian/Georgian buildings in Dublin.
I like the idea of people walking by and hopefully feeling like
that corner has something magic to hide.
As the light changes during the day and filters through the tree leaves,
it creates different shadows and highlights on the image,
which adds a little extra enchanted feel to it.
DEVELOPMENT:
The image has initially been drawn based on the box template provided by Dublin Canvas,
from quick sketch to template in color to be submitted to the project for approval.
from quick sketch to template in color to be submitted to the project for approval.
Initial rough Sketch
Artwork flat lay on template
In order to transfer the drawing to a larger scale format, I opened the file on Illustrator
and split the whole template in A4 squares so that I could print them individually.
I then colored the back of the paper with oil pastel.
Once it was time to draw the line art, I simply placed the large scale print on the box,
and traced over the print with a pencil and that transferred on the box
through the oil pastel previously colored on the back.
I then fixed the sketch here and there to cover any gap and, in short time,
I had the sketch ready to paint!
Due to the unexpected nature of Dublin weather, I chose not to draw the image freehand.
This method turned out to be a quick way to reproduce the sketch onto a surface
and sped up the process and efficiently during "dry" hours!
By doing this I also ensure that the artwork is traced exactly as the original sketch.
and split the whole template in A4 squares so that I could print them individually.
I then colored the back of the paper with oil pastel.
Once it was time to draw the line art, I simply placed the large scale print on the box,
and traced over the print with a pencil and that transferred on the box
through the oil pastel previously colored on the back.
I then fixed the sketch here and there to cover any gap and, in short time,
I had the sketch ready to paint!
Due to the unexpected nature of Dublin weather, I chose not to draw the image freehand.
This method turned out to be a quick way to reproduce the sketch onto a surface
and sped up the process and efficiently during "dry" hours!
By doing this I also ensure that the artwork is traced exactly as the original sketch.
Find below all the steps and background work!
Blank box
Large scale template - A4 Pages
Placing template on top of the box
POST TRACING RESULTS
PAINTING PROCESS
I first filled in with the main color from the palette I was planning to use
and then added small light and shadow details.
The last step (Black outlines) was done once the whole canvas was perfectly dry.
I first filled in with the main color from the palette I was planning to use
and then added small light and shadow details.
The last step (Black outlines) was done once the whole canvas was perfectly dry.
Painting main colors
Light and shadows - adding details
Adding outlines to complete the piece
You can see the work on my Instgram / highlight story :
@jessica_molesini_art/ Dublin Canvas
@jessica_molesini_art/ Dublin Canvas