Mock Diarama:

As a further development and experiment with layering and depth I created a diorama, a landscape or scene within a box. I wanted a three layer forest scene and so I started by drawing each opening on a separate piece of cardboard, each one getting progressively bigger so that you could see the one behind it. I then used a craft knife to cut the opening out, I found using a craft knife so much easier than using scissors and I was able to get a much smoother line. I then cut out a variety of trees for each layer and stuck them on with Pitt stick glue. Another thing I noticed when using the craft knife was that the cardboard held up quite well and didn't fall apart which is what happened to some of the smaller pieces when using scissors. I then painted each layer with pains grey acrylic, progressively getting slightly lighter for every layer in the foreground, and painted the trees white. I then cut smaller pieces to act as the knots and bumps in the bark, one thing I found helpful during the process was to squash the cardboard completely flat and that allowed me to get a really clean and precise cut and shape. To look at this piece properly I made some makeshift stands for each layer to slot into so that I could position them upright. I then used four other pieces of cardboard to encase these layers and slotted a cyanotype at the very back to create a diorama. I decided to add the cyanotype because I wanted to find a way to combine the different processes that have been doing and see if I could get them to work together and compliment each other.

I really love the outcome of this piece, each layer is clean and by adding trees to each section helps to emphasise the depth within the work. I believe that I was able to get smooth curve when cutting the trees and openings, this allows the work to feel more precise and professional compared to my previous cardboard forest, and I think that this paired with the bright cyanotype in the background creates a much more open and calm atmosphere compared to my previous work. I think that working on a bigger scale has benefited this piece, the work seems more physical and it stands its own ground and makes space for itself. I like the positioning of the cyanotype in the background, the shape of the tree reminds me of a heart and I think that it's fitting that this should be at the heart and centre of the work, giving the rest of the piece life. The white is bright and stands out against the darker tones of the background and I believe that the aground colour getting lighter with each layer has been an effective way emphasising the depth within the work. Before this piece I was doing research into pop up books and the art style and animation used for these. when I look at this piece I think that I have been successful in creating a scene reminiscent of a pop up forest, the smooth and disproportional curving of the trees has a cartoonish and childlike quality to it that I think invokes an inviting and welcoming atmosphere to the piece. This is a big contrast to the unsettling feeling of my previous work. I found myself enjoying the more lighthearted atmosphere of this piece, it was fun to make and fun to look at. 

For strengths I would say that the layering and depth is on a completely new level compared to my previous work, this piece is far more 3D and physical and I was able to explore depth in more detail. Another success would be the integration of my cyanotypes within this piece, initially I wasn't sure how I would include them or if they would even work but I have found the result to be pleasing. An obvious thing for me to improve on would be to add more black notches to the rest of the trees and to improve the stability and structure of the cardboard box. 

Moving forward, I had a one on one session with my tutor and they suggested try a new technique and process to get a similar result. They brought up the idea of scoring into black mount board and peeling the cut sections away to create a more time efficient black and white scene. I will do some research about this technique and buy a few pieces to practice on.