DIVERSITY IN THE

CARIBBEAN
 COVER PAGE
School Name: Wolmer’s Trust High
School for Girls
Course Name: Visual Arts
Name of Theme: Diversity in the
Caribbean
Candidate Number: 1001293212
Date of Submission: May 2023
 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT i
APPENDIX ii-viii
DRAWING 1
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON DRAWING 5-13
CHOSEN ARTIST FOR DRAWING 14-20
ARTIST'S WORK 21-24
CRITIQUES FOR DRAWING 25-39
PROGRESS AND PROCESS FOR DRAWING 40-52
GRAPHICS AND COMMUNICATION DESIGN 53
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON GRAPHIC DESIGN 58-65
CHOSEN ARTIST FOR GRAPHIC DESIGN 66-71
ARTIST'S WORK 72-75
CRITIQUES FOR GRAPHIC DESIGN 76-91
PROGRESS AND PROCESS FOR GRAPHIC DESIGN 92-31
REFLECTION 132
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First of all, I would like to thank and appreciate
my teachers, Ms Gordon and Mrs Murray-
Beckford for the much needed assistance and
guidance in the proper completion of this
reflective journal. Secondly, I would also like to
thank my mother for the emotional support,
encouragement and materials pertinent to
completing this journal. I am overwhelmed with
gratitude for all the help I have received with
this project. i
DIGITAL DOCUMENTATION
AND SUPPORTING VISUAL
MATERIALS
(APPENDIX)
ii
 Figure 2: Nebamun fowling in the
Figure 1: Altamira bison, the Cave of
marshes, Tomb-chapel of Nebamun,
Altamira, Spain, circa 12,000 – circa
circa 1350 B.C.E., 18th Dynasty, paint on
17,000 years ago, charcoal on limestone
plaster, 83 x 98 cm, artist N/A, Thebes,
rock, 768 x 624 cm, artist N/A
Trustees of the British Museum

iii
Figure 3: 2020, Rebecca Levy and Jason Figure 4: Untitled, Mush, San
Goss, November 2020, chalk, paint and Jose, Costa Rica, December 2012,
spray paint on canvas, Water Lane, Spray Paint, dimensions N/A
Downtown, Kingston

iv
 Figure 6: The Weight of the
Figure 5: Windward, Nari Ward,
Crown, Alicia Brown, 2021, Oil
2022, Shoelaces, 223.5 cm x 205.7
on Canvas, 76.2 cm x 111.7 cm,
cm x 5 cm, The National Gallery of
The National Gallery of Jamaica,
Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston, Jamaica

v
 Figure 8: Frida and Diego Rivera,
Figure 7: The Blau Monument, 1931, 100.01 cm × 78.74 cm (39.37
3300 BC-3000 BC, 16.03 cm x x 31.00"), Oil on Canvas, San
7.62 cm, schist (slaty/stone), Francisco Museum of Modern
The British Museum Art, San Francisco

vi
 Figure 10: A wall of
Figure 9: Pink bougainvillea
wildly growing purple
flowers growing on a wall
bougainvillea flowers
around a window
vii
Figure 11: Red bougainvillea
flowers growing wildly
around a window viii
DRAWING

1
 REASONS FOR SELECTING DRAWING
I have been drawing still life compositions since I was in first form, (4
years ago) when I was around 11 years old. I have to admit, at first, I was
not the very best at drawing these still life compositions, but I got better
over time. At one point, I compared some of my current work to the ones
I first did, and it seemed as if two different people had drawn them.

I chose this expressive form, drawing, as a way to improve my skills in

art altogether, as most forms of art and elements stem from drawing still
life compositions. This is also where most artists begin their journeys and
careers, by drawing compositions, objects, animals, people as subjects for
practice. I would also like to use this as an opportunity to learn more
about art and, in addition, use this knowledge to create art in other
forms, such as my other chosen expressive form, Graphic and
Communication Design.

2
OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS FOR DRAWING
Foreground: The area of the picture space nearest to the viewer, immediately
behind the picture plane, is known as the foreground.

Perspective: Perspective in art usually refers to the representation of three-

dimensional objects or spaces in two dimensional artworks. Artists use
perspective techniques to create a realistic impression of depth.

Background: A background is an area inside an artwork, usually behind or

surrounding the subject.

Still Life: A still life is a drawing or painting that focuses on still objects.
The subject matter is inanimate and never moves, typically with a focus on
household objects, flowers, or fruits.

Texture: This refers to the way an object feels to the touch or looks as it may
feel if it were touched. Texture is one of seven elements of art.
3
OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS FOR DRAWING
Wash: A layer of colour that is somewhat transparent, applied with diluted paint.

Tone: Tone refers to how light or dark something is. Tones could refer to black
white and the grey tones between. It could refer to how light or dark a colour
appears.

Shading Techniques: These are ways in which one can shade on a drawing. Shading
is the process of adding value to create an illusion of form, space and most
importantly – light in a drawing.

Rough Sketch: Rough sketches function as the first full visual prototype. They are
produced quickly and without much concern for composition or even aesthetics.

Form: Form connotes something that is three-dimensional and encloses volume,

having length, width and height.
4
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
ON DRAWING

5
 HISTORICAL INFORMATION
The drawing part of art that most people are used to are the
ones that we see in museums and galleries. This is often
referred to as ‘fine art’ – paintings and drawings. However,
drawing existed long before these exhibitions and may be as old
as the human race itself.

The first pieces of drawings, namely cave drawings, date back

to around 15,000 years ago with a drawing of a bison on the
wall of a cave at Altamira in Spain. (see Figure 1)

6
 HISTORICAL INFORMATION
Cave drawings and tomb drawings are good examples of drawings done by
early humans. In Egyptian tradition, they were done to capture the spirit of
the world around them, especially animals that they hunted. Tomb paintings
often showed the land and property of a prehistoric leader. By showing
scenes from the life of the deceased, it was thought that such things would
be useful in the next life. An example of these tomb paintings is a fragment
of a wall painting in the tomb chapel of Nebamun. (see figure 2)

It is observed as a vignette, a historical piece of art or an image without

definite borders, due to wear and tear over the passage of time, of an elite
official, Nebamun and his family hunting birds. There is a series of
paintings, however, the most famous is the scene of him and his family
hunting in the marshes. Together, the series of paintings decorated the
tomb-chapel with vibrant images of an elite lifestyle that Nebamun hoped
would continue in the afterlife and their next lives.
7
 CULTURAL INFORMATION
The cultural aspect of drawing in the Caribbean is the use of the art form in
murals and graffiti. Personally, I take the bus home from school and all the
time I see murals plastered on walls of streets to influence young people to
express themselves publicly through drawing. (see figure 3) When I see this
drawing in the afternoons while taking the bus, the vibrant colours, as well
as the composition capture my attention in an instant.

After further research, I found that this mural is the sixth in a 10-part series
by the Jamaica Observer highlighting the murals which form an installation
of public art along Water Lane in downtown Kingston. The initiative is part of
the 'Paint the City' project being curated by local arts advocacy group
Kingston Creative.

The work, which she simply titled 2020, was created to bring about a sense of
hope amidst the drudgery and despair being experienced due to the current
pandemic.
8
 CULTURAL INFORMATION
“I love to paint people and share positive messages. This was
especially important given COVID and what we are going through.
Lately I have been interested in flowers and bouquets, which is
quite different from the abstract, minimalist way that I have
previously been expressing myself through my work. So when I
thought of a mural I saw it as a great way to combine these
elements. Plus, I was inspired by the other murals of the first
phase of the downtown mural project. I was pleased with how the
artists were challenging themselves with more realistic
interpretations. So with my mural I just wanted to show that there
can be growth despite the challenges, and by the way, wear your
mask,” she shared in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.

9
 CULTURAL INFORMATION
Graffiti is also an art form which stems from
drawing which Caribbean artists use as a means of
self-expression or to share their opinions on a
certain topic. Graffiti is seen by most people as
vandalism and is often thought to be used by thugs.
However, most artists like to use spray paint as a
way to blend colours in on walls for murals as
well as a drawing material for the more popular
street art-styled graffiti. (see figure 3)
10
 CULTURAL INFORMATION
One of the biggest art movements, street art has gained
enormous popularity and is currently expanding quickly as an
art form. The majority of street artworks are found in
metropolitan areas and public spaces, such as on building
exteriors, overpasses, and bridges, and they significantly shape
the appearance of many neighbourhoods and cities across the
world. Reflections on political and social concerns are
frequently at the heart of street art, which can take many
forms, from simple sprayed graffiti to large-scale painted
murals covering whole buildings. Graffiti art and street art
are related to each other and overlap to some extent.

11
 CONTEMPORARY INFORMATION
Art galleries are more modern ways to see showcases of artists'
drawings. These exhibitions, however, are sometimes under a
specific theme. For example, my mother and I went to the
National Museum recently, and there was a showcase with artists
completing pieces under the theme “Pressure”.

Exhibitions help bring the essence and emotions of art to the

people who will admire and understand it. Curators, art
historians, artists, and contemporary critics, have always found
art exhibitions to be an excellent forum to discuss a particular
art form and learn more about it.

12
 CONTEMPORARY INFORMATION
Exhibitions are a way for artists to communicate with the world.
Often, artists display their most complex emotions in their best
works. They can now share with the world these feelings through an
exhibition. There are times when these artworks provide a powerful
platform to highlight injustices in our world. If not, it’s more
effective to express emotions on canvas. Either way, exhibitions are
an effective way of communicating with interested audiences.

In the case of the Pressure Exhibition in the National Gallery of

Jamaica, the theme gave the artists a way to express their feelings
and ideas about what the Theme meant to them. Interestingly enough,
most of the art pieces were centred around the history of Jamaica,
the hardships of the people of the island and the social injustices and
problems of Jamaica. (see figure 4 and figure 5).
13
drawing chosen
artist: Frida
Kahlo
Name: Frida Kahlo
Nationality: Mexican
Place of Birth: Coyoacán, Mexico
City, Mexico
Date of Birth: July 6th 1907
Date of Death: July 13th 1954
(aged 47)
14
 Frida Kahlo, whose full name is Magdalena Carmen Frida
Kahlo y Calderon from an early age has been heavily
dependent on pain medications. She suffered from multiple
medical complications including poliomyelitis.

When she was 6, she was diagnosed with polio, a virus which
spreads from person to person and can affect the person’s
spinal cord, leading to paralysis. In Frida’s case, it caused her
right leg to be much thinner than the other. She experienced
chronic pain all her childhood, which resulted in her being
isolated from her classmates, as she had to be bedridden for
nine months because of her ailments. This meant she went into
her adult years incorporating mostly long skirts in her outfits
as she hated how her leg looked.

15
At age 18, on September 17, 1925, Frida and her boyfriend, Alejandro
Gómez Arias were on their way home from school in a wooden bus,
when it collided with a metal streetcar and resulted in multiple
persons being killed and the artist suffering from near fatal
injuries, an iron handrail from the bus impaling her through her
hip and broke her pelvis. In addition, she fractured multiple ribs
and her collarbone. As a result, she had to stay one month in the
hospital and two months recovering at home.

Her treatment included wearing a plaster corset, which confined her

to bed rest as part of her recovery. Before the accident, she dreamt
of being a doctor, but while being bed-ridden after the accident, her
parents encouraged her to try painting, which sparked a new
passion within her, her dreams of becoming a doctor had been cast
aside.
16
 Fridah had a custom-made easel with a mirror attached to it,
which helped her see herself and paint with ease. She often
painted self-portraits, because she was bedridden, she turned eye
to eye to herself in the mirror and once said “I paint myself
because I am so often alone and because I am the subject I know
best.”

Her father, Carl Wilhelm Kahlo in Pforzheim, Germany sailed to

Mexico in 1891, at the age of 19. He later changed his name,
Wilhelm, to Guillermo, which was the Mexican equivalent of his
original name. After his first wife, María Cardena passed away
while giving birth to their second child in 1898, he remarried
Matilde Calderón y González, who was Frida’s mother. He was the
son of a painter, Jakob Heinrich Kahlo and a goldsmith, Henriett
E. Kauffman.
17
 Frida’s Style of Art:
Surrealism, Mexican Folk art, Realism, Symbolism
Her extraordinary biographical narrative, which
serves as her creative legacy, conveys the tale of her
personal experiences, pain, her beliefs, and emotions
via drama and an abundance of symbolism.

Education:
National Preparatory School in Mexico City, 1922
At this school, Frida was well known because of her
forthrightness and her courageousness.

18
 Influences:
She has, no doubt benefited much from how the modern world
interprets her unique way that she developed her public persona,
but this wasn't always the case. Her husband, Diego Rivera, who
at the time was the most well-known artist in the nation, towered
over her during her lifetime and overshadowed her own artistic
endeavours. Kahlo's art was not restored until the 1970s and
1980s, with the establishment of feminist groups. After all, one
of her most famous pieces, Frieda and Diego Rivera (see Figure
8), included her ex-husband. In Frida's painting of her and
Diego, she recorded the ups and downs of her marriage. This
was completed after two years of their marital life. It was a
wedding portrait that Frida had painted to commemorate their
marriage.

19
 Interests:
Although Kahlo took some drawing classes, she was more
interested in science, and in 1922 she entered the National
Preparatory School in Mexico City with an interest in
eventually studying medicine. While there she met Rivera,
who was working on a mural for the school’s auditorium.

Why was Frida so interested in art?

Frida Kahlo's paintings have always been much more than
simply depictions of herself or the world around her.
Rather her artworks act as a tool of expression, a way for
her to visually translate her memories and the complex
ideas that ran through her mind.

20
ARTIST'S WORK

21
 Pitahayas, Frida Kahlo, 1938, Oil
Viva La Viva, Frida Kahlo, 1954, Oil on on ALuminium, 10 x 14", Madison
Masonite, 22.0 x 29.5", The House- Museum of Contemporary Art,
Museum of Frida Kahlo, Mexico City Wisconsin

22
Untitled, Frida Kahlo, 1951, The Bride who Becomes Frightened
Oil on Canvas, 10 x 11", The when she Sees Life Opened, Frida
University of Texas, Austin Kahlo, 1943, Oil on Canvas, 24.8 x
32.1", The House-Museum of Frida
Kahlo, Mexico City

23
Weeping Coconuts, Frida Kahlo, 1951, Oil on board,
9 1/8 x 12", Los Angeles County Museum of Art,
California
24
CRITIQUES FOR DRAWING

25
ARTWORK THAT INSPIRES ME THE MOST

26
CRITIQUE OF INSPIRATIONAL ARTWORK:
DESCRIPTION
This piece displays the vibrant colours of multiple watermelons,
some whole and some sliced, placed on a wooden table, or a table
with a brown tablecloth with a blue and white background that
resmbles the sky. One of the sliced watermelons in the
foreground of the painting has the words ‘Viva La Vida Frida
Kahlo Coyoacán 1954 Mexico' engraved on it, as if the same knife
that cut the watermelons was used to write this text.

27
 CRITIQUE OF INSPIRATIONAL ARTWORK:
ANALYSIS
The different tones of the watermelons in the foreground give
texture and form to them, therefore making them catch the eye of
the viewer. The contrast of the green and red of the watermelons
keep the viewer's eyes on the piece. The light blue and white
background give the piece a somewhat tranquil mood, as if it were a
sunny day in a park or a backyard. The contrast between the two
elements give the viewer a sense of peace with the background, as
well as liveliness with the foreground. However, the watermelon in
the middleground is quite light compared to the others, giving a
false sense of lighting. At first it threw me off, but now I consider
it to be a unique element to the piece.

28
 CRITIQUE OF INSPIRATIONAL ARTWORK:
INTERPRETATION
After further research on this piece of artwork by Frida Kahlo, I found out
that this piece was one of her last pieces before she died, it was like a final
battle cry of hers. The Spanish phrase ‘Viva la Vida' means ‘Long Live Life'
in English and thinking about Frida drawing this piece on her death bed
makes me feel incredibly heartbroken.

The name of this piece reminds me of a song of a similar name by Coldplay,

making it a tribute to Mexican culture and Frida herself. The song is about a
person who ruled as king and had fame, riches and recognition in the past,
however as time went on, they got replaced by another ruler and they were
right back where they started, a mere peasant. In the end, the revenge built
up over time and they turned into an evil person due to the lack of
recognition of the contributions that they had put in at the time when they
ruled as king.
29
CRITIQUE OF INSPIRATIONAL ARTWORK:
INTERPRETATION
In a similar way, Frida had once made major contribution to
the artistic community, bringing fame and recognition to her
name, but as time went on, her physical state deteriorated due
to her illness as well as drug and alcohol use, therefore, she
could not draw as detailed pieces as she would in the past. At
the time she drew this piece she was looking back at the much
more detailed pieces she used to draw, and was reminiscing
with nostalgia.

30
CRITIQUE OF INSPIRATIONAL ARTWORK:
INTERPRETATION
I believe the contrast between the bright blue and white colours of
the background and the dark green exterior of the along with the
firey red interior of the watermelon sybolize heaven and hell,
which is ironic, since Frida drew this piece while she was in the
last stages of her life. The light blue background feels somewhat
out of place, yet so suitable in the painting at the same time. The
spherical, whole watermelon in the middle could also symbolize
Earth, being in between heaven and Earth. The dark brown table
would symbolize hell, showing significant contrast between the
background and the table, similar to that of heaven and hell.

31
CRITIQUE OF INSPIRATIONAL ARTWORK:
JUDGEMENT
I believe that more shadows could have been added to show the
light source and dark areas of the painting. When I first saw the
painting, I had a hard time trying to find out where the light
source was, however after further inspection, judging by the
shadows underneath watermelons and obvious the shadow to the
right of the light coloured melon, I realized that the light source
was in fact, above the piece.
Overall, I believe the rich symbolism and vivid colours were
successful in capturing the attention of the viewer.

32
CRITIQUE OF INSPIRATIONAL ARTWORK: VIEWS

I believe that Frida's artwork of Viva La Vida turned out

to be quite successful. The texture of the watermelons that
she had painted resembled that of an actual watermelon, it
was as if I were looking at a real watermelon.

I am convinced that this would be a fun drawing exercise

and I will most definitely be trying it for myself. I will
also try to include more watermelons in work as their
colour scheme is quite nice as well as I would like to
practice adding realism to my art.
33
 GENERAL CRITIQUE: DESCRIPTION
I realized that in these four of Frida's still life works, there seems
to set the viewer into either a sombre or upbeat mood. For
example, the colours used in Pitahayas are much darker and
somewhat nostalgic compared to the colours in the Untitled piece,
the painting with the bird sitting amongst the fruits. The plethora
of dark green elements in Weeping Coconuts, as well as the
weeping coconuts themselves leave a sense of sadness within the
viewer, especially knowing the story behind the painting. The
colours and elements used in The Bride who Becomes Frightened
when she Sees Life Opened overpower those in Weeping coconuts. I
also realized that there are common fruits ued in both paintings,
namely papaya and oranges, as well as other citrus fruits.

34
 GENERAL CRITIQUE: ANALYSIS
Upon inspection of the pieces and researching their backstories,
first and foremost, all of the included still life compositions are
composed of fruits, the bird, the owl and the doll being an
exception to this. However, the liveliness of the colours in the piece
makes it feel as if everything in each of the four compositions is
one in the same, a fruit. The story behind the Pitahayas painting is
that it is interpreted by many to be a self portrait, how Frida sees
herself, in her own eyes. However, the centre of attention in most
of her pieces usually have a brighter colour that the rest of the
elements in the compostion, in this case, the pitahayas, or
dragonfruit in English. This piece held significant importance to
Frida as it was a self-expressive piece, akin to those of her other
pieces.

35
 GENERAL CRITIQUE: ANALYSIS
I realized in the remaining three paintings, they all include
papayas, watermelons, coconuts and/or oranges. She liked to
capture the realism of the watermelons and their seeds, as well
as papayas and their seeds. The line weight in each of the four
pieces were considerably small, as she intended to use thin
strokes to display more detail in her pieces. The differences, I
would say however, would be that there is more vibrancy of the
colours and tones in the untited piece with the bird and fruit
compared to the other four pieces. It could just be the medium,
Oil on canvas, or brand of paints that she used compared to The
Bride who Becomes Frightened when she Sees Life Opened, which
was also Oil on canvas, this fact really stood out to me.

36
 GENERAL CRITIQUE: INTERPRETATION

The abundance of fruits included in Frida's pieces reminds me

of a time in my life, when I was younger, when I was in
primary school, my mother used to put fruits in my lunch bag
everyday for school and expected me to eat them each time.
However, I did not like fruits that much as a child and I used to
either carry them back or give the fruits to my classmates and
friends. My mother would notice each time and scold me for not
eating them, but I continued until I grew older and understood
the importance of fruits and vegetables. I would no longer
return home with the fruits my mother gave me or give them
away.

37
 GENERAL CRITQUE: JUDGEMENT
In my opinion, just like was said in the judgement of Viva La Vida, more
shadows could be added in the four pieces. I might be a little biased
towards having defining shadows to explicitly show the light source, but I
think, in order to give the elements a more 3-dimensional feel, instead of
making them look as if they are floating, for example, the bananas and
orange closest to it has little to no shadows, although there might be a light
source coming from that side of the painting, there has to be even a liitle
bit of shadow underneath the object to show that it is on the table, however
I am having a hard time finding defining shadows underneath some of the
objects.

Another example, in the Untitled piece, the orange in the very back of the
piece has a little bit of shadow on it and some lighting was also added, as
for the light is directly above that orange, however, if it were up to me, I
would add a bit more shadows on that orange.
38
 GENERAL CRITIQUE: VIEWS
Frida's art style and rich symbolism in her works have inspired me to
introduce more symbolism and surrealism in my work. I believe Frida's
works are worth a million words and that as much people as possible
should hear about her story. She has also inspired me to draw more
realistic yet surreal still life compositions with fruits, vegetables and
household objects outside of school assigments.

She has also gave me inspiration through her story, her going through
many terrible experiences and even turning to drugs and alcohol due to the
stress and loneliness and perservering through them all and focusing on
her career in art. This reminds me of when I used to have severe back pain
to the point where I could barely get up and walk to the bathroom in my
house and I gave up very easily, yet Frida had experienced a car accident
that left her bedridden for most of her life and she contined to chase her
dreams of being a successful artist.
39
PROGRESS AND PROCESS
FOR DRAWING

40
 Piece 1
Name: Handbag
Contents
Materials Used:
Pencil,
Watercolour
Paint and Pencil
Crayons

41
Step 1: Sketched the composition. Step 2: Cleaned up the
sketch of the
composition.
42
 Step 4: Finished washing in
Step 3: Started washing
watercolour paint in the
in watercolour paint in
composition.
the composition.
43
 Step 5: Washed in Step 6: Used crayon to add
background with watercolour shadows and depth to the
paint. colours that were washed in.

44
Step 7: Washed in a light pink background
to differentiate the background from the
table that the composition rests. 45
 Piece 2
Name: Market
Basket
Materials Used:
Pencil,
Watercolour Paint
and Pen and Ink

46
 Step 1: Sketched, cleaned up Step 2: Washed in watercolour paint
sketch and started washing in onto the basket and fruits in the
watercolour paint into the composition.
composition.
47
 Step 3: Started washing in a Step 4: Finished washing in a peach
peach colour with watercolour colour into the background of the
paint into the background of the composition. Started shading using a
composition. black gel ink pen.

48
Step 5: A light pink colour was washed
in onto the table that the basket rests. Step 6: Finished adding
A black gel ink pen was also used to shading to the
add more shadows and depth to the composition.
composition.
49
 Piece 3
Name: Shoe Shop
Materials Used:
Watercolour
Paint and Pen
and Ink

50
Step 1: Sketched, cleaned up sketch Step 2: Finished washing in
and started washing in watercolour watercolour paint into the
paint into the composition. composititon. Started adding shadows
and depth to the composition using a
black gel ink pen.

51
Step 3: Finished adding shadows and depth to the
composition using a black gel ink pen.
52
 GRAPHICS AND
COMMUNICATION DESIGN

53
 REASONS FOR SELECTING GRAPHICS AND
COMMUNICATION DESIGN
As for Graphic Design, I am quite new to this art form compared to the
previous form, drawing. I started digital art and design about 2 years ago,
where I was interested in the way advertisements, posters and product package
designs looked. To me two years ago, I was fascinated by the pretty colours,
intricate designs and patterns that drew someone to a particular
object/product/event et cetera. Personally, I am more drawn to African-printed
patterns and the unusual arrangement of shapes and colours in their clothing. I
try to incorporate them into my work.

I also dream of becoming a Web Page Designer. Ever since I created my first
website, others have told me that it looks “great”, “stunning” and someone once
told me “girl this looks so good, you did so well on this.” I have felt incredibly
accomplished with myself and I dream of pursuing this as a career.

54
STATEMENT OUTLINING THEME SELECTION
Out of all other themes, I chose ‘Diversity in the Caribbean’ because I enjoy
drawing different persons from different cultures and backgrounds. I am
also interested in character design, and I realized I could capture both of
these interests by choosing my chosen theme.

Although the Caribbean might be made up of different countries and most

persons are of African descent, there are also persons living in Jamaica,
and, by extension, the Caribbean who are of different cultures, religions
and backgrounds who live in comfort and quite appreciate the beauty of
Jamaica and the Caribbean, so they keep returning for vacations. Some
even decide to move from their country of origin to live in Jamaica with
their families. I would like to shed some light on these persons and
acknowledge their presence in the islands and countries of the Caribbean.
After all, Jamaica’s national motto is “Out of Many, One People”.
55
OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS FOR GRAPHIC DESIGN
Colour Theory: This is the collection of rules and guidelines which designers use
to communicate with users through appealing colour schemes in visual interfaces.

Shading: This is the darkening or colouring of a drawing with lines or blocks of

colour and is often used to create the illusion of depth or make an object three-
dimensional.

Lighting: This gives a painting structure, showing our eyes that are objects and
shapes to be seen. It is this structure that keeps our eyes interested and focused
on the scene that we are looking at.

Highlights: The lightest parts of a painting, drawing et cetera, especially one that
depicts the areas that the subject is receiving the greatest amount of illumination.

Colour Saturation: Colour saturation refers to the intensity of colour in an image.

As the saturation increases, the colours appear to be brighter or more pure. As
the saturation decreases, the colours appear to be more washed-out or pale.
56
OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS FOR GRAPHIC DESIGN
Layers: Layers are used in digital image editing to separate different elements
of an image or drawing.

Blending Modes: A blending mode is an effect you can add to a layer to change
how the colours blend with colours on lower layers.

Clipping Mask: A clipping mask is an object whose shape masks other artwork
so that only areas that lie within the shape are visible and in effect, clipping
the artwork to the shape of the mask.

Alpha Lock: This feature allows a user to lay down a shape or area of
artwork, then lock this ‘alpha’ shape. Once it is locked, one can only paint or
smudge inside the area that already has paint on it.

Principles of Design: The principles of design describe the ways in which

artists use the elements of art in a work of art to achieve an intended goal or
purpose.
57
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
ON GRAPHIC DESIGN

58
 HISTORICAL INFORMATION
The earliest documented graphic designs emerged about 15,000
BC, which is when graphic design may be found. The southern
French Lascaux caverns include these pictographs and symbols.
The Blau Monument can be found if you travel back in time by
many thousand years. It is the first item that is known to have
both text and images on it. These created objects are obviously
very different from what we think of as graphic design today,
but they contributed to the development of such things as
drawings, posters, banners, and more by igniting the notion of
putting pictures on surfaces.

59
 HISTORICAL INFORMATION
The concept of printing originated with the discovery of paper in 105
AD by a Chinese man, Ts’ai Lun. Character placement for printing was
made possible by the invention of movable type nearly a thousand years
later (1045 AD). This resulted in more rapid printing possibilities and
adaptable, effective solutions. By 1276, a paper mill had made its way to
Fabriano, Italy, introducing printing to Europe for good.

Two hundred years after the first paper mill arrived in Europe, in
1450, the process of printing type in books was idealised. In 1460, the
first printed book with illustrations appeared shortly after. Before
Claude Garamond established the first type foundry in 1530, which
produced and sold fonts to printers, seventy years of printing had
passed.

60
 HISTORICAL INFORMATION
In the 1760s, the Industrial Revolution began, ushering
in a new era for graphic design. At a previously
unheard-of rate, new technologies started to emerge,
significantly, the cost-effective printing technology of
lithography. The invention of the printing press,
which increased the size of the paper that could be
printed and cut labour costs by 90%, also ushered in
the Industrial Revolution in 1800.

61
 CULTURAL INFORMATION
Graphic design is a great way to advertise and promote an
event, business or tourist attractions. Jamaicans prefer to make
advertisements that are short, sweet and to the point. However,
in the Caribbean, there is much more detail and length to the
graphic design advertisements, whether it be brochures,
billboards or posters.

Posters have been popular ever since the start of the Industrial
Revolution, where printing was made available to the masses. At
the time, they were mostly used as a means of communication
and propaganda. Labour unions, for example, used posters to
mobilise workers and advocate for their rights.

62
 CULTURAL INFORMATION
The first proper billboards were invented in the 1830s
by Jared Bell in America. He wanted to advertise a
circus and put up a large and colourful billboard in
1835. P.T. Barnum saw the benefits of this advertising
medium, and also followed suit.

In the Caribbean, billboards are usually eye-catching,

with vibrant colours and patterns, modern fonts and
enough information for a passer-by to understand the
gist of what is being advertised.

63
 CONTEMPORARY INFORMATION
Graphic design today primarily relates to creating images for
publications including magazines, books, advertisements, and
digital posters. This intricate area of design deals with the
refined skill of conveying concepts through both text and
images. Although some graphic designers still work with
paintings and drawings, most graphic design is now done with
digital tools. These contemporary graphic design techniques
may be used for a wide range of projects, including creating
unique logos, book covers, magazine layouts, billboard
commercials, garment designs, and internet banner ads.

64
 CONTEMPORARY INFORMATION
Although graphic design has been around for a while, it has truly
arisen into the spotlight in the last hundred years or so as it is
seen today in the business world. Over the past 100 years, graphic
design has spread into the worlds of commerce and consumerism,
grabbing our attention, piquing our curiosity, or occasionally
blending in with our surroundings. It's everywhere, but you might
not notice how frequently it pops up in everyday life unless you're
looking for it.

We probably can't even begin to envision where graphic design will

lead us in the future; after all, do you really believe that the folks
who first printed words on paper in a paper mill could have
envisioned creating digital banner advertisements, web sites, and
branded materials?
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 graphic and
communication
design chosen
artist: taj francis
Name: Taj Francis
Nationality: Jamaican
Place of Birth: Kingston and Saint Andrew,
Jamaica
Place of Residence: Spanish Town, Saint
Catherine
Date of Birth: 1989 (33-34)

66
 Taj is a recent graduate of the Edna Manley
College’s School of Visual Art, with a major in
Illustration and has been doing art for as long as
he can remember. The media used for his
artworks are the usual pen and ink, brush and
ink, spray paint, and digital illustration and
painting and he thus combines traditional and
new media. A major medium for his more popular
works is digital illustrations and paintings.

67
Taj has a unique graphic style which relies on elaborate,
psychedelic patterns, contrasting textures, 3-D effects
offset against 2-D backgrounds, and bold splashes of
colour – it can be described as “contemporary baroque”
and resonates with Jamaican and global pop culture. His
artwork is inspired by music, a strong social conscience,
and a passion for what he does. Much of his current
free-lance work is done for the music industry and he is
also expanding his reach by working on a clothing line
where he does custom artwork on sneakers.

68
 The Jamaican visual artist was born in 1989 in the parish of St.
Andrew. As a graduate of the Edna Manley College of Visual Arts,
he makes use of his degree by working independently as a visual
artist with a diverse interest of expression mainly focused
through illustration. The works he produces also draw influence
from a combination of Jamaican Reggae aesthetics, Japanese
Manga, Vinyl and Poster Art, Baroque Paintings, another word
for ‘contemporary baroque,’ as mentioned above, and Pop Art
aesthetics. His work continues to evolve and grabs from different
influences and genres of art. This is expressed in the exploration
of cultural dualities, internalised human issues, and youth and
African identity which are subject matters that will often be seen
in his body of work.
69
 His time as a student at Meadowbrook High School was a
period of growth, physically, socially and in art, but
naturally, the last was not quite at the level he wanted.
Francis left Meadowbrook a little early, as he didn't see the
need to finish sixth form because he no longer had interest
in the courses provided.

70
 Having always impressed everyone around him with the work he
produced, it was time for him to move to a more critical stage. He
enrolled at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing
Arts and says "I have been pursuing art all my life. I say
perusing, because looking back on all I've done, I've only been in
the process of developing my skill and practising my craft, which
prepared me for what I'm doing right now. Even now, I'm still
pursuing art. I'm still in school learning and even when I leave,
I'll still be learning and developing, so there is never a peak point
in the evolution of your skill".

71
ARTIST'S WORK

72
 The Upsetter, Taj Francis
3 Little Birds, Taj Francis
73
Canopy Vibes, Taj Francis Iron Garden, Taj Francis

74
Protoje, Taj Francis
75
CRITIQUES FOR GRAPHICS
AND COMMUNICATION
DESIGN
76
ARTWORK THAT INSPIRES ME THE MOST

77
CRITIQUE OF INSPIRATIONAL ARTWORK:
DESCRIPTION
In this painting, a little black girl wearing a brown dress with
cornrows stands in the middle of a field of purple bougainvillea
flowers. She looks down at a bronze wrestling belt that she holds
in her hands. She wears a protective headpiece along with boxing
gloves that are both covered in the purple flowers. The
background is mostly a simple white one, but in the middle of it,
immediately behind the girl is a pale purple closed window,
almost the same colour of the flowers. The lighting is behind the
little girl, judging from the lighting on her protective helmet and
the bronze wrestling belt however, there seems to be a wall that
is behind her preventing all of the light to shine on her.

78
 CRTIQUE OF INSPIRATIONAL ARTWORK:
ANALYSIS
This piece would certainly fall under the theme of Childhood Memories.
I see Taj was trying to achieve a peaceful, almost dream-like mood to
this piece, to which I think he was quite successful.

The window in the background is one that one would see outside of
most Caribbean houses, as well as the purple bougainvillea, which, that
colour is not well-known in the Caribbean, however, the pink ones are
the most remarkable. (see Figure 9) Taj deliberately changed the colour
of the well-known pink bougainvillea to purple to fit the theme and
mood of the piece. As for the background, he made the background
rather simple to keep the viewer's eyes on the focal point of the
painting, the little girl.
79
CRITIQUE OF INSPIRATIONAL ARTWORK:
ANALYSIS
When I first looked at this piece, the first
thing I saw is the little girl and then I
realized she was looking down, so I followed
her eyes that were fixated on the wrestling
belt, and then I noticed headpiece and then the
boxing gloves. I admire these little details to
keep the viewer's eyes on the piece.
80
CRITIQUE OF INSPIRATIONAL ARTWORK:
INTERPRETATION
My interpretation of this piece is that the little girl has
depression. This can be scary for children to experience
these things that most adults can barely handle. I think,
once again the wrestling equipment symbolizes strength
and that she wishes to be stronger and take hold of her
emotions. The purple bougainvillea contrasts with the
brown dress of the girl, representing the depression that
is consuming her and her dreams to become stronger.

81
CRITIQUE OF INSPIRATIONAL ARTWORK:
INTERPRETATION
Another interpretation of mine of this piece is that the
little girl has anger issues, this is quite common among
children, as they are used to throwing tantrums in fits
of anger, sadness or disappointment. However, in the
case of this girl I think the wrestling equipment
represents strength and the idea that she is strong, so
she must not show any weaknessess to others. On the
inside, she is a kind little child who wishes to protect
the ones she loves and cares about.
82
CRITIQUE OF INSPIRATIONAL ARTWORK:
JUDGEMENT
I am a big fan of the purple bougainvilleas and the details on them.
Despite the beautiful bougainvilleas capturing my attention, I don't
quite understand the placing of the window behind the little girl. I
interpreted that it was placed there to place emphasis on the focal
point, the little girl, yet I think I would either change the colour of
the window remove it and put something else there, for example,
bougainvilleas usually grow wildly and spread across walls, making
it a very suitable addition to this piece. (see Figure 10 and 11)

Overall, I think Taj did a wonderful job on this piece and I commend
him on his hard work.

83
CRITIQUE OF INSPIRATIONAL ARTWORK:
VIEWS
Iron Garden has inspired me to implement more drawings of
flowers into my work. I am particularly intersted in gardening,
when I took notice of the garden of flowers, that is when I
found this piece interesting and decided to critique it.

On multiple occasions, I have taken pictures and drawn all

kinds of flowers in my own work, I find them breaththakingly
gorgeous. I will certainly be drawing a piece with bougainvillea
flowers sometime in the near future.

84
 GENERAL CRITIQUE: DESCRIPTION
I noticed that Taj has a style of art where he adds various
colour patterns and bands of colour onto the skin of the
subjects he draws. In the same way, he also adds a smoke
effect in his works like the one in The Upsetter. I also noticed
that there is also Jamaican and Caribbean references and
undertones in each of these pieces. There are also incredibly
detailed subjects, however, the backgrounds always seem to be
either a block of a singlar colour or simplistic ones. His art
style leans mostly into baroque art, which is dramatic and it
seeks to evoke emotions within the viewer as well as to
provoke discussion.
85
 GENERAL CRITIQUE: ANALYSIS

In relation to Frida's pieces, I believe

Taj's work also have an underlying
message. Three little birds would have
some cultural significance to Jamaican
culture. In the Upsetter, the use of the
Jamaican reggae colours feels like it is a
homage to his roots in Jamaican culture.
86
 GENERAL CRITIQUE: ANALYSIS
Canopy Vibes is also a reference Caribbean culture and
tropical countries with the mangoes underneath the
umbrella. The girl is also wearing a mesh-styled top, just
like ones people would usually wear in dancehall. Her hair
is also parted and twisted into three parts. Her natural
hair also refences to the beauty and richness of black
heritage. Taj's Protoje piece was done for an album cover
for a remix to Protoje's song, Royalty. Once again, the use
of the bands of colour on his skin is Taj's use of his unique
art style as a nice addition to this piece.

87
 GENERAL CRITIQUE: INTERPRETATION
I believe all of Taj's pieces hold some sort of hidden message.
The surrealism he incorporates into his work also reminds me
very much of Frida's non-still life works, this fact made me
choose him as my chosen artist for Graphic Design. I also believe
he adds patterns to the skins of the subjects he draws is simply
because he finds patterns aesthetically pleasing. The colours he
uses in the patterns are also complimentary to the mood of the
entire piece. These four pieces also include elements of Jamaican
culture. Sticking to his Jamaican and Caribbean roots even after
he has moved overseas for better opportunity makes me have
hope for him in his artistic career and myself as a Caribbean
artist.
88
GENERAL CRITIQUE: INTERPRETATION
All of Taj's works to me seem as if he
draws whatever is on his mind or whatever
mood he is in at that moment. This is the
case for most artists, including me, I relate
to this on a personal level. The spice of the
surrealism yet realism in his works is what
makes me have faith in him and that he will
be successful as an artist.

89
 GENERAL CRITIQUE: JUDGEMENT
For Taj's works, I really do not have many things I would change
about them, however, I do have one in mind. I would like to see
him do more detailed backgrounds instead of a block of colour. I
also tend to add blocks of colour in my works for the
background, I'm am guilty of that, but I am currently practicing
more detailed backgrounds. I see the talent Taj has in drawing
his subjects in his own art style, however, I would really love to
see more detailed backgrounds with his subjects in his art style.

All in all, I think Taj effectively showcases the themes and moods
he wishes to show to the viewers of his pieces.

90
 GENERAL CRITIQUE: VIEWS
Taj's works have inspired me to try something new with my art, no
matter how uncomfortable it is. I am rather terrified sometimes to
draw things that I am not used to, for example, although I have never
tried adding warpy textures to the skins of the subjects I draw, I am
inspired to try it! I might at first feel uncomfortable because I would
feel like I am stealing his art, but art is about having fun in
whatever you draw and I am sure it is not illegal to take inspiration
from another artist's work and then give him credit afterwards.

The surrealism in his works has also inspired me to draw more

surreal pieces, the last surrealistic piece I drew was when I was in
fourth form and it was quite fun coming up with ideas for the piece,
so I am inclined to try it once more.

91
PROGRESS AND PROCESS FOR
GRAPHIC DESIGN

92
 Piece 1: Postage Stamp
Name: Out of Many One
People
Program Used: IbisPaint X

93
Concept Sketch 1 Concept Sketch 2
94
Concept Sketch 3 Concept Sketch 4
95
Concept Sketch 5 Concept Sketch 6

96
Concept Sketch 7 Concept Sketch 8

97
Step 1: Imported the sketch Step 2: Completed lineart and
into IbisPaint X; added flat colours;
98
 Step 4: Used Clipping tool to
get the gradient effect;
Step 3: Added a gradient on
the sand;
99
 Step 6: Added text “OUT
Step 5: Added dark
OF MANY ONE PEOPLE”;
shadows onto the leaves of
the palm trees; 100
Step 7: Used bucket tool to Step 8: Used bucket tool to
fill in a dark red colour to fill in a light green colour to
test border colours; test border colours;
101
Step 9: Added pattern of Step 10: Used bucket tool
blue zig zag lines on the to fill in the text boxes;
border of the page;
102
Step 11: Added text “JAMAICA” Step 12: Removed sketch layer.
and “10¢”(10 cent);
103
Piece 2: Calendar
Name: Caribbean
Flower Exposition
Program Used:
IbisPaint X

104
 Concept Sketch 2
Concept Sketch 1 105
Concept Sketch 3 Concept Sketch 4
106
Concept Sketch 5 Concept Sketch 6
107
 Step 2: Completed lineart
Step 1: Imported sketch and filled in flat colours;
into IbisPaint X;
108
 Step 4: Added text with month,
Step 3: Added text with letters of
year and days of the month;
the days of the week;
109
Step 5: Imported sketch of the Step 6: Completed lineart
Caribbean into IbisPaint X; of the Caribbean;
110
Step 7: Used bucket tool to fill
Step 8: Used Clipping tool.
in a light green colour inside
the Caribbean lineart; 111
Piece 3: Business
Card
Name: Unity
Program Used:
IbisPaint X

112
Concept Sketch 1 Concept Sketch 2
113
Concept Sketch 3 114
 Step 2: Completed lineart and
Step 1: Imported sketch
filled in flat colours with the
into IbisPaint X;
bucket tool;

115
 Step 4: Added text with details
Step 3: Added shading to the
about the business and chief
piece to add depth;
administrative officer;

116
 Step 5: Added defining lines to
the designs in the top and bottom
corners of the business card. 117
 Piece 4: Logo
Design for
Business Card
Name:
Differentiating the
World
Program Used:
IbisPaint X

118
Concept Sketch 1 Concept Sketch 2

119
Concept Sketch 3 Concept Sketch 4

120
Concept Sketch 5 Concept Sketch 6

121
 Step 2: Made a rough sketch
Step 1: Imported Sketch to IbisPaint
for the details of the globe
X;
and flowing lines;

122
Step 3: Completed lineart and added Step 4: Added flowing lines to
colours using the bucket tool, added the design for the
shading to the water of the globe; aestheticism;

123
Step 5: Added shading to the Step 6: Added defining
globe to define the light lines to the flowing lines
source; of the design;

124
Step 7: Added text with the name of the business and the business
slogan.

125
 Piece 5: Movie Poster
Name: Little-Big City
Program Used: IbisPaint X

126
Concept Sketch 1 Concept Sketch 2
127
Concept Sketch 3 Concept Sketch 4

128
Concept Sketch 5 Concept Sketch 6
129
Step 1: Imported sketch into Step 2: Completed lineart
IbisPaint X; and added colour using the
fill tool;
130
Step 3: Added text with the names Step 4: Added text with the title
of the actors in the movie; of the movie.
131
 REFLECTION
Since i was in 4th form, I have been pursuing Visual Arts as a subject,
and to be completely honest, it has not been easy for me. First, when we
chose our subjects in 3rd form, we were in the middle of the Covid-19
pandemic. Time quickly flew by and we were in 4th form, still inside a
global pandemic and inside of our houses. It was certainly not easy doing
art online, as to get the best results, one has to see the object up close
and face to face, however, we had no experience with that in 4th form. It
was not until the latter stages of 4th form, when were nearing 5th form
when we went back to face to face classes. This was a big issue for me.

Another challenge of mine was that I had some medical issues and I had
to be absent from school and art classes frequently, which was incredibly
demotivating for me, as it would take me and did take me quite a while to
catch up with the class. My journey in art, however has been quite an
experience, but this is just the beginning.
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