Carnaby Street - 1) Book Illustration

'60s Carnaby Street' Illustration

The development of the illustration for this Tutorial Task began with research into sixties images and historical information about Carnaby Street, found online. Upon discovering its status as the centre of 'Swinging Sixties' London, character design became focussed around the idea of trend setters who would be up-to-date with sixties fashions and would somehow personify the modernisation of London. For this reason the characters are young, as youth culture started to become a noticeable phenomenon for the first time in this period.

Based on research, character and costume design were developed. Body shapes were not so diverse in this period as today, so, naturally, slender body types were chosen to conform with the 60s look. Studies and sketches of male and female models were made, as well as studies of environments that might be appropriate to represent Carnaby Street.

The work was eventually created in photoshop, as paintings during developmental stages were quite successful in this medium. The addition of further characters to add perspective to the finished illustration would probably be advantageous. Colour and bounce-light could also be adjusted for a more striking effect.