Cycle - Desintegration

As part of the Cycle series, the chosen pieces were designed to represent three cycles that effect nature. The first was Life and Death. The second was Respect and Responsibility. Desintegration is part of the third, which is Cause and Effect. Climate change is effecting nature in ways that could have a catastrophic effect on our species.

Sir David says we face "irreversible damage to the natural world and the collapse of our societies". from the BBC article: Climate change: Sir David Attenborough warns of 'catastrophe'

Ironically, in large part, we are the cause.

"... there is a strong, credible body of evidence, based on multiple lines of research, documenting that climate is changing and that these changes are in large part caused by human activities. While much remains to be learned, the core phenomenon, scientific questions, and hypotheses have been examined thoroughly and have stood firm in the face of serious scientific debate and careful evaluation of alternative explanations."

— United States National Research Council, Advancing the Science of Climate Change

This piece is meant to show how our smallest influence can have an incredibly disasterous, and sometimes unseen effect on nature. 

I chose the polar bear since it is recognized, especially in Canada, and around the world, as a symbol of climate change. As usual, I started by finding my resource images.

I started with a small rough design for the piece. This is useful for making all of the big decisions, like the basic design for each element, the placement of these elements within the composition, and the tonal values throughout the composition (this is also called a tonal study). You can also create a colour study in the same manner.

I really liked the dark line that appeared in the resource photos where the camera lens is both above and below the water. It almost splits this composition into two pannels, two sides of the story. I did the line drawing next.

I challenged myself to create two lighting scenarios: ambient light (cloudy day) above the water, and direct but lightly defused light below the water. 

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This piece is also available as a signed archival print. If you are interested in purchasing a print or the original drawing of this or any other piece of art from the Illustration tab, e-mail me at gilles.rainville@gmail.com.

Next time Cycle - Manufactured Consequence.