Ideas for Major Final Outcome

The portrait of Marie Antoinette will be formed on an A1 canvas with the use of acrylic paint. It will be a typically classic portrait as I am trying to convey an essence of Monarch authority, power and absolutism. Therefore, I will employ a pallet of royal colours which will exude Marie Antoinette's wealth and status. Her facial expression will be content as this will emphasise the message of ignorance that I will portray with the contrast of her dress.

Leading on from this idea, my portrait isn't going to be a typical portrait of just another Queen. I am going to use that style of portraiture as a way of illuminating the corrupt and false life that Marie Antoinette led. As referenced earlier, I will use material to make the dress come out of the painting, making it a mixed media piece. On this material will be my prints of various illustrations showing the reality of Marie Antoinette's situation. There might be a print of revolutionaries executing Louis XVI in 1793 and a print of the famous poissardes revolt at Versailles. This will convey the message that, in the eyes of Marie Antoinette her life was secure and her position as Queen untarnished  However, in the shadows of her huge dress (again satirising the classic interpretation of Antoinette) the reality of her downfall and decline will be realised.

Experimentation for my short story

I have decided that my black ink illustrations can seem rather too sharp on the striking background of white card. For this reason, I have decided to look at artists who have drawn on different colours of card and tried this for myself; so as to, decide which background might compliment my illustrations and the elegance I am trying to portray.

• Martin Wilner - JEW

Wilner uses brown paper which he draws onto with ink.

• Jean Antoine Watteau

Watteau employs his tres crayons technique to a slightly tinted background which creates a warmer effect.

My Short Story

To accompany my major final outcome, which will be a portrait of Marie Antoinette, I will be making a short story to tell the tale of Marie Antoinette. As inspiration, I have used David Hockney's interpretation of The Rake's Progress to plan my own story. Hockney produced various stage designs inclusive with characters and props and I have imitated this with three of my potential compositions. At first I was going to simply sketch my own scenes but I thought that I could make it more effective by imitating Hockney's 3D sets. So, I have chosen to use shoe boxes and filled them with the major aspects of each scene.

Here are some images of Hockney's work:

Development of satirical drawing of Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette's hair was such a focal point for various propaganda during her unpopularity in France and up to this very day it is commonly thought to be the most profound symbol when one mentions "Marie Antoinette". Therefore, I have used this symbol to further satirise Marie Antoinette whilst employing a factual twist. I will do this by incorporating a time line into the excessive hair. As I see it, there are three stages of Marie Antoinette's life to present:

1. Her Austrian Origins.
2. Her life as an extravagant, indulgent Queen.
3. Her imprisonment and execution at the hands of the Revolutionaries.