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I shortened the top right leaves so it doesn't interfere with the subject. Overall, I'm happy with my final outcome because it successfully shows the impact Rastafarianism/reggae music have on Jamaica and I.

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To bring the subject forward, I had the paper texture just in the background. It makes the subject stand out more. This piece highlights the beauty of nature and embracing our natural state.

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I took another look at my other two final pieces and realised that both have leaves from my Frida Kahlo response. This means I had to feature them somewhere otherwise it looks like I forgot or ran out of time. I added the leaves where they wouldn't overlap my piece. The red top is a connection to the Rastafarian outcome and I didn't want to hide this with leaves. I like how the leaves minimise the vast space of background. To further improve my final piece, I wish I increased the opacity of the map so its more visible.

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When I was happy with the direction of this piece, I compared it to the rest of my triptych. To make all 3 finals work together, I changed the colour of my top so the Rastafarian outcome isn't the only piece with red. I chose a muted red colour because I didn't want it to overwhelm the image or clash with purple or yellow.

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As this final piece embodies the area I live in and how I display myself, I overlayed a map of Hertfordshire.

The first map doesn't work because of the small coloured shapes along the bust. These marking distract from my photography. I prefer the second map because it looks connected and successfully unites with my photography.

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I used primroses to create a border. These are very important as it shows how the area I live in effects how I present myself.

I raised my photography so it matches the subject placement in my other final pieces. To fill the abundance of space above my head, I moved the primrose border to the top so its evenly composed.

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I reused the flowy purple fabric to show how our identity changes and adapts over time. I like how dynamic the background is, it feels like its moving. My acrylic paint experiment is at the bottom, however it clashes with the background.

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With a short amount of time, I took a new picture to develop into a final piece. I wanted to show how I normally present myself to the world. I ever so often wear my afro out due to bullying and racism. My hair is up so I don't draw as much attention to myself. This shows how our identity links to self confidence. I want my final triptych to inspire young people so they don't feel ashamed to be open with their identity.

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<<< Digital effects experiment annotations

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<<< Digital effects experiment annotations

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I placed my lino outcome over the Jamaican map and experimented with different effects. This was a quick way to produce many outcomes and see a change in colour/opacity. However, the effects are already made so it's hard to control the changes and adjust it to how I want. I'm not happy with these outcomes because it lacks skill. Even though its my own lino print, it lacks my personal style therefore conflicting with my identity.

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I changed the hue and saturation to explore colour variations.

Grey - Too plain and lacks Caribbean rich vibrancy

Green - Looks too bright, doesn't contrast enough with the white background

Red - The colour distracts from the lines and shape of the flower

Purple - Bright, vibrant and matches the flower

Overall, purple is my favourite because it embodies Jamaica and their national flower the most. A clearer lino print would be more successful because the colour would be solid.

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I separated my string flower from my oil pastel experiment and layered it over my lino prints. To create a portrait image, I doubled my lino and united them with the flower. To increase the impact of the Lignum Vitae I doubled it to emphasise the lines.

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After I became comfortable with the pressure and ink amount, I experimented with a map background. I wanted to link my screen printing trials back to Jamaica and my identity.

I prefer the burgundy ink because it matches the warmness of the map. Black looks harsh against a light background However, the red map is creased at the bottom because of how it dried. The black map is flatter.

Overall, these outcomes weren't successful as the ink covers majority of the map. I would've preferred if my screen print was smaller so the image is horizontal.

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Using Photoshop, I edited primroses over the dandelions. A primrose is one of the most popular British Native flowers. I wanted to add these to my piece to subtly acknowledge my British nationality. The yellow colour matches the background and the Jamaican flag, pulling it all together.

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To add a 3D element to my outcome, I overlapped my paper making outcome. It looks like my response has been printed onto this material. The multiple elements of nature (lignum vitae flower, leaves at bottom, grass and dandelions) strongly connects to Jamaica and the green in the flag.

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Lino printing was a substantial amount of my experimentation throughout the project which is why I wanted to develop it into a final piece. However, after seeing it with my other finals, it didn't fit in. The subject is facing the opposite way which makes it look disconnected. The lino is landscape which looks rushed and significantly smaller compared to 2 portrait final pieces. Visually, the lino outcome is too literal. My first piece symbolises the love Jamaica and I share for nature. The second one represents Jamaica's connection to Rastafarian ideologies, that I've learned through reggae music growing up. Whereas the lino shows the flag colours, lacking a deeper meaning.

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I used the acetate print of my threshold image, to layer over previous experiments I did. I don't think my paper making trial works with this because it lacks colour. I wish I used more flowers and grass to emphasise the colours of the Jamaican flag.

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Screen printing is a technique that creates a picture or pattern by forcing ink on to a surface through a screen of fine material. Before I could start this process, I had to chose an outcome which was my Kahlo response due to the detail. Using photoshop, I adjusted the threshold which makes it a black and white image. This picture is then printed on acetate, covered with a UV sensitive ink and cured. Once the ink is done my screen is ready to print.

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I started my second piece by layering the acetate threshold print over my previous outcomes. My favourite experiment of these are the first and last one, because it enhances my Frida Kahlo responses. It adds the colour and definition of my photography.

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The drawing to music background inspired the whole piece, I based it on reggae music and Rastafarianism. I edited my oil pastel experiment around the head. I smudged and adjusted the shape to resemble sound waves. As the halo is green and red, I made the background yellow to include all colours of Rastafarianism. I also changed the straps of my top to match my experiment. The subject is lowered so the leaves don't overlap.

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I used my drawing to music response as a background and experimented with the colour, opacity and placement. This background provided a texture without distracting from the subject. The leaves need to be smaller or placed behind so it doesn't obstruct the subject.

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I added leaves from my Frida Kahlo response to reference nature. I think both borders needed to be smaller as they overlap with the subject. The painted background, leaves and map is overwhelming. so, I then made the background a solid colour, but this looked too plain. Additionally, the shadow effect is too harsh.

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As the subject is portrait, I had to double the maps so it covers the A4 size.

My first two outcomes have sharp, crisp outlines of my photography. I found this too harsh so I blurred the outline in my other experiments.

Jamaica is a hot, tropical country, so I changed the hue and saturation of the map to a warm yellow.

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I removed the shadow so I could focus on the background colour. Using the eye drop tool, I replicated the colours in the map and filled the backdrop.

Yellow - Too mustard and doesn't reflect the yellow in the flag

Green - Too dark

Red - Too angry and overwhelming

White - Too plain and doesn't relate to Jamaica in any way

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The Jamaican map gives the subject texture however, it clashes with the background. The colours and patterns are overwhelming together. I added a shadow in the background to draw the subject forward towards the viewer.

I experimented with the hue and saturation in the second outcome. This created a glowing effect which I think is successful. It looks fluorescent.

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I added my Rastafarian paint experiments behind my Walker response. The vibrant colours give a Caribbean feel however the subject looks too plain.

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I found this purple fabric in college. I wanted to use it because of the interesting texture and colour shift. When its over a white base, it looks sheer and has a glowing effect. Whereas when its on a black background, the textiles pattern is revealed.

The first experiment has a wavy texture to show how my confidence has changed and evolved.

In the second experiment, I used a marker to draw lignum vitae flowers.

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I used water colour and fine liners to create a Jamaican flag inspired background. The 'vines' reaching to and from the subject shows my connection to Jamaica despite never going there. This response is unsuccessful because of the blank space in the top left corner making it look unfinished. I also wished the green and yellow background were more saturated.

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Using Photoshop, I cut out my photography and made it black and white. I prefer my second response as it makes the background look like negative space. This gives me more freedom to experiment with colours, patterns and textures in the backdrop. Walkers technique of silhouettes, side profiles and exaggerated shapes will heavily influence my final piece. This style emphasises my Jamaica features which will be the focal point of my final.

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With black ink, I painted a Lignum Vitae flower on dried mod rock. I wish I added more layers of ink because it looks navy instead of black in some areas. I won't develop this response further as it's an abstract take on the flower, which is opposite to the hyperrealism style I want for my final.

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To make the primroses look more connected to my image, I added a posturize affect. This made a subtle difference by making the flowers look digital.

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The bright background occupies a lot of space in the image and felt overpowered with a purple top too. I changed my garment to a pale yellow to match the primroses and compliment my skin colour.

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I increased the saturation of the flowers to enhance the colour and match the vibrancy of the purple background.

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As it got closer to the end of the project, I struggled to visualise how one final outcome would represent my identity. One final piece gives the impression that my identity is one dimensional when actually it's complex and has changed over time. Although Jamaica is the focus of my project, I'm a British citizen who's born and raised here. Moving from Luton to Hertfordshire meant that I was part of the minority. I was different compared to other kids at school, pressuring me to blend in and conform to other people's standards. On my journey to self-love and empowerment, I still struggle to present my hair in certain ways. My final triptych will show different layers of my identity.

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Print press experiments for Final Piece lino

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Print press experiments for Final Piece lino

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I then trialled gold ink on a black background. I prefer black over white because the gold looks deep and rich. However, I don't like the shape of the eyes because it looks like goggles.

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On white paper, I screen printed my image using gold ink. I chose gold because it symbolises the wealth and golden sunlight Jamaica possesses. The first experiment is patchy in some places because I didn't apply an even pressure. My second experiment was more successful because I went over it multiple times to ensure the ink is distributed fairly.

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After gaining more confidence with printing on card, I trialled making patterns and using more than one ink colour. For my first experiment, I chose the Rastafarian colours. These colours matched well together but the amount of ink made it smudge in the middle. Because this print lacked definition, in my next outcome I used less ink. My second experiment was successful because the ink is spread thinly and evenly. You can see where the colours meet without smudging. However, at the top I wish there was more blending with the colours rather than harsh blocks of yellow, black and green.

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Once discovering that card is the fitting material for lino printing, I practiced red, yellow and green ink on a plain white surface. I used white card because it's bright and contrasts with most colours, however yellow is too light to distinguish easily. Green is clearly visible but lacks definition because I didn't use enough ink. I'm happy with my red outcome because the coverage highlights my carvings. The lack of red ink in some places gives it a hand drawn texture that's effective.

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A patterned cloth I found at home, was used for the background. The overlapping, repetitive stripes of the fabric reminded me of the cross in the Jamaican flag. When I was happy with the placement and size of the fabric, I experimented with the hue/saturation. Green, red and yellow represent the Rastafarian colours. Purple symbolises the Lignum Vitae and yellow stands for the golden sunlight. To improve these outcomes, I should've changed the straps of my top to the fabric background. This would've been more effective as it applies the same idea to the clothing as well.

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Sunlight was a vital aspect of my photography as it creates the illusion of heat in the Caribbean and Africa that adds a natural, golden glow. This iridescent shine enhances the melanin in my skin and adds a warm filter that transports the viewer to Jamaica.

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Having direct eye contact with the camera tells the viewer that I'm proud of who I am and aren't afraid to present myself wearing a hair style that I'd previously been humiliated for. Each time I wear my hair down, I take back that power over racism, discrimination and ignorance.

My photography is the base of my work. My body language successfully communicates confidence, power and self-love by holding my head up high.

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Cotton fabric was a difficult material to print on as it should have minimal/no creasing. This material was stretchy so no amount of pulling made it 100% pressed. When creased, the ink gathers and minimises definition. My experiments weren't successful because the prints aren't strongly visible. The lint creates a fuzzy texture making it difficult to create sharp lines. These responses won't be developed further because I know I can print a clearer lino on a different material.

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I stuck my lino print onto the background I painted previously as I thought both outcomes would correspond. The ripped paper and faded ink matches the scraped paint texture. To improve this joinery of work, I should've had an even distribution of the paint colours. There's too much red surrounding the lino which could've been corrected with green or yellow paint. I also think adding black paint would intensify the colours even more.

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Using the lines from my lino print, I filled each section to recreate the Jamaican flag. I used primroses as the yellow stripes and filled the other sections with green and black. To make it feel cohesive, I added my mixed media piece on top with a low opacity. The tie dye effect looks like a reflection.

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The map is under the lino which implies that Jamaica is a part of me. This piece looks empty because it lacks colour and texture.

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I'm aiming my project towards young people so I can encourage them to feel empowered by their identity too. I struggled with confidence growing up due to racism and pressure to fit into European beauty standards. This is something I want to prevent and reduce in other young people by showcasing my art in a museum visited by many schools, colleges and universities.

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The song 'One Love' expresses the power of family, love and unity. To show my understanding of the song, I used my oil pastels to create one cohesive drawing. My favourite parts of the response is the places where all three colours overlap as this displays Marley's message of togetherness. The song features the lyrics 'One love, one heart' which unintentionally influenced me to draw a design similar to human heart. This shows the power of Marley's music and the impact his legacy has left to this day.

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For my previous project, I participated in the Royal Opera House Challenge where I'd listen to opera whilst drawing what I hear and feel. This exercise taught me the importance of drawing without a plan and doing what feels right in the moment. I wanted to use this technique as a response to Marley because creating art with an open mind links to his message of peace and freedom. The song 'Smile Jamaica' explains the importance of remaining positive. Those lyrics guided me through the times where I was bullied for my skin colour. I'm now a confident person who finds my race and ethnicity empowering.

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Marley being a mixed race man himself, made me feel like he understood some of the struggles I had with my mixed identity. Hearing his music that advocated for peace, encouraged me to accept and cherish all parts of my identity too. The way Marley is often presented in art features Rastafarian colours that link closely to his beliefs.

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< Oil pastel and string experiment annotations

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< Oil pastel and string experiment annotations

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Oil pastels is what I used to create an illusion of a moving circle that draws the eye towards the centre. As the circle moves inward, the colours get lighter to imitate a vignette effect. To create the Lignum Vitae flower, I painted and cut a thick string which I stuck down with a glue gun. I'd like to take this outcome further as I could experiment with the colours or replace the flower with my photography.

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< Paint and metal experiment annotations

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< Paint and metal experiment annotations

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Using a thin sheet of metal, I scraped yellow, red and green paints to create a textured acrylic outcome. I experimented with different pressures, angles and amounts of paint to find a balance between colour transfer and texture. Overlapping the paints adds a sense of depth however red and green would make a muddy brown which I tried to avoid. Adding black would've been an effective way of showing another Rastafarian colour and filling any gaps.

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Inspired by Rastafarian colours, I used acrylic paint to make a base. I then dipped cotton buds into the paints and stamped them on to a contrasting colour. To improve my experiment, I could've measured the sections where I'd paint so it would be even. Despite the proportions not being balanced, this outcome would make an interesting textured background in a graphic response.

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Inspired by my previous Kahlo response, I wanted to experiment with another composition. I placed the subject into the corner and overlapped a low opacity image of my Kachō-e Lignum Vitae flower. This wasn't a successful outcome because there's a lot of negative space that doesn't have any texture, making it look empty and unfinished. I should've increased the opacity of the flower because it's difficult to see any details or colours.

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I matched the background colour to my clothes so there's a contrast between the flowers and leaves. Although the yellow background blends with my top, because it's not the focal point it doesn't affect the impact of my outcome. This is a response I'd like to take further as it shows the relationship that Jamaica and I have for nature. Having my eyes closed implies that I'm at peace with my Jamaican identity.

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I roughly tried to cover ink with a map of Jamaica. However, this doesn't look effective and should have the map as the skin instead.

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The shadow could be lighter so it isn't as harsh. Also the colours are too much. The purple straps don't match the rest of the image.

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I decided to lower the opacity of the map so my features are clearly seen. This shows how Jamaica is a part of my identity instead of hiding myself with the map like a mask or façade. Using the drop shadow effect, I made a softer shadow and experimented with various colours.

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As learnt from my previous outcomes, I wanted to create a simplistic response to Kahlo that was easy to interpret. I moved the flowers from over my head to behind so it looks less crowded. This means I could make the flowers bigger resulting in the shape and details being more noticeable. To keep the nature aspect from Kahlo's work, I made a border of plants (from my photography) along the bottom of the image. I feel this was successful because I look submerged in nature without overcrowding the image. Using the eye drop tool, I made the background a light purple identical to the flowers. The pastel colour looks calming but it does make the flowers blend in, which lowers the impact from the focal point.

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Many of Kahlo's portraits have a background of leaves and nature which I attempted to replicate. On photoshop, I copied and pasted the greenery from my photography and surrounded myself with plants. I think the colours green, yellow and purple complement each other and look appealing to the eye. However, the plants feel too overwhelming and creates the sense that they're taking over the subject.

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My clothing was gifted to me from my Nana in Jamaica. This neckline is a style often seen in traditional African clothing. Although I'm Jamaican, my DNA is African so I wanted to wear a garment that brings 2 sides of my identity together. The colour of the top is yellow which is in the Jamaican flag, representing the golden sunlight (also seen in Africa).

My eyes are closed in these images to show how I'm at peace with myself. To emphasise my facial features, I have my face turned to the side and pulled my curly hair beside it. The contrast between my skin and dark hair creates a backdrop that makes my features stand out.

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I wanted some of my photography to show my curly afro out. This is more than a hairstyle to me, it's a rebellion against European beauty standards and a show of growth, as I wouldn't wear my hair out when I was younger due to bullying. My hair texture is a result of my Jamaican heritage and is a proud symbol of black culture.

The plant represents the nature and agriculture Jamaica is known for. Green complements the purple from my top and symbolises the vibrant, rich colours often associated with the Caribbean. I positioned it to the side to separate the frame into thirds (plant, subject, negative space). To improve this composition I could've made the proportions even.

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The meaning behind Jamaicas flag colours

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The meaning behind Jamaicas flag colours

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My mixed media response is placed under my lino to represent the Jamaican flag colours. I placed the leaves from my photography to reference nature and included a primrose to symbolise my British identity.

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With an A3 and A4 map of Jamaica, I cut it into pieces and made a collage. Although most maps are geographically accurate, this collage shows how they can be manipulated and potentially misinform viewers. I enjoyed playing with the shape and outlines of the map. Having the country overlap the borders shows Jamaicas strength against oppression.

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Inspired by Kahlo, I placed my Kachō-e style Lignum Vitae flowers onto my head. The flowers are in a curved shape to resemble a crown and enhance the shape of my hair and face. Kahlo often wore traditional Mexican garments which is why I used my mixed media outcome of Jamaica's National Costume as the background. I put additional references to nature by adding plants from my photography. I think this was a successful response to Kahlo as there's many links to her style however visually I think it's too much. The patterned background clashes with the clothes in my photograph and the colours don't look cohesive.

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Kahlo's portraits often capture her with flowers on her head which implies that nature is as valuable as a crown. These morals also apply to Jamaica who cherish their wildlife and agriculture, hence why they have green in their flag. Another feature that I want to emulate in my work is Kahlo's staple, leafy background.

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With green string, I created an abstract Lignum Vitae flower. I mixed dark purple and blue paper to make a purple pulp. While it was wet, the pulp looked dark making it hard to see the colour. But luckily, it got lighter while drying and resulted in my desired shade. I then stuck flowers in the centre of the string petals. I used yellow flowers and green string to reference the Jamaican flag. Overall, I'm happy with my results but I don't want to adapt this further because this abstract design won't match my style.

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I took inspiration from the Jamaican flag and considered the meaning behind the colours. Green represents the beautiful nature and wildlife which is why I picked grass and yellow flowers from outside. I spaced these over the screen and poured the black pulp over it. This moved my layout of the grass which is why its pushed and gathered to one side. This crinkled texture is something I'd like to experiment with further to give my digital outcomes have a 3D finish.