T h e S w i m m e r
b y J o h n C h e e v e r
This project involved selecting a short story from a various collection of texts. I chose The Swimmer after reading through a couple of the other stories - of which two I knew were very similar to narratives and themes I tended to work with. In order to try something new, and explore a different type of challenging text, I eventually chose this text. I read through it several times, annotating it as if in an English lesson - noting down character, place, object, theme, plot etc - all in different colours. The story became vandalised with notes, scribbles and annotations in order for me to know the text inside out.
When 'illustrating' this text, I initially began with literal images in swimming pool - blues and turquoises; drawing pool tiles, water and a man swimming. This started off my process, however I knew I was thinking too closely to the direct imagery within the text. This lead me to go back and review my initial annotations, looking only at themes and plot.
The text was divided into four sections: The establishing shot, Conflict, Climax and Denouement - these then became the titles for each of the four final illustrations. The images intend to evoke the evolving atmosphere and mood within the text, where the character's emotions are exemplified through the seasons.
Each one becomes progressively more foreboding - they start off in yellows, blues and greens to connote the midsummer afternoon where the story starts. By the end, the last image is dark and gloomy with the approach of Autumn - reflecting the literal view that Neddy is greeted by, but also the metaphorical darkness that surrounds him.The empty room illustrates not only the unoccupied house at the end of the story, but also the inevitability that it is what Neddy (protagonist) will always face.
When 'illustrating' this text, I initially began with literal images in swimming pool - blues and turquoises; drawing pool tiles, water and a man swimming. This started off my process, however I knew I was thinking too closely to the direct imagery within the text. This lead me to go back and review my initial annotations, looking only at themes and plot.
The text was divided into four sections: The establishing shot, Conflict, Climax and Denouement - these then became the titles for each of the four final illustrations. The images intend to evoke the evolving atmosphere and mood within the text, where the character's emotions are exemplified through the seasons.
Each one becomes progressively more foreboding - they start off in yellows, blues and greens to connote the midsummer afternoon where the story starts. By the end, the last image is dark and gloomy with the approach of Autumn - reflecting the literal view that Neddy is greeted by, but also the metaphorical darkness that surrounds him.The empty room illustrates not only the unoccupied house at the end of the story, but also the inevitability that it is what Neddy (protagonist) will always face.