Self portrait: ‘Cass the Villain’

I have tried creating myself, my own personal character based on other nostalgic video game characters, characters from television shows, and hip hop music. I decided to recreate myself as a villain, as it reflected my personality whilst I was in my high school years. I used to be a delinquent who would listen to evil rap music, always wanting to be known for fighting, and loved it when I knew that others were intimidated by me. lately I’ve found since I’ve been attending Art School I have become a more peaceful, positive and patient person.

I have found when I voice or write things I think about in my mind, I feel free from negativity. One thing that also helps me, Is making art as I find it quite therapeutic. One thing that Im trying to achieve in life is finding true happiness. I’ve found out the more that I analyse things and understand them more, the happier I become. I believe that knowledge is One way of finding happiness, but i believe that I can’t find true happiness if I have no understanding of evil in its purest form. So I was thinking deeply into the reasons I was angry and also reasons I could relate myself to other villainous characters. I also questioned myself, ‘why do I and also my friends have such a dark humour?.’ We can hear and discuss the most outrageously evil and offensive content and then laugh about how extremely cruel our minds can be.

This is what got me thinking of the music that influenced my thoughts whilst I was at high school, and then I came to realise that the closer friends I have made at Art school, also have similar villainous qualities as myself. This made me enjoy coming to Course as I found people I could finally relate to, besides my brothers at home. I also thought that It would be a good idea to incorporate my music that I listen to into my artwork as I’ve found that many people (even at art school) are so ‘closed minded’ when it comes to hip hop music, as they are only exposed to the music that they hear on the radio or the popular hip hop songs on YouTube.

They show no appreciation for the creative lyrical content within other Songs that are ‘not so popular’ to the radio stations, or even songs that ‘were’ popular on the radio but are not of this time. I myself prefer hip hop music that is from the 90’s, but lately I have found new artists that have reopened my ears to their style of music, which contain the similar vibes to the music I used to listen to during high school. Ideas began flowing to my head, when I was shown ‘the birth of captain murphy’ YouTube clip from one of my breethas ‘Aaron’ (the guy who was helping me during my screen printing practice.) I then began listening to more from the Artist ‘Captain Murphy’ and previous Artists that I used to listen to before. I was finding that all these musicians I would listen to,  all had the mind sets of ‘villains,’ they would admit that they were ‘bad guys,’ I appreciated the honesty and creative way that they would express this. With my works I was trying to create my character, ‘Cass tha Crook’ who would be described as ‘the villain of all villains.’ I would imagine that my character would discover other villains from video games and television programmes, destroy them and then consume their souls.

My villain would then begin wearing body parts of those he had slain as a trophy to show those who chose to approach him, who he had defeated. For example, my villain begins to grow horns which are shaped like jaws. That is to symbolise that he had killed and skinned the video game boss, ‘Andross’ and had then wore his jaw bone as a trophy. My villain would then morph into a similar shape to the next villain he would destroy. I also wanted my villain to Kill all Heroes, anyone who would stand in his path, and take things from them to symbolise how Evil he was. I always wanted my villain to be wearing my bucket hat, so you would know It was me who would be defeating all of these individuals. I wanted to think the most evil thoughts I could possibly think of, so I would scare myself and never want to think of evil thoughts again.

The music I would listen to paid great influence to my work, the results terrified certain viewers which was exactly the kind of reaction I wanted from the works. I feel that I managed to get my point across, through my works. Leaving me satisfied and making me feel eager to continue to create.

Background made from screen shot from ‘birth of captain murphy’ episode

My character with a white background.

black background

My character, with a black background.

white background

I was trying to mimic the shading from the characters of the show. particularly around the nose. found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0uWDDq0F8w

I was trying to create my character having scorpions vest but a dark purple. As it’s my favourite colour. found at: http://wallpoper.com/wallpaper/mk4-scorpion-by-mtz-54655

Link is the main character in the legend of zelda franchise, he inspired the ears for my character.I tried to create a zombified character thats why I chose to give him a pale blue skin colour.found at:http://picshype.com/zelda-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of/legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of/16220

Mf dooms album cover influenced my art style and also the usage of gold chain as his hoodie straps. Found at: http://skoodmusic.net/tag/mf-doom/

The breetha Aaron showed me this video, which was an introduction for the new alias made by the musician ‘Flying Lotus’ which he goes by now for his rap persona as ‘Captain Murphy.’ I was captivated by the psycadelic/pop arty style of the art work of the video, the different ideas that each of the characters came up with and also the evilness that Captain Murphy brings into the video and also into his music Found at: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=R0uWDDq0F8w

He creates electronic type music that also has a hip hop vibe to it, and also incorporates retro video game sounds into his music, which I really enjoy. When he became Captain Murphy he created really dark Rap music, rhyming about how he lives his life as a cult leader and describes his other evil deeds which he commits, which frightened me a bit, that I kinda liked for some reason. I loved how he created a new character for himself which reminded me of other rap artists like ‘MF DOOM’ and how Badass he describes himself reminded me of the Other artists I used to listen to at high school, like ‘Big L’ and ‘Kool G Rap’ Found at: https://news.beatport.com/hear-flying-lotus-go-extra-large-for-his-last-bbc-residency-show/

He created an alias for himself based on the comic book super villain ‘Doctor Doom.’ Which inspired me to recreate myself into my own type of villain. DOOM is known to be always wearing his metal mask to hide his identity, which I thought was awesome as no one can judge him on how he truly looks and can only listen to what he says in order to understand what his character is trying to express. When I first tried listening to DOOM, it sounded like he was speaking a whole bunch of gibberish, but I got to listen to him a little bit more and thought more into what he was saying and I found that his lyrics were actually quite simply said but had very complex meaning. DOOM is a lyrical Genius. Found at: http://www.adventuresinpoortaste.com/2015/06/05/history-of-a-hip-hop-villain-a-guide-to-mf-doom/

One of my favourite hip hop artists of all time. His lyrical content was crazy, he had some of the greatest punchlines in hip hop history. He would often speak about how much of a badass he was, he even had a song that described himself as ‘the Devils son’ he wasn’t the most positive influence, but one thing that I respected the most about Big L was that he lived by the words he spoke. There was truth behind most of his creativity, as he described his life in Harlem like living in Hell, where death was an every day thing that people had to live around and try to avoid, One thing that he couldn’t do as he was shot. Listening to his songs made me realise that growing up in such a harsh environment, explains how someone can have such a negative view on society. I could relate to Him although my lifestyle was no where near as rough as his. Found at: http://www.okayplayer.com/news/90s-rap-cookin-soul-big-l-put-it-on-remix-video.html

I took an image from google typing ‘captain murphy’ background and placed my image overtop.

I found I preferred the Image with a black background, It created a nice effect with the the hair lighting

 

when it was floating in a white space makes you appreciate the outlines compared to black.

I tried to make him have shiny gold teeth, with rotten gums, like he was a zombie.

I always like the effect that black adds to the piece.

I was influenced by the video clip of ‘Mighty Morphin Foreskin’. I was focussing on figures placed in the middle of a continuous focus on the skull in the middle of the screen, so I tried creating the same effect but using my own figure.

my image over background found from google.

My image overtop a white background.

my image over black background

black background

white background

Black suits most of my digital drawings. It creates great effects.

I took an image from google, typing ‘psychedelic background’ then found this piece which its line work was similar to mine.

Used my previous work as a background.

Becoming recognisable as bosses in video games.
like ‘Andross’ from the nintendo 64 game, ‘Star Fox 64.’

This video game boss was scary as shit when I was younger, and sort of freaks me out today still. Thats how I wanted my villain to look, menacing inflicting fear into those who witness its presence. found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZh5gFHQATA

I found it to be quite interesting how Andross was in his own little realm waiting for you to face him, so I decided to make my character have its own little realm also. Using my previous works from photoshop as a background. found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZh5gFHQATA

I used the inverted background from last module.

work in progress I need to finish his hands.

I used the inverted background from last module.

Aku inspired the body shape of my character. I enjoy how evil Aku can be on samurai jack,so much that I even find certain remarks he makes, quite humorous. found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvNzuj79jRM

Akuma inspired the shape of my characters hair. I’ve been trying to research into Akuma and found that he is one of the most evil characters in the video game street fighter. I found that he killed his master and then stole his beads which then turned him from the man named ‘Gouki’ into a ‘demon’ (Akuma) who’s sole purpose was to kill anyone who opposed him. Akuma meaning found at: http://www.godchecker.com/pantheon/japanese-mythology.php?deity=AKUMA found at: http://jimbobox.deviantart.com/art/Akuma-397283262

Local to Global: Tourism to Terrorism (idea practice)

With this practice, I took another New Zealand Poster and transformed the displayed figure into a terrorist. Again just introducing the Idea that Isis could be among us so I thought it was perfect to take one of the Native/Maori people of New Zealand and make them an extremist, just playing off another idea that Isis will ‘become one of the natives’ of New Zealand.

I thought it was perfect to use a New Zealand holiday poster, as it is trying to show the beauty of New Zealand, my poster now should be viewed as a ‘warning sign.’ I wanted people, especially foreigners of this country to see this piece and ask themselves “would I really want to go to New Zealand for A holiday, if it contains stuff like this?.”Again this is just another stab at the idea of making new zealand part of the war against Isis and its consequences.

I tried something abit different to my other works, by adding my own line work to the figure my head was placed on top of. I also tried abit of photoshop blurring to make the black lines seem to be part of the image, im just trying to make my images look like an actualposter.

Local to Global: Isis Propaganda (idea practice)

I was influenced from the idea of how propaganda has been re-edited to make different statements of what they represent, by changing text to display a different message and also muddling up figures to express it.

I got really inspired by the idea of taking old New Zealand tourism and product advertising posters, and playing with their text and subject matter to enforce the idea that terrorism will be coming to New Zealand. As our prime minister volunteered New Zealand to be part of the war against Isis.

In the initial poster for this piece it’s advertising lemonade in New Zealand, I tried playing with this image by replacing the sillhouette of the woman with a man with an AK-47 and balaclava. This is just representing the Idea of Isis coming to New Zealand is slowly becoming a reality, so their ‘lurking in the shadows’ and will be among us. I also tried changing the brand of the original poster to Isis and replacing the little star at the end of the brand name with the symbol for Isis.

My final image wasn’t that satisfying for me but its getting the idea across that is important.

Local to Global: Isis Propaganda (idea practice)

Background picture found from this book

Background image

Initial drawing

Finished drawing

Colour added

Significant symbol for Isis

Terrorist added to background top writing covered up (crappily) Isis symbol added

Text added

I tried practicing with the idea of creating a poster that reflects the idea that since New Zealand will be getting involved with the war on Isis, we should be expecting Isis related acts of terrorism to be committed within New Zealand.

This idea was to strike fear into the viewer, so the public will understand the seriousness of this issue. I chose to go for a ‘propaganda’ type vibe for this poster as propaganda was mainly used during war.

I used an old New Zealand tourism poster which is showing the peace and tranquility of Marlborough Sounds and then tried to create an image that expresses the complete opposite type of vibe, like a poster that changes the view of New Zealand from ‘tourism to terrorism’ if you will.

I wish I could have edited this image better by using photoshop cos it looks kinda bad but it’s the idea that counts and this is just a practice.

Local to Global: John Key

This year at course we’ve been instructed to create an art or design work based on a New Zealand issue, There has been a lot of issues with our prime minister John Key. From what I’ve heard He has just recently approved New Zealand soldiers to join in on the war against Isis without consulting the other members of parliament or even the public for that matter, he has not learnt how Americas increase of military activity in the Middle East has increased the number of radicals fighting american soldiers and hatred towards America. Since New Zealand will be on the same side as America in this fight, New Zealand will now be a target for terrorism just like how Australia has started to have terrorist acts performed by members of Isis within Australia. I also found out that ever since Key has been in power, 20,000 more New Zealand children are now living in poverty, This is because John Key has lowered the minimum wage and is mainly providing opportunitys for the rich in New Zealand. Well this is the main information that I’ve gathered, and I’m not too strong with how I feel with these issues as these statements are just me repeating what others feel about Mr Key. I need to research more into these issues, but I still made some pieces using the Adobe ideas app. I created John Key as the ‘reaper’ for I am against him getting New Zealand involved in a war that really does not really need us there, I feel that if he wanted to bring peace into Iraq and other parts of the Middle East he should have sent food, medical aid and other things like that if he sends our troops to join in a war, then we should expect New Zealand to be no longer neutral and no longer safe. and I also made a piece of John Key as the devil, just how our country is turning to Shit abit since he’s been in power the rich have been getting richer and the poor getting poorer, he’s also been selling our land to china so less money is going to the people of New Zealand and mainly to those who have shares and shit like that. These pieces are just a few ideas that came to mind hearing information like this. These are mainly just drawing practices brain storm drawings if you will.

Breaking Bad

Since I made drawings for Game of Thrones Characters, I decided to create another piece for Characters of the Breaking Bad series. But this time I wanted to create a line up like my “Hip Hop Legends” piece, and I wanted to make the figures have more detail to them. The people I think I didn’t do so great was Skyler and Saul, there’s just something missing with those two, but that’s okay cos’ I’ve gotten better at drawing faces with the others (I think). I got this idea from one of my previous drawings of Walter, so this is just adding on to that drawing.

Jesse Pinkman

Hank Schrader

Skyler White

Mike Ehrmantraut

Gustavo Fring

Saul Goodman

Walter White “Heisenberg”

Game of thrones, Bruce Lee and Dave chappelle

I’ve tried the black and white drawing approach again, I’ve drawn some of the game of thrones characters and Dave Chappelle using the Adobe ideas app. I also had another go at Bruce Lee im not sure if I’ve got it right yet but I’m still working on it.

Bruce lee

tyrion lanister

joffrey barathean

Danaerys targayen

Dave Chappelle

Jon snow

Ned stark, I think the problem with this piece is that I’ve drawn his beard “bushier” than it actually is so it kinda looks like him but not really

danaerys targaryen With eyebrows darkened

‘The Bitch Mobb’

This piece is a dedication to my squad at course the ‘Bitch mobb’. It is our gang that is AGAINST gangs and violence, (the guns in the picture are irrelevant) most people that get peer pressured into doing violent and unethical acts are referred to as ‘bitches’ if they don’t participate in these activities. So our gang admits to being bitches. if being a bitch means doing the right thing and caring for our fellow man, then we are a proud bunch of bitches. Most gangs have certain coloured clothing to represent their gang, our gangs colour is pink. The whole approach to this piece was trying to copy the grand theft auto San Andreas art works, I got the back grounds from the Grand theft auto V website.

Teina

Teina A.K.A. Black bitch coloured

Ariki A.K.A. Da bitch coloured

Ariki

Casper (me) A.K.A. Sassy bitch coloured

Bitch mobb hits the town

Bitch mobb in the hood

Bitch mobb in the country

Close up of the classy bitch

Close up of the black bitch

Close up of Da bitch

Close up of the sassy bitch

This piece inspired me to make this dedication to the bitch mobb it was created by my Sensei

Sensei (Adam)

Ariki drawn in

Teina drawn in

Cass drawn in

Sensei drawn in

Sensei A.K.A. Classy bitch coloured

The Hip Hop Legends

The hip hop legends

Ice cube

Nas

2pac

CASS Money (me)

Notorious B.I.G.

Krs-One

Big Daddy Kane

Text added

I Was listening to some of my old school rap music when I was cleaning last night, and I was spitting hot fire son! And I realised just how great of a rapper I was so I decided to make a dedication piece to the some of the greatest rappers of all time. The most relevant rapper Of the whole list is the one in the centre, which is me. I decided to go back on the idea of using just black and white sketches of heads, which I have made previously.

Grand master Melle-Mel

Melanie (Mel)

First drawing attempt

Second drawing attempt

Colour being added

More colour added

Background added

Close up

Title added

This is another piece I’ve made for one of my classmates Melanie (Mel), I chose to make her a ninja type warrior just because she enjoys watching anime.