This is the first project that I have to do for the drawing class. No final exam, but need to turn in 2 projects.
For the first project I had to create an Illuminated Letter. Being a Buddhist I chose the letter B for the Buddha (Self-awakened One), Buddho (Awakening in Pali), Buddhist. I used the lotus to represent purity, purified Mind which is the result of the mindfulness practice. Lotus grows in muddy water, but the blossoms rise above the water surface without blemishes, a beautiful symbol for purity. I used all stages of the plant, blossoms, flower buds, seed pods and leaves. Swirly lines for water.
I researched different styles for the drawing. I started trying to construct the letter with Tibetan knotting pattern, but soon found it very difficult to do the “over and under” pattern just right. I am sure with time it could be done, but I had a deadline. The second idea was the one I used in the project, a tattoo style design. The third one was more of a Japanese style illustration with lotuses rising out of a bed of leaves and through the letter B, with Japanese wave pattern as background. A fourth idea was done in the Tibetan Thangka style, quite traditional looking with the B formed with ribbon. I also wanted to add the four elements, Earth, Wind, Water and Fire, but couldn’t find the right spot for Fire. It just didn’t make sense to have fire around the ribbon B.
In the end I chose the high contrast of the tattoo style. It’s clean, the shape is unmistakably B, and I like the flow of the design.
