Our own world
Marta Carvalho
In the Contexts and Practices of Illustration curricular unit, we were asked to start from the choice of two contrasting elements: one of erudite origin and the other of popular origin. The aim was to explore the formal, chromatic and contextual dimensions of these materials, creating a narrative between the two elements without using text.
As the erudite element I chose the painting Automat (1927) by Edward Hopper, which addresses loneliness and alienation in modern urban life. As the popular element I chose the lenço dos namorados (lovers’ handkerchief), a traditional craft piece from the Minho region associated with affection and the emotional bond between two people.
The narrative addresses themes such as introspection, isolation and the contemporary urban condition, drawn from Edward Hopper’s work. Throughout the story, several characters move through collective spaces — cafés, streets, public transport — while remaining in a state of alienation and disconnection. At a central moment, two characters meet and form an emotional bond, represented symbolically by the color red and later by the lenço dos namorados. This encounter transforms their perception of the surrounding reality, which fades away to give way to a “world of their own”, marked by intimacy and a strong connection.
In terms of color, the narrative relies mostly on cool tones, with red used as a symbol of the affective bond. The technique is mixed, combining colored pencils, watercolor, markers and acrylic paint. Each illustration sits within a square — evoking the format of the lenço dos namorados — and is presented on loose A4 sheets, reinforcing the idea that each illustration represents a distinct and long moment in time.
Imprint / Technical Rider:
Year: 2024
Dimensions: 210 × 297 mm; 5 pages
Materials: Watercolor paper 240 g/m².
Production and finishing: Illustrations in mixed media: watercolor, colored pencils, acrylic paint and markers.
Curricular Unit:
Illustration Contexts and Practices (1st year)
Supervising Professor:
Rui Vitorino Santos
Keywords: Illustration, Visual Narrative