CASE STUDY
Watercolour in Motion: The Art of Olive Oil Production
The Challenge | Capturing Olive Oil Production with Emotional Impact & Interactivity
Olive Oil Times approached me with a deliciously unique project: bring to life the olive oil production process, from grove to final product, through a series of dynamic interactive watercolour illustrations. The twist? These would not be traditional illustrations but would evolve into a dynamic watercolour video, brimming with energy, motion, and narrated storytelling.
The goal was clear – create an immersive, vibrant experience that would unfold before viewers, capturing the essence of each stage of production while blending traditional textures with interactive elements.
A Feast for the Eyes
The goal? To whisk viewers on an immersive experience. Picture it: watercolour splashes cascading onto the screen, morphing into detailed illustrations with trailing ink lines seamlessly weaving through. Each drawing would come alive, captivating audiences with its fluid evolution.
AT A GLANCE
Challenge: Illustrate the journey of olive oil production (grove to bottle) for a dynamic watercolour video.
Solution: Series of unfolding watercolour illustrations, synchronized with narration and animated ink lines.
Client Brief | A Story-Driven Marketing Campaign
Olive Oil Times sought an artistic journey, where each product and marketing illustration would blossom into fully realized works of art, inviting the audience to witness the entire olive oil process in an engaging, story-driven campaign. From the first abstract colour splash to the final detailed illustration, each moment would build upon the last, creating a vibrant, dynamic visual experience.
Behind the Brush | Research & Refinement
My creative process began with a deep dive into olive oil production. I collaborated closely with the Olive Oil Times team to ensure every step, from harvest to the final product, was depicted with authenticity. Mock-ups were created using hand-drawn illustrations and black-and-white sketches, allowing the client to review each phase of the project.
Iterative Refinement:
The mock-up phase became a crucial space for feedback. Initially, we explored angles, perspectives, and layouts. Once the direction was confirmed, I began working on final sketches, incorporating strategic “bleeding” techniques with watercolours to achieve texture and depth.
Process:
- Collaborated with production team on research and illustration accuracy.
- Developed mock-ups for each stage (vantage points, black & white sketches).
- Hand-painted illustrations on watercolour paper with strategic layering and pigment placement.
- Applied black ink lines for detail and texture using a drawing tablet (Photoshop).
Refining the colour palette and composition is where the magic happens, allowing exploration of colour combinations for a visually harmonious result.
Experimenting with compositional layouts is crucial, shaping how the final piece resonates with viewers.
Digital Dance: Pixels & Ink
Once the watercolour pieces were complete, the transformation into an interactive video began. Each hand-drawn illustration was scanned and brought into Photoshop, where I applied clean ink lines to enhance detail and fluidity.
The magic happened when I digitally erased the backgrounds, leaving behind a transparent effect to showcase the interactive watercolour illustration. As the video played, viewers were captivated by the way each illustration evolved in real-time, transforming from abstract colour splashes into detailed visuals.
Vibrant, Dynamic Visuals:
The final video bloomed with life, each stroke of watercolour beautifully unveiled, allowing the emotional impact and interactivity of the process to unfold naturally. The blend of traditional textures and digital enhancements ensured a seamless transition from static artwork to a full-fledged video illustration, telling the story of olive oil in a way that was both informative and visually stunning.
Outcome: Captivating video illustrations for an immersive viewing experience.
Testimonial
"Ainsley's a pleasure to work with and her creative work is top-notch. Will definitely look forward to working with her again."
- Olive Oil Times
When precise line-work meets the beauty of colour bleeds, illustrations come alive with a captivating energy.
A well-considered colour palette can be the secret weapon that elevates an artwork's integrity.
Impact | A Truly Immersive Experience
The dynamic watercolour video became the heart of Olive Oil Times' campaign. It turned static illustrations into an experience, showing the full olive oil production process in a way that was as rich and vibrant as the product itself. Through interactive watercolour illustrations, I was able to deliver a unique, visually compelling story that not only captured attention but also left a lasting impact.