The Real Robin Williams
First Draft
Portrait In Progress
Rationale
Century, created by Linn Boyd Benton in 1894, represents Robin because this typeface is not fun, exciting, goofy, or funny. It represents the real Robin. Not just the one we as fans see, but what he felt and knew inside and the serious roles he played. Depression is a hard thing to live with and for those who suffer from it, try not to let others see how bad things are or get. We try to make others laugh because we know what it is like to feel sad all the time. Those who suffer from this disease have a hard time asking for help and dealing with the stigma that comes along with it. Century is a typeface that is easily read and legible. Some would even say that it is “basic” because it does not have decretive features and it is not bold, like Broadway.
To try and engage the audience I used different shades and tints of black to show depth and to express depression awareness. Depression is not happy or fun and I wanted to show the audience the darker side of Robin and the things he struggled with daily. I chose an image of him that was not “in character” and one that he was not overly happy or joyous. This image is not a typical picture of Robin.
The design elements I used are color, shape, and value. I used black as a base color and then used different shades and tints of it to try and convey shadows, highlights, and contour. These colors or kind of the lack thereof, is a decision I chose to help convey the feelings of depression and how that makes someone feel sad most of the time. Even though those of us who suffer from this disease try to make others happy and smile even when they do not feel like smiling on the inside. This is a defense mechanism of sorts. I used shape, by placing the text in such a way that they would show what shape I was trying to execute. His hand is very prominent as he has his hand on his cheek and seems to be contemplating or in deep thought. In the original image, you can see that he is not his happy-go-lucky “Character” type of mindset. He absolutely has something on his mind. I implemented value by changing the shade of the chosen black hue. I used two lighter value colors of black to show depth, shadow, and shape. These help to give the image better understanding and recognition. I used a lighter value color for the hand and a different color for his face to show the different shapes. Within the hand, I used different values to show shadows on the hand.
I wanted to bring awareness to depression with this piece. Depression is a serious disease, and more people are affected by it daily than most people realize. Conferring with the research of (Torres) statistically one in fifteen adults are affected by depression. According to research by (Torres) depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act. Depression is more than just feeling sad. It is also not being interested in things you used to enjoy. Depression can change your weight and sleep patterns. To be diagnosed correctly your symptoms must last at least two weeks according to the research of (Torres). There are several risk factors for depression and many ways to get treatment now. According to the research of (Behavioral Health Centers) Mental health stigmas often result in an inability to seek help. Individuals might feel ashamed or embarrassed about needing assistance. Helping to fight this stigma and making it easier and more common for individuals to reach out and ask for help is the goal.
The words I chose to use are TV shows he was in, movies that he starred in, his quotes, and words and facts about depression. Looking at the image, words about depression are in the bottom right shoulder piece. This is a part of his personality that most people probably did not see unless they were close to him and could tell something was off or wrong. His quotes are used in every section of the piece as this was something a lot of text was used in. The words he spoke were his sense of humor or things that inspired him. Some quotes are his reaction to meeting other famous people and being a little star-struck himself. His TV shows and Movies start at the top in the black text towards the middle of the portrait. These things reflect his personality by showing how he enjoyed making others laugh, smile, feel good, and just enjoy the moment. He loved to entertain others, starting with his mother and how he was charming and could make her laugh.
The use of text, image I chose and the values of black I implemented all contribute to the seriousness of mental health with a focus on depression. Depression is real and it does kill people. This is a serious matter, and it needs to be talked about and understood. People need to know that it is ok to suffer from depression and that they can get help. Depression is not a sexually transmitted disease but is often treated as such.
The tone of this piece is a persuasive one. Trying to get people to change their minds about depression. The mood for this portrait is a serious one on a subject matter that is known for being funny, entertaining, and always smiling. The text is used to help the viewer understand depression more and to think differently about it.
Works Cited
Behavioral Health Centers. “Breaking down the Stigmas of Mental Health Treatment.” Behavioral Health Centers, Behavioral Health Centers,24 Apr. 2023, behavioralhealth-centers.com/blog/stigmas-of-mental-health-treatment/?utm_source=google&utm_Medium=cpc&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&utm_term=&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1rqkBhCTARIsAAHz7K3A3LENYPHbWIyrLR6H5oJ6Mu2pVdE1_wmFiPjQh2P4fG7hHZX5BaQaApRkEALw_wcB. Accessed 18 June 2023.
Torres, Felix. “What Is Depression?” American Psychiatric Association, American Psychiatric Association, Oct. 2020, www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression. Accessed 18 June 2023. Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act.