The finish of the ammonite is an important aspect of this model. The shell presents an opportunity to add a narrative to the design, which is a crucial aspect of immersive exhibitions.
To do this, I spent some time focusing on the colouration of the exterior shell. As mentioned in a previous blog post, there is a lot of conjecture in the geological community regarding the colour characteristics of ammonite. This is due to a lack of data – when fossils are uncovered, they do not reveal much about what colours were found on the creature.
However, informed guesses have been made by experts in this area. They have used creatures such as the nautilus and other molluscs for reference. They have also considered the environment the ammonite lived in, as this may also have had an effect on the colouration.
I used the research into this area to inform my choices during the colour design process. I started off by experimenting with base colours considering either warmer or colder tones. Afterwards, I moved on to explore specific colouration patterns in detail.
Key features and notes:
- Cold base colour with warmer tones on top.
- Contrasts with the puzzle pieces, which highlights the concept.
- Defined pattern – the ridges of the shell are highlighted by different colours, with additional linework in dark brown. The latter adds additional detail to the design.
References:
Key features and notes:
- Pattern similar to the patterns of the nautilus – triangular pattern.
- Reference from a pink shell for colour rather than the reds of the nautilus. More abstract/illustrated effect.
- Two main colours – pink and cream. Very light colour scheme. Emphasises the dark blue of the puzzle pieces.
- Is it too pink? Should it be more realistic in colour scheme?
References:
Pink queen scallop. [large shell]
White scallop. [small shell]
Key features and notes:
- Same pattern as previous colour swatch, difference in colour tones. This design is more red-tone based, similar to the colouration of the nautilus. More organic/life-like rather than illustrative.
References:
Key features and notes:
- Simpler colour palette than the previous three designs. One tone – cream.
- Pattern similar to second design, but less complex.
- Simplified. Focus on the puzzle pieces.
- Pattern will follow ridges – it will be darker in the deeper regions to add depth.
References:
Key features and notes:
- Monochrome colours.
- Simplified.
- Pattern less complex. Follows sculpted ridges in the model.
- I could make it more organic by adding more colours, such as greens and browns. This would add to the narrative of the creature as it reflects the environment it would have lived in. The greens could represent discolouration due to moss, while the browns can define patches of deterioration due to age.
References:
Key features and notes:
- The simplest colour and pattern design.
- The pattern follows every few ridges.
- More abstract/illustrated paint finish. Least realistic in terms of references to the colouration of actual molluscs and sister groups of the ammonite.
References:
Key features and notes:
- The base of the design is similar to colour swatch #5.
- Addition of darker tones that follow the ridges of the ammonite more closely.
- Addition of greens and burgundies for a more organic, life-like finish.
- Cold undertone to the base colour which makes it blend too much with the puzzle pieces.
References:
I would like to propose that the red variation of Colour Swatch #2 would be the most effective colouration for this model. It is based on an existing creature – the nautilus – which helps to ground the model in context. It will also help me during the painting process, as I will be able to refer to images of the nautilus to ensure the patterns and tones are correct.
Additionally, the warm tones of the external shell juxtapose the cold tones of the puzzle pieces. Through this definition, the interactive components are emphasised, highlighting the concept of water inside the chambers of the ammonite at the same time.
The soft tissue of the ammonite such as the head and tentacles, can have a similar colour scheme to shell #2 (red). Similar to the head of the current nautilus, it could be primarily cream with areas of red to match the shell.
Moreover, I would also like to use certain features of my other designs, such as the patches of green and red in Colour Scheme #6. I could add subtle tones of greens and browns to insinuate wearing down of the shell, thus adding further realistic context to the model. This will ensure that the finish of the model will not appear too illustrative/abstract.
Benchmarks for paint finish
Alicja Makes 
