These two artworks were also constructed using micrography, however, over the time it took to construct Pac's Life, I had thought of a new way to create an artwork with the same effect, but it was much simpler. I did the same technique in finding the colour levels of each piece, but without the use of a gradient map, it made selecting and colouring the sections of the original photograph immensely difficult (no gradient map was added to preserve the original colours). After that was done, it was only a matter of adding in text paying homage to them, for Balotelli, it was his biography, and for Malcolm, it was one of his most memorable speeches. The text was then selected inversely using the magic wand tool, and then I changed back to the layer on which the colour levels had been established. By erasing this layer with the inverse text selection, and hiding the text layer after, it created both artworks, still with legible text, which was the aim. Here are the original images and processing...
'Little to X'
Original...


Colour leveling...


Final product...

The title 'Little to X' tells about how Malcolm Little became Malcolm X. His inspiring ways in the fight for rights for African-Americans has made him one of the most influential people of all time. Malcolm's speech of the Black Man's History ignited a time for change, with the support of every African-American to edge him forward as an activist and a revolutionary man. By creating this image purely based upon this speech, it entails the life of a true hero.


'Super Mario'
Original...


Colour leveling...


Final Product...


The title 'Super Mario' is the nickname of the young footballing prodigy that is Mario Balotelli. Born into the family of Ghanaian immigrants, Mario lead a troublesome life. Plagued with life-threatening complications from an early age, Mario battled on and continued playing the game of football. His illness had forced his parents to put him into a foster family, as they could not cope with Mario. From there he became a footballing superstar, where his biological parents wanted him back, which he then accused them of only wanting him back because he became famous. Conflict in clubs with his loose cannon approach to football has lead to further conflict, but it does not go without saying he is a great talent. The rough and incomplete look to the artwork gives meaning to the potential Mario Balotelli still has to offer, and the troubles that he has dealt with. All in all, the aim of this artwork was to showcase the incredible footballer that is Mario Balotelli.