Summer Work 2015
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Summer work
Over the summer we were to complete 6 pieces 4 quality and 2 that were for our concentration. During the summer I spent a lot of time on a farm and I’m considering making this my concentration for this class. I took multiple pictures on the farm and I loved every bit of it. For my 2 concentration pieces I used my fire painting to represent a bon fire/ trash fire that is used to burn waste on most farms. For my second piece for my concentration I’m using a picture I took. I fell instantly in love when I snapped that picture and I knew I would have to do something with it later on. My concentration representing farm life and animals was something I fell in love with. I don’t consider myself a farm girl but I enjoyed my time on the farm. I was able to grow as a person and as an artist. Everyday there was new, exciting and colorful images that nature painted for me to see and capture. For ¾ of my quality piece projects I used acrylic paints. My first creation was a rib cage for the theme unusual interior. I had lots of fun creating this piece and I played around with the idea in my head for the longest. This had to be my most indecisive pieces ever because I changed the look of it several times. I completed the piece but I feel like its missing something. Using my knowledge from Art 4 I now know what makes this piece feel uncomplete…It’s the centered nature of it. There’s no movement or background of things that make your eye travel. Looking back this isn’t one of my best at the time I really appreciated this painting but now my knowledge has increased at this piece has room to grow. My second creation was the self-portrait. This piece was also pretty central but I enjoyed making it because it was something different. My source of inspiration was myself and other cool pictures online. Looking at unique pictures of women of color sparked my interested and I immediately wanted to create this self-portrait. I’m proud of the detail in skin color but I wished I went a little crazier with the colors and emotion. Using maybe a red or deep purple for skin tone. I’m not sure but I think that would have made it a little bit more next level and interesting. My first piece was an object in water and I decided to paint a close up of lemons and limes in water. This piece was very colorful and I loved the composition of them. I ended up giving this piece away which was a mistake because I have very few pictures of it other than that this was a successful piece. It was successful for its bright colors and compositions. I used bright whites at the end to really highlight and bring out the values in the colors. The last piece I was a multimedia collage. I took a piece I did in art 2 and made it better. I used items from my trip to New York and used those to tie into the theme. I enjoy doing collages because of all the elements that they include. This was a successful piece because I was able to use all types of elements and mediums and tie it into one picture with one meaning. The hardest part about making this piece was creating one central theme. Overall Im very happy with what I created! |
In Progress Pictures |
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The theme for our first unit was reflection and the medium was colored pencil. From the very start I was apprehensive about completing this piece because it was my first time creating a piece using prismacolors with that size. As each day progressed I believe I got better with the colored pencil and I ended up enjoying them. There are something's like really creating strong values that I can improve on but for the most part I'm happy with what I produced. Overall what I could have done better was darken my legs and maybe add more values to the grass. The part I thought would be the hardest ended up being the easiest. The clouds were my favorite part of this piece and I'm very impressed with what I'mcapable of. I will probably end up using prismacolors again in the near future.
As I created this work I wanted it to embody to theme of reflection, and reflect the clouds that were appearing on the lens of the camera. I discovered that I was much better at using prismacolored pencils than I'd imagine.
As I created this work I wanted it to embody to theme of reflection, and reflect the clouds that were appearing on the lens of the camera. I discovered that I was much better at using prismacolored pencils than I'd imagine.
In Progress Pictures Ordinary Objects
Final Product: Ordinary Objects
The final product of my ordinary objects piece is one I'm happy with. I loved the way my colors turned out and the texture I ended up creating in the pool water. Ever since I found the composition I wanted to use for this piece I was very excited about the turn out. My favorite parts of the picture would have to be the yellow duck and the green duck. I enjoyed painting these ducks very much and I'm most happy with the way they turned out because of the values I used to bring out every detail of each duck. This was my first time using oils in a piece and many of the methods I used to lay down the colors were experiments. One example of the experiments was the grass. I'm most proud of the texture I created with the grass. I was able to get all the deep green values to compliment the light green tones with little effort. Even though I'm proud of the grass something I would go back and change is the grass colors, for example getting in and stretching the lighter values in the grass. I enjoyed making this piece but one thing I struggled with while making it is blending and remaking colors to match their original hues. Oil paints was something different and I enjoyed using it. I'm glad I had the chance to create a piece using oils and that I was able to practice beforehand. Below are pictures of apples that I created using oils for the very first time. One apple was made using brushes the other was crafted with a palate knife. Even though these were just practice, they are important to analyze and critique like another painting. The apples I created were not my favorite but they were helpful. Constructing these apples made me realize what not to do. I also picked up some helpful hints from Mrs. Rossi and my tablemates. I learned how to properly use a palate knife and how to properly lay down oil colors. These apples show me how far I've come and I'm proud to say I created them. Don't let failures deter you from your final product.
Interior Spaces
After completing my previous project ordinary objects, I figured that I would try oil paints again. I liked my previous painting but I felt like I was not able to express my true talents with that single piece. After spending an hour setting up the scene for this project I was ready to start creating. I fell in love with this piece as I finished it and I was impressed with the final project. This project was also a frustrating one because I had to pass several mental blocks. When I cannot get my pieces to look exactly like the picture I panic. I think this piece may have turned out better if I wasn't so focused on making every detail just like photo. I learned that it's okay venture off the photo and change a few things around even if it is your own picture. I took a risk with using oil paints and by using a large canvas . Overall my most favorite part of the painting is the highlights behind the mask and the folds in the pink shirt that all the items lay on. The folds didn't look that great in my eyes but after I photographed it they came alive and it was evented that those lines were folds. Something I wish I could have made better was the mask. When I can I will go back to my mask and embellish it more. I want it to be very sparkly. I felt like my painting made it look dull and it was supposed to stand out. I will most likely use oils in the future and I'll continue to grow as an artist.
Nature v. Mechanical
This project pushed my limits and imagination. I was able to use my own unique ideas on this piece more than normal. For this piece I had to do a lot more research and planning because I wasn't drawing from pictures I took but from other pictures I gathered. I struggled in the beginning to come up with an idea because the theme was foreign to me. Nature and mechanical were separate ideas in my head and the thought of combining them into one project made me apprehensive to complete the project. I started with the top of the gumball machine and from there my confidence grew and I was happy with my progress. I struggled with creating background and the gumballs. In the planning process I was nervous about completing the gumballs because I was afraid that they wouldn't look realistic enough. To my surprise as I started creating them they didn't turn out bad at all. Overall I was happy with my gumballs and my color choices. I'm happy that I chose to use the indigo compared to black on the main parts of the gumball machine. I took suggestions from my peers and I'm thankful they provided me with helpful information. Without my tablemates I wouldn't have thought of doing a brick background. I enjoyed completing this piece and I felt that my knowledge using prismas grew with each stroke.
Self-Portrait
I used my own unique ideas by constructing the designs on the frame. I took outside influences and my own ideas to make a frame design around my portrait. I also used a unique technique to create the socks. Using white crayon I created a barrier for the red watercolor. The wax restricted the flow of the red paint and created a contrast as well as a pattern in the fabric.
I tried watercolors for the first time for my portrait. During the beginning stages of creating my project I was unsure about using watercolors and I wasn't sure which medium to use. I was already comfortable using oil, acrylic, and colored pencils. I never used watercolors for a project and I used my water-colored pencils very rarely so I decided it was time for a change. The theme of the piece was also new to me. I only constructed a portrait once before in art one, other than that it was my first time actually completing a self-portrait where I was the subject. The idea of using watercolors on a completely different theme than I was used to scared me but made me excited.
In the in progress pictures below you can see the steps I used to construct my piece. I started with my lower half then left my face as the last thing. I wasn't too excited about completing the face and I was procrastinating the creation of it. It took me several tries to get the proportions with a little help I was able to make a face that looked sort of like me but something was missing. I remember going over to Michelle for advice and her opinion because I knew she would be truthful but kind with her criticism. She looked at my piece and told me that it was missing definition in the cheekbones. My portrait didn't have that one feature which made it look less like me. I remember thinking that, what she said was correct and my portrait lacked definition in the cheeks. Although I tried my best to add that key feature I don't think my face is as defined as I would like. I'm glad I was able to have a friend like Michelle to help me through the creation process and give me amazing feedback before it was too late. I was able to accept her constructive criticism and improve my art.
I think receiving constructive criticism is an important part of being an artist or a person. People who are able to receive criticism and take what they can from others are more successful in life and they are constantly improving.
I tried watercolors for the first time for my portrait. During the beginning stages of creating my project I was unsure about using watercolors and I wasn't sure which medium to use. I was already comfortable using oil, acrylic, and colored pencils. I never used watercolors for a project and I used my water-colored pencils very rarely so I decided it was time for a change. The theme of the piece was also new to me. I only constructed a portrait once before in art one, other than that it was my first time actually completing a self-portrait where I was the subject. The idea of using watercolors on a completely different theme than I was used to scared me but made me excited.
In the in progress pictures below you can see the steps I used to construct my piece. I started with my lower half then left my face as the last thing. I wasn't too excited about completing the face and I was procrastinating the creation of it. It took me several tries to get the proportions with a little help I was able to make a face that looked sort of like me but something was missing. I remember going over to Michelle for advice and her opinion because I knew she would be truthful but kind with her criticism. She looked at my piece and told me that it was missing definition in the cheekbones. My portrait didn't have that one feature which made it look less like me. I remember thinking that, what she said was correct and my portrait lacked definition in the cheeks. Although I tried my best to add that key feature I don't think my face is as defined as I would like. I'm glad I was able to have a friend like Michelle to help me through the creation process and give me amazing feedback before it was too late. I was able to accept her constructive criticism and improve my art.
I think receiving constructive criticism is an important part of being an artist or a person. People who are able to receive criticism and take what they can from others are more successful in life and they are constantly improving.
Mixed Media
For this piece I created a mixed media collage with my mentee's. For this project we were given instruction to create a collage, mixed media piece using various items like tissue paper, playing cards and other scraps. I enjoy making colleges and I like the idea of putting completely different items together to make one piece. My group struggled with creating a piece that flowed in the beginning. When Ms. Rossi would come over to assist us she made several comments and critiques involving the flow of elements. She was able to help my group make all of our items work together combining straight edges and soft lines bringing the whole piece together. This project was a learning process for me and my metee's I was able to learn from what they had to say. My metee's made great suggestions and contributed to making this piece to the best of their ability. I hope that I taught them something as well with my suggestions and comments. I'm glad i was able to work with them and make this piece. Some of the items we used in the piece was a rose petal, sparkly beads, playing cards. pink, purple and light blue tissue paper. I think what made our piece flow better was our theme or habit of putting the same colors. We had a warm color palette and the colors worked with each other instead of against. As an artist its always good to work with others to improve and exchange ideas while working on a piece together.
Pet Portrait
These are in progress pictures of a friends dog. I chose this particular picture because I fell in love with the lines and composition that he was in. The original picture features the dog in a blanket or sheets all wrapped up. I loved the lines created through the sheets and I think it added so much contrast to the smooth hairs on the dog. With this portrait I started with the face for a change because I was ready to take on the hardest part from the beginning. I still have small details to add into the dogs face but I am pleased with my progress. I'm surprised at my own growth in oil paints and even though they can be messy I love using this medium. I think the consistency makes it perfect for adding hair and fur because it's very blend-able. I only have to complete the details within the sheet and add more detail to the face. I'm excited about completing it and I hope the cloth turns out like I want.
In the middle is my final product and I am very pleased with the results. I remember being concerned with the cloth but I'm happy with the turn out. I'm glad I used a blue wash underneath the black fur for the dog because it made the black pop. I think I ended up mixing the indigo with black so I could expand the values within the picture. My peers were very helpful and positive with their feedback. I'm glad I was able to showcase my art in front of them and receive criticism as well as praise. This is my favorite piece so far and I hope I'm able to create many more with similar quality.
Landscape
The first time I completed a landscape piece was in Art one, my very first painting ever. At the time I was very proud with what I completed but now I look back and I can say I've grown as an artist. I think it's very important to reflect on previous works of art to see individual growth and strengths. With my landscape I struggled with creating realistic trees, and the simple fix was to make my greens rather than using the green oil paint provided. There was more depth and color now. My trees weren't perfect but they improved. Another thing I like about this piece is my color palette all my colors work in unison and I think it really brings my piece together. Another part of my painting I struggled with was the wood planks. In the beginning they lacked depth just like my trees. With the help and my peers and Mrs. Rossi, I played around with reds and yellows. Applying them using my fan brush created the perfect thin line strokes I need to create depth and variety. The only thing left for me to complete on this piece is a few umbrellas and make the sand have more depth as well. With this painting I'm going to continue pushing the values and color palette to give key west the representation it deserves
Concentration #1 Keep Out
Concentration #2
My second concentration piece is an up close shot of Rocky another horse on the farm I worked on. The original picture I took included the barn and a window that Rocky poked his head out of. I wanted to switch it up and use colored pencils this time around because naturally I got frustrated with using oils. I was very happy with the end result, I've gotten a lot more comfortable with colored pencils and I was able to establish my touch and style using them. I'm glad my art and style have matured over the course of this semester because it makes the creation process a lot easier and less frustrating. As I layered the colored pencil this time around I tried embracing my natural strokes of the pencil to see what texture I could create and I was happy with the result. Instead of coloring in complete circles or just lines I attempted to do a mixture of the both. As I was creating my piece a few things worried me. The first thing that I was concerned about was the color choices I was worried that they were too bold and not authentic enough to represent a horse. As I got down to the last parts of the horse I wasn't worried about my color scheme because some how I made it work. I tried taking Hannah's artistic technique of learning how to branch/ break away from the actual picture to include colors that aren't on the page. The brown in the horse's fur became a lot more vibrant, and this time around I felt as if my problems with creating depth were solved. Even though I've been using colored pencils for a while I always learn something new as I create new works of art. This time around I learned that including what's not in the original picture may create a better end result. instead of browns use deep reds, purples and yellows to bring out the brown. One thing I would like to improve upon in my art is the barn itself within the picture. I wish I was able to capture the rustic texture better. Overall I'm happy with this concentration piece and I'm excited to create more.
Concentration # 3
When I took this picture I never thought that I would use it as a piece for art. Looking back on every photo I took from this summer refreshed my mind, and I realized how much I liked the picture I took. I thought it was interesting that each chicken was looking a different way. I’m glad I threw a snapchat filter on the picture as well because it brought out the black of the chicken as dark blues.
it made it easier to venture outside the comfort of creating what exactly on the page. I started with the smaller chickens in the back and once I got to the bigger chicken in the front I was tired of my piece. I’m very happy with the chickens in the back but I feel like the front chicken lacks detail in comparison to the others. I wish I took them to scale and size my piece making sure everything was in its place but I wanted to get started right away and I didn’t take the time to do that. In retrospect it the proportions aren’t completely off but I think taking the time to break my piece into section will improve the quality of my art. Overall I’m happy with the piece and glad I didn’t put in the fencing separation the chickens that was in the original picture. Without the fencing I think the viewer is able to really appreciate and absorb the chicken’s features. I also liked my usage of depth and my ability to use all parts of the page. This piece has depth because there are several chickens on different planes and the background of fencing adds even more to it. This piece might end up being one of my favorites.
it made it easier to venture outside the comfort of creating what exactly on the page. I started with the smaller chickens in the back and once I got to the bigger chicken in the front I was tired of my piece. I’m very happy with the chickens in the back but I feel like the front chicken lacks detail in comparison to the others. I wish I took them to scale and size my piece making sure everything was in its place but I wanted to get started right away and I didn’t take the time to do that. In retrospect it the proportions aren’t completely off but I think taking the time to break my piece into section will improve the quality of my art. Overall I’m happy with the piece and glad I didn’t put in the fencing separation the chickens that was in the original picture. Without the fencing I think the viewer is able to really appreciate and absorb the chicken’s features. I also liked my usage of depth and my ability to use all parts of the page. This piece has depth because there are several chickens on different planes and the background of fencing adds even more to it. This piece might end up being one of my favorites.
Concentration #4
For my 4th concentration piece I went smaller than usual, and was able to recreate the ducks from another piece. In this artwork I took the same ducks I used in ordinary objects to make a concentration piece. While I was creating the piece I began to realize how quickly I can finish pieces if I put my mind to it. I’ve grown as an artist using colored pencils and I’m proud of my growth. I feel as if I can create a quality piece under pressure and under strict time constraints which resembles real life situations. I think the strict deadlines have made me push myself to become more disciplined and structured in how I work. I understand that art can be a fun class but also very challenging. I’m thankful to have a teacher like Mrs. Rossi who is able to push us because she knows how far we can go. Real life includes deadlines and stress but that is part of the process and part of being an artist. It was interesting to me how the more freedom we have, the more responsibility we must take on. We have the freedom to make more mistakes but also more freedom to develop our true style and technique because we’ve been given all the tools we just need to use them. It’s also very interesting what different pieces can teach you. Like this one didn’t teach me anything about technique but it taught me about deadlines and pressure; which is just as important as any other artistic technique. I’m happy with the overall product, it isn’t one of my favorites but it’s very simple but colorful. I need to change my palette after I created several pieces involving lots of browns.