Fruit Prismacolor
For this project we drew a fruit or veggie using prismacolors. I choose a tomato to practice blending colors and creating strong highlights and shadows. In order to build up to our final project using prismacolors, techniques that allow for a more effective final product were reinforced during this drawing.
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Representational Reflection Drawing
Final Artwork
For this project I brainstormed many ideas about items that reflect the world around it and also things that reflect my life. The main way that I brainstormed objects and ideas that reflect a part of who I am is by looking through photos I had taken and places I had been throughout my life. I found that I had a great deal of pictures from tropical places and mostly Aruba from our almost yearly family vacation. These pictures obviously had a great landscape to draw but also provides a reflective object. While making the project I focused on adding dimension and depth by sectioning highlights and by choosing areas of shadow. One of my biggest challenges was choosing colors to create lifelike objects. I particularly struggled with this while creating the hair and it texture and the water. I believe one of my biggest successes in the project is dimension and color choice within the snorkel itself. I focused on choosing colors and adding value especially while drawing the outer edge of the snorkel.
Using prismacolors for this project really challenged me to think about the project in different ways then projects using different mediums. Although I had worked with prismacolors before, I had never done a project this large or a project the involved reflective properties. Using the prismas in this manner required me to work with the medium and use layering and color choice to make the project as successful as it could be. Two of the main skills I gained from this project were patience and planning. Since prismacolors take time to build up and become a realistic looking drawing, it was important to add many layers to blend colors and to section areas of value to add to the overall look of the drawing. Although these skills are important to prismas, they are not specific to one medium. As an artist, I can use the skills accumulated during this project to improve to future pieces and add to my artist processes.
Using prismacolors for this project really challenged me to think about the project in different ways then projects using different mediums. Although I had worked with prismacolors before, I had never done a project this large or a project the involved reflective properties. Using the prismas in this manner required me to work with the medium and use layering and color choice to make the project as successful as it could be. Two of the main skills I gained from this project were patience and planning. Since prismacolors take time to build up and become a realistic looking drawing, it was important to add many layers to blend colors and to section areas of value to add to the overall look of the drawing. Although these skills are important to prismas, they are not specific to one medium. As an artist, I can use the skills accumulated during this project to improve to future pieces and add to my artist processes.
Self Portrait
Reference photos, proportional sketch, composition sketch, practice with drawing facial features. Brainstorm ideas: mixing colors to create accurate skin tone, layering colors and textures to create hair, and blurring background colors to create focus on foreground.
Final Artwork
To prepare for this piece, I practiced many techniques to create realistic faces to help me throughout my final project. During class we practiced drawing and adding value to facial features such as the eyes, nose, and mouth and also practiced planning the layout and the proportions to a human face by using the length of the eye the measure features. We also practiced creating skin tone by matching skin tones to pictures cut from magazines. I went through many pictures of myself to find one that would allow for a wide range of values while maintaining a pleasing composition.
While creating this painting I encountered challenges mainly relating to color accuracy and creating directly proportional facial features. Skin tone was the hardest color to create but I did this by matching mixed colors to my reference photo and also by mixing colors from the canvas. I also was challenged by creating correct proportions in features, especially the nose and the mouth. I used stronger highlights and shadows to add to the painting until I got my desired shape. some successes of the painting include the texture and value of the hair and the eyes. I focused on color choice and strong highlights within both to create a realistic feature the brought both of these features to the foreground.
Although I have worked with this medium many times before, I learned a great deal about using acrylic for realistic pieces. I learned to mix colors to what you want them to be before putting them on the canvas. I have also learned to use the strong variation in color to my advantage to create lifelike pieces. During this project I experienced the importance of planning and attention to detail. For this piece, being a realistic portrait, it was very important to stay as close as possible to the reference photo, I did this by planning colors, using tracing papers to create proportions, and sectioning areas of value using underpaintings. These skills can apply to future projects using acrylic and other mediums. I have grown as an artist by learning to use the medium the way it was designed to by used and working with its qualities.
While creating this painting I encountered challenges mainly relating to color accuracy and creating directly proportional facial features. Skin tone was the hardest color to create but I did this by matching mixed colors to my reference photo and also by mixing colors from the canvas. I also was challenged by creating correct proportions in features, especially the nose and the mouth. I used stronger highlights and shadows to add to the painting until I got my desired shape. some successes of the painting include the texture and value of the hair and the eyes. I focused on color choice and strong highlights within both to create a realistic feature the brought both of these features to the foreground.
Although I have worked with this medium many times before, I learned a great deal about using acrylic for realistic pieces. I learned to mix colors to what you want them to be before putting them on the canvas. I have also learned to use the strong variation in color to my advantage to create lifelike pieces. During this project I experienced the importance of planning and attention to detail. For this piece, being a realistic portrait, it was very important to stay as close as possible to the reference photo, I did this by planning colors, using tracing papers to create proportions, and sectioning areas of value using underpaintings. These skills can apply to future projects using acrylic and other mediums. I have grown as an artist by learning to use the medium the way it was designed to by used and working with its qualities.
Inside Spaces
Composition sketches, brainstorm ideas, reference photos, color sketches. Brainstorm ideas include using oil, using bright reflective textures for stain glass windows within treehouse, and using lots of textures and designs to breakup lots of brown space.
Final Artwork
To prepare for this piece I brainstormed many ideas about possible inside spaces that would create a successful painting. While looking for reference pictures, I was drawn to the interesting structures and opportunities for sources of light found within a tree house. Many of my reference photos include pleasing windows and open spaces to create interesting points of perspective while creating structures. I thought that picking to paint the inside of a tree house would challenge me to create details within a confined space.
While painting this piece, the biggest challenge I faced was creating a enough variation of color. Within the tree house, most of the materials were made out of wood. My biggest obstacle was creating enough variation within the piece while painting each of the wood elements without it becoming to monochromatic. While focusing on color choice of the wood and other elements, I completed the piece by painting one area at a time. Focusing on each area individually allowed me to create strong value and unique colors along with other successes and challenges. Some of my successes include the windows and stained glass that created a sense of depth. I also enjoy the composition of the painting that includes all of the exciting elements of the tree house. Other challenges I faced include creating dimension coming from the back entrance to the foreground. Overall. this project expanded my creativity to discuss perspectives and to work structurally with material instead of with landscapes. I learned to work on creating an interesting area within a limited space and also how to create contrast while painting similar colors and materials. I can use what I learned in future projects by using colors choice to create even more contrast within a piece. This project has also allowed my to branch out composition wise by painting a building. As an artist I have grown by working with color variation and composition. |
Ordinary to Extraordinary
Composition sketches, brainstorm ideas, reference photos, color sketches. Brainstorm ideas include using bright colors and varying shades of yellow and reds to bring out sharpness of colors. Also using enlarged objects at the front and bright colors to add dimension to the piece.
Final Artwork
For this project, I brainstormed multiple ideas that could be used for the ordinary to extraordinary theme. My main two ideas were to have a ravine coming up from a crack in a sidewalk or to have a beehive turn into a cityscape. I choose the idea to do a beehive based upon my reference photos. All of the photos that I chose had a unique and strong color scheme which interested me. I also thought that the theme of creative and slightly abstract objects would allow me to grow outside of my normal projects.
While creating this piece, some of the more challenging parts was the fairly monochromatic colors within the piece and trying to allow the pieces of the painting to show is going on clearly. I did this by working from the background forward and choosing a different color for every layer or building. I tried to clean up a lot of the lines within the piece to give it more contrast. Overall, I think the painting had a lot of successes, more so than challenges. One success is the reality of the bees working and moving within the hive and buildings. I also like the colors within the piece and think it is very pleasing to the eye. I do think that I could have made the idea more clear in some and way and could have added more areas of detail. This project has allowed me to work with and interesting idea and use oil in a different way. In future projects, I will add details and more contrasting areas to add an overwhelming theme. From this project I also expanding upon knowledge of pleasing color choices and bright highlights and shadows. Overall, I grew as an artist by creating a piece with a new theme and colors. |
Oil Landscape
Final Artwork
I picked this landscape because I enjoyed the variation of color and texture within the whole piece. I also liked the contrast between the background and foreground and depth within the piece. Working with palette knife really challenged me to create a successful landscape. I struggled with how the painting looked at the beginning stages because of how different the medium looked and the canvas. I am used to oil looking smooth and blended and this project strayed away from that type of application.
I really focused on working on this piece from the background forward to make sure that I did not unintentionally blend colors in between shapes. I also focused on section areas of color and using the palette knife to add texture where texture was needed. The direction of the paint and the technique with which the knife was used was very important the success of the painting. Areas that were challenging were they direction and texture of the sky and adding variation within the grass. Areas of the painting that are successful is the dimension of horse and the depth within the whole piece. This project challenged me by utilizing a medium I am familiar with in an unfamiliar way. I had to adjust my color choices and plan them earlier instead of blending on the canvas. I learned better to take a step back and look at the whole painting. A lot of pieces of this painting did not come together until the end. Being patient with any piece is a good skill to have to grow as an artist. I will also grow as an artist from this piece by making better color choices and learning how to add depth within a texture piece. |
Final Reflection
Already Art 4 has been one of my favorite classes that I have taken throughout high school. I have enjoyed working on expanding my passion for art and getting to know people in class that challenge my skills and the way that I think about art. Working on my paintings and drawings while surrounded by talented artists in Art 4 has given me a great collaboration space to brainstorm ideas greater then what I could think of on my own. Working with others and practicing my painting, drawing, and creating skills has already made me a much better artist then I was even 2 years ago when I took painting.
The piece that challenged me the most was the final textured landscape. I was very apprehensive while starting the project and had to adjust to using a different method for applying oil paint. Although it took some time to adjust to using a palette knife and how different it looked then using brushes, I did eventually really enjoy getting to learn a new skill. I also enjoyed the way that my piece turned out and the ability to create contrast even through the fairly monochromatic landscape. After completing this project I am very excited to continue learning about and using different mediums and methods.
Another project that I enjoyed doing and that I found to turn out successful is the inside spaces tree house. I initially enjoyed this project because this was the first piece of the semester using oil. I discovered first how much I loved using oil paint during painting class when I was using it to continue to paint landscapes. I was very excited to continue using oil and create more paintings that I enjoyed and could hang up in my house. Even though the tree house was not a landscape, I enjoyed creating a point perspective project, which I had practiced in drawing.
Overall, I am very happy that I took this class and challenged myself to make more pieces than ever before. There are lots of opportunities that have been made available to me because of this class that I am thankful for. Experiences such as having my concentration critiqued by college board, going to see the Frida Kahlo exhibit, and collaboration with other students and teachers for other projects have both benefited my as an artist and will benefit in the future in college and my career. I am very excited to continue my concentration in AP and join the actual AP class next semester!
The piece that challenged me the most was the final textured landscape. I was very apprehensive while starting the project and had to adjust to using a different method for applying oil paint. Although it took some time to adjust to using a palette knife and how different it looked then using brushes, I did eventually really enjoy getting to learn a new skill. I also enjoyed the way that my piece turned out and the ability to create contrast even through the fairly monochromatic landscape. After completing this project I am very excited to continue learning about and using different mediums and methods.
Another project that I enjoyed doing and that I found to turn out successful is the inside spaces tree house. I initially enjoyed this project because this was the first piece of the semester using oil. I discovered first how much I loved using oil paint during painting class when I was using it to continue to paint landscapes. I was very excited to continue using oil and create more paintings that I enjoyed and could hang up in my house. Even though the tree house was not a landscape, I enjoyed creating a point perspective project, which I had practiced in drawing.
Overall, I am very happy that I took this class and challenged myself to make more pieces than ever before. There are lots of opportunities that have been made available to me because of this class that I am thankful for. Experiences such as having my concentration critiqued by college board, going to see the Frida Kahlo exhibit, and collaboration with other students and teachers for other projects have both benefited my as an artist and will benefit in the future in college and my career. I am very excited to continue my concentration in AP and join the actual AP class next semester!