Discuss one project where you felt you were the least successful. Explain why you felt this way. What would you do differently to change this piece? Explain. I feel that the Hundertwasser/Kilmt inspired acrylic painting was my least successful project. Although I like how the final product turned out, the actual process that led up to the final painting is why I would consider it the least successful. Now looking back, from the moment I began my color sketch, I was already heading in the wrong direction. In a rush to get it done, I added random colors that didn't compliment each other. I eventually completed the color sketch, and started my red wash, and sketch on the actual canvas (probably the only thing that went well throughout the process). I finally began painting. Because I had to paint layer, after layer, after layer, I spent a lot of time on certain areas. And, because I am a perfectionist, as a kept "correcting" lines I would only mess them up more... which leads me to my next point. I feel like the lines on this piece could be much cleaner and way more crisp, as the acrylic paint often smudged. Now, going back to my color sketch, and how it bit me in the butt. Because my sketch was so unorganized, when I began to paint, I had to repaint certain sections many times trying to find the perfect color. I also had to improvise with new color schemes, because the original ones simply did not look good. If I could go back and change this piece, I would definitely plan better, make larger amounts of each color, work slower, etc.. All of those simple changes would have made a huge difference in this painting. I would also work in sections, instead of painting all over the canvas at once, because it resulted in many smudges throughout the piece. Although I felt that this was my least successful piece, I still enjoyed it, and was pleased with the final result!
Look over the portfolios of other students in our class. Choose a piece of artwork from one of your classmates that you feel is an exemplary showcase of what the project was to depict. Discuss how the artist used the medium, utilized the elements of art and design principles, was original with their ideas and went beyond their comfort zone or the realm of the requirements. Make sure you have the image of their artwork along with their name (first name only) posted with this response. Also include a link to their portfolio. One piece that really stood out to me was Monica's Hundertwasser/Klimnt Inspired Painting (link to her portfolio!). Her use of the medium looks professional to me, and I was so amazed with her work. Personally, I feel that painting with acrylic is actually a bit hard, especially since it is lighter, and can smudge easier. So, the way she added all the minor details and clean lines was so impressive to me. As Hundertwasser/Klimt's art has an almost chaotic style too it, I feel like Monica replicated it in the best way possible. The colors she used complimented each other perfectly, and all of the shapes, lines, and squiggles fit perfectly into the piece. Colors like bright red, turquoise, navy, yellow, and even burgundy were all used in this piece... colors I would have never thought would compliment each other so well! The shapes she used were so cool, because she included so many. Just from looking at the piece for one second, I already saw triangles, squares, rectangles, circles, ovals, and even eyeball shapes. But what was more interesting, is how she put shapes inside of other shapes, almost like a puzzle to the eye. All of the lines she used added so much character and rhythm. I almost feel like I am walking through New Orleans at night, with Jazz music playing, and all of the creepy ghosts from the tales they tell are watching (the eyes everywhere). Because of this style of painting value is a little harder to incorporate, but Monica did a really great job with it. Although there isn't really a landscape, you can clearly see where the buildings start and finish... leading me to my next point. The lines are so clean and sharp! All of the patterns she added almost served as "texture" for this piece. I feel like there are so many focal points to the piece, which is so cool. My top three favorite are definitely the large eye to the right, the moon, and the creature in the center triangular building. Monica's idea was so original, and I remember being so shocked when I saw the final product, because I was like, "how did she think of that?". I was utterly impressed. She went above and beyond the requirements, and really showed her skill in this painting. All of the colors, patterns, and designs put together really do replicate a Hundertwasser/Kilmt inspired painting!
What medium was your favorite to work with? Explain why and how you were able to master the techniques associated with this medium. My favorite medium to work with was oil paint. I love the consistency, the coverage, the colors, and the way it blends so nicely. I also really enjoyed the assignment to paint my pet with oil paint, because I feel like oil paint was the perfect medium for it. I don't think I would have been able to make it as realistic if I used another medium. I also really enjoyed this medium simply because it was so satisfying to mix the colors, and play with them to see what works and what doesn't. Some techniques I used to help master this medium is layering. Layering, layering, layering. For example, when painting the nose of my dog, I worked on it for about 3 separate days, continuously adding more shadows, highlights, accent colors, etc.. This technique really helped my final product turn out well. Color blocking also helped, because It allowed me to map out where I was going to add specific details, without having to go straight in with the texture. Using specific brushes really helped me when adding the texture to my piece. One of my favorite brushes that I used was actually a really worn out brush, that helped with the "fur" look!
Choose 2 mini lessons that you felt were the most beneficial in your learning for that particular project. Include photos of these and explain thoroughly. Do you feel you needed more instruction for success? Explain or did you feel that the instruction given was enough to ensure success? Explain. Two mini lessons that were the most beneficial in my learning were the "four watercolor fruit assignment", and the "100 squares color challenge". The water color fruit study really helped me learn how to paint shadows and highlights using the non-generic colors of an apple. I learned how to apply complimentary, warm color, and cool color patterns into my art. My favorite apple out of the four is the orange and blue one. I feel like it really helped me understand how watercolor works, and how I can use more vibrant colors rather than the original colors of the reference photo. I don't feel I needed more instruction for success, only because my job was to replicate a small apple, with my color choices. I think that the amount of instruction was perfect, because it allowed to me to experiment with color. I kind of liked not knowing what I was doing in the beginning, and walking myself through each step! The instruction given was definitely enough to ensure success. I am proud of my final four apples, and feel like I really learned about the way you can applicate color in so many different ways (which I later used in "My Bruno"). The other mini lesson that helped me was the "100 squares challenge". I was assigned to make 100 colors by only using a select few of colors. I was actually surprised at how hard the challenge was, and how I had to actual think hard about what colors I'd used and hadn't used. I remember getting stuck not even half way through the assignment, because I "ran out of colors"... which is simply impossible. As I continued to get stuck, I remember I began to just change the values of the colors, and that's when I finally was able to finish it. Although I found the assignment a little difficult, I do feel that the amount of instruction was just right. It allowed me to experiment with the colors, without being guided step by step. I definitely think that this ended up being successful, and I am glad I got to play with the colors before painting my practice and final paintings.