Pen and Ink Value Chart Worksheet: For this assignment, I was told to fill out a value chart worksheet with different pen techniques: stippling, cross-hatching, random lines, and others. The second photo shows the two rows that I re-attempted.
Pen and Ink Form Worksheet: For this assignment, I was told to use the stippling technique to fill out three forms, their highlights, and their shadows.
3 Pen Video Drawings: For this assignment, I was told to watch three video tutorials, and replicate the pen techniques used. In these videos, I drew cubes, a log form, and a stack of different textured spheres.
1 pt Perspective Drawings: For this assignment, I watched a tutorial on 1 pt. perspective, and replicated the drawing in the video. I think 1 pt. is my favorite to draw in. I was also told to draw my name, Lexi, in one point perspective.
2 pt Perspective Drawing: Like the assignment above, I watched a video tutorial on 2 pt. perspective. I also enjoyed this perspective, and like drawing this large city scene.
3 pt Perspective Drawings: Like the two previous assignments, I watched a video tutorial, two instead of one, and replicated what I saw. Out of all three perspectives I learned, I think this is my least favorite, but still nice to look at!
Forced Perspective Assignment: For this assignment, I was told to take photos using forced perspective. The three photos I took were...
A photo of a car driving into my mouth.
A photo of a yellow clock "crushing" my dad.
My mom sinking into a shoe.
Pen Perspective Final: "The Enchanted Forest":
For this project, I was assigned to create a pen drawing based off of a fairytale, draw a perspective drawing, or do an Escher style drawing. I chose to do a 1 point perspective drawing in pen, of course, and then use different pen techniques to get the desired look. Some brainstorming ideas for this project were; an Enchanted Forest, a sequoia tree in 3pt. perspective, a traffic scene, and many others. I had a total of fifteen ideas. Here is my process and experience in creating this piece...
The only two techniques I used were stippling and random lines. For the rest, I chose to improvise with different patterns and horizontal and vertical lines. I used stippling on the sun to illustrate the rays of sunlight coming from the sun itself. I also chose to use the "random lines" technique on the tree to replicate the texture of leaves. The focal point of my piece is a weeping willow tree, so I needed to make the leaves different from any other pattern I used in this piece. Unlike the vertical and horizontal lines I used, I also improvised with squiggly lines in the clouds and grass. I used 1 point perspective in this piece, with the point at the horizon where the river "ends". I also used this perspective in the pathway, changing the size and value of the cobblestones. One point perspective is also shown in the grass patterns, as they shrink as they go into the distance. Perspective is important, because it gives a piece depth, and allows the observer to almost "enter" the piece. When pieces don't use perspective they look flat and too even. When using perspective, different values are used which helps the creation of depth in the piece. Texture is especially important in all of the nature aspects of my piece. This includes everything but the path and bridge. Deciding what textures to use throughout this piece was very important, because I had to make sure they also replicated the nature in an understandable way. For example, I drew at least 500 mini-triangles for the weeping willow, stringing them in vertical lines, to make the weeping affect of the tree. I also added texture in the field of this forest. The grass consists of little shrubs and lines of grass that make the ground look animatedly grassy. I also chose to draw squiggly lines in the clouds to create a "fluffy" look, as well as sharp-pointed, curved lines, to make the tall grass look prickly and pointy. Value is important in this project, because it creates the depth and works with the use of perspective. For example, the pathway darkens in value as it gets deeper into the forest. If the path didn't darken, it wouldn't look right, or make sense with the way the sun works with the painting. I would say this project is crafted nicely, especially since I technically came up with it in my mind, I like how the tree became the focal point of the piece as I continued layering in leaves. I also like how the river gets darker as it approaches the sun, having the same effect on the paths. I feel like the clouds make it an "Enchanted Forest", as they have a slightly magical look to them. In terms of technicality, I think the piece is neat and clean, besides some minor slips when using the pen. If I could do this project differently, I would definitely add more trees, going off into the distance. One main reason I didn't, is because the one tree to me a very long time. I would need more time to make this "forest" more of a forest. I would also try to add some value to the sky, with one of the pen techniques I used. Although this wasn't allowed, If I could do it again, I would love to use colored pens to create this piece. These pens wouldn't just be the classic red, green, blue, and black, they would be quality pens of unique colors. When applying the pen techniques learned, it's important to understand them so the final piece ends up neat. For example, when stippling the artist must have a steady hand, so the dots remain dots, and don't turn into miniature lines. Or, if the artists is using hatching or cross-hatching, they need to make sure to use clean lines that overlap well. It is also important to understand them because it allows the artist to identify which technique compliments the piece best. As a growing artist, I think the pen techniques I've learned will help me in future projects, that don't always involve pen. These techniques have taught me a lot about value, perspective, the importance of depth, and the use of texture throughout a piece. This new knowledge of mine will only benefit my art in the future!