Colored Pencil Forms: For this assignment, I used color pencils to create colored pencil forms in three different colors. My goal was to make them look 3D, and as realistic as possible.
Colored Pencil Fruit/Veggie: For this assignment I used color pencils to recreate a photo of a lemon and a lime.
WATERCOLOR UNIT:
Watercolor Value Charts and Forms, and Watercolor Techniques: For this, I created two charts. On the left is my watercolor techniques chart, and on the right is my value charts and forms. I used water color paints, salt, white candle wax, and saran wrap to make an informational chart of examples. On the right, I used what I learned to make three value charts, and three forms.
Watercolor Fruit - Color Theory: For this assignment, I used water color paints, pens, and pencils to create four apples. In my first apple, I used cool colored paints and the layering technique to replicate the apple. In the second apple, I used watercolor pencils, and the original colors of the apple. The third apple is using complimentary colors, and the layering technique as well. The last apple is a mix of wet on wet and pen, with warm colored paints.
Watercolor Landscape/Nature Painting: "Flower Power" For this assignment I chose to watercolor paint a photo of flowers I took about three years ago. I enjoyed this water color unit, because I was able to learn about the techniques used in this method painting. I have never painted with watercolor, so here are some reflections...
The most effective watercolor technique in my piece was the layering and gradient methods, Some of the flowers in this piece were darker than others, so I had to continue to layer on paint until I got my desired color. I also found that these were some of the easier methods to use and execute well, as a beginner watercolor painter for this piece. Although I struggled with this particular technique in some parts of this piece, I did learn the importance of using transparent layers. It is so very important, because in water color there really is no turning back when a large mistake occurs. Once it is layered on, it won't come off that well, especially if it is more pigmented. I struggled with this concept, because I like to work fast, and having to make certain flowers dark took a lot of time. I would say my composition was successful for a few reasons. One of these is because I think that my final painting resembles the photograph pretty well, as well as the way I left certain areas white to create highlights, and a break in color. I believe I used almost all the elements of art and principles of design, because I used some watercolor techniques, I sketched out my photo as proportionate as I could, and as well as all of the other students, I planned well with a final color sketch and compositional photos. The color choices I used were an important factor in the success of my painting, because color choice has to be executed well to make a "nice to the eyes" painting. There are certain areas in "Flower Power", where I would have changed the colors if I could go back in time. For example, I would have made some of the leaves more natural and organic shades of green, rather than brighter shades. I believe my craftsmanship in watercolor is displayed especially by the layering of the leaves, and how certain parts highlight others. I also think it is displayed by the mixture of dark and light tones, and how they compliment each other. If I were able to do something different, I would pay more attention to the over-saturation of certain areas of my painting. I noticed that over-saturation was one of my main struggles throughout the process of painting this, as I would have to come up with quick solutions after "messing up". Throughout this process, I have learned that the light-layer technique is crucial to having a smooth-looking and well executed painting. I also learned that because of this, watercolor paintings take time and patience. I believe that this has improved my development in art in the sense that I have learned so many techniques and methods to successfully paint with watercolor.
Water Color Photos: References and Compositional Sketches (left), Final Painting Process (right)