Self-Portrait

For me, my self portrait represents a different side of me than I usually show in photos but I think it is more revealing about myself. I don't think of myself as someone who is always smiling; like everyone, i have bad days and I just show it more than others, which is seen in this portrait. What I like is that it leaves the viewer to decide what I'm feeling: hyper, angry, etc. Execution-wise, I am pretty happy with my very first acrylic painting! I am glad I tried something new and I can't believe I am saying this but I kind of enjoyed the experience. I also feel that I was successful in portraying my many emotions in one photo and I really, really like how the viewer has to decide on how I'm feeling.

for my self portrait, i portrayed a different side of myself. in pictures i am usually smiling but in the self portrait is a more serious side. although, it does not show or go beyond the normal, i think that it is very different for myself. If i had had more time i believe that i could of had a more meaningful background, however with deadlines it was not possible. I would have liked to have my self portrait look more like myself that the picture.

My self portrait was intended to communicate a message about who i am on the inside, despite that a portrait is a display of what is on the outside. The light and dark are intended to show the contrast between the two. Everyone has a bright side that people are drawn to get to know, but everyone has a deeper, shadowed side not seen as easily from appearence, but is oftentimes the most worth knowing about someone. I felt I communicated my belief for the importance of seeing both sides of a person by making the dark side equally as attention grabbing as the light. Also, my piece is left open for interpretation in many ways, just like how people can look at a person and make many different opinions just based on what is seen only at that moment.

self-portrait

My self-portrait portrayed more than just copying a picture of me smiling. The message of my self-portrait was to illustrate that I was painting myself, literally. I showed myself with a paint brush painting the flesh of my skin and shaping my figure. This symbolizes that I am able to create who I am as a person and have total control of it. I think I was successful and people are able to understand the meaning of my piece.

Self Reflection: Assignment 1

For your first assignment of the term you were asked to create a self-portrait that "communicates beyond the physical". How did you interpret the assignment, and do you think you were successful? How do you feel about the outcome of your piece overall in regards to both technique (execution) and concept? Response due by 4pm on Friday, September 30th.

Although Jackson Pollock is not my favorite artist of all time, I admire him greatly. Many people think "Oh splatter paint, I can do that...", but in all honesty, until Jackson Pollock, nobody did do that. Jackson Pollock stepped out of conformity and wasn't afraid to try something new. Splatter paint isn't as difficult to do as many other paintings, and look how unique each one is!

Mentor Artist

I picked this painting by Vincent van Gogh called "Bedroom at Arles". I picked it because I am starting off my first project this year with painting and I have learned the difficulties of blending colors and getting the colors right. This painting was a huge help to see because van Gogh painted this bedroom scene but it isn't perfectly done, yet it still looks amazing. The textures of the wood (the bed, floor, etc) looks so incredible but it isn't detailed at all. I feel like I have learned so much just by looking at van Gogh's work, especially this painting because I realized great paintings don't have to be perfect.

Post #3

I chose a painting by Georgia O'Keeffe. Georgia O'Keeffe is a very inspirational artist and mentor. I like the use of color she has, as well as the closer and cropped images. At first glance, you cannot decipher what it is immediately but it can later be made out to be a close view of a flower. I admire how her paintings look very realistic, and the skill of her shading is very impressive. I also like the transformation from one color to another.

Artist Mentor

I chose this oil painting by van Gogh, because I find his use of blending and layering of his paint to be extremely different than any other work of art that I've seen before. van Gogh uses a most unusual technique of making each and every brush stoke clearly visible on any piece that he completed during his time as an artist. I truly admire how he painted so freely and carelessly by not concentrating on making every object "perfect" and instead gave everything some sort of flowing imperfection just like real life.

POST #2

I chose this sketch of a hand, because I feel that although it is a "simple" sketch it shows great detail and is an excellent example of an observational drawing. The lines and folds in the palm of the hand are done with great detail, yet they are done freely and help to give the hand a very realistic appearance.

I chose this painting by Claude Monet because I admire the impressionistic style of it. I also admire his use of color to manipulate the lighting that conveys exactly what scene he is painting, despite it being impressionistic. It is fascinating how the painting is very non-detail oriented, but you can tell what it is intended to be in a much more beautiful, soft way than if it was. For example, the water is so realistic looking, which one can tell just based on the blending of the colors he used. He was able to get that effect while still keeping it simple, which is a talent I admire in art.

This piece by Wyeth is inspirational to a growing artist like myself because he was able to paint a simple shot that tells its own story within the viewers interpretation of it. The lighting adds mood and shows that the room is dark with a hint of light gleaming through the window on the bed as a sign of hope. The dogs motionless, slumped body gives a sense of grief, of which that emotion felt is tied into the dark corner of the room. The viewer is drawn to the dog and is able to experience the same emotion out of sympathy.

POST #2

I chose this observational drawing because the artist incorporates their own feet to show their perspective in comparison to the rest of the room, which is a quality I admire in art. There is enough detail to make the room realistic without colors and shading. The detail in the objects around the room draws your attention in every corner of the room and makes it come alive.

I chose Field with Poppies by Vincent Van Gogh. I admire how Van Gogh makes his brush work look effortless. There is no true definition in the shape of the flowers, yet it's clear what they are. I envy his ability to be so loose with his brush strokes.

I chose this piece by Egon Schiele called "Autumn Sun". I wouldn't necessarily consider Egon Schiele to be a mentor artist of mine because I find a lot of his subjects to be disturbing, however I think this piece is very intriguing. At first glance, I didn't know what material he used to create this image. When I further researched I figured out that he used oil paint, which I find amazing. I love how he painted the sky to look very abstract but intentional. The mix of blues and oranges (complementary colors) in the sky creates a believable scene. I appreciate how he was able to paint the trees with great detail as a contrast to the abstract sky. I also observed that 3 of the trees have leaves while the other tree does not. I'm interested in why he chose to paint the fourth tree in that way. Overall, I really enjoy how he used oil paint in two different ways to compose this painting.

Mentor Artist

Post an image of a piece created by one of your "mentor artists". Try to articulate why the artist's work speaks to you. Post Due Friday 9/23 by 4pm.

I chose the piece "Chess Players" by John Singer Sargent, one of my favorite painters. Sargent is known for his powerful portraits and his exceptional handling of paint. I appreciate his ability to create an "effortless" and fresh interpretation of his subject and his ability to translate light and atmosphere. Some areas of his work are very resolved and refined (creating areas of emphasis or focus), and in other areas his brushwork remains very loose and expressive. I chose this piece because I admire his brushwork and I appreciate how he repeated his color palette throughout the piece.

Post #2

I chose this still life because I not only loved its realism and its attention to detail but I love how it tells a story. Just from these objects, I can interpret a soldier or construction worker just got home from war or work (respectively). It's just very interesting how a story can be told from 4 objects, none of which are a person.

Post #2

This observational drawing in interesting because at first glance, you do not exactly notice the shape of which the picture is in. The christmas tree ornament has a reflection of the artist drawing it. It is well done with the shading and attention to detail of the person in the reflection. It is also an unusual drawing because normally the artist is unseen in the picture, while here she is shown actually working on the piece.

This is the drawing I was talking about in the post below, it didn't work with my post the first time!

This observational drawing captures your attention because the blank background draws your focus towards the hand. The use of light and shading, to add dimension and implied lines, is meticulously and effectively executed by the artist. In result the drawing is thoroughly detailed and expressive of a real human hand. The shadow of the pencil on the white background adds to the realistic quality of this drawing, because it contributes to the 3D photorealistic effect this drawing has on your eyes.

I think this picture represents a great example of an observational drawling because it depicts common items beautifully and realistically. I think what is most impressive about this piece is the shadows, specifically on the candle stick. I also think the contrast between blacks and whites adds dimension, while indicating where the light hits and showing the glares on the vases.

I chose this picture because it looks so real. The water in the jar looks like actual water and the shadow of the jar against the background is perfect. Also, the reflection of the jar on the table is done very well.

I think the details of the picture making an observational drawing successful. The ability to make the objects look 3D is key. The contrast of lights and darks really make the objects pop.

I found this picture on a website from a 9th Grade Art Class. I love how in this picture the electrical outlook pops because of the detail. An ordinary object that is usually overlooked is focused on which makes this charcoal so unique.

What qualities make an observational drawing successful?

Look online for examples of observational drawing. Select a few that you find particularly successful and save them to your desktop. Determine which of the images is (in your opinion) the best example of an observational drawing. Upload your chosen image to the blog and justify why you chose the piece. Refer to specific and objective qualities in the piece when writing your response.

Note: Remember that the file needs to be a jpg file format for blogger to recognize and upload the file. When you sign in and click "new post", you need to click the small picture icon to the left of the word Link to browse and upload your image file.

Post due Friday 9/16 by 4pm

Evaluating a Work of Art Using the Elements & Principles

Evaluate the portrait below according to how effectively it incorporates one or more of the elements and principles of art. Refer to the handout I distributed on the first day of class. Be specific and use concrete examples. Post Due Friday 9/9 by 4pm.

HONORS ART

Tatnall’s Honors Art curriculum is designed to provide serious and committed Upper School fine art students an opportunity to develop a college-level fine art portfolio. Students are expected to maintain a sketchbook to function as a resource for artistic development. Honors art students are expected to demonstrate an advanced understanding of the elements and principles of art and to use studio time in a disciplined and mature manner. The course moves from primarily instructor-led assignments to more independent creative explorations. Students will learn how to plan, develop and research a concentration project. Students will also participate in both formal and informal class critiques to sharpen their critical thinking skills and expand their artistic vocabulary.

ABOVE: 2011 Scholastic Art & Writing Award Winning Drawing, "State of Slumber". Pastel on paper, 11th grade