When I first started Art 4, I didn't know a lot of detailed information or techniques. During our first project, I was able to develop more prismacolor skills, such as learning how to blend and how to layer colors properly. I also learned how to draw reflections in water, and while I'm still not perfect at it, I’m a lot better than I was in Art 1 and Art 2. During our second project, I used oil paints, and even though I don’t really like how it turned out, my experience with that project has helped me with other oil paintings I have done since then. I made mistakes and I learned from them. I know more about what works with oil paint and what doesn’t. During our third project, I painted a can with acrylic paint. The perspective was very hard to get down, and I’m actually proud of the way I was able to make the can show both the inside and the front without looking wonky.
The can painting was the last of the quarter, and the next projects we did were pet-portraits, self-portraits, and landscapes. I finished the landscape relatively quickly, and it was one of the least difficult projects for me. I did it in acrylic paint, and utilized the acrylic wash technique for the trees and grass, as well as other small details. The water made the paint go on very smoothly, and I wasn’t left with any uneven or textured areas. I wanted it to be very different from the one I did in painting class, in order to broaden my horizons. As of right now, I’m still not finished with my self-portrait or my pet-portrait, but they’re pretty far along. My self-portrait is the hardest thing I’ve done all semester, and I wish I had done it in acrylic instead, because it’s taking me so long. I’ve been contemplating starting over on it. It’s a mixed media project, so I wouldn’t have to get out a new canvas, but I would have to draw my portrait out on a new piece of paper and repaint it, which might take a while. My pet-portrait is almost finished, and it hasn’t been difficult for me at all. I originally was just going to do it in pen and marker, but I thought adding light layers of acrylic paint would give the fur more detail, and I like how it’s turned out so far. I’m excited to finish it up and see how it looks when it’s done.
The last project we all did together was the Nature Turns Mechanical project. It’s taking me longer than expected, but I like it a lot. I was inspired by the myth of King Midas, who turned his daughter into gold. I painted her as a gold statue with moss and vines growing off of her, and I did it in oil paint with a palette knife for the moss and brushes for the gold and the leaves. As soon as I paint the edges and add more detail to the leaves, I think I’ll be satisfied. This project was one of my favorite projects from this class.
I haven’t gotten far enough along on my concentration to really evaluate it, but I think it’s going to turn out well. I decided to do two mixed media pieces on illustration board. Each board will be a visual representation of a diary entry. The first one is very literal, and only illustrates what I do throughout the day, but the second one is emotional and will be less structured.
I really enjoyed this class, and taking it along with painting was a good idea. I’ve improved a lot this semester, and while I still have a long way to go, I think I learned more than I ever would have just exploring on my own.
The can painting was the last of the quarter, and the next projects we did were pet-portraits, self-portraits, and landscapes. I finished the landscape relatively quickly, and it was one of the least difficult projects for me. I did it in acrylic paint, and utilized the acrylic wash technique for the trees and grass, as well as other small details. The water made the paint go on very smoothly, and I wasn’t left with any uneven or textured areas. I wanted it to be very different from the one I did in painting class, in order to broaden my horizons. As of right now, I’m still not finished with my self-portrait or my pet-portrait, but they’re pretty far along. My self-portrait is the hardest thing I’ve done all semester, and I wish I had done it in acrylic instead, because it’s taking me so long. I’ve been contemplating starting over on it. It’s a mixed media project, so I wouldn’t have to get out a new canvas, but I would have to draw my portrait out on a new piece of paper and repaint it, which might take a while. My pet-portrait is almost finished, and it hasn’t been difficult for me at all. I originally was just going to do it in pen and marker, but I thought adding light layers of acrylic paint would give the fur more detail, and I like how it’s turned out so far. I’m excited to finish it up and see how it looks when it’s done.
The last project we all did together was the Nature Turns Mechanical project. It’s taking me longer than expected, but I like it a lot. I was inspired by the myth of King Midas, who turned his daughter into gold. I painted her as a gold statue with moss and vines growing off of her, and I did it in oil paint with a palette knife for the moss and brushes for the gold and the leaves. As soon as I paint the edges and add more detail to the leaves, I think I’ll be satisfied. This project was one of my favorite projects from this class.
I haven’t gotten far enough along on my concentration to really evaluate it, but I think it’s going to turn out well. I decided to do two mixed media pieces on illustration board. Each board will be a visual representation of a diary entry. The first one is very literal, and only illustrates what I do throughout the day, but the second one is emotional and will be less structured.
I really enjoyed this class, and taking it along with painting was a good idea. I’ve improved a lot this semester, and while I still have a long way to go, I think I learned more than I ever would have just exploring on my own.