Painting Final Exam:
1. Choose a project that you felt was challenging but yet successful. Discuss how you generated innovative/original/creative ideas for the project and how you developed them to complete your final piece. Explain why you choose this piece. How did you think outside the box and challenge yourself as well as the restraints of the project.
The project that I felt was really challenging but turned out very successful was my Hundertwasser painting. At first I looked at different designs and patterns in Hundertwasser's style and created a sketch using those elements. In my reference photo it was showing a sunset in a grassland. I wanted to make it bright and happy, so I added lots of warm, bright colors. Once I came up with a rough sketch on how I wanted the picture to be laid out I started adding patterns and spirals. I chose this piece because I was having trouble making my picture abstract and seem like his style. In my first rough sketch I laid it out differently than when I did it in a color sketch. After I sketched it onto the canvas I came up with more things to add to my painting. I kept thinking of better ways to show the water in the hills. I decided to make the hills overlapping the water which I made it look like abstract boxes with different solid shades of blue. One of the things that that was also challenging to me was that the paint kept drying fast, so I kept adding layers to make the colors bolder and brighter. I thought outside the box by making my sunset look like a rainbow and showing the color surrounding the sky. Also instead of doing the same patterns in my hills I decided to add different shapes and patterns. In the end I overcame the challenging parts and created a colorful, cheerful painting.
The project that I felt was really challenging but turned out very successful was my Hundertwasser painting. At first I looked at different designs and patterns in Hundertwasser's style and created a sketch using those elements. In my reference photo it was showing a sunset in a grassland. I wanted to make it bright and happy, so I added lots of warm, bright colors. Once I came up with a rough sketch on how I wanted the picture to be laid out I started adding patterns and spirals. I chose this piece because I was having trouble making my picture abstract and seem like his style. In my first rough sketch I laid it out differently than when I did it in a color sketch. After I sketched it onto the canvas I came up with more things to add to my painting. I kept thinking of better ways to show the water in the hills. I decided to make the hills overlapping the water which I made it look like abstract boxes with different solid shades of blue. One of the things that that was also challenging to me was that the paint kept drying fast, so I kept adding layers to make the colors bolder and brighter. I thought outside the box by making my sunset look like a rainbow and showing the color surrounding the sky. Also instead of doing the same patterns in my hills I decided to add different shapes and patterns. In the end I overcame the challenging parts and created a colorful, cheerful painting.
2. Reflect on what your portfolio (all work you created through semester) may or may not reveal about the semester. Do you think the work in your portfolio is an accurate reflection of your development in the class?
My portfolio for this semester reveals that I have developed techniques and learned how to paint in different mediums. At first I didn't know how to properly paint in watercolor but after doing the mini fruits and veggi project it helped me understand how I needed to apply paint and blend colors together. I learned with watercolor that you really have to paint with a light wash over the paper and keep adding paint to build up the layers. Layers helped bring depth into my painting. With watercolor I learned that just adding water between two colors that it will blend and bleed into each other. Yes, I think the work in my portfolio is an accurate reflection of my development in this class. I discovered new creative ways to make a painting different and successful. Like using different colors or color harmonies and making the painting better and brighter than the original photo. Also I learned how to use a palette knife and how to apply the paint. I learned how to spread the paint and blend the colors with the palette knife.
My portfolio for this semester reveals that I have developed techniques and learned how to paint in different mediums. At first I didn't know how to properly paint in watercolor but after doing the mini fruits and veggi project it helped me understand how I needed to apply paint and blend colors together. I learned with watercolor that you really have to paint with a light wash over the paper and keep adding paint to build up the layers. Layers helped bring depth into my painting. With watercolor I learned that just adding water between two colors that it will blend and bleed into each other. Yes, I think the work in my portfolio is an accurate reflection of my development in this class. I discovered new creative ways to make a painting different and successful. Like using different colors or color harmonies and making the painting better and brighter than the original photo. Also I learned how to use a palette knife and how to apply the paint. I learned how to spread the paint and blend the colors with the palette knife.
3. How do you describe your artistic style/perspective? How do you define success as an artist? What do you find most rewarding about being an artist? What are some of the most important skills you draw upon to create your work? What are some of the most significant things you've learned through art making?
I would describe my artistic style as painting in a realistic way in oil. I have painted in oil for a couple of years and have really enjoyed working with it as a medium. It takes a while to dry but it's easy to blend colors. I would define success as an artist would be achieving and growing as an artist. You have grown in different areas and developed new techniques. As an artist I find growing talent and developing my skills is most rewarding. Like looking back at my old artwork and comparing it to my new pieces it rewards me to see the growth in between. Skills I draw upon to create my art is being able to see shapes, colors, highlights, shadows and textures in the reference photo and being apply those techniques to the painting. The most significant things that I learned through art was how to paint eyes, fur, smooth textures, faces, glass, and landscapes.
I would describe my artistic style as painting in a realistic way in oil. I have painted in oil for a couple of years and have really enjoyed working with it as a medium. It takes a while to dry but it's easy to blend colors. I would define success as an artist would be achieving and growing as an artist. You have grown in different areas and developed new techniques. As an artist I find growing talent and developing my skills is most rewarding. Like looking back at my old artwork and comparing it to my new pieces it rewards me to see the growth in between. Skills I draw upon to create my art is being able to see shapes, colors, highlights, shadows and textures in the reference photo and being apply those techniques to the painting. The most significant things that I learned through art was how to paint eyes, fur, smooth textures, faces, glass, and landscapes.
4. 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.
The project I felt least successful in was my landscape painting. I felt like my proportion was all wrong and some things were a little bit bigger in scale than it was supposed to be. With the hills surrounding the lake I didn't understand how to add texture in the snow part on the canvas and so I dabbed paint. As a result it turned out ok, but I needed more details in it like more shadows and different colors. In the water I needed more details showing the water was flowing and not still water. I also didn't like how my landscape came out too red, especially in the water. I would like to add different colors to the water so it wouldn't drain out the rest of the painting. I would change the way I put texture in the tree right in the middle and add more highlights and shadows to give it more depth.
The project I felt least successful in was my landscape painting. I felt like my proportion was all wrong and some things were a little bit bigger in scale than it was supposed to be. With the hills surrounding the lake I didn't understand how to add texture in the snow part on the canvas and so I dabbed paint. As a result it turned out ok, but I needed more details in it like more shadows and different colors. In the water I needed more details showing the water was flowing and not still water. I also didn't like how my landscape came out too red, especially in the water. I would like to add different colors to the water so it wouldn't drain out the rest of the painting. I would change the way I put texture in the tree right in the middle and add more highlights and shadows to give it more depth.
5. 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 is oil. I like it the best because the paint wouldn't dry as fast and it will be easier to blend the paint. I feel like with oil compared to acrylic there's more of a variety in color and different values of color. Also it was a lot easier to spread the paint along the canvas than acrylic. I was able to master the techniques I learned to paint certain things in portraits, landscapes, or objects. I have learned layers is the key to make your painting bolder and brighter in colors. To master certain things you also got to have patience. Using small light strokes when painting and add darker colors on top.
My favorite medium is oil. I like it the best because the paint wouldn't dry as fast and it will be easier to blend the paint. I feel like with oil compared to acrylic there's more of a variety in color and different values of color. Also it was a lot easier to spread the paint along the canvas than acrylic. I was able to master the techniques I learned to paint certain things in portraits, landscapes, or objects. I have learned layers is the key to make your painting bolder and brighter in colors. To master certain things you also got to have patience. Using small light strokes when painting and add darker colors on top.