Plaster Texture Sculptures

In this project, our class worked to create an interesting plaster sculpture that created a sense of texture, and as a result I made this sculpture. While working with this sculpture I did run into many problems, the majority of which was the lack of interest and flow this sculpture had. It had many interesting qualities to it, but was so segmented that it did not flow and work together to create one piece of art, but rather many different smaller pieces of art. To connect these qualities, I created a beam, connecting the left to the right, the front to the back. But as I did so, it still lacked abstracted qualities and the flow I was looking for, so I added another level to give the sculpture a sense of depth. Then I was left with another simple, but very large problem. We were working to create a sculpture that portrays texture, and I did not have texture. In this process of using the many tools I did to create a basic outline of the sculpture, I found one to create a particular interesting sense of texture, and that was the cylindrical grater. So after completing, the basics of my sculpture, I used the grater to create a sense of depth and texture, which shown to be very interesting in the light when taking picture because the contrast between light and dark in this picture, really captures the texture and overall objective of the project.

Towards the beginning of this project, I found myself wanting to work with skinnier, smaller sculptures, but along the way discovered that I preferred using sculptures with a larger base, for it allowed for more interesting qualities such as depth, and more space for texture and abstract qualities. But in hindsight, I think that I would have liked to play a little more with a sense of balance, potentially creating a more interactive piece of art. But for a mid-project concept change and the end result created by that change in concept, I am very pleased with my work and believe that I has allowed to create more interesting line quality and given me a better perspective on textures. Due to this newfound perspective on textures, I believe that it will not only help me in future sculpting projects, but all art projects and pieces across the board.

1. How did you develop your craft with digital camera and photoshop in this project? What tools, methods and materials were essential to your success? How did you use your skills of observation? 
I used my capabilities with a digital camera to take a gray scale picture, allowing me to see a larger contrast in light and dark, giving the shadows more visibility. Allowing to see these differences created a large impact in my painting, as I was able to more precisely shade in and paint these contrasts. My usage of digital technology and observational skills created for a more precise and expressive painting.
 
2. Explain the choices you made concerning the design of your color palette for the digital diptychs and your paintings:
 
a. Did the process of“finding examples”and creating diptychs influence your later painting choices? 
The process of finding example and creating diptychs influenced my choices in painting. I found myself intrigued by cool colors such as blue and green. The cool colors allowed for the creative pairing of diptychs. I separated multicolor paintings and single color paintings. The pairing of cool colors created reasonable diptychs.
 
b. Explain how the“expressive”and/or“formal”qualities of color influenced your choices.
I found there to be much contrast from light to dark, creating expressive line qualities and offering opportunity for  the creation of expressive painting. These cool colors that I used tend to easily differ from light to dark, allowing me to create the contrasts in color.



3. How did you develop your craft of painting? What did you learn about the“tools”of painting? Which specific insights gained in your practice led directly to your becoming a more confident “painter”? How did you use your skills of observation? 
With each painting, I experimented with different brush strokes, creating unique textures and expression of line quality. Using these different painting techniques allowed me to become more confident in the future as I continue to paint, I will have a wider variety of painting styles to select from. 



4. How has this project taught you to observe color? 
This project has taught me to observe color as I know the effects of using cool and warm colors and its contrast when separating light and dark colors.

Color Scheme Paintings

This project is not currently complete, but it is a work in progress. Both paintings are of the same object, but using different color schemes and painting styles. My left painting is monochromatic, using  abrupt changes in color, creating for a unique composition. My right painting is triadic, using stippling, creating texture on the painting.

Charcoal Drawing Final

Charcoal Drawing Final

Charcoal Drawing 2 (In Progress)

My new project is very similar to my last as I must reflect upon the shadows cast by light and fillin in with a charcoal pencil. I feel like my project is currently approximatley 30% complete. I am currently drawing a wheel-like object with three candlesticks surrounding it. I feel like the majority of my success has been in the wheel due to the fact that I am having difficulties capturing the shadows cast on the candlesticks.

Charcoal Still Life

This artwork was created by rubbing a thick layer of choarcoal on a piece of white paper and using eraser to create a negative image. Using the eraser, I reflected upon the shadows cast by the light. Using expressive line quality and curve, I was able to create a sense of 3-dimensionality in the object. I used the areas where each object met and using comparisons, each object is proportional to one another.