Critique

It's funny that I am the only one here and I have to critique my own work. It is kinda hard but most times, I find myself disliking the final outcome of my work. I start building on the ideas and midway, it sort of trailed off leaving an empty space and a big question mark in place.
My husband always tells me to look at my work at the point of an art teacher, or from someone else's point of view even if it is my own work. So let the crit session begin...

I don't know which three pieces here I want to choose from but I will identify what I believe are my strongest and weakest piece.

The strongest piece would definitely be the observational drawing done in charcoal. After feedback from Kate, I am inspired to work more on observational drawing and challenge myself to continue using charcoal.(Eeks!)

The weakest piece I must say was on the colour and the use of mixed media. I am not averse to using mixed media but I still have mixed feelings about using collage in my work. The art of using a picture, cutting and pasting just doesn't seem to cut it for me. It may work for some but with what I have experienced so far, I might just put off using collage for abit.

Journal (Series)

I have several ideas to make a series of works. If I were to focus on something that happens in everyday life, it would be the walk down to fetch my son from school. I would walk by the park and there is this huge field in front of the library. My son would always be picking up acorns, pine cones and sticks while walking back and sometimes, he'd pick up fallen oak leaves or leaves from the huge willow tree there. So one of the series would be on nature.

Another would be the beautiful buildings here in Cambridge and Harvard. I started drawing part of the old main library as it looked like something out of Harry Potter but I wasn't able to finish it as my son's friend had gotten injured while playing tee-ball while I was drawing. Alas I got most of the building drawn except for some details.

And the last series that I have been thinking about working on are seashells. My mom loves seashells and she has a rather big collection back home. I had also viewed another artist's portfolio on seashells and she has made a beautiful collection in her portfolio. It has really inspired me to start working on seashells especially when we go to the beach for our yearly trips to visit friends in Southern Thailand.

Assignment (Series)

As I sat home following the news and instructions by the police to stay in, updating myself on the  bizarre happenings around Boston, I find myself lost in trying to work on my assignment. I initially planned to work on something with related to Pop Art and then skewed a little to Piet Mondrian's style. Wanting to relate it back to my homeland, Singapore, I chose 3 consumable items that I grew up with and are still popular with Singaporeans today.
I used pages from a Boston magazine to determine the boxed spaces to paint ala Piet Mondrian's style and pasted it on watercolour paper. However, the glue stick I used did not do a good job at making the magazine page stick onto the watercolour paper. Note to self, no more using glue sticks for Artworks! The colours used focussed on belonging to a specific colour scheme, greens, reds and blues. I used gouache to achieve that bright, bold colours for the background. The popular item is painted in black similar to Warhol's style. Similar but not the same.
At some point of time, I intend to re-create this artwork using better glue and perhaps acrylic paint to achieve a slightly better outcome.
Here are my works:

 Yeo's Chrysanthemum Tea in a can...

Milo Energy Drink in a tin...

Maggi Instant Noodles in Curry Flavour....

Discussion (Series)

I had some artists in mind when thinking of series of works. Of course Andy Warhol would the first on my list. But here are some other artists I like as well:

1) Salvador Dali
http://www.art.com/gallery/id--a126/salvador-dali-posters.htm?RFID=054402&domain=com&KWID=866130873&gclid=CJr-mNC807YCFUyY4AodGFQAYg&CTID=1814778450

I am looking at Dali's work of the elephant on stilts and he particularly used the elephants in a number of his works. I find these elephants with tall, skinny legs rather interesting and like the way he incorporated it into his artworks. Although I am not a fan of the colour used in his paintings, The Elephants c1948, is my favourite. The use of warm colours make the artwork appealing like the hot dessert sun setting behind the sand. Plus, the elephant on stilts done as a 3D sculpture is sooo exciting.

2) Piet Mondrian
https://www.google.com/search?q=Piet+mondrian+series&client=firefox-a&hs=Qp3&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=l4lvUcfCArPC4AO_7IHIBQ&ved=0CD0QsAQ&biw=1024&bih=479

Piet Mondrian is easily one of my favourites for his use of primary colours and geometric shapes and lines in his works. He has created several series, each exciting in its own way and his works have been incoporated on other products as well like Nike shoes, bags, clothes and even as a logo in a mall in Singapore.\

3) Roy Lichtenstein
http://www.susansheehangallery.com/recentacquisitionsdetail.php?id=11168

Roy Lichtenstein is known for his cartoon-like works using primary colours in halftone dots. One might say his artwork style can be found mostly in the comic section of newspapers or Archie comics. His works normally feature a blonde lady expressing emotion in either a thought or speech bubble. I found the Bull Profile series rather interesting. The deconstruction of the bull into simple basic shapes and primary colours show how an organic shape can easily change into geometric shapes with just a few simple tweaks.

Assignment (Colour)

This week the research that I had to do focused on using colour and identifying specific artists whose artworks attract and inspire me. I must say I am a colour freak...I once had a lecturer comment that I need to work alot more on my colour. However, the assignment for this week did not cut it for me. To be honest, I did not enjoy working on it and found the theme too broad, overwhelmingly with the use of a variety of mediums. I guess I am one of those that would rather have a topic that I can focus on with a direction to it. Or maybe I still have yet to discover myself. In the end, I tried testing out a few and decided on one that I feel I can relate to.

I played with some greens, browns and yellows to give that slightly warm feeling but cold at the same time. Being here in Boston, away from family often leaves me feeling melancholic and the colours of choice expressed just that for me. I loved how tissue paper is so absorbent and sticks immediately to paper when it is wet with paint. The tissue papers were weaved and laid to show interlocking moments of our lives, like a tapestry weaved together. The words or phrase that I drew inspiration from have been painted on the surface. The branches speak for itself. I used part of a picture of a leaf and its branch, pasted it down and then expanded the picture by painting the rest of the branches. If you look closely, you would see the picture I pasted.

Below are two more pieces that I toyed around with but still I felt like it was not enough. I feel like a writer with writer's block except I should call it more to the sound of "artist's block". Bleargh...this wasn't a good week...

Lastly, here is the phrase that I used:
Familiy
like branches on a tree,
we all grow in different directions
yet our roots remain as one...

Discussion (Colour)

When I think of colour, I think of bright coloured hues and playing with basics like Primary and Secondary colours. I love how Cyan and Magenta go so well together. In the list below, the artists works that I like totally reflects the graphic persona that I am... I love bright, solid colours and minimal colours just don't work for me.

Here are the artists:

1) Leonid Afremov
http:// www.afremov.com

Oh his works are simply awesome! He uses primary and secondary colours and paints using palette knives and oil to create scenery and landscapes in a modern impressionistic style. I am absolutely attracted to the use of colour and how he manages to blend the colour. He engages the viewer and draws one's attention into the artwork with the use of depth and perspective very successfully.

2) Piet Mondrian
http://www.moma.org/collection/artist.php?artist_id=4057

I was sold with the way Mondrian uses geometric lines in his artworks and most importantly, how he is known for his artworks using the three basic primary colours.  Apart from drawing inspiration from the Cubist movement, I liked that he used monochromatic tones of 'yellow' albeit a slightly more funky one for his works.

3) Georgia O'keefe
https://www.google.com/search?q=pictures+of+georgia+o%27keeffe%27s+paintings&hl=en&client=firefox-a&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&ei=aVlmUcC8LIep4AP8uIHoBQ&ved=0CDgQsAQ&biw=1920&bih=976

O'Keeffe's style is beautiful with the way she uses form and lines in her painting. I especially love the use of pastel colours and the blending technique in her paintings. I must say what attracts me most about her artworks apart from her use of objects in nature is the realistic portrayal of the object and the scale in which she paints them. I like that she zooms in and captures magnified versions of the interior of flowers and her use of warm and cool colours make her artworks different from most.

Journal (Sketchbook)

This past week, the weather has been great!!
As I take the daily afternoon walk to fetch my son from school, I remember thinking that the sun shining down on me reminded me of home...except the temperature here is oh sooo cool...NICE!!

Here are ten of my observations in my daily life over the past week:
 (Some are sooo random...haha)

1) I can't sleep!
2) Saw 2 cars parked side by side that are exactly similar
3) I was so hungry I almost passed out
4) I watched the funniest video on Facebook of Justin Timberlake dancing to Beyonce's song, Single Ladies
5) The wind was so strong today that we were pushed forward on the way to the library
6) There was a rotting carcass of some bird or animal under a car
7) A rolling pin makes a really good massaging tool
8) Liniment oil makes my eyes water
9) It is still bright at 7:20pm
10) Olay moisturizing shower cream really moisturizes

Assignment (Still Life)

Observational Self-Portrait Still Life...

Being in Boston for only 6 months, this assignment got me scrambling for what objects/items best describe me. I didn't have my favourite childhood toy nor did I have a collection of things. However, what I had with me here were things that I needed for my day to day life or things that I handle almost everyday. I managed to also squeeze in a favourite game that my son and I love to play, UNO! Here is the charcoal rendition of my observational still life...

Critique:
I started out drawing the outlines lightly with pencil before going over with vine charcoal. One of the strengths of this artwork is that I managed to capture the both highlights and shadows present in the still life. Layout for the objects looks quite interesting and the dark sunglasses seem to really standout. Still life objects look quite proportionate and perspective captured successfully.

Areas that could be improved on is to not be afraid to use darker shades to create a more stark contrast. Some of the objects look slightly flat like the pencil sharpener behind the box of UNO cards. It has the same shade of grey. In my opinion, reflection on the lens of the sunglasses were not captured very well (it was challenging to identify the highlights and then using kneadable eraser to lift off the charcoal). Perhaps more can be done to show light reflecting on the lenses.

Discussion (Drawing)

I went online to look for websites on 'drawings' and the funniest thing happened. I was directed to companies that dealt with the with-'drawing' of money! hahahha
Nonetheless, here are the three websites on drawings that I really like:

1)http://dannygregory.com/

Danny Gregory is a skilled illustrator and his works really show good observation skills. He does not aim to draw perfect drawings but his sketches illustrate and captures the 'life' of that particular time, place or moment. Having gone through a rough patch where his wife became paralyzed, he turned to drawing as a form of release and expression to help him through that difficult time of his life. I love the way he tells his story through both sketches and type. His handwirtten type looks pretty cool too. 
Take a look at some of his artworks here too:
http://legerillustrations.blogspot.com/2012/06/danny-gregory.html

2) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/24/diego-fazio_n_2011207.html#slide=1682251

This Italian artist, Diego Fazio, is so talented that he is able to come up with photo-realistic drawings of people. I am most impressed with his shading skill and his ability to capture tones, shadows and highlights which are not very simple especially when dealing with other elements that distort the picture like fluids or water. Diego Fazio's works make me want to try harder and since it was stated that it takes him about 200 hours to finish a piece of artwork, I must say, patience is a virtue and he is only 24 years old! Amazing!!
Check out his page here too:
http://diegokoi.deviantart.com/

3) http://sherriemcgraw.com/artwork/drawings

Sherrie Mcgraw is known for her Abstract Realism paintings. However, what drew me to her website was her figure drawings done in charcoal and conte. I have always had a weakness for artworks that use conte.  Neutral or warm tones from the conte makes the artpieces into timeless beauties. It gives off that old, slightly vintage feel. More like sepia tones in a photograph. Mcgraw doesn't just draw the typical nude figures, she includes some animals too. Most of her drawings look half complete where the drawings and lines just trail off into the paper. Her works stand out further with the addition of white conte to capture highlights (which I really like) and she also adds cross-hatching to show shadows. Her lines are fluid and the colours added to it show an ethereal quality to it.

Sketchbook (Journal)

I had to sit down and think about what I love and hate most. As I sat and got writing, I realized that it was much easier to list down the things that I love. I had to really crack into my head and ask myself what is it that I really hate. Only this morning then I realized that there was someone that I really dislike and hope that no one turns out like that...
So here is the list of 10 things I hate and love.... 

LOVE

1. My family & children
2. Animals
3. Chocolate
4. Stationery
5. Shopping
6. Laughter
7. Sunny days
8. Eating!!!
9. The colour TEAL/Turquoise/Mint
10. Roadtrips

Assignment (Opposites)

I got a little confused. Instead of doing 4 pages, I went on a spree and did 10 pages instead and focused on the theme 'opposites'. Had some fun and frustration working on this. Overall, I would say...it was an interesting journey. Here are my 10 pages of opposites in my sketchbook.

Discussion (Portfolio)

Here are some works that I have with me so far. I would love to include them in my portfolio but I am my harshest critique...always thinking it is not good enough and then I procrastinate (I push it back to the far recesses of my mind and pretend it doesn't exist)...sigh...I am one of those that can be called a "jack of all trades and a master of none". Despite whatever design training I had in the past, I believe I am still at the very basic of it all. I remember we were pretty much left on our own to figure out which software to use and how to manipulate images or vectors.However, the array of works displayed does not just focus on digital works. Foundation year allowed me to dabble with different types of art and that was what I loved most. Happy viewing...:)

These were drawn from observation using colour pencils. I love the use of bright colours and aimed to get as much detail in. The maple leaf is a favourite due to the use of a range of warm tones and some blending.

 

 I created a piece of batik for a Speech and Prize-giving Day Award Ceremony back home. The orchids used were the school's official flower. Working with curved lines and wax to create floral patterns forces me to keep my hands steady, a challenge which left me frustrated at times.  I didn't get a very good photo of it as I had to quickly get it framed and submitted.

 This is my graphic interpretation of the batik work using gouache and marker. Using a variety of thick and thick lines to create visual interest and chaos. The use of colour and lines depict a vibrancy to the artwork and reflects the tropical feel of the sunny island with which these flowers bloom.

The graphic designer in me decided to put up 2 wedding invitation cards that I did some time back. The flowers in the pink one on top looks a little stiff, I feel. The flow of lines are not as smooth as I want it to be but I like the use of monochromatic tones to create that soft look. I prefer the green/brown one as I got my inspiration from Monsieur Z, one of my favourite graphic illustrators. Especially love the airport control tower as the wedding was held at a reception ballroom in the airport in Singapore.

Some portrait work that I did for my family using watercolour. I intend to frame these up but have yet to do so. I love the way highlights define the facial features and minimal colours were used.

I used monochromatic tones in blue and one contrasting colour, gold, to depict this artwork. Done in acrylic, I was greatly inspired by Van Gogh's impressionistic style and am happy to achieve the effect of the waves and also used optical illusion to further manipulate the work. The idea to create this painting using motifs that represent different elements of Thai culture came from my encounters with Thai social life.

I believe ceramics would be one of my all time loves. The feel of the cool clay between my fingers while I shape it to form a sculpture is just indescribable. I love the way clay is so malleable and so versatile that one can choose to create simple flat pieces or 3-dimensional sculptures plus add different textures and prints to make really interesting pieces.. Using different materials added to the clay makes it all the more exciting! In one of my works, I used twine to create a certain effect. It then burns off during firing leaving the texture of the twine.

Ideas from my sketchbook showing drawings for my ceramic sculpture. Played around with plenty of organic shapes to come up with different designs. Some of the drawings look downright creepy.

Done in pencil, I was practicing shading and love the challenge of optical illusion. If you notice, there is a goldfish somewhere in there. This work was inspired by Bridget Riley and I used more wavy lines that intersect one another to make it a little more complicated.

Ok so that's a wrap for now. Off to making more in my sketchbook...

I'm new to this...

So this is finally happening.... I feel like the tortoise and the hare.
Anyway here is something that I thought would be useful courtesy of
http://www.joggles.com/brushes-tutorial.htm