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