Process
for this project, the themes of where you live are supposed to be recognizable in your shoe design; therefore, I decided to go with my own twist on a sun or sunset. I decided to work with the mixed medium of prisma (metallic) colored pencils, as well as sharpie markers. I wanted to make a more stylized, uncommon sun design, so I went with a swirl as the middle, and tapered the beams loosely and curling around the shoe. I also used stripes, which accented the stylized sun as well. I used contrasting warm and cool colors to really make the design pop to the viewer.
Judgment
I really enjoy the rareness of my sun design, due to the overdone, usual sun design that the majority of others decided to go with. The contrast of the warm colors with the cool ones really makes each part of the shoe pop. I also appreciate the metallic accents I decided to use for the shoe; it brings out a cool look against the rest of the shoe.
DEER SKULL PROJECT
Process
For this project, I am really trying to enhance my technique and skills with drawing skulls and using the white colored pencil on black matte board. I began by using a Georgia O'Keefe reference picture, as well as some of my previous skull projects I've completed. I really want to try and use different line work with this, in comparison to my previous works. I am still working on the coloration and shading with the use of my white colored pencil, but am happy with the way it is turning out thus far.
Reference Photos
Beginning Stages
COLORED PENCIL ROSES
Process
For this project, I decided to make a loose arrangement of roses. I then to work in the medium of watercolor pencils. I began by using a light colored pencil to free-hand the roses one-by-one, and get the placements of where I wanted their petals and stems to travel loosely over the page. I then started the time consuming process of using the light colored pencils to add values and hues of pinks, reds, and purples onto the flowers. I then went more in depth with the colors, and began the process of adding darker values, giving more contrast to the petals around the edges and giving the flowers a light source. I then chose shades of yellows, browns, and greens to color and get different values on the stems and leaves. The main struggle I found with this was layering on the colors to a point where they just smudged and didn't look as nice. I am happy that I decided to leave the background white because it really helps capture my interest with the flowers in the foreground.
Judgment
I really enjoy the values I achieved, but also entertain the idea of what it would look like more as a watercolor painting, which was my first plan to begin with. On the other hand, I am still afraid of adding the water and losing all of the detailed shading and values I obtained throughout the flowers and stems. Over-all, I enjoy the choice of shades and color for all components of this piece, and would like to return to this style and idea, with more medium and style experimentation.
Reference Photos
Beginning Stages
Final Piece
MIXED MEDIUM ROSE
Process
For this piece, I decided to revert back to my style of roses I used in one of my previous projects. I decided to use splatter effects with watercolor paint for the background, and ink pens for the flower, leaves, and its stem. For the splatter effect, I wanted to make similar colors to that of the flower. I first had to wet the watercolor paper with water using a flat paintbrush. I then saturated my entire brush with water and my watercolor paint, and pressed it against the paper. The drips left paths and mixed together, giving it an interesting look. I then decided to go with a single rose, and worked continuously on the difficult blending of the ink pens for the flower in the foreground. I first started out this process by using the lighter shades, such as a light pink and peach color, then added in the darker hues such as the hot pinks and reds.
Judgment
I really like the way my first drip paint effect went, as well as the flower. If I could go back, I would probably choose an easier blending medium for the flower, such as colored pencils or watercolors. The ink pens bled into the paper more than I expected and didn't blend as beautifully as pencils or watercolor. I love the values I got within the flower and its stem, and am also happy the way my first attempt at the drip effect with watercolor turned out. For future reference, I will try using nicer watercolor paints so I may get deeper values and hues for the drips. Over-all, I am pleased the way this piece turned out.
references
Beginning Stages
Final Piece
Deer Skull Sketch
Reference Picture
Process
For this sketch, I was inspired by the master artist Georgia O'Keefe with her interesting deer/ cattle skulls. I have attempted skulls a few times prior to this, but only with white colored pencil or charcoal and black matte board. I wanted to branch out and try a new medium that I haven't had much practice with, graphite. I decided to go with a few different levels of graphite, such as 2B, 4B, 2H, and etc. I tried out all of the shades in my sketch book to decide where and when to use them on the skull. I then used pictures from one of the Georgia O'Keefe books in the classroom to get the proportions and placements correctly. I then went with my own style to create the line-work on the skull. I then took each lined section one-by-one to shade and get the correct values I was looking for. I spent lots of time trying to get very contrasting values with the graphite, such as the dark edges and lines versus the very light areas surrounding those edges.
Judgment
I really like the way this sketch turned out and appreciate the time I took to get the correct values I wanted. The point to improve would be trying this out on matte board and blowing up the scale or size. A small error I see with the skull itself are the horns; I wasn't getting the right values and shading on them like I usually can with the white colored pencil and black matte board. I would also need to study more reference pictures to improve on my proportions with the skull, along with the horns. Otherwise, I am very impressed with my first attempt working in the medium of graphite.
Final Sketch
MIXED MEDUIM BIRD
Process
For the starting point of this project, I wanted to draw, and or paint an interesting bird with vibrant colors. Luckily, I have some pictures of my own from the parrots at the Jungle Gardens in Sarasota. After choosing my reference picture from my photos I took, I decided to work with the bottom layer medium of the bird, being watercolor pencils, and the finishing texture on top being ink pens. I wanted to continue using the watercolor because I feel that it covers the entire surface of the bird, not leaving any white marks like the ink pens alone would do. This helped bring out more vibrant colors and really made the bird pop. I finished the eye of the bird with colored pencil and ink pens. I decided to add some foliage and jungle-like plants into the background. I decided to use water color pencils, and after adding the water and letting it dry, I went over the background details with my ink pens. The green and browns in the background really complement the red of the bird well.
Judgment
I really enjoy how the colors and texture have turned out, although the overlapping of my ink pens have left some smudges and small blemishes on the bird's body. Other than this, I am enjoying my revisit into the subject of birds, and am happy the way these two mediums have really coincided and accented one another. The colors I got with the watercolor and ink together really worked, especially the complimentary colors of the bird against the background.
reference photos
Beginning Stages
Middle Stages
Final Piece
HORSE PROJECT
Process
For this project, I was inspired by some photos I took of a young horse that I work with at work. I love the way the legs are positioned gracefully in the photo, and wanted to capture that with colored pencil, and black matte board. I decided to go with a white colored pencil to add the contrast to the horse. I personally liked the horse being by itself, but later decided to add an accent to the background and drew long, swaying grass in the background. To color, I used the white colored pencil to really add a contrast the horse and grass with the dark background, and give both texture and highlights.
Judgment
I am personally happy with the proportions I achieved in the horse' positioning and legs. I also like the way the grass accents the horse just enough to balance the foreground and background. I believe I can improve on my skills of realism in regards to the horse' muscles and texture within the coat and hair. I would also like to attempt this in watercolor or acrylic.
Reference Photo
Final Piece
