Module 15: Self Portrait

1. Why did you select the inspiration pieces?

I was unable to physically attend an art gallery, so I used the Google Art Project site to view different galleries for inspiration.

"Self Portrait"

Ramon Martí Alsina 1875

This portrait was drawn using conte stick and white lead on colored paper. It is from the art gallery Museu Nacional d'Art Catalunya (MNAC) of Barcelona. I selected this work as inspiration because I wanted to create a simple portrait that was in black and white. I was also drawn to it because of how his hair was drawn showing movement even though it is pretty dark. I also liked that the face was the focal point of the work, on a plain background.


 https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/asset/self-portrait/tQEpJlCspdG8Hw

"Self-Portrait for Bedroom Painting No. 15"

Tom Wesselmann 1969

 

This self portrait was drawn using graphite on paper and is from the Chrysler Museum of Art gallery. I found this piece inspirational because it was created using similar media that I used. I wanted to visit galleries that contained more drawings rather than paintings. I also used this work as inspiration on how to portray eyes. His eyes in this photo are drawn with he pupils very dark, and it captures your attention when viewing it.

https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/asset/self-portrait-for-bedroom-painting-no-15/zwE_tneOe0e7nQ 

"Self-Portrait"

Charles Keeneabout 1845

 

This portrait was drawn using brown and black ink over chalk and is from the gallery of The J. Paul Getty Museum. I found this work inspirational because of its use of space. The portrait is very shaded and only the facial expression is portrayed in the artwork, and I wanted to create a similar piece. I also liked that the features were less defined and more blended and shaded.

https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/asset/self-portrait/TQFtBi8lttLhpw

Original Photo

Completed Self-Portrait

 

2. Why did you select the media to create your self-portrait?

I chose to create my self portrait with charcoal because I wanted it to be a black and white realistic drawing that allowed for shading. I have been trying to practice using charcoal more just for fun in my free time to get better at using it.

3. What challenges did you face in creating your self-portrait and how did you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges for creating this self portrait was creating the eyes. It was hard to make
them "match", in regards to their shape and size. I practiced on a separate page before beginning the completed work.

4. How does this piece represent you?

This artwork represents me because it is simple black and white representation of me. I focused on portraying my features in a realistic way, emphasizing those that I particularly favor. For example, I have very long eyelashes, and it is something I have always been known for among  my family and friends. I wanted to be sure to portray them and my eyes as a focal point of the piece.

5. What elements and principles of art did you apply in this work?

One of the elements I applied in this work is the use of space. I really liked how the artworks I included as inspiration pieces utilized the space in the works, and I wanted to do something similar. I wanted my work to be just my face, so the viewer focuses on the features alone and the expression, rather than being distracted by the use of the space in the background. I tried to portray the eyes as a focal point of my face and ultimately the work itself by applying the principle of emphasis. I made the pupil dark and round as a center focal point to draw attention to them. I also used line and movement in the creation of my hair in this piece. The lines used portray movement down the face which guide the viewer's eye through the work and all of the facial features.

6. Did you enjoy working on this project?

I enjoyed working on this project because I have been trying to get better at using charcoal and drawing in general. I find it fun and kind of therapeutic to draw, even if major talent is not present.

7. What do you think of your final artwork? 

I think my final artwork is a good representation of my facial features, and it turned out much better than I expected. I think that more practice will allow me to get better at using charcoal.

Module 16: Reflections of AED 200

1. What were you expectations for this course and where they met?

My expectations for this course in the beginning of the semester were ultimately to learn how to understand and interpret works of art. I also hoped to learn about some famous artist and their most famous works, and be able to interpret the meaning of some of them. My expectations were definitely met, as I feel that we had the opportunity to discover artists and observe their works of art, especially through art gallery visits and the art curation assignment. The assignments were helpful in practicing the description and interpretation of different artworks. 

2. Now that you've been through this course, What is art? How would you define it now compared to your initial posting?

In the first discussion, I said that I believe art can be defined as an individual’s expression of ideas and feelings that utilizes their creative abilities and imagination. I would still define art in the manner, but I might add that art can be interpreted in and aesthetically beautiful in many different ways dependent on the viewer's interpretation of its meaning.

3. Who was your favorite artist in your original posting and who is your favorite visual artist now? If there is a difference, why do you think so? If you have the same favorite artist, why do you think so?

In the beginning of the semester I did not have a famous artist. Even though I was able to identify famous artists by name, I was not familiar with their famous works of art, the genre or much else. After taking this course, I could now identify certain artists' works, and be able to provide some insight in the genre or time in which they lived. After visiting the art gallery for the first time and completing the art curation project, I enjoyed viewing Edvard Munch's work, and Pablo Picasso's. I always found Picasso's work confusing and I didn't understand it, but the analysis of Guernica and the videos provided helped me understand him as an artist better. 

4. Now that you've completed this course, how do you feel about taking an online course? Is your answer the same as it was in your first posting? How is it the same or different?

In the beginning of the semester I had stated that i felt comfortable taking online classes as I have done so several times, and I enjoyed the convenience of being able to work on my own time. I still feel that it is beneficial for those who are able to manage their time appropriately and enjoy the ability to plan school at their own expense. 

Project #4 Art Curation Project

The process: 

In order to begin this project, I browsed the resources in the resource folder to view different artworks and decide on a theme for my exhibition. I decided to include artworks with a "love" theme because it was easy for me to interpret the meaning of these works and find some with similarities. Once I discovered several famous artworks, I studied the elements and principles in the paintings to try to determine how those specific elements helped the viewer see love, or feelings that come along with it. I decided to include only paintings in this exhibition to keep the artworks similar, even if the images portrayed were completely different. I also found several famous artists in the 1800s and 1900s had created paintings portraying love. I then created the PowerPoint after finding all the images I wanted to use. I used a red background for the slides because it is the color of love and passion. I used a mix of cursive fonts for labeling the artworks because it creates a romantic feel.