Artwork:
Exhibition Text:
”watch” focuses on those who challenge the social normative on human relations. As this piece presents the love between two females. Despite the watchful eye of society, they still persist to be with one another. Sources of inspiration for the piece are Sara Khans, Procreation and Other Relations and Christian Vincent’s, Spring. As Khan’s inspired the use of watercolors as a medium and Vincent’s inspired how I presented human connection. This work does not manipulate external works.
Inspiration/Critical Investigation:
Khan, Sara. Procreation and Other Relationships 2017. Watercolour.A source of inspiration for the piece was Sara Khans Procreation and Other Relationships, which was made in 2017. This works medium is a watercolor. This piece presents a multitude of people within a nature setting. The watercolors used are done on a varying level with multiple tone present. The beings do not follow the exact anatomy of human beings. Rather her works provokes an emotion through figures. There is also a presence of multiple figures which do not hold a connection directly with each other though reside together. The piece holds depth as various actions are occurring at once.
The artist grew up in Pakistan, and her work is reflective of her background. Khan presents community and human connections through her works. Khan also presents a togetherness between humans and nature. Her work is both reflective of her culture and female values. Khan has also done works outside of watercolors which includes murals. Her works are often of forms/objects. As an artist Khan is not one to replicate reality but rather present an emotion. She currently lives within Canada and produces works there. |
Vincent, Christian. Spring. 2005. Oil on Canvas.A source of inspiration for this piece is Christian Vincent's Spring, which was made in 2005. This works medium is oil on canvas. This work presents human relations with nature, in particular females within a field. This piece presents a euphoric feeling among a peaceful field. There is also a push and pull between relations, with also holding a connection. As the figures can be seen to be grasping and gripping. These two are conflict actions though occur among the figures. Within each pair the left is the pull while the right is the push. This is present within gripping of each other arms. This positioning of models evokes a harmonious feeling.
The artist lives within California and is american. His works presents aspect of innocence through the use of long models. His works also present isolation through the vast presence of nature. Vincent's work overall evoke a melancholic emotion of innocence within the isolation of nature. The beings are free yet, on the verge of struggle between transitions. |
Planning:
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Process/Techniques/Experimentation:
Process
To begin this piece, I first cut the paper into half the size in order for it to be in portrait style. Then I took the previous sketches done for inspiration for this piece. I also used them to learn from their mistakes and finally develop them onto the final. At first when drawing the base I began with the base bodies. As I wanted to focus on achieving the correct proportions for the body. The sketch was done with a lead pencil in order for me to develop and edit it. Then I sketched on the clothes for the bodies, which followed the base sketch. This base drawing followed various references for body and clothing.
When using the watercolors I initially experimented with the background. This lead me to finding a nice ratio of watercolors and it’s impacts on the paper. This also lead to me painting the figures prior to the background. Also if I painted the background first then I would have needed to cover the figures. Thus by painting the figures first I was allowed to define and refine them. I used the colors beige, red and blue when paiting the skin tones. Rather than only using beige, I used them undertones of skin to build further depth. This is particularly present within areas of change on the body. This would include the ones elbows and ankles. Next I began on the clothing which included various colors. This included white, red, black and grey. For instance when painting the skirt I built multiple layers of the same color. This was done in order to further build depth for the skirt. I also used a hint of black for the bottom of the skirt. Black was also again used in order to highlight aspects of the clothing.
Lastly I began on the background aspects, which was done alike to a wash. In order to properly do so I used a 16mm mop brush. This gave me an even wash that was not blotch and allowed me to use a large ratio and spread it along the paper. Through a large water ratio I also mixed the three colors evenly onto the paper. Overall this background required the right ratio and a large brush to achieve an even mixture of colors.
When using the watercolors I initially experimented with the background. This lead me to finding a nice ratio of watercolors and it’s impacts on the paper. This also lead to me painting the figures prior to the background. Also if I painted the background first then I would have needed to cover the figures. Thus by painting the figures first I was allowed to define and refine them. I used the colors beige, red and blue when paiting the skin tones. Rather than only using beige, I used them undertones of skin to build further depth. This is particularly present within areas of change on the body. This would include the ones elbows and ankles. Next I began on the clothing which included various colors. This included white, red, black and grey. For instance when painting the skirt I built multiple layers of the same color. This was done in order to further build depth for the skirt. I also used a hint of black for the bottom of the skirt. Black was also again used in order to highlight aspects of the clothing.
Lastly I began on the background aspects, which was done alike to a wash. In order to properly do so I used a 16mm mop brush. This gave me an even wash that was not blotch and allowed me to use a large ratio and spread it along the paper. Through a large water ratio I also mixed the three colors evenly onto the paper. Overall this background required the right ratio and a large brush to achieve an even mixture of colors.
Techniques
Techniques used when making this piece, were done during the process the painting process. As with this work I played with the mixture of colors and use of water. This is particular present within the background through the use of three different colors. Through this process I learned of the benefits and differences of watercolors. As other paints such as acrylics, mixture can be created while applying the paint onto the surface. This is done through the use of water and color. I also used paper towels after applying the paint, this was done in order to rid some on the water. This lead to less dense colors, and a more quick drying process. Prior to using the paper towels I feared that this would smear the color, though they worked quite efficiently.
Compare & Contrast (evaluations)
Similarities to Vincent's Spring
-There is a use of young female models -There is a focus present on the connection of touch between two people. With the positioning of the models presenting a tension -Both works follow the proper anatomy of human beings as a reference for the models. Differences -Vincent's medium is oil on canvas while mine is a mixed media watercolor piece. - Vincent's work is set within a nature setting, which displays human connection with it -Vincent's piece evokes a melancholic feeling of innocence through the use of a mythical field. This also gives the piece more depth. -My work presents only the models and does not hold depth within its background. There are also no external connections present besides society. |
Similarities to Khan's Procreation and Other Relationships
-Both works use watercolors as a medium. There is also a similarity on the skin tones used and there texture - The works both focus on human relationships and present there connection. This is done in a mythical sense through color and form. -Both works use color in order to present an emotion, which watercolor allows for soft tones. This better present a sense calamity within the works. -There is a use of empty white space within both works as a form of shape Differences -Khans holds aspects of depth through using both nature and human relations within the same piece. -Khans work use forms rather than following the proper anatomy. This use of forms evokes an emotion of beings rather than a direct occurrence. -My work use other type of paints and materials within the piece besides watercolors. |
Ideas
These images show the thought process and goal of the piece. The first outlines the goals, items and thought process of the work. This also includes brain storming for the positioning of the models for the piece. This was a particularly and initial struggle this work. As I was conflicted on how I wanted to present the push/ pull struggle. This also includes the prime colors that will be used.
While the next outline the inspiration and there background. This is a brief outline onto the artist and how the impacted my work. |
Experimentation
During this experimentation I played with the mixture of colors and different techniques. This focused on the aspects of the background within the piece. As I struggled with a correct ratio of water and it’s impacts on the paper. As an excessive use of water would lead to ruin of the particular paper used. I used three colors for this mixture. This included purple, red and beige. As the red and purple mixture was used for the outer corners. As a technique I used salt prior to letting the watercolors dry. Though through this experimentation I found that salt and my particular background do not mix well. This can be seen within the mock background above. As I did not use an excessive amount of water, which is needed for the salt to work properly. As the salt dries onto the paper an leave open gaps that are naturally done during drying.
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These were the colors used during the work. I did swatches in order to experiment with how they would dry on the paper. Depending on the ratio of water and pigment the colors would dry differently. This can clearly been seen by splotches and smooth clear colors. The splotches were more present on the colors with a higher pigments when left to sit and dry. Whilst with higher water ratios the colors would evenly dry.
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Reflection:
In reflection to this piece I did enjoy aspects or it and see others that need development. I feel that there could be more aspects of depth for this piece. In order to do so the work should have been done in landscape rather than in a portrait. This would have allowed for more to be present and build a more developed scene. Despite this critique I do feel that this use of portrait does highlight an idea of solitary amongst these two.
I did like how the watercolors showed on the paper and there effects on it. As I found good ratio between the paper and watercolors. This allowed for the overall appearance of the piece to look presentable. I also liked how the process went as this time I invested more time into the base sketch. As with watercolors being so transparent. There is a focus on the base outline. This leave less room for a progressive work, and is already set. Though watercolors are able to achieve a light look, which was the goal of this piece.
I did like how the watercolors showed on the paper and there effects on it. As I found good ratio between the paper and watercolors. This allowed for the overall appearance of the piece to look presentable. I also liked how the process went as this time I invested more time into the base sketch. As with watercolors being so transparent. There is a focus on the base outline. This leave less room for a progressive work, and is already set. Though watercolors are able to achieve a light look, which was the goal of this piece.
ACT:
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork?
-The inspirations impacted the style and how I found to present human interaction. As Khans soft tones and Vincent's captivating works both impacted my working different aspects.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
-Khan has a perspective approach towards representing people and there interactions. While Vincent presents a soft playful mixture of nature and humans.
What kind of generalization and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, ect. while you researched your inspiration?
-I discovered how one may present the relationships of people and culture. As Khan's work are heavily focused on her preservatives on human relations. I made a conclusion on how Vincent's work represents relations in connection to nature by observing his works.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
-The theme around my inspirational research focused on the human relations. I also focused on pieces that evoke a soft nature and it presentation.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
-I had to make more inferences on Vincent's work, due to limted personal information being present on the artist. This lead me to focus my research on the aspects of his collective works. As such inferences were made of the meaning/ emotions evoked from his works.
-The inspirations impacted the style and how I found to present human interaction. As Khans soft tones and Vincent's captivating works both impacted my working different aspects.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
-Khan has a perspective approach towards representing people and there interactions. While Vincent presents a soft playful mixture of nature and humans.
What kind of generalization and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, ect. while you researched your inspiration?
-I discovered how one may present the relationships of people and culture. As Khan's work are heavily focused on her preservatives on human relations. I made a conclusion on how Vincent's work represents relations in connection to nature by observing his works.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
-The theme around my inspirational research focused on the human relations. I also focused on pieces that evoke a soft nature and it presentation.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
-I had to make more inferences on Vincent's work, due to limted personal information being present on the artist. This lead me to focus my research on the aspects of his collective works. As such inferences were made of the meaning/ emotions evoked from his works.
Bibliography
Khan, Sara. “About.” SARA KHAN, WordPress, 6 Oct. 2019, https://sara-khan.com/biocv/.
Stopa, Thalia. “Conversations With Some of the Remarkable Women Involved in Mural Fest.” Scout Magazine, Scout, 13 Aug. 2018, https://scoutmagazine.ca/2018/08/07/conversations-with-some-of-the-remarkable-women-involved-in-mural-fest/.
“Spring.” ArtSlant, ArtSlant, https://www.artslant.com/chi/works/show/109366.
“Ubiquitous Follies.” SARA KHAN, WordPress, 6 Oct. 2019, https://sara-khan.com/ubiquitousfollies/.
Stopa, Thalia. “Conversations With Some of the Remarkable Women Involved in Mural Fest.” Scout Magazine, Scout, 13 Aug. 2018, https://scoutmagazine.ca/2018/08/07/conversations-with-some-of-the-remarkable-women-involved-in-mural-fest/.
“Spring.” ArtSlant, ArtSlant, https://www.artslant.com/chi/works/show/109366.
“Ubiquitous Follies.” SARA KHAN, WordPress, 6 Oct. 2019, https://sara-khan.com/ubiquitousfollies/.