Refraction through Glass |
OverviewTitle: Refraction through Glass
Size: 22.8 cm by 17.46 cm Medium: Acrylic paint on gessoed canvas Date of Completion: September 22, 2023 Exhibition TextThis project challenged my established painting skills by limiting the use of blending skills, and intentionally blocking colors. I selected the reference image because of its complex range of color, with small details and precise lines. I better understand the medium of acrylic paint because of this project and feel more confident in my mixing and color matching skills.
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PlanningThe ProcessTo create an accurate representation of the image, I first created a sketch with #2 pencil on the canvas. I outlined the basic shapes and took note of where blending needed to be turned into solid colors.
In this photo, I had started experimenting with color matching to create accurate and vibrant colors.
Once I felt confident with those skills, I started making progress into the painting. I started by filling in areas with the same hue. This was an efficient way to make progress because I could mix a larger amount of paint, and then create small changes to the value and intensity.
For the most part, I felt like focusing on larger areas first helped me organize the painting as a whole. If I could create accurate references on the canvas, I could base my color matching on the painting rather than the image.
Once the large areas of the painting were complete, I shifted my focus towards the smaller details found in between the large "petals". I had to alter my method and take more time to deliberately mix each individual color, since they were all so distinct.
As I approached the end of the process, I reflected on some parts that I felt didn't accomplish the goal of solid colors with sharp borders. While I implemented the final details, I also revisited those areas and adjusted them until it felt a lot smoother.
ExperimentationReflectionThis project has allowed me to experiment with my artistic ability and expand on my existing painting skills in a way that challenges how I approach acrylic paint as a medium. Looking back on the process, I feel that I have improved my technical ability to a great extent. I also am able to better understand good and bad characteristics in a work of art, so that I can better critique my own work.
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My first step was to select a reference photo. Initially, I intended to create my painting based on the image to the left, but decided it had too much blank space and tricky blended shapes.
I changed my focus towards this image instead, because I preferred the variety of color and the geometric shaping. My first choice of a focused area within the image is outlined as you can see to the left. However, I felt that that area didn't represent as many geometric shapes as I was looking for. I changed my focus to an area that involves more line and solid colors. Next, I created corresponding grids on the canvas and the image. I used one inch squares for the canvas because it evenly fit to the size of the 9 inch canvas. The board already had gesso applied, and so it did not need that step.
The small details of this painting were difficult for me because a consistent part of the photo I selected is that there are often thin lines close together with many different colors. I struggled with creating distinction in these areas because of brush size and technique. I found an old brush that was more suitable for this type of precise line work. Unfortunately, it broke in half after about a day of use. My solution changed to the method by which I applied to paint on the canvas. Instead of rushing through a line with a fat stroke, I used less paint per brushstroke and created multiple layers of thin line. Another way in which I experimented was with layering. Some paints felt thinner or more transparent, especially green and yellows. I found that it improved by adding neutral colors like white and grey. Although this decreased the overall chroma of the color, it created a more consistent color that did not let the pencil marks underneath show. |