Artwork: MIAD Illustration (Positive)
World of Technology pt.1
Acrylic and Color Pencil on Illustration Board
(30.5 cm x 40.6cm)
November 2017
(30.5 cm x 40.6cm)
November 2017
Exhibition text
The focus of my piece was to show the way in which technology has greatly affected us in a positive way. By using symbolism and examples from the real world, I was able to bring out my theme in an illustration inspired by Norman Rockwell's The Babysitter.
Process
As I began to brainstorm for possible ideas for my illustration I thought about how I could portray an event that is current, which can be seen in a negative way and a positive way. I thought about deforestation, gender roles, and disparities. At the end I ended up choosing something that we all see in our everyday life, technology.
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- Sketch #2: The second sketch that I drew is the view of the city. In order to show the way in which technology has helped our everyday I plan to draw a car, a person with a prosthetic leg, an airplane in the background, and the things that you would normally find in the city. By incorporating these thing I will be able to carry out my theme. The way in which everything is drawn in the illustration will show how technology has cause a positive impact in the world that we live on.
- Sketch #3: The final sketch is a girl who is taking a walk in the park. She has a prosthetic leg, and in the background there will be more people with prosthetic body parts. Not only that but I plan to bring in elements such as modes of transportation and other things that were done with the use of technology. The overall purpose would be to make people look happy so that it can be seen that technology has helped greatly.
Creating the Illustration
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When I first began to draw on my illustration board I only thought about the outline that I had created previously. My sketch was what was guiding me when it came to creating the overall look. I began by drawing a girl in a similar position to that of The Babysitter in Rockwell's illustration. She was drawn with a dress and hair that had more flow, a bottle in her hand, and a prosthetic leg. In the other hand, the children were drawn in a way in which they looked more entertained. The girl was draw in the floor blowing bubbles while the boy was drawn standing while holding a ball. To fill the space around I had my brothers toys work as models for me. I would grab one toy at a time and then I would draw those in my board so that the place didn't look as empty. To add more to the space I drew a small table with a lamp on it and added a window above that. When you look out the window you can see trees, cars and houses. All of the elements that I added created a calm and peaceful feeling, adding to my theme on how technology has helped us in a positive way.
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Research
Because I wanted to add color by using watercolors I first began by resorting to books that helped me with that technique, then I searched up books that could help me with acrylics. Overall, I was able to acquire many tips on what I could do to better the way in which my piece looked. I saw that it is best if you keep three shades for the colors that you are using. One should be left the same, another should have more white incorporated, and the last should have more black incorporated. By doing this, you are providing yourself with the color that you originally made as well as a color to add highlights and one to add shadow. To build up color a good strategy is to use a technique that is used with watercolors. By adding water to acrylics, you can create a wash that although is transparent, at times can help with filling in parts that were missed or add highlight to your piece. Because sometimes it is difficult to paint a straight edge a helpful tip that I saw involved the use of masking tape. The tape was put on the surface that wasn't meant to be painted on and then the acrylics were used in the surface. This greatly helped me when it came to painting straight edges. I used this technique on the wall as well as the window and the table. The last book that I had seen was all about landscapes. Because I have a window in the background, I thought it would be great if I could show houses and trees outside. The book provided many landscapes from many angles, which greatly helped me when drawing and painting the things that can be seen outside the window.
Adding Color
Experimentation
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Once I finished drawing and had an outline of my illustration I was debating on how I should add color. I ended up scanning my piece and printing out pages in where I could experiment different ways to incorporate color. The first page was dedicated to color pencil. I used color pencil throughout most of the piece to get an idea of how the piece would look. I colored their skin with pinks, grays, white, and peach. Each of them had a different technique. On one person one color was added before, meanwhile the other had a different combination of hues. By doing this I was able to see how the hue of their skin would look if I used different methods when applying the material. The second page had watercolor and color pencil. Because I had trouble filling all of the space in with color pencil I made a wash on different areas and with different hues. When the page was all dry, I would add color pencil on top so that the piece would have a more refined look. This page had a similar look to that of the first page, but it had less white spaces which gave it a better look. Finally, the last page was filled in by using acrylics. I followed a baroque technique to make my illustration look more realistic like Rockwell's.
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Painting the Illustration
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As I began to paint my illustration I took into account the shaded areas and the highlights. I began by mixing the primary colors with white and brown to make the skin tone. Then, I split the paint in three sections. One of them had more brown incorporated. The other had more white incorporated, and the last one was left the same. The three shades of the skin tone helped when adding value to the piece. Because I had already added value by crosshatching my piece it was easy when painting their faces. All I had to do was blend the areas so that the piece looked more realistic. After doing that I painted the clothing by following the same technique as I did earlier but with different colors. This helped me create parts in where there were folds. I wasn't always happy with the look of the piece because the area in where I was painting was very small so the process of painting was difficult. Although I was struggling I didn't want to change the medium just yet because I wanted the piece to have unity. After I finished painting the people I went on with the background. To speed up the process I painted the entire wall in one color, then put tape on the lines that separated the
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different parts of the wall as well as the window. By doing this I was able to provide straight lines that only consisted of me painting on top of the wall. When finished, the tape was removed and the floor was painted. I painted the floor gray so that the toys would pop out more. The floor was painted in one solid color and then a darker shade was created to add value below anything or anyone that was on the floor (used for shadow). The last things that were painted were the outside of the window, the desk, lamp, and the chair. The rest was then colored in color pencil. The white spots that were seen were also covered by color pencil and more detail was added as well. Because earlier I wasn't content with the look of the piece, I went over those areas with color pencil. Using color pencil was great because it helped me add detail in the areas that were smaller as well as add color in the areas that were forgotten. Not only did the piece look cleaner but it also looked more refined.
Artistic Inspiration:
Norman Rockwell
The Babysitter by Norman Rockwell
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Norman Rockwell was born in New York City during the year 1894. Ever since he was young he was very talented when it came to art. At age 14 he had been enrolled in his first art classes. Two years later, he abandoned high school to study in an art academy. His love for art kept increasing, which caused him to transfer to The Art Students League. Here is where he was able to prepare for his first commercial commission. At age 17 he had the opportunity of making his first illustration for Saturday Evening Post, which allowed him jump to the world of illustration. Most of the public was amazed by the illustrations that he made, meanwhile the others criticized his approach. The illustrations that Rockwell made were meant to represent the American life in a heartwarming and sometimes humorous way, but his idea wasn't always loved by all. Because of his great talent Rockwell was able to work for the Saturday Evening Post as an illustrator. In the 47 years that he worked for them he created over 321 covers. Now there is a museum that is dedicated to Rockwell's work in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. The idea of my illustration is to use the techniques that Rockwell used. I want to use the space like he did, filling out every part of my board. Another thing that I want to add is position of the people that are seen in his piece. I want people to see my piece and be able to tell who my inspiration was. Lastly, I would like to have a similar color palette and have a similar movement like his. I want my piece to have that realistic look to it as well as the rich colors that are seen in Rockwell’s illustration.
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Today's World
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My second inspiration was the way in which technology is used nowadays. Technology has greatly helped us with our daily lives. We are now able to move from one place to another with ease as well as export through modes of transportation. Prosthetics are another thing that has helped us. Those who are disabled now get the opportunity to add a prosthetic if needed. Agriculture has not been better because of technology, we are now able to grow crops anywhere, helping us with the vegetation that we consume as well as the medicines made. Because of this our medicine has improved and has helped many with their wellbeing. Lastly, technology has helped us communicate from any distance. Because of this we can talk, text or even video call people who are far away from us without having to care about the distance. I plan to incorporate some of these positives in my piece by drawing it as part of one's everyday life. I plan to show the modes of transportation as cars
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that can be seen outside of the window and even trains or planes in the toys that will be scattered on the floor. Another thing that I plan on doing is having the babysitter in the illustration have a prosthetic leg to show how technology has positively affected us. Lastly, I will have a desk lamp in the small table behind and lots of trees in the background (outside of the window). The entire point of the illustration will be to incorporate some of the things we might see in our everyday life. These things will all be objects, etc. that have been renovated and/or improved by technology and have greatly helped us.
Reflection
When I was finished with my piece I was satisfied but not very content. My inspiration can be seen but I believe it could have been emphasized more as well as my theme. By adding more positives of technology I would probably be able to show how great technology can really be. Another thing that I wasn’t completely content with was the overall use of space. I wish I would have made the drawing larger and add more detail to the piece. The people's faces show a sort of blending between highlights and shadows but the overall look of value is not of my liking. Another thing that I would change is the color palette. If I were to add different colors, then the piece would look better and the mood would be even friendlier and peaceful, which is what I wanted. Another problem with that is the fact that all the colors seem to blend in the back, which can be very distracting. When compared to my inspiration the position in which they are in is very similar but the overall use of space is different. My piece has the girl centered and the space around has en empty feeling. In Rockwell's illustration the entire place is filled with variations of color and pieces. When compared to mine, I have more room in the background and foreground, which is where I could have added more things. Lastly the overall way in which my colors come together could have been better. The colors don't seem to go very good together. There are many darks but also many lights. In Rockwell's illustration he used very soft colors and the lighting can be seen reflected off of the surface of things as well as the people. If I were to redraw this piece I would definitely change the color palette as well as fix the proportion and the perspective in which the piece is seen.
Meaning
The purpose of my piece was to demonstrate how technology has greatly helped us with our everyday life. Because of technology we live in a life of comfort. We have homes, light, modes of transportation, and our agriculture has improved greatly. Without the technology we have it would be much harder to construct buildings or provide the light and electricity that we use today. Because of the technology, we have the opportunity to add a foot or a prosthetic to our body if necessary. Lastly, agriculture has not been better until now. Because of technology, deserts have been converted into a place in where one is able to sow and harvest in that area. My piece has a lot of symbolism that can show the great aspects of technology. Other than all of those elements that are obvious such as the train, cars and prosthetic leg, there are other elements that set a calm feeling. One of these elements is the position of the people. The babysitter has her arm resting on her leg which makes her look a bit relaxed but is still a bit tense when it comes to her back. This was drawn that way to make her have a more genuine look. Not only that but her hair is wavy and is not combed or pulled back, giving the look and sense of freedom. In the other hand, the kids show more freedom through their actions. The girl is blowing bubbles while the boy is holding out a ball in his hand. They are not caring much about the mess, which help show the freedom as well as their enjoyment. Lastly, the color palette is mostly soft colors which help set the calm feeling in the room.
Connecting to act
1. Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork.
My inspiration affected the way in which my piece was positioned. Not only that but I also applied color with acrylics to create a realistic piece, just like Rockwell.
2. What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The author of my inspiration wrote a biography on Norman Rockwell so that others can get a better understanding on why he drew certain illustrations as well as his influences on his creations.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
While researching I learned that although one might not agree with your artwork, you must do art for you and nobody else. When Rockwell made humorous illustrations of what he described as the typical American life he was greatly criticized by many but that did not stop him from doing what he wanted.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea of Norman Rockwell was to show what he described as the typical American family while creating humor out of it (in some cases).
5. What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
While reading about Norman Rockwell I discovered that the art that you make doesn't have to please others. At the end of the day one must have thick skin because not everyone will agree with your choice on medium, inspiration, or overall work.
My inspiration affected the way in which my piece was positioned. Not only that but I also applied color with acrylics to create a realistic piece, just like Rockwell.
2. What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The author of my inspiration wrote a biography on Norman Rockwell so that others can get a better understanding on why he drew certain illustrations as well as his influences on his creations.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
While researching I learned that although one might not agree with your artwork, you must do art for you and nobody else. When Rockwell made humorous illustrations of what he described as the typical American life he was greatly criticized by many but that did not stop him from doing what he wanted.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea of Norman Rockwell was to show what he described as the typical American family while creating humor out of it (in some cases).
5. What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
While reading about Norman Rockwell I discovered that the art that you make doesn't have to please others. At the end of the day one must have thick skin because not everyone will agree with your choice on medium, inspiration, or overall work.
References
- “Norman Rockwell - A brief biography - A career in illustration.” Norman Rockwell Museum, Norman Rockwell Museum, 2017, www.nrm.org/about/about-2/about-norman-rockwell/.
- Martin, Judy. 100 keys to great acrylic painting. North Light Books, 1995
- Gherman, Beverly. Norman Rockwell: Storyteller with a Brush. Simon & Schuster, 2000.
- Halliday, Frank. Watercolours in a Weekend: Landscapes. David & Charles, 2003.