Artwork: Illustration
Game of Supremacy
Colored Pencil and Chalk Pastel on Illustration Board
12 inches X 15 inches
August 2018
12 inches X 15 inches
August 2018
Exhibition Text
Game of Supremacy is an illustration inspired by Surrealism and Salvador Dali. It was created as a reaction to a social issue I care about and was meant to emphasize what I believe people in that situation feel.
Process
As I began my project I had a set idea of what I wanted to do. Because of this all I had to do was sketch out and create a layout of what I planned on doing. My project will be centered on the theme of immigration and current issues that are happening with the children that are being taken away while their parents are being prosecuted.
The sketches that are seen below are what I initially thought about drawing for my focal point. The theme remains the same while the drawings change. Along with that there are also different sketches of hands to show different positions that I can use to help represent the authority.
The sketches that are seen below are what I initially thought about drawing for my focal point. The theme remains the same while the drawings change. Along with that there are also different sketches of hands to show different positions that I can use to help represent the authority.
Research on Technique Colored Pencil https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsErlWLKR6Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUfYM1A8lL4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdfPFMx_clQ https://www.artistsnetwork.com/art-techniques/beginner-artist/drawing-hair-graphite-colored-pencil/ http://emptyeasel.com/2012/09/10/how-to-draw-realistic-wood-grain-details-with-colored-pencils/ Chalk Pastel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoJ-sI7CtAE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj2vBDbu1-M |
In order for me to fill in my illustration with color, there were a few times in where I had to search up how to do something. The background being clouds was something new to me. I had never tried making clouds in any kind of medium, and so I had to find techniques that would help me create those dark clouds. Not only were the clouds an issue but there were a few other aspects that required a demo or experimentation. The links that are on the left side are some of the tutorials that helped me create my artwork. They helped me with using colored pencil and chalk pastel. |
Experimentation
A few parts of my experimentation involved testing out colored pencil, chalk pastels, and even drawing sections of my piece and adding color to them. One of the first things that was tested out was the illustration board. I had a black and white illustration board which would react different according to the color of the board. The white board showed bright and dark colors equally as vibrant, while the black board showed opaque results for most of the colors. By testing this out, I was able to use the illustration board that complemented the colors I was using better.
Following this experimentation, I began to experiment with making clouds. I tried out making clouds in chalk pastel using slightly different colors each time. The first time I made a light blue background and then began to add white for the clouds. After that I added a grey hue below to add more depth to the clouds. Because the sky looked very bright I changed the base color to a darker blue and added black in a few areas. The same technique was used to add a cloudy background, resulting in a dark, almost stormy atmosphere. One of the last experimentation I did involved printing out my sketch and adding color to it. As I experimented with color, the same procedure was used on the illustration board if I liked the way in which it looked. In this page I added color in the hair, skin, and shirt. Overall, this provided visual representations on how my piece would look if certain colors were added.
A few parts of my experimentation involved testing out colored pencil, chalk pastels, and even drawing sections of my piece and adding color to them. One of the first things that was tested out was the illustration board. I had a black and white illustration board which would react different according to the color of the board. The white board showed bright and dark colors equally as vibrant, while the black board showed opaque results for most of the colors. By testing this out, I was able to use the illustration board that complemented the colors I was using better.
Following this experimentation, I began to experiment with making clouds. I tried out making clouds in chalk pastel using slightly different colors each time. The first time I made a light blue background and then began to add white for the clouds. After that I added a grey hue below to add more depth to the clouds. Because the sky looked very bright I changed the base color to a darker blue and added black in a few areas. The same technique was used to add a cloudy background, resulting in a dark, almost stormy atmosphere. One of the last experimentation I did involved printing out my sketch and adding color to it. As I experimented with color, the same procedure was used on the illustration board if I liked the way in which it looked. In this page I added color in the hair, skin, and shirt. Overall, this provided visual representations on how my piece would look if certain colors were added.
Starting the Illustration
I began my project by sketching what I planned on having as my illustration. I decided that I wanted to have a young girl as a pawn being the focus of my piece. She was drawn as a pawn and then a checkered board was drawn right below. A hand was then drawn on the top right corner in where it made it look more empowered or higher up. I then had a full outline ready to have color added.
I began my project by sketching what I planned on having as my illustration. I decided that I wanted to have a young girl as a pawn being the focus of my piece. She was drawn as a pawn and then a checkered board was drawn right below. A hand was then drawn on the top right corner in where it made it look more empowered or higher up. I then had a full outline ready to have color added.
**click picture to enlarge**
Adding Color
Colored pencil was then added to the checker board. Knowing that I wanted to create a board that was a bit dirty, I decided to color the black tiles and then leave the rest alone. I then began to color the child/pawn. The colors used for her skin were similar to mine. It involved the use of many yellows and browns. In the other hand the pawn was colored with darker hues. Since I wanted it to look like it was made if wood I added lots of brown, black, and even blue hues. Lastly, I colored the hand on the top right corner. It was colored a lighter shade purposefully and then I proceeded to the next step. The final step was to add the cloud like background. The entire process involved the use of a cotton ball and chalk pastels. First, yellow, brown, and black were added to the checker board with the cotton ball. The cotton ball not only helped blend but it also helped keep a smooth surface. After this I began to rub chalk pastel on the cotton ball and slowly added the grey, black, and blue. This helped me create a similar resemblance to that of clouds or smoke.
To finish off my piece I decided to bring the black hue a little bit up and make the hand above loom a bit dirty and then sprayed the board with a fixative. The fixative helped reduce the probability of smudging or smearing of the chalk pastel in my board.
Colored pencil was then added to the checker board. Knowing that I wanted to create a board that was a bit dirty, I decided to color the black tiles and then leave the rest alone. I then began to color the child/pawn. The colors used for her skin were similar to mine. It involved the use of many yellows and browns. In the other hand the pawn was colored with darker hues. Since I wanted it to look like it was made if wood I added lots of brown, black, and even blue hues. Lastly, I colored the hand on the top right corner. It was colored a lighter shade purposefully and then I proceeded to the next step. The final step was to add the cloud like background. The entire process involved the use of a cotton ball and chalk pastels. First, yellow, brown, and black were added to the checker board with the cotton ball. The cotton ball not only helped blend but it also helped keep a smooth surface. After this I began to rub chalk pastel on the cotton ball and slowly added the grey, black, and blue. This helped me create a similar resemblance to that of clouds or smoke.
To finish off my piece I decided to bring the black hue a little bit up and make the hand above loom a bit dirty and then sprayed the board with a fixative. The fixative helped reduce the probability of smudging or smearing of the chalk pastel in my board.
Research/ Artistic Inspiration
Salvador Dali
The Surrealist Movement, led by the poet André Breton, was created to overthrow the rules that had been implemented by the modern society. This movement allowed artists to create work that began by entering the human mind. The works involved visual representations that were very exaggerated, the juxtapositions varied, and the colors and lines were never something that artists were bothered by. Not only did this movement open doors to ones imagination, but it also allowed artists to reveal their worries and anxieties through symbolism. A very famous Surreal artist is Salvador Dali. Dali created pieces that were dream like and showed his concerns for what was going on around him. The artworks "Soft Reconstruction with Boiled Beans (Premonition of Civil War)" and "The Burning Giraffe" were both pieces that Dali created with the Spanish civil war in mind. Figueres, Spain being the place in where he grew up, Dali was greatly affected. His pieces were reactions to the events that were occurring back in his hometown. They showed the harsh reality of war and revealed what Salvador Dali was feeling.
Just like Salvador Dali, I would like to create a Surreal piece that shows one of my many concerns. I plan on using a similar layout to that of "The Burning Giraffe". I would like to center the main character or slightly move it to the left side, letting it take up the majority of the space in the board. Just like Dali, I will incorporate a nature aspect such as clouds in the back to create suspense in my piece. Lastly I would like to use a similar color palette to that of Dali's "Soft Reconstruction with Boiled Beans (Premonition of Civil War)" and "The Burning Giraffe".
Just like Salvador Dali, I would like to create a Surreal piece that shows one of my many concerns. I plan on using a similar layout to that of "The Burning Giraffe". I would like to center the main character or slightly move it to the left side, letting it take up the majority of the space in the board. Just like Dali, I will incorporate a nature aspect such as clouds in the back to create suspense in my piece. Lastly I would like to use a similar color palette to that of Dali's "Soft Reconstruction with Boiled Beans (Premonition of Civil War)" and "The Burning Giraffe".
Reflection
The final outcome of my piece was not something I was completely satisfied with. My piece resembled the surrealism theme and demonstrated other similarities to my inspiration, but was not of my liking. My illustration reveals my worries just like Dalís work and shows a similar color palette to that of his work, Soft Construction with Boiled Beans (Premonition of Civil War). I used more neutral hues and a nature like background. Lastly, I centered my figure like in The Burning Giraffe to bring the focus to the child. Although there were many similarities, I was not very fond of my work. I liked the way in which the child looked but I did not like the rest of my work. The checkered board could have been drawn differently to show a lower perspective and more squares could have been added in the back. Not only that but the hand that was drawn could have been placed differently. I did not like the position in which it was in. If I were to go back, the hand would be drawn to look more tense to add more of a dangerous feel to the piece. Lastly, the background was something that I greatly struggled with. The outcome was not something I was very content with. It did not look much like smoke and the way in which it was brought to the front was not something that I liked. If this piece were to be fixed I would consider adding to my color palette and fixing all of the sections that were mentioned.
Meaning
The piece that I created is meant to highlight current events that worry me. Recently, children have been taken away from their families in order to prosecute their parents, causing many children to worry and become scared. As a result to this event I created a piece that shows the way that I feel about this situation. I have drawn a child (half child, half pawn) to show how they have no say in an issue this big. A large hand is approaching the child from high up to show the bigger authorities, and the chess board is there to symbolize strategy. In a game of chess it is known that those with strategy will have a bigger advantage. To show these higher authorities I have made my piece into a game. The checkered board emphasizes the fact that this event can be seen as merely a strategic plan to those who have more influence. In a game of chess, we know that the pawn has very limited moves. Because of this I have decided to make the child the pawn of the game. Not having much say in what is happening allows the others to take advantage and do as they please. The petrified face only reveals the amount of terror that a child can feel as they encounter a problem as such. Lastly, the background is just smoke to show the mystery of those in power. One never knows what the next game will be and so to add more of a mysterious aspect to the piece, there is no defined background.
Connection to ACT
1. Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork.
Salvador Dali was a great inspiration which can be seen in my work. My illustration shows similar hues, movement, and even background. Not only that but it was also made as a reaction to events that are ocurring now.
2. What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Overall, the author regarding my research seeks to inform the readers about surrealism. As this topic was discussed great artists such as Salvador Dali were mentioned and further information was given.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I have discovered that ocuring events can greatly impact someone. Dalí was greatly affected by the war that was taking place which was seen in many of his artwork. Similarly, my illustration was created as a reaction to events that are currently happening.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea of my inspiration was war. Like said before his artwork mainly focused on war since it was taking place in his hometown.
5. What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
After researching the artist Salvador Dalí, I discovered that art mainly focuses on feelings that one keeps inside. At times things can be hard to say in words and art is just a medium that allows us all to share something that we have had inside of us.
Salvador Dali was a great inspiration which can be seen in my work. My illustration shows similar hues, movement, and even background. Not only that but it was also made as a reaction to events that are ocurring now.
2. What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Overall, the author regarding my research seeks to inform the readers about surrealism. As this topic was discussed great artists such as Salvador Dali were mentioned and further information was given.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I have discovered that ocuring events can greatly impact someone. Dalí was greatly affected by the war that was taking place which was seen in many of his artwork. Similarly, my illustration was created as a reaction to events that are currently happening.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea of my inspiration was war. Like said before his artwork mainly focused on war since it was taking place in his hometown.
5. What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
After researching the artist Salvador Dalí, I discovered that art mainly focuses on feelings that one keeps inside. At times things can be hard to say in words and art is just a medium that allows us all to share something that we have had inside of us.
Resources
- “Surrealism Movement, Artists and Major Works.” The Art Story, THE ART STORY FOUNDATION, 2018, www.theartstory.org/movement-surrealism.htm.
- Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Surrealism.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 18 Dec. 2017, www.britannica.com/art/Surrealism.
- “MoMA Learning.” Willem De Kooning. Woman I. 1950–52 | MoMA, www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/themes/surrealism.
- Lachri. “Drawing Storm Clouds in Colored Pencil w/ Lachri.” YouTube, YouTube, 30 Dec. 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsErlWLKR6Q.
- “How to Draw Clouds.” YouTube, YouTube, 14 June 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUfYM1A8lL4.
- RandomRuggles. “How to Draw a Realistic Cloud (A Basic Tutorial for Beginners).” YouTube, YouTube, 14 Dec. 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdfPFMx_clQ.
- thevirtualinstructor. “How to Draw Clouds With Chalk or Soft Pastels.” YouTube, YouTube, 21 May 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoJ-sI7CtAE.
- bentleysportraits. “Kevin Bentley Cloudy Sky Blending Pastel Tutorial.” YouTube, YouTube, 12 Apr. 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj2vBDbu1-M.
- Artists Network, 5 Apr. 2018, www.artistsnetwork.com/art-techniques/beginner-artist/drawing-hair-graphite-colored-pencil/.