Artwork: Illustration
Contaminated
Colored Pencil and Watercolor Felt Tip Pen on Illustration Board
38cm x 26cm
November 2018
38cm x 26cm
November 2018
Exhibition Text
"Contaminated” is an illustration done in colored pencil and watercolor pen inspired by Alphonse Mucha’s “Amethyst” and “Emerald”. The illustration, “Contaminated” is an advertisement that reveals the harsh reality of pollution while keeping the beauty as a way to show distraction from the audience on the issue.
Process
Knowing what my inspiration and theme was, I decided to sketch out components and ideas for my illustrations.
Sketches
My first sketch is for my first Illustration. I plan to have the same body position but change the clothing and plants that surround the body. I plan on having plastic bags as her dress, as well as caution tape, old ripped cloth, and plastic. This will help resemble the waste that is often being thrown in bodies of water. The plants that I drew are mostly tall weeds as well as plants that would be found near bodies of water.
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The second sketch is dedicated to my second illustration. Just like the first sketch, the same position is kept for the body with a few exceptions. The only difference seen is the fact that the animal piece was taken out of the image and a jar like object was added. That will be the place that a gas tank will take to show one of the many things that us humans use without thinking of the damage it does to the environment.
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Experimentation
Steps on Making the Illustration
- Step 1: I began my illustrations by tracing the outline of the bodies of each of the bodies in my illustration board.
- - This was done to provide an outline of the body and to figure out placement as well.
- Step 2: Then, I began to design the clothing for each of the women. I created their outfits out of plastic bags and fishing nets. The bags were drawn in three different colors to show the excess use of this item while keeping a constant color scheme in the clothing.
- Step 3: The circles in the background were drawn and design were added inside each layer. Because both illustrations were meant to be displayed together I wanted to keep the same colors and so the designs were made differently but hue remind the same.
- Step 4: Flowers were drawn in the foreground and were colored in their original colors. After that, a darker hue was added to show what they would look like if they were slowly dying.
- Step 5: To Finish off the illustrations, a dark tuscan red was added in the background to bring the focus to the lighter colors in the center.
- Step 6: A black watercolor pen was used to outline the body as well as add color to the circle in the background
Research/ Artistic Inspiration
Alphonse Mucha
Reflection
When finished I felt very successful and happy with what I had. I felt that this illustration looked better than previous projects. I was able to make obvious connections to my artistic inspiration such as including line, form, and space. My work shows the same use of line throughout the piece. Just like Mucha, the centered body in my illustration is outlined with a black line. The same form was also used. I had used the exact same form and position of Mucha’s advertisement and also kept the same folds created I the clothing. Lastly, the space left used aspects that my inspiration had in his work. I also included a circular design in the background, and used geometric shapes to finish off the piece. This not only filled the empty space in the back but also brought the focus to the figure in the center. If the project were to be done once more, I would consider changing the hues yo lighter and more dull colors. Not only that, but u would also consider adding more flowers in the foreground to fill up more space.
Meaning
“Contaminated” is an illustration made with the theme of pollution in mind. For this project I have created something that works as an advertisement. It attracts the people's attention because of the beauty and colors, yet stores a deeper meaning. This illustration reveals an environmental issue that many know about but do nothing to prevent or cure. Pollution is something that many oversee and so I created a piece to show the reality of the issue.
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.
My inspiration influenced my art in obvious ways. I have recreated his piece as a way to advertise an environmental issue I care about.
2. What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The author of my inspiration has written the article to inform others on the great art that Mucha created while teaching them where Art Nouveau came from.
3.What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I have come to the conclusion that everyone has a unique way of creating art and also has unique styles, only by showing them more will appreciate their art.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
Mucha’s theme was always advertisement. Because he was always creating posters and illustrations to promote plays, that began to be what his central idea was.
5. What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
While reading my research I inferenced that those who bring their artwork out to the public are the only ones who will be heard. In order to make ones art talk to others one must first take chances and reveal their artwork.
My inspiration influenced my art in obvious ways. I have recreated his piece as a way to advertise an environmental issue I care about.
2. What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The author of my inspiration has written the article to inform others on the great art that Mucha created while teaching them where Art Nouveau came from.
3.What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I have come to the conclusion that everyone has a unique way of creating art and also has unique styles, only by showing them more will appreciate their art.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
Mucha’s theme was always advertisement. Because he was always creating posters and illustrations to promote plays, that began to be what his central idea was.
5. What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
While reading my research I inferenced that those who bring their artwork out to the public are the only ones who will be heard. In order to make ones art talk to others one must first take chances and reveal their artwork.
Resources
- “Alphonse Maria Mucha.” Alphonse Maria Mucha - The Complete Works - Biography, Alfonsmucha.org, 2017, www.alfonsmucha.org/.
- “Biography of Alphonse Maria Mucha.” Alphonse Maria Mucha - The Complete Works - Biography, Alfonsmucha.org, 2017, www.alfonsmucha.org/biography.html.