Chaos & tranquility
Drawing on paper February 22, 2019 Exhibition Text: The concept of Chaos & Tranquility deals with one aspect of humanity in total disarray and the other in complete serenity. The artists that inspired this composition were Henri Rousseau and Vincent Van Gogh. They masterfully displayed elements of this ideology in their artworks. The backgrounds were perfect, considering the nature and formality of the piece. |
Inspiration
Vincent Van Gogh's portrait of Dr. Gachet, was heavily utilized as an inspiration. The position of the composition really depicts the state of emotional trauma to real life connection. The use of various hues adds depth and contrast to the piece, as it makes it more vibrant. The swift texture provides a sense of balance and unity. The blending of hues also gives the composition value and emphasis his facial expressions, which reveal his intentions/ideology on life. The composition really emotionally engages the viewer because it reveals a story behind the state of the individual.
George Seurat's A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte was also used as a source of inspiration. The shadows and dark spots really emulate the feeling of a peaceful afternoon, as it adds great contrast. The vivid positioning and texture of the people bring out the internal joy of spending quality time. Myriads of people together brings forth the concept of unity due to the various colors used to depict clothing content. The use of trees and boats show the pleasure of nature in the eyes of humanity to gain emotional balance/relaxation.
I also used political violent illustrations to inspire my composition. I felt like the contrast and vivid facial clothing, really provided a good emulation of quality and texture. I also appreciate the clean and crisp quality of the illustration, it was very appealing. The demeanor in which the individual is holding the weapon displays his violent intent.
Planning Sketches
My first sketch was composed of a river with blood and gigantic mountainous area. I wanted to display a scary and violent scene for my negative illustration. The blood river would display the violent actions taking innocent lives. The setting was too arbitrary because I couldn't place any people in it, there was no room for them.
My second sketch was for the positive illustration. I wanted to put some irony in it by replacing a depressed face, with a happy face. I chose Donald Trump because he doesn't care about being sad, he is always happy. Donald Trump's smile would give the viewer an impression of being positive and being happy all the time no matter what.
My third sketch was a knife, to display the violence for the negative illustration. I wanted to display how the society would be a chaos, by exterminating each other. The knife would serve as a lethal weapon, that shows the lack of humanity present in today's world. I also wanted to incorporate other weapons to show rage and chaos such as arrows, which I think will be a great addition.
Experimentation
I wanted to show the positive illustration with major implants of positive vibes. I found trophies would be a great way to express that message. I wanted to show how trophies represent hard-work, the American dream, and the ideology that anyone can be happy if they work hard. The trophies would also make the piece more ironic because my inspiration was completely in the state of depression.
I also began to experiment with the idea of trashing the negative illustration environment. I wanted to express how society doesn't care about having a clean and sustainable environment. The garbage would be all over the setting, expressing a inhumane civilization. It would also add irony by making a clean scene into a disturbing and toxic scene. But I didn't go with it because it was too basic and bleachy.
I also considered the idea of making a society based off of materialistic mindsets. I wanted to display people wearing perfumes and body products to show hierarchy division. The expensive products would display the mindset of rich and the poor people, as individuals are seemingly attracted to cost than quality. The concept was abandoned because it wasn't appealing the theme,
I wanted to chose clothing content for the positive illustration. I began by taking pictures of more branded clothing, in terms of being informal. I thought that wearing branded sports and athletic clothing content would appeal more to people. But I also didn't know if it was really appropriate for the emotions and scenery.
I considered to formal clothing content. I liked the formal business type t-shirt because it gives a sense of professionalism and authority. I thought that a more professional and formal clothing content would be more appropriate for the theme of being positive. Plus, I wanted to put Donald Trump into a more professional display to show cleanness and tranquility.
Process
1. I first began to sketch the exterior of my figure including the arms. I used a formal clothing content to display professionalism. I also wanted the arm stretched out in a very casual manner because I wanted to display elegance and class.
2. Then, I added features such as tie, watches, and hand gestures to display wealth, fame, and happy vibes. I wanted to show positiveness throughout the piece. Holding the arm up displays the individual's confidence level.
3. Afterwards I started constructing the head of the figure. I wanted to start with an oval and circular shape to capture the true features of Trump. I wanted a wanted a wide dimension based facial expression.
4. I began to draw elements and symbols of positiveness to display more authentic vibes. The elements create a emotional impact on the viewer. I wanted to create a stack/bundle of money to display stages of success.
5. I added more elements such as trophies and awards to show more happiness. I wanted my viewers to feel a continuous theme of positiveness and how to be happy at all times. The collection of wealth items portrays the theme of positively.
6. I constructed the face of Donald Trump. I added complex features such as eyes, nose, and rumples to show realistic elements of his features. I included a smile to once again show how much life is going good and one should strive to be happy.
7. I incorporated a table, to show how possessions are resting among Trump are his. This added a great deal of unity and complexity in the composition.
8. I colored my positive illustration and made sure it was vibrant and had good craftsmanship.
9. I began by focusing on naturalist aspect for negative piece. I made a tree fallen down to emphasize the destruction of humanity via itself.
10. Then, I began to create more trees that were blown off course, to display how humanity doesn't care about each other or surroundings.
11. I slowly made my way to illustrate humans beating each other up to show the state of chaos. I wanted to be very real and painful in my approach.
12. I continued to illustrate violent scenes, to really go along with my inspiration and show a trend of reprehensible acts in aspect of humanity. The blood creates more pain and offers a deeper emotion to viewers.
13. I wanted to show a trend and so i kept on adding more death scenes to symbolize how humanity is no longer present. The world is a very lethal place.
14. I started to add tide waves into the composition to add more irony compared to my inspiration, to show a devastated vibe. The wave represents everything coming to an end, such as humanity, goodwill, and principles.
15. I also added a grave near dead people to show how no one really cares about them. People just move on and it depicts a story of a horrible time and day.
16. Lastly, I colored my illustrations and made a variety of hues to show contrast and unification.
Reflection
Overall I would say this project was a very complex one and arduous one to create because I had to stay away from anime, which I did. I had to construct my themes into both positive and negative associations, which was a very complex matter to think about. I was able to fit my inspirations into my artwork, which was a major success. I found the drawing to be very easy because it was quite natural to me because I have been illustrating my entire life, but making them realistic was a challenge, so viewers could see the reality first-hand. I feel this project pushed my boundary in aspect to my creativity and critical thinking ability to construct a cohesive unit of art. I would've maybe added the mayan culture insights, the next I do it because they were all about scarf-icing people.
Overall I would say this project was a very complex one and arduous one to create because I had to stay away from anime, which I did. I had to construct my themes into both positive and negative associations, which was a very complex matter to think about. I was able to fit my inspirations into my artwork, which was a major success. I found the drawing to be very easy because it was quite natural to me because I have been illustrating my entire life, but making them realistic was a challenge, so viewers could see the reality first-hand. I feel this project pushed my boundary in aspect to my creativity and critical thinking ability to construct a cohesive unit of art. I would've maybe added the mayan culture insights, the next I do it because they were all about scarf-icing people.
Similarities
My work contained similar aspect such as the setting and functionality of the pieces. I made my positive piece with similar body position as Dr. Gathet, and I used dark and light hues in the designated areas. I also made my negative piece with violent implications based off the southern chivalry. I used variety of hues in my negative piece to resemble contrast. I also produced craftsmanship by incorporating clean smooth edges and pictures.
Differences
My work included outlines, which was not in my inspiration to a great extent because I used colored pencils, so I needed to add emphasize on certain features. I also added irony and changed the theme of the inspirations. I added Donald Trump to the portrait of Dr. Gathet to display positiveness. I made the sunday afternoon on the island of la grande latte, into a violent scenery by making a society in chaos to resemble irony, which was a key aspect in my art.
My work contained similar aspect such as the setting and functionality of the pieces. I made my positive piece with similar body position as Dr. Gathet, and I used dark and light hues in the designated areas. I also made my negative piece with violent implications based off the southern chivalry. I used variety of hues in my negative piece to resemble contrast. I also produced craftsmanship by incorporating clean smooth edges and pictures.
Differences
My work included outlines, which was not in my inspiration to a great extent because I used colored pencils, so I needed to add emphasize on certain features. I also added irony and changed the theme of the inspirations. I added Donald Trump to the portrait of Dr. Gathet to display positiveness. I made the sunday afternoon on the island of la grande latte, into a violent scenery by making a society in chaos to resemble irony, which was a key aspect in my art.
ACT Responses
1. Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your art work? I was able to incorporate Van gogh's and George Seurat settings into my design via irony. I as able still covey my theme through their path course for me. 2.What is the overall approach (point of view) the author ( from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration? The overall approach was a very open-minded view point as the author described van gogh has a very deep thinking man. He said he was a emotional complex character in his paintings. 3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration? I have discovered that Seurat was a very peaceful human being. he wanted things in life to be very fluid and positive. 4.What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research? The central theme was to incorporate chaos in one phase and tranquility in another. I wanted to highlight how society is happy and sad today. 5.What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research? I have realized that humans just want to make each other feel inferior towards each other. Some people focus on their paths and find happiness is a way of jealousy of others minds. |
Citations.
Vincent Van Gogh. (n.d.)''Portrait of Dr.Gatchet.'' Retrieved from www.vincentvangogh.com, accessed Feb 20, 2019.
kathie, miller. (n.d.)"Sunday Afternoon on Island on La grande latte.'' Retrieved from www.artic.edu, accessed Feb 20, 2019
''Chivalry'' (n.d.) Retrieved from www.digitialwatch.org Accessed Feb 20, 2019
Vincent Van Gogh. (n.d.)''Portrait of Dr.Gatchet.'' Retrieved from www.vincentvangogh.com, accessed Feb 20, 2019.
kathie, miller. (n.d.)"Sunday Afternoon on Island on La grande latte.'' Retrieved from www.artic.edu, accessed Feb 20, 2019
''Chivalry'' (n.d.) Retrieved from www.digitialwatch.org Accessed Feb 20, 2019