Process
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I began by building a 3 foot by 2 foot canvas. To do this I stapled together a 2ft x 3ft frame and stretch a piece of canvas over it. After gessoing the canvas I drew a grid on it as well as my reference photo. I then sketched the reference image on the canvas. I then layered blues light to dark for the shadows and did the same with green and yellows for the highlight. I filled in the background with greens blues and yellows. Midway through I switched my idea and wanted to do more of an expressive piece. I wanted my piece to show the freedom we were given with the summer project. To do this I layered swatched of pale pink, neon pink, canary yellow, golden yellow, light green, grass green, light blue, dark blue, purple and white. I utilized the finger painting method to reconnect the childlike freedom of expressive art. For the face I added darker swatches of color for the shadows and lighter swatches for the highlights. My goal was to have a rough outline of a face to be recognizable but not detailed.
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Experimentation
I experimented with the angles of the portrait photo I used for the painting. I wanted the angle to be dismissive to show the utter carelessness I had over the summer for others opinions.
My main experimentation was with painting style. I originally was painting with brushes and was focused on smooth blending for a realistic painting. Midway through the painting I hated it. It was dark, dull and sad, the exact opposite of how I felt during the summer. I wanted to be expressive and paint out of pure emotion. In order to do this I switched to finger painting, something I hadn't done since childhood. With this style I wanted to keep the painting unblended and swatchy to express myself through color and motion. I put paint wherever I wanted, however I wanted.
My main experimentation was with painting style. I originally was painting with brushes and was focused on smooth blending for a realistic painting. Midway through the painting I hated it. It was dark, dull and sad, the exact opposite of how I felt during the summer. I wanted to be expressive and paint out of pure emotion. In order to do this I switched to finger painting, something I hadn't done since childhood. With this style I wanted to keep the painting unblended and swatchy to express myself through color and motion. I put paint wherever I wanted, however I wanted.