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PAINTING PROJECT STATEMENT.

When introduced to the brief of self portrait, i found myself struggling to find something of substance to build a project around. throughout the brief i was being assessed for autism and eventually diagnosed. This inspired a lot of self reflection and reevaluation on who i am and my relationship with myself.

We were asked “why do we create art?” I create art to understand myself, to express the parts of me that i can’t express verbally. Through art i grow a stronger relationship with myself as i allow myself to look at my experiences through an artistic and forgiving eye.

I have struggled with the idea of a portraying myself my whole life and this brief was no different. i have learned a lot about myself and challenged myself to create without pressure and fear of criticism.

I focused on my own reflection and painting myself as i am. The skills i learned in the workshop influenced how i use colour to express myself.

I found this brief extremely useful in building a foundation of skills to use throughout the next years.

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FINAL SELF PORTRAIT

i wanted to convey my experience with being diagnosed with autism in adulthood, the feelings that come with not quite fitting in. I wanted to have fun with this portrait and allow myself to be creative and exist without self criticism

i tried to implement skills i have learned throughout the brief. I experimented with colour and layering, using a pink under painting and learning where to let it show through.

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LIFE DRAWINGS

This was our last session with the life model Jeff. I wanted to have fun with colour and not worry about creating small sketches. I gave myself time to put down colour where it’s as needed and allowing myself to leave out details.

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DARK SELF PORTRAIT

I really enjoyed working with one colour and was inspired by Chris Ofilis night paintings to use a darker palette. Working with such hark colours made me feel like i was doing everything wrong but in the end it all came together. I learned to use thick dots of paint to catch the light to create highlights.

I think creating these self portrait has given me an insight into my relationship with myself. Using the one colour allows me to document myself as i am and without any need to facial expression.

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COMPLIMENTARY COLOURS SELF PORTRAIT

I really enjoyed this workshop. We were asked to create two portraits, one using complimentary colours, and one using cool and warm toned colours. In the end i only finished one using complimentary colours of blue and reddish pink.

We drew up thumbnail sketches and i decided to include the easel in my portrait. We were given the option of using brushes which i did.

I really like the effect the colours gave. I had to decide where to bring the red in on my face to show highlights and i think it turned out well.

The portrait itself tied in with my brief of identity and self reflection.

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ARTIST RESEARCH POWERPOINT

CHRIS OFILI

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SELF PORTRAIT

After the life painting workshop i was interested in creating a tonal painting using shades of green.

I used a mirror for the portrait. I was recently diagnosed with autism and want to convey my identity through my paintings. where i struggle to show my personality and expressions.

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LIFE PAINTING

I attended Sylvia’s life painting workshop where we focused on tone rather than colour. The life model was lying down on a quilted blanket which created a new challenge for us.

As usual we mixed up three tomes and began with the background, then the bed and then the model. Making sure to paint whatever was closest to us last.

When we were finished we assembled the paintings on the floor to decide which layout works the best.

Once we were happy with the layout we hung them on the wall. I found this worksop very helpful in understanding what works when deciding a layout of paintings. Working with one tone helps focus on light and shadow and is something i’m interested in exploring.

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LIFE DRAWING

During the life drawing sessions we were given the opportunity to use whatever mediums we like, i chose to stick to charcoal for this session as i enjoy working with it for shadows.

we could use our time more independently too so i relaxed and tried my best to capture him.

I did one with coloured pencil that didn’t translate well, but i like the colour combination.

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ARTIST RESEARCH - RAE KLEIN

Rae Klein is a surrealist artist who combines a loose style of oil painting with very rendered, striking details like the eyes.

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CHARCOAL DRAWING

Eoin challenged us to draw on large sheets of brown paper, I was drawn to drawing with charcoal that was taped to a stick. I found challenging my drawing skills fun and i was happy with the outcome.

my first attempt where i felt i went too heavy with the details. i decided to keep a light hand while drawing.

I think the portraits are an interesting way to show how we view ourselves. I have struggled with self image and understanding who i am.

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SKETCHBOOK

I decided to document my belongings in my sketchbook

I documented the marks my jeans make on my skin and the way my hair appears when wet. Looking at my body and finding interesting patterns.

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MY COLLECTION

I wasn’t sure of where i wanted to go with the brief. I started by scanning the things i have collected. I have a great interest in collecting cigarette cards and stamps etc. They make up who i am and i display them on my wall. I included some of my favourite pendants which i consider part of my collection.

My ephemera is something i’m interested in exploring.

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PORTRAIT

WEEK 1

Palette knife portrait

I attended Sylvia’s palette knife portrait workshop. We first drew up thumbnail sketches using a view finder. The goal was to include a background, middle ground and foreground to make the portrait visually interesting.

Once i decided which layout worked the best i first painted the background with a mixture of my mid tone and highlight colours. I then moved onto the mirror and my reflection. I found this part difficult, getting all the details.

The palette knife was challenging to work with but it was a technique i had never used and in turn i learned a new way of laying down paint. I then painted the easel to. Sylvia taught us the importance of working from background to foreground as the last thing you paint stands out.

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MOVEMENT

I found this brief challenging. I wasn’t sure where to go and when i chose the theme of wind, i found myself doubting my idea. Perhaps it was too broad. I was bed ridden for two weeks which impacted my experience in painting and sculpture which i think is evident. I tried to get the most out of print that i could.

SCULPTURE

I chose sculpture as my first elective, i felt it would be useful to start making straight away. i wanted to focus on making physical objects that would interact with the wind. To show the effects wind has on objects and structures. I wanted to use natural materials and combine them with light mediums. I’m happy with what i made in sculpture.

PAINTING

i really enjoyed my time in painting. I’m gutted i didn’t get more out of it but i managed to attend the life drawing and painting workshops. I found them very relaxing, with life painting i learned a lot about tone.

PRINT

I think i was most successful in print. i found the elective very productive as you can repeat the same design and play around with placement and layering. I learned a lot in these two weeks that will aid me in the future. For print i wanted to focus on simple designs that would represent wind. I implemented the koinobori design, a Japanese traditional wind sock. I think they are visually interesting as the flap in the wind.

Overall i think i achieved a lot in such a short span of time. Movement in relation to my brief is the movement of wind, how wind interacts with objects, physical structures and the koinobori.

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COMBINED SCREEN AND LINO PRINT

I drew up a simple koinobori design for this print. i wanted to portray the windsock blowing in the wind by using my lino prints.

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ARTIST RESEARCH- print

August swift

I think lino cut prints are a great way to show movement, we see the curving lines in the sky in this print. The print is very busy, it feels alive. The plants and grass are blowing in the wind.

Susan Wheeler

I really like the use of white to show the wind moving through the land. The shape of the clouds are beautiful.

House and storm - Tadusz Stefan Zielinski.

This print shows a storm, how destructive wind can be, i wish i explored more in the destruction of wind and how dangerous it can be.