Concentration #3: "Bemused"

For my 3rd concentration piece, I chose the emotion of "bemused." To help bring across this particular emotion, I chose a subject who I thought had a dynamic face for the emotion (yeah Georgia :), used bright, warm colors for the circles, dynamic mark-making with high contrast, and incorporated an overriding gradation/concentration structure of circles and popping "bubbles." I hoped that this would emphasize the feeling of bewilderment and "being non-plussed." After the critique, I took the technical advice and shortened the chin of the subject to help increase the sense that the perspective was angled from the top down. I also tried to integrate the newspaper with the bubbles portion by extending the design over the newspaper and filling some of the circles with newspaper. I also increased the contrast of the subject and drew in with cool colors to make the subject pop forward.

Concentration #2: "Grieving"

This piece focuses on the emotion of grieving. To help bring this emotion across, I made the style harsh and grating, the contrast high, and the design structure be reminiscent of tears. I also worked on the body language and expression of the portrait to heighten the sense of desperation. I made a lot of changes to this piece as I went along and based on the critique. I took out distracting elements like table "legs" on each side and a random puddle on the bottom, tried to define the water droplets better, add the texture of wood to the table, and make the values of the face more drastic and finished. I think I still need to do something about the white on the top background; it looks distracting. I also am not quite satisfied with the face's expression.

Artist's Response, Concentration #1

In response to suggestions about technique, I defined the background to create contrast and make it look more like water. I also heightened the contrast of the face and tried to make the expression look more peaceful. I feel like this work is better than simply a portrait because of the design I have employed through the repetition of organic shapes that create the image of water. I tried to make the shapes have variety in shape and color yet unity and harmony. I think that the integration of the water design structure and the portrait demonstrates the emotion of peace well. For risk-taking, I used unreal colors and values in the face and hair, to unify it with the aqua background. I also made the hair blend into the background structure. Finally, this work definitely reflects my usual style and interests--oil paint, portraits, and expressive mark-making.

Concentration Statement, AP 2D Drawing Portfolio

For my concentration, I plan to explore how human emotions (exemplified in varying portraits) can be intensified and reflected by the type of media used, the style of the piece, and the type of design structure in the background. First, I will use different types of media to help enhance different emotions; for example, I may use watercolor to reflect sadness, wistfullness, or depression; oil painting to show anger or anxiety, etc. Next, I will think about the style in which I create works of art. For example, if I wanted to convey a peaceful or relaxed amotion, I would use broad and loose brush strokes; if I wanted to show intensity I would concentrate the strokes and heighten contrast. Finally, I plan to consider the design structure of the background. I want to have some kind of integration of mark-making/drawing and design in each work, because I've come to realize that a combination of the two really increase the quality overall. That will be the type of risk-taking I hope to do. I also want to explore what kind of design structures convey a certain mood, atmosphere, or reaction-- and how they shed light on the subject. Lastly, I want to explore how I can push the idea of a "design structure" further than a simple pattern, trying to use the principles of that design in a more tangible background.