Printmaking

MEDIA: LINO BLOCK, CARVING TOOLS, CARBON PAPER, PRINTMAKING INK, PAPER, TRACING PAPER.


 I was actually very fascinated with the printmaking assignment we did.  Out of all the different medias we interacted with this semester, I personally enjoyed working with the linoleum blocks and carving them out by using a speedball cutter.  This came as a new way to express our skills in art and everything about this assignment was new.  In terms of the design process, we are allowed to take our imagination to another level by creating an image of our own.  We did this by taking a few pieces of tracing paper and transferring certain parts of a chosen image in order to create a unique type of subject to work with when carving out linoleum blocks.  I had a hard time deciding what design to create so I took the longest time in the design process.  After finally finalizing my design, the transfer process was a work in the park.  With the help of the provided carbon paper, I was able to easily transfer my image on to the linoleum block with ease.  The process of doing so had to be treated with extra care.  Carbon paper in art can either work with you or against you depending on how careful you are.  Despite the easy process, I treated the transfer with caution by using tape to hold down the tracing and carbon paper as slowly and carefully trace my image onto the linoleum block in order to complete the transferring process.  When cutting the block, I expected it to be rough and hard.  Little did I know, the only difficult thing about the cutting process is getting through all the tight areas of my image and actually avoiding any cuts from the speedball cutter.  The other things I have to think about is what areas have to be carved out in order to create that image in the printmaking process.  I felt like making some sort of stamped image where I have to pay attention in terms of positive and negative spaces.  All areas that are not carved out will be the areas that will show up in the printing process.  The carved areas in the other hand are the ones that will help bring out the image because the ink does not go through those areas during the inking process.  Using the printing ink and a speedball roller, we are able to apply the ink on to the carved linoleum block by rolling the ink on the created image and transferring the inked block on a couple of printing papers.  This process was actually exciting but suspenseful at the same time.  This process to me shows if we carved in our image the right way onto the block.  Fortunately, my image didn’t look as bad as I expected.  First try didn’t come out the way I wanted to due to the lack of ink.  As I printed out more and more copies, I begin to modify my block by carving certain areas and managing my ink applications each time.  Practice makes perfect and modifications helped out a lot with this assignment.  Personally for me, the design process, like I said, was the most difficult because deciding what image to create took a little time.  With days of debating, a design was finally created. 

Relief Scuplture Mask and Mix Media

MEDIA: CLAY, MIX MEDIA (Feathers, Cotton)


When completing my mask or at least right after the heating process, I did not know how to go about with designing the mask in terms of even painting it. I started off with some black paint on the facial hair areas making them the color black. I later mixed colors to create a skin like color of dark brown to color the whole face. The image later popped out little by little as my mask slowly became an "Indian-like Bob Marley" face. I later took advantage and played around with reggae colors by showering my mask with the colors red,green and yellow. This last step of the relief mask sculpture served as the most exciting because of the spontaneous use of color and mix media. A few additional materials I chose included black cotton hair and feathers for a little flavor. By seeing how the outcome of the mask turned out, putting on hair and feathers as a mix media had to be must in order to complete the look of my relief mask sculpture. I figured that putting colorful feathers can really set the tone and bring out all the hard work I put through into creating this sculpture.

Working with Wet clay/Clay textures

 MEDIA: CLAY, TEXTURE UTENSILS

Modeling wet clay was a very new experience to me compared to modeling play dough clay which I'm sure all of us here has done when they were little kids.  Aside from the enjoyment I get from feeling the wet clay, I found it really slippery and hard to handle at times.  Building my oval-shaped slab took a while due to the process of shaping the slab in a certain way.  It is advised to start of with a ball of wet clay.  We were to work our way out little by little until we are able to form a face like structure.  To me, the quantity of clay served as a factor in making the oval like shaped face.  From my experience, having too much or too little can ruin the shape of the face in size.  Certain areas would be a little bulkier than other areas which us something I would try to avoid.  The best part about wet clay is that is is an additive a subtractive media.  I am able to remove clay from parts of the mask in order to balance out the shape.  Working with wet clay can be very fun but also can be a very messy type of media to work with as well.  With the wet clay, I am also able to work with different textures for practice.  I was a little spontaneous at this point because a just went crazy with the textures grabbing any tool I can find and making it work.  I had shells, rocks, blades, leaves and many other things to help compliment my mask.  I had blades running over my clay slabs, rocks being printed on the clay and leaves being placed for it's natural texture affect.  In terms of plan and design, knowing the possibilities I have let my imagination run loose on my mask.  Taking advantage of the additive and subtractive characteristics of the wet clay, I was able to cut out portions of the face to create the eyes and the eyebrows.  With doing that, I was able to distort the figure of the face by making it a different shape than usual.  I also took advantage of some household items and materials to help design and plan my mask. 

Cityscape Assignment

 MEDIA: PENCIL RULER, 1 and 2 Point Perspective

The hardest thing about this drawing assignment is actually starting on it. After creating the roads using the basic vanishing point line, I stared at my drawing sheet for about an hour trying to figure out how and what to draw. In general, this whole assignment was very intimidating. Drawing 15-20 buildings, adding streetlights, roads, pyramids and arches all seem very difficult. The rubric sounded like a basic assignment for students studying architecture. As I ponder on, I manage to get a building done using the basic lines and steps our instructor taught us during class. The media used in this assignment was a simple drawing art pencil along with a ruler for accurate lining. The whole purpose of this drawing was to create a cityscape by using the two techniques we learned during class as well as a created vanishing point we are able to use in order to complete this assignment. The one point perspective technique is drawn in a 3 dimensional perspective as they are seen from a specific viewpoint. With this perspective, only one vanishing point exist. One vanishing point is typically used for roads, railway tracks, hallways, or buildings viewed so that the front is directly facing the viewer. Any objects that are made up of lines either directly parallel with the viewer's line of sight or directly perpendicular can be represented with one-point perspective. The other technique that we used was the two point perspective. Two-point perspective can be used to draw the same objects as one-point perspective. The drawn buildings can be rotated, looking at the corner or looking at two forked roads shrink into the distance. I applied these two perspectives into my cityscape assignment to help prove my understanding of these different point of views. The way I see it, this drawing assignment helped me develop an artist eye for seeing things in a different way. Other than feeling like and architect, I feel like I learned a lot by familiarizing myself with the one and two point perspective. It was a real challenge putting up all the buildings, roads, and pyramids. My strategy was focus on one certain area and try to incorporate these techniques. One different perspective here and another different one there. Using the vanishing point and the extended wings made the assignment a lot easier to create and complete my cityscape. Basically using one and two point perspective helped me complete the objectives and concepts of creating 20 buildings, a pyramid, four roads, and an arch shape building.

Clay Textures for Masks

 MEDIA: CLAY, TEXTURE UTENSILS

Here are a few different textures that were experimented while forming my mask.  I used different items that I found and randomly smashed them into my mask creating different spontaneous textures and images.  Point and concept is to experiment with the different textures and expand on what ideas we can create while building our masks. 

Figure Gesture Drawings

 MEDIA: CHARCOAL

In some areas of this assignment, I found gesture drawing a little fun and exciting. We were to quickly draw different poses, movements and actions of these blue figures in a speedily and spontaneous fashion. Putting time and quickness boosted up the pressure and really tested our drawing skills. Using the media of the vine stick charcoal, we were able to create these different images through what we see. Every drawn pose and movement of the blue figures started with identifying the midpoint of these human figures. By drawing guidelines through the figures we are able to improve our perception of these type of figures and learn how the certain lengths the human figure has on their arms, legs, and body composition. Proportion also plays its role in this assignment by training us once again to try to fit the images on our paper by focusing on size and the various parts of the unit. The figure gesture drawings did not emphasize on detail but actually catch the essence of the subjects that are being drawn. The learning objective was to catch these different essences in a short amount of time which included contour line drawing, bubble drawing, box drawing, and negative shapes. As we worked through all the different dance poses with circles and boxes, we later expand our skills by outlining the figures that we are forming to slowly create a realistic image of our subject. This drawing assignment affected my perception of the human figure by identifying the composition of the small parts of each of the figures. From my personal experience, I enjoyed just letting my mind and hand flow into my drawing. No thinking but just creating out the subject by the way we see it through our minds and then later letting it flow through our hands by our gesture. Sometimes I don't get the image I'm looking for but most of the time I like how my drawings look when no erasing is involved and my arm just flows to what I see by adapting to the essence and objective of this assignment.

Neutral Ground/Crosshatching Still Life Drawing

 MEDIA:CHALK,CHARCOAL (Neutral Ground),PENCIL, ERASER


This drawing assignment was very new to me in so many ways. From my experience, I actually had a lot of fun creating the still life image with an eraser and a chalk. The media used in this assignment was a neutral ground base. We were able to produce this middle value ground by spreading out pencil shavings on our drawing sheets. These shavings helped us create a mix of both light and dark values called a neutral ground base. We were also able to work with a different media on this assignment as we actually use an eraser instead of the usual pencil to create our still life image of the ceramic pot, roll of tissue mannequin, drape, and the stool. At first, I can honestly say I was lost throughout the beginning of the assignment. How am I going to create the given still life image using an eraser? As I experimented with different strokes, values, and shapes, it was clear that I underestimated the power of my eraser. My approach in starting the neutral ground still life drawing was to first identify the familiar shapes I am able to recognize. The ceramic pot was my first target as I quickly saw the lighter values shining on the side. After creating the pot, I worked my way up to the other items and focused on their light values erasing the neutral ground and creating the specific shape. During the assignment, I was fascinated on how we are able to create images through this drawing style. Similar to the Lincoln chalk assignment, our objective was to engage our selves into a neutral ground base and being able to use different media tools such as the eraser to your advantage in pulling out the shapes we see in our still life. We were to create the still life by starting with a surface contour of the drawing. Doing a contour line drawing was not advisable by our instructor because he wanted us to be able to work our way out by recognizing the different shapes to create the image. It seemed a little new to me but it was a very fun way of drawing. Like doing a contour line drawing, a surface contour is just another technique we were able to learn in this course. We used the eraser as a drawing tool just like the way we use a pencil and a chalk. Identifying the different value as well is something we have to look for. When creating these different values we are able to control the pressure we put down into our eraser. We learn how to control our strokes as we get to the different light and dark values. Taking advantage of the light that was given to the still life made it easier to identify these different shadings. Putting our newly learned skill of crosshatching into this assignment helped me see the whole image coming together little by little. If you asked me what was the hardest thing about this assignment I would say creating the drape that was on the mannequin. There were just so many lines and creases I have to be aware about so drawing it was actually a challenge. As I finished up with all the erasing, I used cross hatching to fill in the darker values creating shading on areas that need to shaded. I used the chalk to finish up and bring out the whole drawing. The white chalk really help bring out and emphasize the light portions of my drawing. It was a great media to help add the finishing touches on this assignment. Over all, I had fun doing this assignment. It was hard at first but all it took was time, patience, and practice. What I liked best was actually seeing my drawing come to life. Just knowing that I am able to complete this drawing with a new way of doing so makes me feel a little proud. The down side of this assignment was making mistakes. It was a hassle going back and forth to the pencil shavings to erase and create a new area of neutral ground.

Neutral Ground "Blue Figure" Assignment

 MEDIA: CHARCOAL (Neutral Ground) Chalk, Eraser, Pencil


I found this assignment very difficult for me.  It was really hard for me to work with a neutral ground surface and creating the shown image by using an eraser.  Besides the difficulty, I liked the idea, media and concept involved in this assignment because it was something very new to me.  Using a neutral surface was done by spreading what a can say are shreds of pencil sharpeners on to a piece of paper and getting as much neutral ground as possible.  Without any contour lines, I was left with my eraser and my knowledge about light and dark values.  Our eraser in this assignment served as a very important tool because it acts like a pencil to create the light values that the assignment asks.  We are to create a drawing image of two blue figures and create the light values that are shown with our eraser.  Swiping the eraser against the neutral ground surface creates the light values depending on how hard your stroke is.  I went through erasing areas of the image that need their certain value to compliment the image.  The darker values that are left out are to be crosshatched to the particular value depending on how light or how dark.  After identifying the lighter values of the image, I began to cross hatch my way to finish line by darkening the dark values to bring out the image.  The chalk helped out with the light values giving them that extra touch of light to help us see the different light and dark values of the two figures. 

My thoughts on the surface contour on the subjects was noticing the different value changes on both of the figures.  The areas where shading takes place can be done and filled up by crosshatching.  The surface contour had many changing values and shading on the females legs and the head and upper body of the male.  This assignment really helped me increase my range in value by experimenting with the neutral ground and the eraser.  Creating the light value was really fun but controlling the amount of value came to be a biggest challenge in this assignment.  I can say I learned a lot more when in came to value changes and shading.  The chalk really did help me bring out all the lighter values making it visible to the audience as well as bring out the darker values to help create the whole image. 

Interior (Surface) Contour Still life Assignment

 MEDIA: CONTOUR DRAWING, PENCIL

The interior (surface) contour assignment personally, was a little difficult and tricky to begin with. I had a hard time setting up my composition of the subject because of the way the lighting was set up on the still life image. We had to focus on the shadow of the still life, the different areas that need to be shaded and the lines that were over lapping the whole still life itself. We had a lot of things to keep in mind. As always, I started the assignment by focusing on the outlines and drawing the contour lines of the still life. Again, putting a grid on my paper helped me a lot with balancing my composition in terms of proportion. My main concern was drawing the cloth that was over the statue. I had a hard time with that area but eventually found a way by simply following the lines where the dark values are. As I started to cross hatch the dark values of the image, I begin to see my still life pop out. Learning the cross hatching technique really thought me to see my drawings in a different way by being able to shade and identify and create the different light and dark values to better compliment the images I create.


As I was working on this still life image, I kept thinking about the three types of lines that we learned throughout this semester. Actual lines are full lines that we are all used to seeing around us which are the basic types such as the ones we see on graphs or our grids. Implied lines are dots that are used to form a line. These group of dots together form a line when viewed closely. A common term that can be used is the "dotted line." All these dots connect to form a line. Psychic lines are lines that are invisible and can't be seen. This line can be considered an imaginary line. Psychic lines can be used to help artist with their drawings. Just like our upcoming cityscape drawing, we are to use imaginary lines and wings to help extend our vision and go beyond our drawing sheet. In this assignment, I was actually able to use implied lines into this drawing because of the lines that were placed on top of the image. Physically, the lines were not part of the still life so I had to imagine the lines as if they were dotted so I am able to see through the image. Cross hatching also made a big difference in my drawing. By shading the shadow and the different dark values of the still life helped me enhance my drawing skills and knowledge of the different shaded values.

Black Paper/White Chalk "Abraham Lincoln" Assignment

 MEDIA: CHALK

Who knew creating an image with chalk would be a whole lot of fun. At first, I didn't see the point in this assignment. Chalk is usually used on blackboards the last time I checked. All I knew was I was going to get chalk marks all over myself after I was done with this drawing. As I started on the Abraham Lincoln assignment, I was having a hard time picturing the image in the over head and how am I going to use my drawing tool (chalk) to create my image on my black paper. I started experimenting with the way I hold the chalk. Our instructor suggested us to use the sides of the chalk and lightly go through the areas of the Abraham Lincoln drawing where there are light values and work our way from there. With that in mind, I carefully payed close attention to my subject trying to get every accurate detail of the light values as I leave out the darker values. What helped me a lot was drawing a grid over my black paper to help me focus on proportion. Without the grid I don't think my drawing would be as balanced as the original image that was shown. It was a challenge but as I progress into the assignment I begin to see my subject little by little. This assignment helped me explore the different values not only from light to dark but in a whole new different way. We turned the tables around on this assignment when we work with a light value on a dark surface instead of the usual working with a dark value on a light surface. The chalk served as a very important tool in this assignment and I was very surprise of how much of a tool it can be used in a fine arts course. For an assignment that does not deal with contour lines, this surface contour drawing really helped see the values a lot better. With finalizing my Abraham Lincoln drawing, it was easier to catch all the areas where the appropriate values need to be. I am able to see the light and dark values and with that upgraded skill that I developed, I am able to bring out the best of my Abraham Lincoln drawing.

Contour/Texture Composition Drawing

MEDIA:CONTOUR DRAWING,TEXTURE,PENCIL

I had a little difficulty finding my picture subject for this drawing assignment. I chose this picture because not only did it show two people interacting with each other, it also seemed simple and easy to draw. I started my drawing by setting up my composition by using my view finder which in my opinion helped me a lot through my drawing assignments. I drew a grid over my paper to help me proportion my image in the right areas of the paper. I then started drawing the contours of my image and outlining each detailed material I could fine. Once I was done, the hardest part for me was actually fitting the different textures from my hand made texture catalog. I wanted each texture to be able to compliment the whole image as a whole and match each part of my whole subject. As you can see, I decided to set a background on my image first. I chose about five different textures and covered the background to shoe more of my interacting image. The bumpy patterned textures of the seated tile texture, the checkered cutting board, and the barbeque rack make up a great background image. For my images skin, I chose the soft texture of a table to show the smoothness of both the woman and the man. I wanted to use the table texture because it was a great fit to compliment the smoothness of their body. With the woman's hair being a little wavy, I used the foot stool patterned image texture to create the woman's strands of hair. As for the man, I used the bumpy image of a nearby parking lot to show off and bring out his spiky hair. I had a little fun with the attire of my figures. Giving them different styles from their pants to their top. I used a patterned rack to create a little styled effect on the man's pants. I used a classroom chair to create dots for the man's shirt. As for the woman, I went and used a rigid texture of a bumpy table for both the pants and top. As much as possible I tried to make all the textures match most of the parts of my image. I also kept in mind to have fun with the drawing and just let your imagination run wild. It tried to focus more on shading to improve my drawings. Overall, this was a fun drawing assignment. deciding on which texture to put on your image was probably the hardest thing to do.

Crosshatching Seated Boy Assignment

MEDIA:CROSSHATCHING,PENCIL

Crosshatching was very new to me and coming into this drawing assignment, I didn't know what it was or how to do it so I was a little worried at first. The seated boy assignment was actually a simple drawing image and a great way to practice our crosshatching skills. I started this assignment by making a contour line drawing of the seated boy. Again, I focused more on lines, line changes and different angles in order to accomplish the drawing. The surface contour helped me personally see the image of the seated boy as I use the the crosshatching technique to fill in the dark and light areas. The surface contour acted like a guide for me through out this assignment. Having a grid on the image made me proportion the seated boy onto my paper which was very important if I wanted to draw the image perfectly. After completing the seated boy, I began thinking about dark and light values. Using the crosshatching technique helps me emphasize which parts of the image is darker and lighter. As I crosshatched my way through the seated boy image, I begin to see what I am actually drawing. Thinking of value changes and the transitions from light to dark and using crosshatching helped bring out the seated boy and its details. I begin to see all the shaded areas as well as the boys shadow which was really surprising for me. After the seated boy assignment, I realized that crosshatching was actually very simple. It is a quick way to emphasize the shadow, light and dark values of the seated boy or any image.

Positive/Negative Still Life Assignment

 MEDIA: POSITIVE/NEGATIVE DRAWING,PENCILS


The purpose of this drawing was to turn a three dimensional still life to a flat two dimension image on paper.  By doing so, we had to focus on our subjects negative spaces and actually not draw the whole still life itself.  Similar to the bird drawing, we had to outline our subject into our paper and then later fill in all the negative spaces.  During this assignment, we made great use of the view finder we created earlier and put it to the test into this still life assignment.  Using the view finder will help set up or subject and composition.  Especially in this assignment, drawing a still life figure is very different from drawing an image that is shown on the board or the overhead projector.  A big difference is that we are dealing with a three dimensional still life drawing and have to be aware of everything around it such as certain bulks of the chair, where the electrical wires are placed and the vase that is shown.  Using the grid with your view finder will also help out with proportion.  One thing to keep in mind is to try and visualize your subject and let it appear on your paper the exact way you see it.  The grid also helps you focus on certain areas of your subject so it is easier to see the subject in parts instead of a whole.  We were also taught how to measure and estimate by using our pencils.  Like all the great artist in the world, sticking out your pencil and using your thumb to measure your subject is also a great alternative to measuring and proportion.  With my drawing, I decided to play with different shapes and light value to cover up the negative spaces.  I focused my subject on almost all the objects in the still life and drew the outlines the best I could.  I took different shapes and shaded them and experimented with light and dark values to bring out my still life subject itself.  It was another challenge for me while doing this assignment but really worth all the work. 

Positive/Negative "Do Not Draw The Bird"

MEDIA: PENCILS, POSITIVE/NEGATIVE DRAWING

The purpose of this drawing assignment was basically to not draw the bird but most importantly teach us and distinguish the difference between the positive and negative spaces by creating an abstract image of the subject.  Our goal was to focus our composition on not drawing the subject as a whole but putting our attention more into the negative shapes of the bird.  In other words, drawing the bird from the outside instead of the inside or just drawing the outline of the bird.  With the concepts of types of lines, the bird had different waves such as the curvilinear lines that connect to each other making the whole bird itself.  Trying to not draw the bird was a little difficult for me but blocking out the positive shapes made it a different assignment in my point of view.  Another purpose of the assignment was to focus on proportion as well.  Drawing a gird along the paper really helped me draw the bird exactly as it is by focusing on different areas of the image and try to block out from drawing the bird and be a little more mindful with the lines and patterns.  With the background, I tried to focus more on value change to compliment the image of the subject.  I went from drawing patterns of lines along the paper and shading them with different values of shade.  Doing this I was able to explore changes in value that help pull out the image.  I could say with this drawing, I played it safe and held back with my creativity. 

The Upsidedown Picasso Drawing

 MEDIA:PENCIL, LINE DRAWING

 Doing the Upsidedown Picasso assignment was surprisingly an easy task in my opinion.  Going into the drawing at first, was very intimidating due to the high quality of the subject matter being a person sitting on a chair with its hands crossing between each other.  The subject had many details from head to toe including facial hair and the creases and wrinkles on the subjects outfit.  I thought it would be impossible to imitate Picasso's work.  The media used in this assignment is a print image of the subject over an overhead projector along with a grid, 18x24 drawing paper and a pencil.  Our goal was to look more into the detail of the drawing instead of knowing what our eyes can identify.  With doing the drawing upside down we are able to draw the subject in great forms of detail because we are more focused on all the precised linings instead of how an actual image of the subject will look like.  Our brain does not follow the drawing of the whole subject but the lines and detailed shapes that the subject posses.  Drawing the subject upside down is a way to create a detailed image.  When you add a grid on top of your subject matter, the job of creating the subject will be much easier.  A grid is used to cut down parts of the drawing making it easier for the artist to focus more on a certain section instead of viewing it as a whole.  A view finder in the other hand works well with a grid as well.  Using a view finder is just like using a camera.  You block out anything around the subject so your are only focused on one section or area of the drawing.

Overall, I learned that there are many tools that we can use in order for us artist to succeed in a drawing.  Being introduced to a grid and a view finder is just the beginning.  Sometimes our minds have to view things in a different way in order for an image to come out.  Drawing the Upsidedown Piccasso helped me realize that detail makes up for the whole subject.  Even though my drawing wasn't a masterpiece, I could tell that I have learned to draw better by following great detail instead of following what my mind knows.

Keith Haring Like Drawing

MEDIA:MIXED PENCILS,COLORED MARKERS

There are many types of global and local issues that came to mind while doing this assignment. With a lot of help and inspiration from Keith Haring, I focused my work towards the local and global issue of gambling. With Haring's style, I created an image of two people separated by a barrier one being somewhat successful and one actually losing money as well as their love ones due to gambling. The reason why I chose this type of imagery is because in my point of view, gambling doesn't really help anyone. Even if they are lucky and successful, they still lose what they actually spend. Not only does gambling hurt people money wise, love ones can also be affected as well. With color, I represented blue for happiness and red for failure. The person highlighted in blue is ecstatic for winning perhaps a dice roll. The other person colored in red suffers the consequences and represents failure. I mixed a combination of red and black to create fire which represents punishment and consequence. As far as content goes, I believe that gambling is something that people should consider limiting themselves in. Do not gamble too much unless you know what you are in for in the future.