Posts

Adventure in Acrylics

Image
 Winter 2024 I took a Color Theory Class offered by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts and taught by Joel Boyd. I was a bit intimidated by the plan to use acrylic paints for this class but decided to give it a try. We started with painting value scales and tones. Then experimented with monochromatic scales and combining complements. Mixing the colors in a damp paper palette kept them from drying out so quickly. Sometimes I mixed the colors with a palette knife and sometimes with my brushes. Creating our own color wheel and swatch grid helped prepare us for actual paintings. We discussed the differences between cool and warm colors, experimenting to see how they combined with each other. Next we did value and monochromatic paintings. It was interesting to see all the different colors that could be made from a single starting color. Using the lighter and darker shades gave the pictures a sense of dimension and depth. Our next experiments were with complementary and analogous color sche...
Post a Comment
Read more

SKBK#8

Image
SKBK#8.1 Data collected This assignment was the preparation for our Data-Drawing. I collected my data using Notes app on my iPhone.  My Calendar, Text, Phone and group text Apps reminded me at the end of the day of events I forgot to jot down in the moment.  SKBK#8.1 Data Collected During the drawing process I found that reconfiguring the data helped me keep track of what I was drawing.  Next we were to make thumbnails of the way we would represent the data that we collected. This took me off on too many tangents. I had learned of the importance of this step from the last portfolio project, so I persevered even when I felt I wasn't accomplishing anything. I also experimented with different pencils and markers to see which would create the effects I wanted. SKBK#8.3 Thumbnail with color SKBK#8.2 Thumbnail SKBK#8.4 Thumbnail more detail and colors More thumbnails and experiments And more Going a different direction And trying different mediums Thumbnail of the Information b...
1 comment
Read more

SKBK#7

Image
 Our final portfolio project was an exercise in "data-drawing" inspired by Georgia Lupi and Stefani Posavec.  http://www.dear-data.com/theproject  We were assigned to collect data about something in our life for 2-4 days, then represent the data in a drawing with an Information box to explain the symbols we used. SKBK#7 assignment was steps to get started on the data collection and configuration of the drawing. First we brainstormed ideas about what data to collect: SKBK#7.1 A list of at least 10 things I could collect data on about myself Next we were to select one of the data items and brainstorm ideas about how to represent the data points in creative ways. We did this with at least 3 different data items from the previous step. SKBK#7.2 How to represent data about things I drink or things I read. SKBK#7.3 How to represent data about grandkids or things I do on my phone. SKBK#4 How to represent People that I Interact With I tried collecting data on drinks and chores I ...
Post a Comment
Read more

SKBK#6

Image
 When I heard that permanent markers would be the tools for our next portfolio drawing, I was nervous. I do a LOT of erasing and redrawing. But, as usual, Professor Young broke it down into smaller steps to build our abilities and confidence. He also said these drawings were not about realistic representations but images that convey the theme of the scene or story. We started with the fun exercise of graphite texture rubbing. I remember doing this as a child, and teaching my children and grandchildren to do it. We never did this many different textures at once so finding different things to do the rubbings was challenging. I labeled each rubbing to help me remember what surface had produced it. SKBK#6.1 Cross-over texture SKBK#6.2 Cross-over texture Next we used the permanent markers to reproduce some of the textures in our rubbings. These reproductions did not need to be exact. We were to exaggerate elements to draw attention to them and simplify or delete other elements. I did th...
1 comment
Read more

SKBK#5

Image
 Preparation for Portfolio Drawing #2 SKBK#5.1 Ten pairs of people three with metaphors I quickly decided on the empty bonsai pot to represent myself and the olive tree to represent the professor and classmates of the Drawing I class. The drawing is to represent the way their encouragement has brought "life" back to the artistic part of me that had been "shelved" during my recent past and my hope that my presence in the class has encouraged them. I would not have imagined dirt being so difficult to draw. I am still struggling to draw forms correctly. SKBK#5.2 the bonsai pot and dirt SKBK#5.2 the olive tree After drawing several thumbnail sketches, I used a picture of the tree as I was potting it to get a final thumbnail. I decided to show the pot reflected into the shiny piano surface and the tree to be viewed from the pot's perspective as it was being planted. SKBK#5.3 Thumbnail sketches Final thumbnail Next came the line experimentations. These were challengin...
1 comment
Read more