Visual Arts Standard #1: Artistic Thinking and Behaviors - I can approach artistic problem-solving using multiple solutions and the creative process.
By starting out the class with value scales and graded value scales, it helped me understand the importance of starting light and then going darker because you can always add color but its hard to go lighter once you have gone dark. This demonstrated critical thinking because I had never done this before. It required a lot of concentration to make sure that I was doing this right the first time. This also demonstrated problem solving skills because in the graded value scale it was not as dark as it could be on the right hand side. As I tried to fix it, it got worse so it taught me to not mess with watercolor that much once you've painted something.
These graded value scales demonstrated creativity skills because this was all new to me. I wasn't exactly sure how to make these value scales and I also wasn't sure how dark the paint could go. I was learning all of this as I was painting so it was mostly trial and error. I have also found that it is hard for me to push my darks. I think this is because I am afraid I am going to go too dark and not be able to go back.
Throughout this process of layering, I learned a lot about the basic skills that it takes to create a watercolor painting. While this painting was structured with how to do each layer and where to put the trees and mountains, I was able to discover each element of the watercolor process on my own as I created this piece. I used problem solving skills because once I got to what was supposed to be my final layer in the foreground, it was not dark enough so I had to make another one that was darker. With creating another layer, I was afraid that I was going to mess up what I had already done.
By creating these sketches, it helped me see which perspective I wanted to paint the wall at. With making these thumbnails, it helped me get my ideas out onto paper and see which one was the most visually appealing. Being my self directed project, I had the freedom to create whatever I wanted.
Visual Arts Standard #2: Responding - I can apply literacy skills to describe, analyze, interpret, and evaluate art.
This was the first critique we did all semester. Being able to critique one of Mrs. Karpel's pieces was easier for me than a random piece. This is because the style of this painting was easy for me to understand and I felt like I knew what this piece was about. This was also a good start to the semester getting back into writing 5 step critiques and knowing the importance of each step.
Reflecting on my self directed painting helped me understand the reason why I painted this. It was supposed to represent that there are obstacles in our life and eventually we will get around them. It made me stop and look at the details that I put in this piece even though it doesn't look as if there is much detail because it is very simple. This simplicity shows that even the simplest obstacles in our lives can still be obstacles that we need to get past.
Visual Arts Standard #3: Connecting - I can understand the relationship among the arts, history and world culture. I can make connections among the arts and to other disciplines, to goal-setting, and to interpersonal interaction.
By researching another water color artist, it helped me understand the importance of creating your own style. Everyone's style tells a story in each piece of artwork. It was interesting to see how much detail can be put into watercolor and inspired me to try to d the same. I never thought that there could be so much precision with this type of art.
After looking at examples of how people have painted brick walls with watercolor, it helped me with the variation in color. I took some ideas from these pictures but then developed my own version of them. I couldn't seem to find many watercolor painting of brick walls at angles so I decided that I would figure out how to do that. The whole process of making this painting was new to me and I decided that I would just figure it out as I went.
Reflecting on my past experiences and feelings, it had helped me to discover why I paint what I paint. This made me reflect on myself as an artist, which I think is important to do. Everyone should know why they paint what they paint because it makes them more aware and have purpose in their artwork.
Visual Arts Standard #4: Producing and Presenting - I can create an original body of work and and then select my best work to present it in a portfolio and an exhibition.
This was the first painting that I made after practicing the 7 step watercolor process with our first landscape painting. This was the painting that I wanted to experiment with by etching and using wet on wet in the background. By having that freedom to paint whatever kind of landscape we wanted, that helped me learn hands on with watercolor techniques.
Quarter Sheet It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere
By getting to paint anything that we wanted as long as we used photo references and it was realistic, this helped me learn as I went along. I wasn't too sure how I was going to create this painting, so I decided to start with the ocean. As I added each element, I learned how to mix different colors, how to somewhat shade palm tree leaves, and how to etch in the palm tree bark. Without really having direction, I just did what I thought would contribute to the final product. Again this was a trial and error pice and I learned a lot about the patience that it takes to make a successful watercolor piece.
Quarter Sheet Obstacles
To conclude this semesters work with a piece that I could create all on my own, was a lot more gratifying in the end rather than having to paint certain things. I was able to paint something that has an emotional connection to me. I was also able to explore with making different shades of red as well as making grey for the grout in between the bricks. Throughout the process of making this painting, I got to take full ownership of how this piece turned out in the end; all the way from the planning process, to matting.