Sketches Reflection

 

Though I was already familiar with many sketching techniques taught in this class, I took this opportunity to build upon my previous knowledge and improve my perception of the elements and principles of design. Instead of taking time just understanding how to draw an object or space, I was able to instead focus on the composition and way in the subject. More naturalistic objects with very recognizable curves (such as people), have always been a challenge for me, but by approaching each sketch from a more experienced standpoint, I was able to better recognize the mistakes I had made before and focus on improving them through careful observation. Overall, I found many sketches interesting an look forward to improving my rendering skills in the future. 

Process Poster Reflection

With this process poster, I sought to include my best work and create a color scheme that would compliment my featured work. Because the tessellation pattern is such a prominent part of the poster, I chose to use more neutral colors in conjunction with a grid that organized each element of the poster according to relation and importance. My biggest focus, however, was with writing my reflections for each project that I featured on the poster, because it gave me a great opportunity to consider how I have grown this semester and what I still need to improve upon.

Reviewing my sketches proved to be an interesting task because they haven't improved as drastically this semester as they once did when I took my first drawing class. I did notice, however, that my technique had changed. I believe that my understanding of the fundamentals  in terms of drawing, have made it so that when I approach a drawing now, versus a year ago, I have the chance to take my time and re-evaluate how I want to represent my subject. Prior to this course, I worked more towards just making the drawing resemble, even slightly, whatever it was that I was looking at. From this perspective, I have been able to spend more time on the minutia and critique myself more effectively.

As for the other two projects that I featured on the poster, I had an easier time completing those, not unlike my sketch assignments. As I noted before, coming from a more experienced perspective allowed me to concentrate more of my focus on the small aspects of my work, rather than the overall composition. While the composition was important, I was familiar with what each project entailed and wanted to still learn as much as I could from each project. With the drafting project in particular, I wanted to include as many small architectural details as possible and really emphasize the dimensions of each drawing through line weights, which is something I failed to properly do with previous assignments. My lettering had improved drastically, as well as my understanding of how best to organize dimensions since I first completed a hand drafting assignment, so this project certainly had a much more professional-looking result. Overall, this semester has been an incredible opportunity to improve my skills as a designer and to review my skills.

Baroque Historical Pattern

The Baroque period is by far one of my most favorite periods in terms of art and architecture. The intricate ornamentation and fearless experiments with pattern are what baroque art is known for, which I sought to emulate in my tesselation pattern. Throughout baroque sculptures and paintings, idyllic portrayals of vegetation are present which helped inspire many popular baroque patterns that still thrive today. One common shape that seems to have evolved from the embowed lines of hanging leaves is the scroll, a curved form that ends in an exaggerated curl. I found this particular shape to be so common and representational of the baroque style that I created each tesselation with my own scroll design along each module's border. Small leaf-like edges were also incorporated to give the impression of a more natural influence. The colors selected also reflect upon my chosen period through the rich reds, greens, and blues found in the borders. So as to not detract from the more colorful elements, I chose to keep the central images more neutral in color, which also helped in lightening up the pattern. If prompted to make changes, I might consider an even lighter color scheme, however the split complementary colors do reflect the baroque period quite accurately.

Digital Palouse Sketch

Though I have previously worked with a Wacom tablet in the past, this proved to be yet another learning experience for which I had the opportunity to work with more tools and challenge myself. After reviewing the original photo, I noted the more dynamic and integral elements of the scene and what would be the most challenging to portray. The wheat fields in the foreground, with their sweeping sense of movement and visual texture, became my focus and was the most time consuming portion of my sketch. I am satisfied with the end result, though I hope in the future to perfect my hand control and stability of lines drawn with the tablet and stylus.