Charcoal Pumpkin Statement

1. My goals for this piece were to capture an image that had a great contrast of highlights and shadows. I wanted to still keep it simple enough to draw so that the viewer can clearly tell the image I created. I accomplished them by really focusing on the image I was taking. I rearranged my pumpkin and my light source many times to perfect my image. I am always surprised at how much fun working with charcoal is. I think my drawing is mainly about really capturing all the pumpkin's details.

2. The most difficult challenge I had to face was probably first starting to put the charcoal onto the paper. I met this challenge by experimenting with how much charcoal I had to layer on and I just learned as I went on. For this piece I had to see the image as less of a pumpkin and more of a composition of light and shadow.

3. I think my drawing really works on the upper half of the piece where the highlights are more prominent.

4. Some things I've learned that I will use in my next drawings are the new shading techniques with charcoal I have picked up.

5. Another artist in the class that I learned from was Angela Borean. Yet again, I loved her use of highlights and shadows and how neat and clean her entire piece came together.

6. If i had a do over I would probably change the picture I took to begin with. I loved the one I chose but if I had the chance I might choose another composition entirely.

7. The best thing about my piece is my use of highlights and shadows. I'm really proud of how I really focused on strictly the shadows and highlights and less of the structure of the pumpkin. In the end, the drawing came out much more realistic and the shadows and highlights are beautiful.

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Letter Illustration Statement

My Goal with this drawing was to mimic the shadows of the actual structure but have them carelessly fade into the paper in an almost messy way.

I accomplished this effect by layering heavy shading on the areas of the image where there was a shadow. I rubbed out the shading by rubbing the paper with a paper towel and also using my thumb.

My painting is mostly about texture and dramatic shadows.

The most difficult part of the drawing was arranging the light to get the most interesting shadows to draw.

I met the challenge by taking several photos of shadow arrangements I liked and choosing the best option.

My painting works best on the right side of the paper. This is because of the dramatic shadows that came from the sculpture of the letters U, S, and E.

Some things I've learned are that if you want a cleaner, sharper look, put a paper towel under your hand while you draw to prevent smudging the image.

A student in the class that I learned from was Angela Borean. I love how neat and clean she makes her images. She has a different technique of shading that i respect a lot.

If I could redo the illustration I would have chosen to draw the picture from an entirely different perspective. Preferably a perspective in which you can't even tell what the word is.

I feel best about my unique use of blending the shadows together.

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Wayne Thiebaud Statement

I did my studio project on the artist Wayne Thiebaud. The thing I loved most about him was his use of colors to enhance his art. He will subtly line the image with a pop of orange or blue to give the picture vibrance and energy. I especially love his aesthetic and the things he finds interesting to paint. He is a good mentor for me to follow throughout the year.