Creating the illusion of surface and texture

Banquet with Mince Pie, Willem Claesz Heda

Still Life with Peaches and a Silver Goblet, Jean Simeon Chardin

Vase of Flowers, Jan Davidsz de Heem

Each of these artists create texture in a different way. Jan Davidsz succeeds in creating texture by moving his brush in lively strokes to make the flowers look 3D. His use of shadows and shades make objects look flat (like the table) and shadows help make objects look in front of other objects. The different colors and shades of the same colors help make the picture look alive and make each flower distinct from the other flowers.

Chardin's use of white makes the painting have multiple illusions...from the fuzzy peaches...to the shiny goblet...to the bright grapes....and to the shadows on the walls. the colors mixed with white creates fuzz on the peaches and makes the painting look realistic. the mixing of the dark color for the goblet with the white makes the goblet look shiny.

Heda also uses a similar technique as Chardin. His use of shadow and white makes objects look realistic. The shadow on the table cloth uses a lot of white shades and grey-ish black shades. The white and black on the table cloth also distinctly shows the creases in the fabric and the folds -- giving the cloth a 3D and delicate look. Heda's use of value not only makes things look 3D and infront/behind other objects, but it makes light look like it is glistening off of the shiny objects.

Color Mixing Chart

My color mixing chart!

White Objects Thumbnail Sketches

my picture. not quite done yet...


my spot!!!

my lovely pallet

the point of view i was using for my picture




My thumbnail sketches for the "White Objects" assignment

Studies In Smallness

Items I painted for my still life

Reflection on Studies in Smallness

when reflecting on my "Studies in Smallness" process I realize that it was rather challenging. I enjoyed the process, though. It was fun because I was just getting acclimated to using oil paints so I got to experiment with them and mix colors. It was difficult because sometimes I would make a shade of a color that I didn't exactly want, then I had to add more dark colors or more light colors to make it the right shade. This process took a while to get use to. I
In the end the process was successful! (and enjoyable...) I made 2 successful paintings, and I am still trying to find time to finish the last.... :)

Using Composition As A Tool

Using composition as a tool
Composition is the placement or arrangement of visual elements or ingredients in a work of art. It can also be thought of as the organization of the elements of art (color, line, shape, form, space, texture) according to the principles of art (movement, balance, emphasis, contrast, proportion, pattern, rhythm).
Look carefully at the paintings below. In which painting does the composition take the painting beyond being just a picture of everyday objects? Which composition is the most interesting and why?
Choose the painting you think answers these questions and paste it into a post on your blog (don't forget to add the title, artist, and date). Answer the questions above using the vocabulary we've been building in class.

I think the picture Custard Cascade by Will Cotton, 2001 is a good choice for this homework assignment. I like this picture because nothing is quite centered. There are objects in every spot, so this uses space. There is no empty space either! This painting also uses form and shape. Proportion is also used. The proportion and differences in shape between the cake, cupcakes, and various fruits is superb! Texture is also used in this painting. The texture on the different tasty treats make the painting look realistic. The whipped cream is very well done. Contrast is used as well, as you can see. The left side is brighter and the right side is darker.

Studies in Smallness

My finished pictures! :)

Morandi vs. VanGogh: Color

Morandi

VS.

VANGOGH

the color in VanGogh's paintings are much more brighter, cheerful colors. the colors in Morandi's are dull, but with a lot of tint. they have a darker hue. There is also a lot of detail in Morandi's picture while Vangogh's doesnt. Neither of the artists use pure colors. VanGogh also uses a lot of cool colors, and then some whites. I believe Morandi uses mostly Warm colors....and some whites.

What I Know

http://http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complementary_color

The Primary Colors are... yellow, blue and red

The Secondary Colors are...purple, orange and green.

You Create Secondary Colors by... mixing two primary colors. For example red and yellow create orange.

Complimentary Colors are... colors opposite from each other on the color wheel. It is always a primary color mixed with a secondary color

Two Ways You Can Emphasize A Painting... 2 possibilities are to add bright colors to make an object in your painting pop out! Also, you can make colors darker or lighter, and you can add texture by maneuvering brush strokes.

If I Were Trying to Create a Shadow On an Object in a Painting I Would...mix colors to make the 'complimentry colors'. The colors add a sense of depth and are usually darker and a tint of blue or green depending on your painting.

If I Were Trying to Make An Object Look Far Away I Would... use brighter shades of the same color. You wouldn't want to use white because that would make the painting look flat and less realistic.

These Are The Steps I Would Take To Build a Painting... first I would plan out what I wanted to do in my sketch book. Then I would discuss the idea with a partner (if required to). I would write the date and requirements in my sketch book. Then I would make a small calender to organize my work process. Then I would begin.

A Painting I Remember

Describe a PAINTING you've seen in person. Include where you saw it and what makes you remember it.

I really like 'Water Lilies' by Claude Monet. I enjoy this painting because it is colorful and it is obvious that it took great skill to produce. I also like it because it looks realistic when you glance at it from a distance. But up close you can see all the work that went into creating it.

My Skills As An Artist

Describe your strengths in art. Describe the aspects of artmaking that you struggle with.

I think my strengths are actually using charcoal and pencil. Painting is a challenge for me because I can get a little messy. I enjoy painting though. I think it's fun.

Why I'm Taking Oil Painting

Why did you sign up to take this course?

I am taking oil painting because I enjoy working with paints and mixing. I think it's fun to create different colors using other colors. It is also cool to imagine something in your mind and turn it into a work of art in reality.
I also enjoy seeing other people's works of art. It is usually inspiring. I also like learning about the history of other famous artists. I don't know if we will be doing a lot of Art History in this class. But I hope so.

There's nothing like the smell of oil paint after a hard day.