IMAG(E)INE
Inspiration
For my second background, I wanted it to be more simple. My inspiration for this was Piet Mondrian. Mondrian's artwork is very precise and neat. He is best known for being one of the founders of De Stijl, which incorporated an art movement that worked around abstract works and the new art forms that were being introduced in the 20th century. It took the forms of architectural, sculptural, and graphic arts. In the beginning Mondrian had more of an interest in impressionist techniques. His landscape designs, still life, and other works were inspired from Van Gogh. He then began to transition is his style to a more cubist style. Then he decided to create more abstract art which he classified as neoplastic style. I wanted to convey this simplistic but abstract style.
|
|
Planning Sketches
For the first sketch I was originally going to use the photo that was previously mentioned as the background. Then I was going to draw a child hugging their parent.
Then for the second sketch I was planning to do a more geometric background. I used the colors of Mexico's flag. I remember doing this during art history when we did our cubism self portraits. I was applying the same technique. The third sketch had a similar concept to the second sketch. This was more simplistic and abstract. This is when I discovered Piet Mondrian. |
Experimentation
These images were originally going to be the background for both of my pieces. I was going to use the same image but change the stencil.
Process
For the background the materials I used were gouache, watercolor paper, and watercolor brushes. I began to sketch out the image. Once the background was sketched out I started to paint it in. I used red, green, and brown. These colors represent the Mexican flag. Once I painted the individual squares and rectangles, I outlined the lines with black gouache. The background is complete.
Now I had to create a stencil. I had two different ideas for a stencil. The first option was a chain and the second option was a butterfly. I chose the butterfly. To create the stencil I used freezer paper. I traced out the image onto the paper and then used an x-acto knife to cut it out very carefully. |
Now that the background is printed and the stencil was made, it was time to head to MIAD. When we entered the room were given various materials:
- A silk screen printer
- A squeegee (this tool was used to spread the acrylic ink across the printer
- Acrylic ink
- Plastic spoons (used to mix and pour acrylic ink onto printer)
Critique
Compare and Contrast
Similarities
Differences
|
Reflection
Overall, I am very pleased with the outcome of my piece. I feel that I should have been more precise when outlining the lines in black. When I was painting in the colors, it came out very smooth but once it dried it came out slightly patchy in some areas. So I should have put another layer to have the color be completely smooth and stand out more. It looks a bit messy. I wanted to make sure that I understood Mondrian's techniques but I also wanted to make sure that I was portraying my idea of community. I had to make sure that I had those themes in mind. One aspect that was a success were the stencils. The stencils came out much better than my first piece. They looked a lot more smooth. So, my technique with screen printing improved slightly for my second piece. I was worried that the color was too light and it wouldn't transfer onto the background clearly but it turned out much better than expected. The stencils stand out more.
ACT Responses
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork.
-Mondrian uses primary colors, black, and gray in his piece. Where as I used red, green, and brown to represent the Mexican flag.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
-Piet Mondrian wanted to make sure that his pieces had rhythm and abstract.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc while you researched your inspiration?
-I discovered that many ideas change over time. Piet began using impressionistic techniques, inspired from Van Gogh, then began his transition to cubism, and then to more abstract art.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
-The theme and idea around my research was rhythm, unity, and community.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
-The inferences I made about Piet Mondrian was that he was constantly changing his style which makes him one the most famous and iconic artists of the 20th century. People are inspired and intrigued from that.
-Mondrian uses primary colors, black, and gray in his piece. Where as I used red, green, and brown to represent the Mexican flag.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
-Piet Mondrian wanted to make sure that his pieces had rhythm and abstract.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc while you researched your inspiration?
-I discovered that many ideas change over time. Piet began using impressionistic techniques, inspired from Van Gogh, then began his transition to cubism, and then to more abstract art.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
-The theme and idea around my research was rhythm, unity, and community.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
-The inferences I made about Piet Mondrian was that he was constantly changing his style which makes him one the most famous and iconic artists of the 20th century. People are inspired and intrigued from that.
Bibliography
“Piet Mondrian and His Paintings.” Composition II in Red, Blue, and Yellow, 1930 by Piet Mondrian, www.piet-mondrian.org/.