Binding Colored Pencil on Paper 38.1 cm x 25.4 cm December, 2019 Binding was inspired by artists Damselfrau and James Ensor, reflecting the expressionism and surrealism movements. They are both widely known for their work with masks. This illustration is meant to demonstrate how one is able to hide their true self behind a "mask". |
Planning Inspiration The inspiration pieces that had motivated me to create these works of art were pieces from London-based Norwegian artist, Damselfrau, who mostly works with masks and jewelry using materials such as plastic trinkets, old laces, gold confetti, old tea towels, and pearls. However, I also picked another artist to influence my piece. James Ensor had influenced my decision on the movements I wanted my illustration piece to reflect. He was mainly considered to be a major factor in the expressionism and surrealism movements. His artworks mostly contains figures in distorted masks, representing certain emotions. I have chosen these two artists and the movements in order to successfully mirror the use of their masks in my illustration piece. My goal is to create a drawing of a mask that is supposed to cover a fake "facade", but on the second part of the illustration the figure is going to take the mask off to reveal a different appearance. However, I am not really following any of their techniques because my illustration pieces are being made from colored pencils on paper while Damselfrau uses physical mixed media and Ensor mostly uses oil on canvas for his choice of medium. |
Damselfrau
Mixed Media The Intrigue
James Ensor Oil on Canvas 1890 |
P L A N N I N G S K E T C H E S
Process
1. To start off the illustration project, I used the illustration template in order to have the correct size to start my planning sketches (38.1 cm x 25.4 cm) 2. Then I started to research my inspiration pieces that I wanted my project to be based off of 3. From my sketches, I chose to start off with the "after" illustration drawing of the girl in the mask 4. I used black, brown, and gray colored pencils in order to get the multiple hues her hair contains 5. I then continued to use lighter colors in order to fill in and shade the inside of the face to have a clear contrast between the "mask" and the person 6. Next, I had decided to create my second piece in order to reflect what the figures face looked like before the mask came off 7. The colors that I have picked out are somewhat similar because I wanted to make sure the pieces connected in some way 8. For the second figures hair however, I decided to not include black and grey in order to have the hair look full and healthy |
Experimentation
Almost all of my experimentation involved the colors I used from my pieces. I especially needed to plan this out to contrast both halves of the illustration. For the second illustration I used lots of browns, grays, and black. However, for the before drawing, the colors are more on the brighter side, consisting of red, purple, pink, etc. I wish my experimentation could have consisted of something more, however I feel that in the second half of this project, when we do the gouache painting for our illustration, it will give me more opportunities to experiment with colors.
Reflection
C R I T I Q U E
C R I T I Q U E
For this illustration project, my main concern was the use of my time management. Although it is bad to make excuses, my whole page had deleted right before the deadline and I had to make up for that in a small amount of time. My computer had crashed while I was attending school and when I went back to continue my project my progress disappeared along with all of my sketches and writing elements. As for the project turn out, I am somewhat satisfied, however if I were to go back to do the project over again I would have chosen a different idea to draw. My idea fully matches my theme of identity, but I would have chosen a different design to represent the idea of identity.
C O M P A R E & C O N T R A S T
The Intrigue
|
Similarities:
colored pencils vs mixed media
|
ACT Responses
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork.
I am able to identify the cause and effect relationship between my two inspiration photos because the way the two artists had examples of masks in their artwork, which I wanted to be present in my piece.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The overall approach the author had regarding the topic of my inspiration was to showcase how both artists used specific styles of art in their work and also provided a lot of information about their dealings in masks being brought into their work.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
Some generalizations and conclusions that I discovered about people while researching is that masks are used for many reasons, however, in a metaphorical sense, masks are used to hide an identity or shield those that do not want to be seen.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central theme around my inspirational research was to find two artists that dealt with some form of mask making, either painting, drawing, or in the physical sense. I wanted this so that my connections to masks would remain clear in my objective.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
Some inferences that I made while reading my research is that masks can be seen, used, and valued differently depending on each person, culture, or identity itself.
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork.
I am able to identify the cause and effect relationship between my two inspiration photos because the way the two artists had examples of masks in their artwork, which I wanted to be present in my piece.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The overall approach the author had regarding the topic of my inspiration was to showcase how both artists used specific styles of art in their work and also provided a lot of information about their dealings in masks being brought into their work.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
Some generalizations and conclusions that I discovered about people while researching is that masks are used for many reasons, however, in a metaphorical sense, masks are used to hide an identity or shield those that do not want to be seen.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central theme around my inspirational research was to find two artists that dealt with some form of mask making, either painting, drawing, or in the physical sense. I wanted this so that my connections to masks would remain clear in my objective.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
Some inferences that I made while reading my research is that masks can be seen, used, and valued differently depending on each person, culture, or identity itself.
Bibliography
“The Mysterious Masks of Damselfrau.” Design Indaba, https://www.designindaba.com/articles/creative-work/mysterious-masks-damselfrau.
PeoplePill. “Damselfrau: Norwegian Artist, Mask Maker - Biography, Life, Family, Career, Facts, Information.” PeoplePill, https://peoplepill.com/people/damselfrau/.
Ensorexpand_more, James. “The Intrigue, James Ensor ^ Minneapolis Institute of Art.” Mia, https://collections.artsmia.org/art/1800/the-intrigue-james-ensor.
“The Intrigue - James Ensor.” KMSKA, https://www.kmska.be/en/collection/artworks/the-intrigue.
“The Mysterious Masks of Damselfrau.” Design Indaba, https://www.designindaba.com/articles/creative-work/mysterious-masks-damselfrau.
PeoplePill. “Damselfrau: Norwegian Artist, Mask Maker - Biography, Life, Family, Career, Facts, Information.” PeoplePill, https://peoplepill.com/people/damselfrau/.
Ensorexpand_more, James. “The Intrigue, James Ensor ^ Minneapolis Institute of Art.” Mia, https://collections.artsmia.org/art/1800/the-intrigue-james-ensor.
“The Intrigue - James Ensor.” KMSKA, https://www.kmska.be/en/collection/artworks/the-intrigue.