Paola Almonte
10th grade
Mr. Edwards
Term 1
01/20/16
Hello, my name is Paola, I'm a tenth grader, and this is my process for Term 1, in art. I have learned a lot this year in 2016 and last year in 2015. As an artist, I have to use different skills, even use my process carefully. One of my first project I ever did for Term 1 was a big pencil drawing, with the theme Power. I quoted this theme, "I have the power to communicate with signs." I made a college and drew on a huge grid. The second project I did for Term 1 was print making, with the theme of System. I did prints of human body language as a human way of communicating with using your body language. My final and most recent project I did was Maslow's needs, with the theme of Hierarchy. This project, I have to do a couple of thumbnails, then make 5 final drawings from the thumbnails. The media I used were pencil and thick/thin sharpie. This project was questioning the most important needs for humans.
The process for first project was to make thumbnails, then pick the best thumbnail. I went to the book store to get some magazines, cut out some pictures, and make a college. Then I photocopied the college, and on that copy I drew a grid. Then that grid helped me to create a huge drawing with the "correct proportion." I revised, added some value. I used pencil and broken black power, making the value darker using the brush. That drawing was about a woman signing to another woman in a club.
The process for the second project was print making. I have to write out on what I would draw, which I decided were body language poses. Then I did 3 observational drawings, two drawings based on a wooden figure, one wire figure. Then I carved only two stamps based on the wood and wire drawing. I couldn't carve the third stamp since I ran out of time. Using colored ink, I spread ink onto the carved warmed up rubber, which was stamp, put it on the paper facedown, and rolled the rubber stamp until the ink sticks to the paper. I peeled out the stamp, and my work was printed. This work was showing that we all can still communicate using body language, and sometimes body language are more powerful than words itself.
The third and final project I did was to do 5 final drawings about what we need in life. I have to make 3-5 thumbnails based on the theme, and then draw the final. I used pencils at first, revised a bit, and then used sharpie over the pencil. The drawing of the boy at camp represents needing oxygen to breathe, the drawing of a girl roller skating represent that she's staying safe using protective pads, the girl feeding her new bird at a pet store represent love and care, the boy playing basketball represent keep working hard and never give up, and finally the drawing about a girl playing a video game about herself that she controls her life.
I learned a lot from this class, thanks to Mr. Edwards, Elise and my friends. I learned that I can try out new materials, and ended up liking them or not liking them, but knowing that I tried. I also learned about trying out new strategies on art, like using a grid instead of using circles to create the right proportion. I also learned that I should try something new, like using sharpie. I was nervous at first about ruining my drawing, but I went ahead and took the risk. The drawing looked nice with sharpie, but kept mostly pencil.
Some changes I'd like to do with my art projects was for project 1, I wish I made some areas darker, or more lighter, for project 2, I would carve more deeper into my carved stamp to make a more visual printed work, and finally, for project 3, I would change some drawing's composition to make them look visually more interesting, while others need more value.
My strength is passing my art in on time, following the process, using lines, and creativity. My weaknesses were not too strong values, similar composition, and not trying out many materials (for project 3).
My new goals for Term 2 is to try to add some colors to my drawings if possible, try to make the composition at an interesting angle and not flat, and I'll try adding plus improving on values.
It has been a wonderful experience about thinking more in depth about art. I can't wait to learn more about art in the future and trying to think more deeply, as well!
Here are some pictures of my final projects I did throughout Term 1! :)
Also, the 3 blue-ish drawings below are light added with blue background to create a better form compared to the original.
