Six experimental pieces, three reflecting your research of pre-modernist art and three responding to what you’ve learned about modernist art. Make sure that you’ve written some brief notes about the process you used on the reverse of each experimental piece or in your learning log.
Experimental pieces and notes can be found on the following pages:
Part 2: Practical research: pre-modern art
Part 4: Practical research: modernism
Experimental pieces and notes can be found on the following pages:
Part 2: Practical research: pre-modern art
Part 4: Practical research: modernism
Reflection on Textual Research
As an educator in the Arts, I definitely understand the value of research. I use it as a tool in the classroom all the time as the first step to getting students informed. Finding facts, examples and context for a subject is the best way of building understanding. If undertaken correctly it also naturally leads to additional questions and ultimately practical exploration. In my own studies I can certainly see how textual research has added depth to my practical work, as I am now more conscious of the process of creation and the potential meaning behind my work.
As I have just completed the module History of Art, it was quite easy for me to find good sources, as I had a great list of books and sites that I relied on heavily for my assignments. I worked with at least 4 different editions of A World History of Art, which actually worked out well, as each edition was written with a different perspective, thus providing me with a more rounded view. Finding books in Hong Kong ca often be challenging, so I also make good use of Google's online books. Some of the websites that I have learned to trust are Khan Academy, Britannica and The Art Story. Khan Academy's videos on analyzing art and artists are particularly great at providing context and breaking down techniques. Of course, as you can see from my extensive bibliography on each section, I try to be thorough in looking for perspectives and facts. I may have overdone my research a bit, as I was unsure of how much detail was needed. Upon discussion with my tutor, she suggested that I slow down with the textual research and rather focus on my practical work (but at this point most of the research sections had already been completed).
I must admit that I can see the impact research has had on my own style and approach. The more detailed research I did on Turner's paintings for example, has given me a new way of approaching the canvas, which I may not have done on my own. Some of the Contextual Research tasks have also been useful in helping me realize that every choice made during the process of art can convey meaning in the final product, I had not been attentive enough of these visual cues before, and that is the value that textual research can bring into your practical work, especially analyzing the work of others.
As I have just completed the module History of Art, it was quite easy for me to find good sources, as I had a great list of books and sites that I relied on heavily for my assignments. I worked with at least 4 different editions of A World History of Art, which actually worked out well, as each edition was written with a different perspective, thus providing me with a more rounded view. Finding books in Hong Kong ca often be challenging, so I also make good use of Google's online books. Some of the websites that I have learned to trust are Khan Academy, Britannica and The Art Story. Khan Academy's videos on analyzing art and artists are particularly great at providing context and breaking down techniques. Of course, as you can see from my extensive bibliography on each section, I try to be thorough in looking for perspectives and facts. I may have overdone my research a bit, as I was unsure of how much detail was needed. Upon discussion with my tutor, she suggested that I slow down with the textual research and rather focus on my practical work (but at this point most of the research sections had already been completed).
I must admit that I can see the impact research has had on my own style and approach. The more detailed research I did on Turner's paintings for example, has given me a new way of approaching the canvas, which I may not have done on my own. Some of the Contextual Research tasks have also been useful in helping me realize that every choice made during the process of art can convey meaning in the final product, I had not been attentive enough of these visual cues before, and that is the value that textual research can bring into your practical work, especially analyzing the work of others.
Reflection on Practical Research
Do you feel you managed to delve beneath and beyond the surface, to ‘get under the skin’ of painting and begin to understand its making and the material choices and conceptual
considerations of the artists you looked at?
I have been thoughtful in my selection of tasks. I love painting in both watercolour and oils, and have made sure that my practices incorporate explorations in both mediums. I have considered the types of canvas/ paper to be used and played around with various brushes and applications. I have reflected on how different materials can yield different results and noted where there have been failures and successes.
Do your experimental pieces successfully reflect any of the inspirations or revelations that you
encountered during your research?
While researching ancient art in particular, I was quite drawn to the idea of dark outlines and simple forms. One of my problems when painting, at times, has been the difficulty of trying to make it look real, but the images I found helped me realize that unrealistic depictions can often be more engaging. Seeing how these same concepts influenced artists like Picasso, Matisse and de Kooning, further helped me to push some of my own boundaries, which is what I tried to do with my Hard and Soft studies as well as the de Kooning experiment. These studies helped push me out of my comfort zone and also gave me a new perspective on colour and form.
What questions has the work you’ve done in Part One thrown up in terms of your own practice?
I am still unsure of my style and preferred method of painting. As mentioned in some of my individual reflections, I am drawn to ideas of creating texture and atmosphere and I like looking at these concepts through either watercolours or oils. I suppose I need to consider where my subject interest lies, and which method I am leaning towards more, so I can spend time honing that skill/ technique more specifically.
considerations of the artists you looked at?
I have been thoughtful in my selection of tasks. I love painting in both watercolour and oils, and have made sure that my practices incorporate explorations in both mediums. I have considered the types of canvas/ paper to be used and played around with various brushes and applications. I have reflected on how different materials can yield different results and noted where there have been failures and successes.
Do your experimental pieces successfully reflect any of the inspirations or revelations that you
encountered during your research?
While researching ancient art in particular, I was quite drawn to the idea of dark outlines and simple forms. One of my problems when painting, at times, has been the difficulty of trying to make it look real, but the images I found helped me realize that unrealistic depictions can often be more engaging. Seeing how these same concepts influenced artists like Picasso, Matisse and de Kooning, further helped me to push some of my own boundaries, which is what I tried to do with my Hard and Soft studies as well as the de Kooning experiment. These studies helped push me out of my comfort zone and also gave me a new perspective on colour and form.
What questions has the work you’ve done in Part One thrown up in terms of your own practice?
I am still unsure of my style and preferred method of painting. As mentioned in some of my individual reflections, I am drawn to ideas of creating texture and atmosphere and I like looking at these concepts through either watercolours or oils. I suppose I need to consider where my subject interest lies, and which method I am leaning towards more, so I can spend time honing that skill/ technique more specifically.
Reflection against the course criteria
Demonstration of technical and visual skills – materials, techniques, observational skills, visual awareness, design and compositional skills:
I have engaged with a great variety of materials, techniques and skills (perhaps too many). I have a wide variety of interests and sometimes just want to try all things at once. But I have tried to be more focused in the specific methods I used in approaching a new piece of work. I think my Expression Study is a good example of this. I chose a topic, a focus and a method and explored these with slight variations to find what works best. I then used the success from each study and applied them in a final study to see how that compares. Withing this I also developed a better understanding of observing a subject and capturing facial features. Allowing myself to work more freely with the brush also built my confidence in trying new techniques.
Quality of outcome – content, application of knowledge, presentation of work in a coherent manner, discernment, conceptualisation of thoughts, communication of ideas:
I created an aim for each study with a justification of what I want to try and how I have been influenced. I documented my process of creation and thought about how different techniques can have different outcomes, and then reflected after each study in order to comment on my successes, point out areas for growth and whether I have met my aim. I have tried to organize my work according to the Painting 2 Handbook, so the flow and organization of work will be familiar and linked, hopefully this is the case. Visually, I believe that my website provides a good visual representation of my process and final pieces.
Demonstration of creativity – imagination, experimentation, invention, development of a personal voice:
I believe that my work shows a great deal of experimentation. I have not held back trying out things, even if they did not turn out as intended. As mentioned before, I am still developing a voice and trying to establish my strengths, and so I engage in various mediums and ideas. Some of these certainly are not honed or sophisticated yet, but certainly developing.
Context – reflection, research, critical thinking:
I have shown through my work that I understand the impact of research. I have not only explored the work practically, but used text to inform my methods and choices. I am sure I can still learn how to delve deeper into particularly creating a context for my own work, perhaps a chosen subject or method to explore more critically and with a more defined purpose.
I have engaged with a great variety of materials, techniques and skills (perhaps too many). I have a wide variety of interests and sometimes just want to try all things at once. But I have tried to be more focused in the specific methods I used in approaching a new piece of work. I think my Expression Study is a good example of this. I chose a topic, a focus and a method and explored these with slight variations to find what works best. I then used the success from each study and applied them in a final study to see how that compares. Withing this I also developed a better understanding of observing a subject and capturing facial features. Allowing myself to work more freely with the brush also built my confidence in trying new techniques.
Quality of outcome – content, application of knowledge, presentation of work in a coherent manner, discernment, conceptualisation of thoughts, communication of ideas:
I created an aim for each study with a justification of what I want to try and how I have been influenced. I documented my process of creation and thought about how different techniques can have different outcomes, and then reflected after each study in order to comment on my successes, point out areas for growth and whether I have met my aim. I have tried to organize my work according to the Painting 2 Handbook, so the flow and organization of work will be familiar and linked, hopefully this is the case. Visually, I believe that my website provides a good visual representation of my process and final pieces.
Demonstration of creativity – imagination, experimentation, invention, development of a personal voice:
I believe that my work shows a great deal of experimentation. I have not held back trying out things, even if they did not turn out as intended. As mentioned before, I am still developing a voice and trying to establish my strengths, and so I engage in various mediums and ideas. Some of these certainly are not honed or sophisticated yet, but certainly developing.
Context – reflection, research, critical thinking:
I have shown through my work that I understand the impact of research. I have not only explored the work practically, but used text to inform my methods and choices. I am sure I can still learn how to delve deeper into particularly creating a context for my own work, perhaps a chosen subject or method to explore more critically and with a more defined purpose.
Reflection on Tutor Feedback
When looking at my work the tutor gave specific feedback on my process and how I approach the work. In particular she gave me advice to try and follow more particular steps when creating which will help me develop my eye and technique. These steps include making multiple sketches of a subject, or reworking the same sketch, creating tonal studies, being more precise when drawing lines (especially with architecture) and trying to explore the layering of paint more. I was encouraged to focus more on the application of paint and what that says about the space.
I think these are fair points and as a relatively new artist I do still need to hone certain skills. I am trying to be more conscious of creating sketches and tonal studies, as this is not how I usually work. As I am teaching myself, I tend to just jump onto the canvas immediately, so I need to build on this type of practice.
The tutor also noted that I need to be more critical when writing about my work or those of others. I am still trying to figure out exactly what this means, but I suppose I need to move past only making basic observations to finding meaning.
The tutor notes that I I should make sure that I reference my work. I am very meticulous in looking up facts and details. Any words that have been rephrased or summarized are listed on each page under Works Cited. As an artist, I should be able to look at art and provide my own interpretations and observations as well and it may be possible that the tutor has mistaken these as the words of others.
I think these are fair points and as a relatively new artist I do still need to hone certain skills. I am trying to be more conscious of creating sketches and tonal studies, as this is not how I usually work. As I am teaching myself, I tend to just jump onto the canvas immediately, so I need to build on this type of practice.
The tutor also noted that I need to be more critical when writing about my work or those of others. I am still trying to figure out exactly what this means, but I suppose I need to move past only making basic observations to finding meaning.
The tutor notes that I I should make sure that I reference my work. I am very meticulous in looking up facts and details. Any words that have been rephrased or summarized are listed on each page under Works Cited. As an artist, I should be able to look at art and provide my own interpretations and observations as well and it may be possible that the tutor has mistaken these as the words of others.