Final Exam Reflection Essay
While when I first looked the prompt, my initial thought was that I had not grown as an artist over the past year. However, when I examined my art skill inventory figure drawing and compared it to my mid-term and final exam figure drawings, I realized just how much this years’ class has affected my personal growth as an artist.
Specifically, I have learned how to properly apply value and a strong composition to my work. Whereas before I could simply use smudging with charcoal, I now can use create value using contrast between dark and light, not simply shades of gray. I also have grown in my ability to create a composition. In the beginning of the year I could only use a traditional composition with a strong central image, which is evident in my first art skill inventory drawing. Although I still have a tendency to creating a strong central composition, I have shifted toward a golden ratio composition in the past year. The last thing and most important thing I learned this year was to experiment with different media. Prior to this class I solely used pencil or charcoal for my drawings. Those are still my favorite media to use, but I have tried (to varying degrees of success) to sculpt, paint, and use ink.
I have seen the greatest growth in my mark. This was specifically influenced by my old master drawing. I am no longer as reliant on smudging as I was before. The old master drawing made me transition to a very tight mark; however, as the year progressed, my stroke became looser. I now often employ looser mark with tight sections in the focal points of my work, and use hatching or cross hatching.
I feel that I still need to improve on my experimentation, creativity, and confidence. While I feel that my technical skill has improved this year, I still mainly use the same media, and my subject matter is consistently the same. I have a tendency to make my subject women, who often have idealized features or proportions. My work is rarely original, and this frustrates me. I intend to use the summer to try more conceptual, explorative work.
Next year, I will try to use a combination of my new skills to create successful work. I will go with my gut regarding the concepts or subjects of my work, and find my niche for my style. I can use my new skills with composition, value, and paint/ink/pastels to create independent work.
While when I first looked the prompt, my initial thought was that I had not grown as an artist over the past year. However, when I examined my art skill inventory figure drawing and compared it to my mid-term and final exam figure drawings, I realized just how much this years’ class has affected my personal growth as an artist.
Specifically, I have learned how to properly apply value and a strong composition to my work. Whereas before I could simply use smudging with charcoal, I now can use create value using contrast between dark and light, not simply shades of gray. I also have grown in my ability to create a composition. In the beginning of the year I could only use a traditional composition with a strong central image, which is evident in my first art skill inventory drawing. Although I still have a tendency to creating a strong central composition, I have shifted toward a golden ratio composition in the past year. The last thing and most important thing I learned this year was to experiment with different media. Prior to this class I solely used pencil or charcoal for my drawings. Those are still my favorite media to use, but I have tried (to varying degrees of success) to sculpt, paint, and use ink.
I have seen the greatest growth in my mark. This was specifically influenced by my old master drawing. I am no longer as reliant on smudging as I was before. The old master drawing made me transition to a very tight mark; however, as the year progressed, my stroke became looser. I now often employ looser mark with tight sections in the focal points of my work, and use hatching or cross hatching.
I feel that I still need to improve on my experimentation, creativity, and confidence. While I feel that my technical skill has improved this year, I still mainly use the same media, and my subject matter is consistently the same. I have a tendency to make my subject women, who often have idealized features or proportions. My work is rarely original, and this frustrates me. I intend to use the summer to try more conceptual, explorative work.
Next year, I will try to use a combination of my new skills to create successful work. I will go with my gut regarding the concepts or subjects of my work, and find my niche for my style. I can use my new skills with composition, value, and paint/ink/pastels to create independent work.