Visual Journal #4- Space Man

Questions

Did you try something that you weren’t sure about as part of this journal page?

   For this visual journal, I wasn't too sure about the watercolor. In previous experiences, whenever I had used watercolor directly on my journal it had made the paper too soggy and it didn't blend well with other colors because the paper was so soaked already. However, this time around I used newspaper as part of the background and it help some sorts. I believe it is just the way I applied the color that made a difference. I didn't add all of watercolor all at once, instead I did it periodically and I would dab it with a paper towel to soak up the excess water. I simply put layers upon layers of color.

Did you pick a material or technique that was new or different over something that was familiar?
  I used watercolor over soft pastels when creating the outpace look. Looking at my past work, I've relied on soft pastels to create such a vibrate galaxy look but I used that media a lot so I decided on something new. In addition, I used newspaper in this artwork. Originally, I had something else planned for it but it just was not working out. 

Visual Journal #3- Arizona Sunset

Questions

How did you use your own ideas in your work?

I used my own ideas in this piece by using the soft pastels. Soft pastels are considered my idea because added color to it in my own way. I wanted to recreate this sunset sort of environment and in the end it looks more like I used spray paint instead of soft pastels. Furthermore, I used charcoal to create the shadows of the building and I like it to a certain extent. From far away, it looks good but up close up it looks like a two year old drew it. 

Did you use a source for inspiration, then combine it with your own ideas to make it original?

I got my inspiration from a picture someone took of the Arizonian sunset, when it was honestly really pretty! Again, I simply used my specialty, soft pastels, to create that sunset like look. I like how it looks however I feel like I use this media too much so next visual journal I'll attempt something different. 

Visual Journal #2: The Colors of Ballet

I. Create Original Art

  a.  How did you use your own ideas in your work?
      In this artwork, I used my own ideas by the use of color. From the background to the watercolor, I used that to make it my own piece. I wanted to explore more with the use of media for the back ground but more subtle to emphasize the main objects which are the ballerinas.

  b. Did you use a source for inspiration, then combine it with your own ideas to make it original?
     Yes, I did have inspiration behind this piece. I got this idea of ballerinas through pinterest because I saw many different sketches of ballerinas and I merely observed two of them. To make it my own and to prevent plagiarism, I used watercolor paint to make it stand out more against the background.

Visual Journal #1- Inspired by: Star Wars

I. Developed My Art Making Skills

  a. Did you learn new techniques or process as part of the work for this journal page?
      With this art journal, I have to admit that I did learn a lot with making the galaxy background. I have always had an interest with the beautiful look of space but I could never figure out how to actually do it. Of course, I looked up a tutorial on how to make it but at first with watercolor paint. The end result of that is, I realized with the paper I had it didn't help with the colors mixing together well. Instead, I tried out soft pastels and it worked out easier. I started with the light colors and continued to layer on the darker portions.

  b. Did you gain skill with familiar materials?
      Yes, I did gain skill with working with familiar material, which in this case is the soft pastels. At the beginning, I was only used to using one color and just creating an ombre for a background but with this art page I used a wide range of colors that I didn't think would go well together at first however as a result it came out to this gorgeous looking galaxy.

Ear Studies

Finally, here is my last facial study. Honestly, I felt like the ears were intriguing to do because there was a lot to it. I like the first one a lot whereas the second one I knew I could have added a bit more value to it. However, I am curious to why we learned to draw the ear this way because with portraits the ears aren't that always that visual. Overall, though I liked this study and in the future I need to make sure I focus on emphasizing on the "y" and the value behind the ear.

Lips Studies

Well I finally finished my lips studies! To confess, I redid the entire thing so it can be on the same paper as my nose studies and it looks better in a way. I found it surprising that I thought this was difficult because it was just lips, but there was so much to it. I think what made it so hard was there was a lot of different expressions you can do with lips and the tutorial does not give you a step by step on how to do it like that. However, it looks good from a far.

Nose Studies

I finally finished the hardest facial feature! Well in my opinion, I thought it was the hardest so far, even though I've done only eyes. Out of the three different noses I made, I would have to say that the first one is forever going to be my best one. I think the reason why the first one is the best is because it had a step by step video I can simply follow. The reason why I think the eyes were easier, surprisingly, was because the tutorial gave me a general shape I can use for all eyes and manipulate it.  On the other hand, the nose tutorial simply gave me a general shape in one direction. It does give me an idea on how to look at a nose but I still find it difficult because I relied on those steps to guide me.