Compare and Contrast Two Artists' Artworks

Sarah Petruziello's 'Hornets in my Head' Analysis

:Artist Artwork Analysis:

:Colour Study of 'Hornets in my Head':

Experimenting with Different Medias

 :Carbon Paper Transfer:

:Oil Pastel Tracing Transfer:

Composition Planning for Final Outcome

This page had been based on the experimenting of different compositions in order to decide on the composition of my final outcome. I had used the same image, not the one I will be necessarily working with for th final outcome, and had applied it in same backgrounds, however in different compositions. I had repeated the image in some, reflected in others, rotated and had even strating deciding with the symbols I should consider using in the final outcome for an idea of composition of the symbols as well.

Symbols and their Part in the Perception of Self

This page in the sketch book had been solely based upon symbols I think represent myself. This includes: nationality, personal interests, current events in life and passions. I had used the simple and basic pencil sketching method in this piece and hadn't added colour, because then I would feel obligated to also colour in the background which I don't think is necessary because it is just the planning process and progress will be shown based on this piece. The top corner of the page mainly represents nationality (Egyptian). In my opinion, I have the ability and it would be preffered if I had expanded more on nationality views and historical symbols (Hieroglyphics) due to the fact that it is more of an interesting subject and aspect to focus on. I enjoyed linking symbols to others (eg. the musical note connected to the bird) because they don't only physically link to each other but also realistically. 

Frida Kahlo's 'Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird' Analysis and Colour Study

:ARTIST ARTWORK ANALYSIS:

  :ARTIST ARTWORK COLOUR            STUDY:

We had been required to complete a colour study on one of Frida Kahlo's art pieces. I had been assigned the art piece 'Self Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird'. We were supposed to be experimenting with approximately 6 mediums and in order to attain this, I had split up my page into 6 equal parts first, each section with a different medium represented. I had chosen the mediums: Acrylic paint, oil pastels, wax crayons, water colour, felt-tip pens and colour pencils. The top left corner had been the water colour medium section (incomplete, will be updated later on), the mid-top would be the acrylics, the top right is the felt-tip pen medium, the bottom right being water colour, mid-bottom is wax crayons and last but not least, the oil pastels. In my opinion, I had enjoyed working with oil pastels the most because I felt like I had more control over the colours as if I had made any type of error, I can easily scrape it off while with wax crayons, the colours used leave bold stains and with there is no 'base colour' in wax crayons while oil pastels do. 

Line for a walk and Self portrait guidlines

The next few pages had been experimenting, learning and developing new skills in regards to drawing self portraits since that is the main component in the current unit, 'Perception of Self' since it can be both the most discrete and open way to represent yourself in an artwork. One of the methods we had been instructed to venture had been the taking a 'Line for a Walk' method. This had included drawing a self portrait with the condition of never taking the pen off of the page and drawing in a contant line hence the name it had been given. This pays attention to the shading and details that are present in your realistic features. I had enjoyed the experience even though it had been new and had held a different idea of the methods of drawing I had previously been introduced to in earlier years in the specialism of visual arts. I had found the aspect of shading and shadow an obstacle whilst completing the piece because I am considered an amateur when working with pen, since I find it difficult to switch between volumes as that relies on the pressure put into drawing with the pen.

We had then expanded on self portrait drawing skills using guide lines. This helps with the accomplishment of symmetry and accuracy in drawing parallel facial features such as: eyes, eyebrows, ears, sides of the nose. I hadn't been too fond of on this method because I had found it somehow restraining and way too reliant on uniformity, while my work usually compacts around individuality and the variety of shapes in different sections of the painting. However, I had no problems in drawing out the examples, as it is more of a personal difficulty than physical.

Title page and Progression

For my very first piece of art in the school year, I had completed a title page for my given sketch book. We were required to develop ideas on how we think we are percepted as and pour our ideas out on the first blank page of the sketch book using colours we think represent us best, our likes and dislikes, our nationalities, personal interests and origins. I had decided to use different mediums into my piece due to the fact that I find myself quiet fond of the variety of textures in an artwork. At the bottom quarter of the page you can see an almost sillhouette of a funfair. For this section of the title page I had chosen the use of oil colours due to the fact that oil colours form unique diversitites of texture that is prominent to the viewer even if not physically felt, but solely by the visual representation of the piecer. I had applied colour in order of colours that would appear when first unpackaging a new case containing any type of tools used for colouring. This gives a sense of recognition and familiar atmosphere. I had chosen the setting of fun fairs since I adore the thought of actually visiting one. For the eyes present 3/4 at the top of the page, they aren't the typical light colour (blue, green) that is commonly prefered when colouring in the iris of the eye as my eyes are the colour of brown. I had decided upon drawing an eye, that isn't necessarily of the same structure as mine (wider in shape and mine are almond-shaped) because I had the urge to say that I am considered more of a visual type of persona and the eyes had seemed to be the best depiction of that sort of statement. I had used colour pencils to colour in the irises for more detail and precision and had used 2 shades of brown (darker and lighter) and a yellow colour pencil for effect. Then, we have the musical notes entering and exiting the eye, cutting through halfway across the book. This demonstrates my passion for the art of music as well because I not only enjoy composing music from time to time but also listening to it. The tools resulting in the creation of the notes was whiteout and felt-tips, creating a bold effect. The background probably had played a major role in the confusion of the viewer because they had no justification as to why it belongs to the piece. I happen to also have a passion for literature and the first medium I had thought of using in order to achieve the depiction of literature had been newspaper since it is full of words and stories, hence the presence of newspaper as a background in the piece. I had used arts and crafts uhu glue to stick the paper on. As for the writing, it had been formed by the use of felt-tip pens as well.

However, I hadn't just come up with all these ideas on the spot and plopped down the first thought that had come to mind, planning took part in the process as well. We had been required to show two methods of planning that lead up to the final piece, which had been the mind map and the simple noting down of various ideas on a page. I hadn't used a particular idea from the notes I had written down but had taken a few concepts from each plan and had combined them to form the title page that I had completed. As for the mind map, I had enjoyed the process in the making of it since it had been the first official artwork we had started on in our books. For the background, I had applied a mixture of watercolour and water to create a fading effect and had devided the page into one with colours of cool tones and one with colours of warm tones to show the different sides of me. I had scattered personal preferences around the page, each idea taking a strand of hair of my self portrait and had chosen to leave my face in black and white for the sole reason that it had looked cool and effective against the bright colours of the background.

Introduction

MYP UNIT: Perceptions of Self 
Key Concept: Identities & Relationships
Related Concept: Communities 
Global Context: Personal and Cultural Expression
Statement of Inquiry: The process of artistic creation can lead to Self-discovery 
Inquiry Question: What conventions or elements can be identified as specific to the genre?

My name is Nada Bayoumi and this is my MYP Arts Process Journal. On this blog you will find documented evidence of my learning in Visual Arts. I chose this specialism because I believe that Visual Arts is the specialism in which I will be able to progressivly find myself (way of thinking creatively in an artistic manner, further interests, hidden passions, 6th sense?). During the MYP course I hope to gain knowledge on how an artist of the 21st century submits an idea and develops it to be recognized as a valuable piece of artwork in the future. Along the way, I would like to gain new skills, confidence and eliminate all hesitance into spilling my emotions into a paper in a way that would be demonstrated as a work of Visual Arts.