CURTIS-assignment1-digital painting1

This digital painting was done from a sketch I did of the caricature artist that came to Harriman on the first day of classes (08-30-10). He is very talented. This particular artist had actually caricaturized me some years before. He did well. It seemed, however, to me that he has gotten a great deal quicker/better. Practice, practice, practice. Each pen stroke/action on his tablet was represented immediately on the screen that hung behind him(I’ve never used a functioning tablet). He drew hundreds of people, I suppose. I’ve become more and more aware of the effort one must put forth to be able to claim to be an artist, and not do so in vain. One must want it. Seeing him work as he did, inspired me to practice. I feel, I draw what I see, but it’s never enough. It’s ok though, because I know I can become a better artist if I put in the time, heart, and effort.

Nevertheless, it would have been interesting to see how the caricaturist would have used the lines to represent my face this time, in comparison to last. Alas, the line was long. I thought maybe I should create something myself, turn it around a little. Instead of enjoying seeing something he had created, I wanted to create something myself and others may enjoy seeing. My family appreciated it. It is documentation of my first day back to classes this fall (in first person). It would have been nice to have the caricature of myself, though, to go along with my sketch.

I used many layers on this one. I originally wanted it to look like a traditional painting. But I always tend to bring my sketches back, in some form. I use Illustrator a lot. I often looked to comics when younger and learning to draw. The outlined illustrated feel shows up a lot in my work. It must be because I just like to draw. I am trying to gradually get away from that and work towards a more chiseled finished look. This piece captured the moment for me, though. It caught the subject at work, mimicking the caricature style to some degree while at the same time retaining mine.

My simple graphite sketch seems to have taken on an entirely new form, thanks to the digital additions and manipulations. A sense of depth is now apparent that was not before. There is the impression of motion, if not, suspended motion in the piece. Though the color scheme is fairly simple, it adds verve.

Nevertheless, it is good to be back to classes. I am greatly appreciative to have a class I can truly enjoy and in which it is possible to incorporate my personal work into at least some of the assignments. It is also nice to have a place I can justify explaining myself and wasting a little time on the web. My next blogs will most likely not be this long and wordy.

CURTIS