"Filter This"
Exhibition Text:"Samantha Loontjens
"Filter This" 16" x 20" Acrylic Paint October 10th, 2017 This piece "Filter This" is an acrylic painting that was inspired by the artist Chuck Close and his artwork " Big Self Portrait". I also use "Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer" and her used of the Baroque style. The meaning of this piece focuses on portraying how the impact of social media, in particular the use of snapchat affects modern day culture and the way one views themselves. |
Artist Inspiration:
The piece ¨Big self portrait by Chuck Close¨ inspired myself to create Filter this due to Chuck close use of black and white and his high use of detail. In his piece there is also a similar facial structure with the use of glasses and hair being maintained. The piece ¨Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer¨ uses the Baroque style in which I based my piece of off, creating that smooth blend from color to color.
Process:
Planning Sketches:
-Here are the three planning sketches that I have made. The first one focuses on the idea of social media. The second sketch is the one I chose to do which focuses on social media and how it impacts modern culture. The third sketch is about the reflection of and eye and showing emotions through facial expressions.
Experimentation:
When creating my piece I experimented with the glasses part of the painting because I wanted to include bright paint to the lenses of the glasses or cut up CD's and put them on to give off that glare/ reflection of light. I found hat cutting up CD's was a hard task and was hard o create that affect that I wanted, hoping that they would reflect off brighter. I decided to go with the bright paint as I could connect the use of bright colors more to the meaning of the piece.
|
|
Making Process:First when creating my piece I sketched out an outline of myself onto my canvas. Once I had my outline onto my canvas I erased any unnecessary lines on the canvas. Then I laid out a plastic cover sheet to prevent any accidents. The I grabbed my white and black paint and put some on my palette creating several shades of gray.Then I started with a lighter shade of gray on for my background. Once the background was done I started adding the basic highlights and shadows to my face, only working with my general facial features and there outlines. I focused on the center of the piece, where the bottom of my nose is and worked outwards. The brushes I used when painting my face were smaller and had a rounded, flat top. Once there was paint that was applied on the whole canvas I continued to go over and over each of the sections to create that smooth blend of the Barque style painting. Then I included details to the piece by adding more detail in the hair and glasses. The last step that I did was paint on the bright colors onto the glasses to conclude the overall look of my piece.
|
Reflection:When creating my piece I think the blending style was done well and included a variety of grays that show off the highlights and shadows representing the Barque style. What I have found that was important when creating this piece that I did well at was starting off with a strong outline. By having a strong starting point allowed myself to focus on my blending. What I have found difficult when doing this experiment the blending of my left jaw to my neck. It took me a multiple attempts to try and get the right shape of my jaw and include the right shade as well. When doing my jaw I couldn't get the right shape o my face the same as my outline before paint was applied onto the canvas. What is also challenging about working with grey paint colors is that sometimes it appears a different shade when first applied but once the color is dried it doesn't match he rest of the face. This occurred to me a few times when working with the neck portion of my self portrait. I can say that the more paint I applied to the canvas, the better, due to continuously adding more and more layers that helped represent the Baroque style.
Critique:My piece "Filter This" shows similar qualities to my artist inspiration of "Big Self-Portrait by Chuck Close" where I try to imitate the same body structure and his self portrait besides having my head lean more forward. I shown similar qualities by also having my piece done in black and white as well as include myself wearing glasses. I also included in showing more skin by having myself wear a tank top, adding highlights to my neck and shoulders. I use "The Girl with the Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer" as another artist for inspiration, using her style and technique of when she applies paint onto her canvas. I use the Baroque style to create a smooth transition of color going across the face. This can be seen in "Girl with a Pearl Earring" with the side of her cheek and it transitions from a highlight into a shadow area on her face.
|
Meaning:
The meaning of this piece is to portray the impact of social media, in particular the use of snapchat on modern day culture. Many people nowadays have snapchat where they re constantly posting photos of themselves and recording others but many feel the need that its necessary to use snapchat filters to make themselves look better or cover up any of there imperfections. The use of the snapchat filter of glasses portrays the idea of hiding yourself and distraction ones view from ones true facial qualities. The piece is titled "Filter This" based on ones feeling of always having the cover up there face and true beauty. The use of the bright colors on the glasses is to connect with the idea of attracting the attention from wearing a filter and trying to make yourself more appealing when in reality one doesn't need a filter to make themselves feel beautiful.
Connecting to ACT:
1. Identify cause and effect relationships between your inspiration and your artwork.
My piece was inspired by Chuck Close and his work called "Big Self- Portrait" in which we had similarities in using black and white, the idea of glasses and some posture.
2. What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Chuck Close style when painting is Super- Realism or photo-realism, where he focuses on creating artwork based on photography.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
Some generalizations and conclusions that can be stated is that we shouldn't allow social media to impact how we think abou ourselves and more specifically snapchat, and the use of filters.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea of my piece is focusing on the impact of social media, in particular the use of snapchat affects modern day culture and the way one views themselves.
5. What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
While doing my research I learned more abut Chuck close's process and how he using the grid method that reflects his analytical processes.
My piece was inspired by Chuck Close and his work called "Big Self- Portrait" in which we had similarities in using black and white, the idea of glasses and some posture.
2. What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Chuck Close style when painting is Super- Realism or photo-realism, where he focuses on creating artwork based on photography.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
Some generalizations and conclusions that can be stated is that we shouldn't allow social media to impact how we think abou ourselves and more specifically snapchat, and the use of filters.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea of my piece is focusing on the impact of social media, in particular the use of snapchat affects modern day culture and the way one views themselves.
5. What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
While doing my research I learned more abut Chuck close's process and how he using the grid method that reflects his analytical processes.
Citations:
(n.d.). Retrieved October 08, 2017, from https://www.moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/1998/close/index.html
Chuck Close Biography, Art, and Analysis of Works. (n.d.). Retrieved October 08, 2017, from http://www.theartstory.org/artist-close-chuck.htm
Sooke, A. (2014, October 21). Culture - Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring: Who was she? Retrieved October 08, 2017, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/culture/story/20140701-who-was-the-mysterious-girl
Chuck Close Biography, Art, and Analysis of Works. (n.d.). Retrieved October 08, 2017, from http://www.theartstory.org/artist-close-chuck.htm
Sooke, A. (2014, October 21). Culture - Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring: Who was she? Retrieved October 08, 2017, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/culture/story/20140701-who-was-the-mysterious-girl