2D Design Class - Part 2

With Christmas break here, I have come to the end of my 2D Design art class and thought I'd share the rest of the projects I created.

In week 9, we looked at contrast and the different ways of creating it as well as the effects it can have. Our assignment was to create contrast using words. I couldn't help but be yet again inspired by Istanbul and draw night skyline out our window, paired with a quote from my mom. So many times after moving here this summer, we have looked out the window and said "I hope I never get over this view". I used chalk pastels for the color and white charcoal for the rest.

Week 9

The next week we looked at repetition, what elements can create repetition, and the unity it can bring to a piece. I thought about the fruit and vegetable bazaars in Turkey and the rows upon rows of stacked produce that repeats itself. I created repetition both through the shapes of the produce and the colors that move the eye around. This was done in pen and watercolors.

Week 10

After that we began our first two week project, which ended up being one of my favorites. The principles we focused on over the two weeks were balance, including the various types, and rhythm, such as different ways to create it and its effect. To practice these, we created a map of something personal to us. As I explain more in my previous post, this map combined my homes into one place. I tried to balance the land and water and created rhythm through the textures on the trees and water, as well as with the water winding through the piece.

Weeks 11 and 12

Our last full project was creating foreshortening, emphasis, and motion in one piece. As this was around Thanksgiving, I decided to paint my brother reaching sneakily for a piece of pecan pie, with emphasis on his hand and the pie through the leading lines. I used fall colors to give some setting and went for an abstract background and realistic subject.

Weeks 13 and 14

Lastly, to finish off the class, we reworked one of our previous pieces from the class. I decided to rework my metro portal piece because I saw the potential in it and there were some methods I wanted to try to improve it. First off, I used all acrylics instead of graphite, charcoal, and watercolor. This created the textures I was going for more accurately and made the station not so gritty. I also used my brushstrokes to create a blurred effect that added more motion and interest to the piece, in addition to adding people in the station that made it feel more like a metro station. While there are still some things I would like to change, I am happy with this rework.

Week 15

I have learned so much over the course of this semester with this class. I have tried new techniques and new styles, and I now think more carefully about the elements and principles in my artwork and create with more intention.

Although this class is over, I am very excited for this next semester when I will be taking a Drawing II class. I can't wait to share what I learn there!