be a deer and read on (week three self assessment)

I actually really enoyed this assignment. It was fun! Th first part, which was making the background look like a cave wall/rock went well. I managed to make it look like rock. I could have done better on making it look a little less yellow, but I thin I did good. 

The second part was to recreate cave art from the stone age, Mesopotamian or ancient Egyptian period. I chose to do stone age because I thought it would be interesting. It wasn't something I'd really done before, and I really don't like how Mesopotamian or Egyptian art look. I think I did okay with it. However, I think I put a little too much definition and shape into the animals. My colors may have been a little too pigmented to really reflect the art of that time. I like the finished product still, but I can't help but think I could have done better. 

What artist doesn't? 

I do like how I blended the colors, especially on the deer, as it was the closest to how it would have been in art of this time. The larger of the two deer is the better of the two, and I think I did a better job on that one than the other. But, on the smaller of the two deer I think reflected the art of the time better because it wasn't blended as well. All in all, I was pleased with the finished assignment. 

Thanks for reading!
xoxo

magic under my fingertips (with week five self assessment thrown in)

This last week we had an assignment that we had to use clay  and sculpt either a Greek or Roman inspired pot or relief. I've worked with clay before, and I liked it, but I haven't worked with it like this before. I was honestly surprised how much I enjoyed it. And how easy it was compared to other forms of art for me to do.

This has to do with my vision. I'm legally blind, which basically means that in the view of the law I am blind. I can still see, just not well. It's nothing that I'm not used to because I've had the eye disease since I was born. (it's hereditary so I'm not the only one in my immediate family, or family in general to have it.) So sometimes visual art is hard, because I can't see well. Gradients, and very detailed work especially since I don't see those very well in my daily life. So putting it down on paper is extremely hard to do. It doesn't stop me from loving art, it just makes it more difficult at times.

This assignment however, while it requires visual aid, was different because it was more tactile. I've been learning to 'see' through touch since I was little, from feeling how things are shaped, and how they feel, to learning to read braille and so on. So this assignment was easy in a way most art isn't for me. (don't get me wrong it was still difficult enough to be worth it, but it wasn't hard because of my vision).

 I chose to do an olive tree because of it's significance in Ancient Greece. Plus I really love how olive tress look so it was a win-win situation. At first I was hesitant, because the only experience I have with clay is on a potters wheel and while I liked throwing clay, it got boring after awhile. This however, was different, I had to shape and mold the clay to form something different than a cup or a bowl. Once I started however, it was startling easy to do it. At first my tree trunk didn't look or feel like a tree trunk and I got frustrated. Then I decided to take a moment to remember how tree bark feel sunder my fingers. Once I could almost feel it under my fingertips, I picked up some clay and started again. In what only felt like an hour at most I had finished. (it was really a few hours but I hadn't even realized time had gone by).

I ended up painting it because I remember it being said that reliefs were originally painted though that paint had been worn away by the time we discovered/them. Honestly, while I still feel that it's missing something, I'm really happy with the finished product.

Truthfully the only things I think I could have done better was make the base ticker since when it dried fully it cracked in many places and figured out something to fill in some of the empty space since it looks like it's missing something. Otherwise I think that I did a good job.

Sometimes I really, really love art. My own? Not so much. (or week two self assessment)

Remember this?

Well honestly, I'm not too proud of either of these. Mostly because value has always been very difficult for me. I have trouble adding lighter gradients and highlights to objects and shapes that I've manage to give the dark gradients. It's the opposite when it comes to objects I've given lighter gradients. I have trouble giving them dark shadows and gradients. When I do I can't mange to make it blend together.

However, I do know how to use the gradients to make the shape look realistic and to give it shape. (It only took three years and two different art classes). I also understand perspective and light and I believe I manage that in these two assignments. Mostly on the wineglass, which you can see better in the picture below.

That's about it for this post.  (aka homework) ;)
xoxo

the-assignment-that-lived

getting ready to do the assignment

This past assignment for my fine arts class broke me. Okay, okay, that might be a bit dramatic. But, the assignment did show me that I need to get back into the practice of sketching more. The warm up was  drawing spheres; four in total. This is something which is something that I haven't done in a while. It really showed. My first attempt was beyond sad. Before I did the second I went and dug out the numerous reference for drawing spheres I had from years ago. 

my poor, poor spheres

I really needed those references, I'm sure without them it could have been worse. Shading, or well values have always been something I have issues with. So this warm up was actually pretty challenging. (Proves that I need to start practicing more). 

The next part involved cross-hatching and pointillism which are fun to do. I am better at pointillism than cross-hatching but both were hard to do in a sphere. It is actually the first time I have ever done any in a sphere. It was good practice and I'm actually pretty happy with the results of the last two spheres. (They could have been much, much worse). 

the final result 

As you can see the pointillism sphere is the best. The cross-hatching was difficult because I wasn't sure how to get it to look right. I must have redone that one at least ten times. 

The next part of the assignment was to take what you learned from drawing the spheres and use it to draw an object (one that you have in front of you). I originally was going to draw my dad. I did, but the end result was just really sad. It looked like I put a beard on a female. It looked like my dad, well, it look like my dad if he was twenty years younger and more female that her really is. I blame it on his eyes. He has really pretty eyes and I tried to draw them right and I failed. At least I got the jaw and beard right, facial hair usually destroys me. (or at least who I am drawing).  

After I finished the failed portrait of my papa, I decided to take a break and try again later. I was getting frustrated and I wouldn't get anywhere if I continued to draw. I ended up drawing something simpler because the practice would do me good. My sister had left a wine glass on the table so I drew that. I am actually pleased with the results. Though I did come to an important realization that I really need to practice the basics more often. That's gonna be my goal for the next couple weeks. 

the-assignment-that-lived

That's it for now. 

xoxo

welcome

Taken from the half way point of the Rd Butte Skyline Nature Trail, Utah

Hello and welcome to my blog! The title is in German in case you were wondering. Ah, why don't I introduce myself? My name is Haley, I was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. I'm the youngest of my siblings which sometimes really sucks. I am a huge nerd, so don't be surprised if this and future post have a crap ton of references in them. No promises though. My hobbies are quite elementary; I enjoy to read or write in my free time. Though if inspiration strikes me I can be found doing many other mediums of art. Sketching and painting mostly, though if I am in the right mood I enjoy a little photography.

My oldest sister's adorable little kittens. 

Velvet is not amused. 

Above are some pictures I took of my sister's little kittens. Aren't they just adorable? Anyway... I got  a little sidetracked there. My hobbies right? I love spending my time putting together puzzles. I always make sure I have at least one unfinished puzzle on hand so that I have something to do. I love, love, love storms, especially those with lightning. I enjoy watching them, or listening to the sound of the rain against the roof while I'm writing. Something which I'll say now is one of my most favorite things to do in the whole entire world. There's nothing quite like the satisfaction of creating something so vivid and wonderful with words.

I think I finish off with this, because I can't think of what else to say. Thanks for reading!