Emily Johnson

Welcome to my AP Draw/Paint Portfolio

Way of Reflection

How does the incorporation of visual reflection as light and shadow on water, and emotional reflection as I’ve experienced the impact of certain identity markers shape the progression from my child to my current self?

Switching between my parents' homes and different ethnicities my whole life, Ive been forced to reflect on my own identity in the contrasting environments. My favorite things hold much importance to me as they create unity in my life, and as I've searched for my place in society, my fondest memories have centralized around the water.

In this portfolio I challenge myself with a variety of materials such as conte, pastel on velvet, and oil paint, yet within these materials, I’ve focused on emphasizing light and texture to create visual reflection. I create the movement of ripples by placing the lightest and darkest tones in adjacent, contrasting orientations. Whether the piece contains water or not, I use clean cut, angular lines to show the detailed light dancing on the subject. I ensure to include the reflections behind surfaces and consider light from multiple angles, helping create a multidimensional appearance.