10. Independent #2

Artist Statement

This was our second assignment in our independent project series for our advanced studio art class. Following a similar theme, both material and theme wise, as the first project that I didn't in my independent series; a did a portrait like scene coupled with a choice pair of characters that I’d made up. Like my first independent piece this one consisted of only paper and pen ink, though the layout itself is much smaller compared to my first one as I drew it in my sketchbook. Starting out with some basic sketches I knew I wanted to make it ‘portrait style’ while also including some sort of architectural aspect to it; as seen with the window frame. Making my rough outline in pencil, once I got a layout that i liked, I then went back in with my pen and started to outline the finer details that would make up the final piece.

This project overall didn't change much as it progressed; though I did make some final decisions in the beginning that did influence how my piece came out in the end. Originally I was only going to include one character, the female that you find depicted in this scene. But as I found that I wanted to include a window, I didn't want her face to be split by the window frame; so to escape that, I decided to add another character to make it more equal. A decision I find myself happy with making, as I think it adds more character and background to the piece that wouldn't have been there if I’d just left it with one character. Next I was also debating in my rough drafts whether or not if I should add some accents of red to this piece to highlight a few details; mainly to the clothing and window. But after debating this I decide to instead do it entirely in black, the act of adding red to it becoming more unappealing as I thought about it.

Though in my first piece you can clearly see a ‘mystical’ respect to it, I wasn't actually sure if that would continue on into my other independent pieces; though the question soon answered itself as I finalized my rough draft for my second independent piece. I think the most mythical aspect of this piece coming from the characters that I decided to include in it. Though both regally portrayed, you can clearly seen their physical differences that establishes them as their own individuals with different backstories; yet even with those differences the relationship that seems to be established between them almost connects them as their own singular being. Once you observe the piece as a whole, it’s hard to imagine the two characters apart from each other.

Overall I’m pretty happy with how this piece came out. I really like the whole atmosphere of it and the overall composition of the piece. I love how detailed the characters came out and how they seem to interact with each other on paper; the plot behind this piece growing even deeper as you continue to observe the piece, wondering exactly who these characters are. The only thing I might change if I do decide to return to this piece would be adding some more texture to the background. Since I’m so happy with how the main focus of the piece came out, honestly I’m a piece nervous to be going back in and adding more detail; afraid that I might make a mistake that will overall effect my opinion on the piece.