Sustained Investigation X

For this assignment, we were asked to create a tenth piece of art that connects to our inquiry question. For this piece, my goals were to continue focusing on color and perspective and use those elements in an intentional way. I decided to make a portrait, with a close up, semi-side profile, and use warm colors and cool colors to contrast, representing depression and mania, which are the two states one may find themselves in when struggling with bipolar disorder.

To create this piece, I started by applying three coats of gesso (mixed with red and yellow acrylic paint) onto a wood surface. Once that was dry, I sketched out my reference photo onto the wood surface. I wanted to push myself with the medium, so I tried soft pastels, which I purchased months ago, but never got around to using. I knew that since the portrait was going to be made up of very bright, warm colors (to represent mania) I didn't want to use blending techniques, since it would already look unrealistic. Instead, I made short, quick marks on the surface to put the color down, and layered many different colors on top of each other to get the style that I desired. From there, I created the background with a similar technique, but use cool toned colors to contrast the warm ones and represent depression or a depressive state.

Overall, I am very happy with my tenth sustained investigation. I feel as though I followed my inquiry question closely and pushed my comfort zone in terms of colors, techniques, and mediums.