AP Art And Design

Final Reflection:

In the beginning of the year I was very focused on pen and ink, and I spent most of my time hatching and making weird characters. During different focuses we had to learn how to use different materials and make things I am not used to. I found it difficult using watercolor to paint landscapes specifically, which I found surprising because I love to use gouache which is very similar. I also did not like using oil paint sticks, but I think the reasoning for that was because I was again trying to create something somewhat realistic. I think for that project I could have done better if I chose to make some sort of animal or bug. The most challenging project I made this year outside of the SI’s was the fabric project where we took scraps to make an image. I tried to make a dragon, but I didn't take into account that I don’t really know how to sew, and close to the end I kept trying to fix my mistakes which made them worse. 

During the sustained investigations, I not only had to learn how to conserve time, but to also practice my skills. I did not take into account how long one piece of art should take and in the beginning, my SIs were not the strongest they could be. Once I was able to manage my time better I was able to make much more interesting pieces of art. While designing the characters, I mostly started with a random shape or human body part and added onto that. As I continued, I started to incorporate hidden meanings to each one.

I think something I am most proud of are the birds I made at the end of the year. I tend to avoid realism, especially with color. When I started painting the birds they gradually became more detailed. Not necessarily realistic but more so than intended. When I began painting the raven, I wanted to make it as realistic as I could handle. I am also proud of how my donate life design came out. I mostly chose digital art to practice that style for my future senior project that will involve digital art, but I did not expect to like how it came out as much as I do. I also like how I limited my use of already existing characters both owned by me, and the general public.

During the summer I will be taking a month-long course of classes at Wheaton College in Massachusetts, and I intend to use or at least explore the arts building. I want to continue using pen and marker, and possibly practice more detailed drawings with pencil (mostly birds). I also want to finish the projects I have half completed in my closet.