prints

For this project, we were asked to create prints (B/W, Extended, Alternate background, and Artists choice) from the tile into which we carved a picture of our faces, using previous skills from our practices with the smaller tile (negative/positive space print). We did this by transferring a picture that we edited and printed of ourselves onto a tile (colored with a pencil to transfer). Once we had the guidelines of the image on the tile we could start to carve out the white space, using carving tools (Exacto knife, other tools), as when we printed the black would be showing. Once I had all the white space carved out, I used ink and spread it onto the tile. I carefully took the paper and placed the tile over it. I used a wooden spoon and rolling pin to press it against the paper. I carefully pulled the paper away from the tile and had my first print - I messed up a few times but recovered by just re-printing. I repeated this process four times and this is when I felt the project evolving. Once I had all four prints it went by pretty fast, evolving more. To be honest I was winging it and didn’t have a plan for all the prints but I used my strongest print (the one with the most black) for the first print. I experimented with watercolors and it turned out pretty nice. I tried to capture the light and add as much color to it as possible without it being too overpowering. For the alternate background, I found another print with pears on it. The pears didn’t show as much, so it just looks like a multicolored background however I still like it. Finally, I used colored pencils to create a cool contrast of greens and yellow (I tried to make it look like one of those heat things).

I used color to create a contrast between colors as well as balance and movement. I used value to create rhythm and unity. I used empty space to create an emphasis on my actual face in some of the prints. There was a pattern of color in my last print with the greens and yellow.

I don’t have any stories related to my work. However I like to associate the amount of color with emotion, specifically happiness - which we see in my second print (Extended). I put a lot of different colors in that piece and tried to have a big spot of yellow which is a happy color. The last print (Artists choice) was also a cool one. I didn’t use reds or blues in an attempt to show temperature, however I still was going for that temperature look with the greens and I think it came out looking cool. The idea is that it's kind of odd how I’m using green to show temperature. This project relates to my life as it's obviously a print of my face. I like using watercolors to create things like my second piece when I’m not doing art in school. I’m proudest of the second and last prints. I think my favorite is the watercolor one. I just think it turned out very nice and although it's kind of simple it's also complex and stylistic. The last print just looks clean and cool and the colors mix very well together. I struggled with some of the raving process however I was able to develop a technique in which I held my tools and gained a lot more control. I also had trouble with the printing process - sometimes there wouldn’t be enough black ink and I’d have to reprint or I’d screw up and smudge the border of the paper and have to re-print. Re-printing isn’t the hardest thing however it takes up time. All in all, I thought this was a fun and interesting project that resulted in some cool prints.