Sustained Investigation #16

Title: Strawberries

Size: 7'' x 9''

Statement:

This piece shows two female bodies from different angles. There is red defining some of the details of the body, but the red also moves outside the body. I wanted this piece to show femininity and all the ways people are not just defined by their body. Following this theme, I let the paint go where it wanted rather than making sure it stuck to inside the lines of the body. The red/pink in the background is meant to give it depth and continue the spontaneity.

I used very few materials with this piece. First I used a black ink pen to draw the outlines of the body. I then used a mix of red, orange, and purple watercolors to add color to the bodies. I first added color to the centers of the bodies and then parts where there would be shadow. I let this paint go where it wanted outside the lines. I then watered down the mix of colors I had used for the bodies to paint the background.

At first I just wanted to use some watercolor to add minimal color and depth to the bodies. Then, a blob of paint began running outside of the lines, so I went with it and began blowing the paint around the bodies. I really liked the way this looked so I let it dry and then went back in with more paint to create more shadows in the bodies. I then used lighter paint to make the background and continued the messy theme by splattering some of the paint here and there and not covering the entire background. as far as next steps for this piece go, I would maybe add more colors or more contrast.