Pastel Abstraction

The biggest challenge I faced was layering too quickly. I handled this problem by forcing myself to slow down when adding layers of pastel. I also decided it best to work over the whole entire piece instead of focusing on one section. However, I only really made that decision after partially finishing a smaller section and found it to not be as successful as I thought. I still did mainly focus on one section at a time but I made sure that all sections were essentially equal in the progress they were making. I also could tell when I might have been a little too eager to get a section done and would move onto another section so I wouldn’t layer too much pastel and not be able to make any more changes on that former section.

After finishing this project, I have noticed a successful way to achieve volume with lines is making them mirror the object. For example, to shade a round object the lines would be rounded. For value, shaded sections would obviously be darker and highlights would be lighter. Shaded areas could also be made of two complementary colors which would make the section appear darker. The connection I have made between color and mood is that brighter colors usually evoke happier emotions and duller colors would show the opposite. I was hoping my finished project would communicate a possible whimsical feeling. I chose blue and orange, complementary colors, as my main colors. I thought the bright blue against a bright-ish orange might be exciting to look at. I also added purple and green to add more interesting colors and to compliment the red found in the background and partial yellow in the highlights. I also think the curved lines add to the amusing feeling I had hoped for.

I think I am satisfied with my drawing. I think there are things I would change about it but I always feel that way about almost everything. In the case of a next time, I might consider leaving more space around the thing I am drawing. I really enjoyed how Isabel and Evie’s drawings looked with the background space at the top. I think it might be fun and interesting to play with the colors in the background on a larger scale. I might also take inspiration from other students' color schemes. Knowing why they picked which colors might help influence future color schemes for me. Without directly looking at their drawings, I can’t say this with full confidence but I will try my best from memory, but I enjoyed how Milena’s drawing had complementary colors in the object and not just in the background. I also liked how Isabel’s background drew from colors in the object.

Artist Studied: https://pin.it/5BsRwad