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12x16 in. acrylic and oil pastel on canvas
How can I show contrast of child imagination + reality using unrealistic subject + realistic style
Started w/ figures then background to ensure cohesiveness, added details for idea to be understood
My idea was about children’s imagination/how they believe their imaginations to be real. I wanted to expand upon this idea by depicting a scene that a child might believe in by using a realistic style to show that naivety of, for example in this piece, believing that their letters actually reach Santa. I decided to use acrylic paints to achieve a realistic style, and I also used oil pastels to emphasize the figure’s imagination through a glowing outline. Oil pastels were also useful in the background where I put a fire, attempting to add to the coziness I wanted to depict. My process started with painting the figures. I wanted them to stand out the most, and for the rest of the piece to be based on them so the background would feel cohesive to the subject. After I was mainly finished with the figures, I decided on the background and went in with thicker brush strokes than the foreground to make sure the subjects would have the emphasis. After peer feedback, I also went back into the background and added a Christmas tree, opened letters/envelopes, and crayons to emphasize my central idea and make the piece generally easier to read/understand. My materials worked really well in my process; I started with acrylics and then moved to oil pastels, which predominantly stayed in the background.
In my sketchbook, I tested out different compositions until I found one that satisfied my idea. I practiced further in my sketchbook with the positions of the figures making sure I was confident in the proportions before starting the final piece. I also received peer feedback once I had completed my piece which was integral for the background. I added key details such as the Christmas tree and the letters which helped in expressing my idea further. I consistently revised in the duration of this piece changing the composition and background ideas to create a more dynamic and effective piece.
This piece was very helpful in fulfilling my dreams of executing this question, but I don’t think I’ll be able to generate enough ideas for a complete sustained investigation using this as a starting piece. Because of this, I am now thinking of using my first idea that I used for the paint chip project. Right now, my idea/question is: how can I use insects and contrast to show the beauty in things we naturally deem ugly/gross?
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