This semester, we took a deep dive into hyper realism, and facial proportions. This helped me extraordinarily improve my realism techniques. By looking at contemporary artists, and closely studying how light affects 3 dimensional objects, I feel as though I am more capable in creating a realistic piece. These newly acquired skills are most shown in my Realistic Self Portrait charcoal drawing.  This semester I have met and exceeded my goals, as this class has helped me to overcome a creative block. By being required to work within certain outlines, I have been able to lean into certain mediums I would not normally use (e.g. charcoal and acrylic paints). This has taught me to stretch outside of my comfort zone of graphite on pencil, and that art does not have to always become an immaculate finished piece. 

In the future I would like to continue broadening my horizons, by experimenting with new mediums like pastels, guache, and watercolor. I would like to continue studying realism, as I am beginning to become more confident in my realistic drawings, I am still identifying weak points in my work which I would like to improve with new skills. Some skills that fall into this category would be drawing reflective surfaces, drawing proportions more confidently, and working with color. I hope to continue drawing and painting independently and in advanced drawing and painting next year. 

When making art, I tend to become inspired by things I see around me. I enjoy observing objects, people, shapes, and scenerios that I see in my life. This could be breathtaking sunsets, or the vent I see everyday in the corner of my room. These things inspire me to either recreate them with realism, or to slightly alter the reality and take creative freedom. Over the course of the semester, I am hoping to develop new techniques for drawing in realistic styles. Along with experimenting with different colors, as I often draw in only black and white.