Self-Assessment
Project
2 – Portrait
ART
214.01
Introduction
to Digital Media Art
Professor
Billy Friebele
March
26, 2013
Project 2 began by choosing a portrait of my grandson Luke
who is eight years old. I choose the
photograph because of the whimsical hat and cape he was wearing. Luke is an energetic and enthusiastic boy. I wanted my portrait to visually express his
special qualities and love of life. My
concept of the project was to show a realistic rendering of Luke set in a
whimsical and loving environment. I also
wanted to express a grandparent’s love for their grandson.
The aesthetic quality of the image expressed saturated
neutral colors and warm skin colors. The
foreground and less saturated colors in cool and warm color images. I attended the Faking It: Manipulated Photography
before Photoshop exhibit at the National Gallery of Art in March
2013. The exhibit inspired me to create
the background of the portrait. I decided
to create two watercolor images of a snail and paintbrush. These images were scanned and manipulated in
size and opacity. The watercolor images
supported text in the background image.
I
appreciated the peer critique about my portrait. When you spend many hours to create an image
you become tired and you know there are composition problems. I listen and noted the peer suggestions. I adjusted my final image by better
organization, contrast and intensity...
To strengthen
the impact of the portrait image, I need to add more contrast and less
confusing background. My first image the
background and foreground color saturation was the same intensity. Changes to the watercolor images are needed
to create a more unified image. These
changes will help to express my goals to create a whimsical and loving
environment for the image.
The
greatest frustration was the use of two different Illustrator programs. I had the newest Illustrator program on my PC
computer and the lab’s computer is loaded with an earlier version. I did not save the files for the earlier
program version. By saving the files in
the proper version, I would have more success in the extra lab time I attended. I enjoyed working with Illustrator program.
After
the critique, I adjusted the contrast, color intensity and saturation. The background was organized to show a
unified background. The watercolor
images have a variation in size and opacity.
The hat’s opacity was increased to 100% and the cape’s opacity remained
at 20% opacity. The lower opacity helps
create the connection between reality and intangible love of grandparents. Love of grandparents engulfs the grandchild
from the moment of creation to eternity.
Love can be whimsical and never ending.
I want to express my love of my grandson Luke. The images express how a grandmother’s love
is a part of Luke life. This expression
of everlasting love is visualized by the transparent cape. Luke may not always be aware of my love
moment to moment although my love always surrounds him. The whimsical background is an expression of
this love. No matter his age or behavior
I will always love Luke.
In
summary; practice, patience and perseverance are three things I learned using
Illustrator program. I was pleased with
the results. I appreciate the peer-
critique to improve my skills. I plan to
use the program for future creative projects.
I think my next project is to create a similar image for my
granddaughter Abby, Luke’s older sister.