Wednesday, November 3, 2010

AQUATINT ASSIGNMENT, FIRST PRINT


ETCHING CRITIQUE


  1. Make a short list of similarities and differences between each print. look at the big picture as well as the subtleties.

  2. Discuss each person's use of line.

  3. Discuss each person's use of value. 
    1. Value is really important because allows me to set up light in the composition.  
  4. How was negative space used differently in each print? Was it a positive effect (is that confusing?)

  5. What are the advantages and limitations of image-making in this way?
    1. I think an advantage of image-making this way, is that you are easily able to set up your composition using the tonal range that is created from the various layers in the aquatint process. A limitation of image-making this way, is that it may be harder to achieve the small details you are able to do with the normal etching process.
  6. Try to guess the other persons main interest. Is it mark, line, repetition... what?
    1. One of the main interests in this print is the use of dramatic light to set the mood of the print. 
  7. What contemporary issue are they addressing in the work? 
    1. The contemporary issue that I am addressing in my work is climate change. I am working from a print titled "The Folly of Fear" by Goya. The word folly means a lack of good sense; foolishness, so the message that I am trying to convey is that the folly in my print is that today's society isn't fearful enough of climate change and global warming. while researching climate change, I stumbled upon an article talking about how climate change is resulting in the size of marmots to increase. Marmots usually spend about half the year hibernating, but because of climate change, the summers have become longer, so the marmots are spending more time doing their summer routines such as getting fat and producing offspring. In my print I am depicting giant marmots / groundhogs emerging from the ground; a direct result of climate change. I see this as a humorous way of addressing a big issue in today's society.
  8. Which artist is the person working from, is the work to referential to the original? Has the person made enough of a change from the original?
    1. I am working from a print titled "The Folly of Fear"by Goya. I think this print is referential to the original, however several changes have been made to make it unique. Both prints depict a group of people running away from approaching doom, however Goya's print has a horizontal composition where as mine is vertical. In Goya's print, the colossal figure is set up on the left side of the picture plane, with the the figures running towards the right side. In my print, I changed the perspective so that the figures are running towards the viewer, and the approaching doom / woodchuck is in the background. I feel that this makes the composition a little easier to read.
  9. What are the biggest strengths in each print?
    1. I think the biggest strengths in the print is its use of light, and its slight tonal shifts. 
  10. Are you a fan of Glee? If no, what are you watching lately?
    1. To be honest, I have never watched Glee before. While being at collage I have stopped watching television for the most part. When I am at my parents house in Whiteville, I usually watch shows on the History, Discovery, or National Geographic channel. I do however enjoy watching movies (some bad) with my friends.  

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

ASSIGNMENT 1, EIGHTH PRINT


This was the last print I pulled for this assignment. Again, I used selective wiping with this print. In the end however, I thought it was rather remarkable how much the image changed when compared with the first print.

ASSIGNMENT 1, SEVENTH PRINT


After reworking the plate, I was curious to see how the print would turn out if I went back and used selective wiping. I really liked this print, however some people felt the tree trunk / pole in the foreground was a little too dark.

ASSIGNMENT 1, FITH PRINT


After I pulled my first four prints, I decided that I wanted to go back and rework the plat in order to increase not only the amount of detail in the print, but also the range of tonal value through hatching and cross-hatching alone.

ASSIGNMENT 1, FOURTH PRINT


Again, I used selective wiping in this print to increase the range of tonal value.

ASSIGNMENT 1, THIRD PRINT


In this print, I used selective wiping to bring out highlights and other lighted areas of the composition in an attempt to create a wider range of tonal value.