Week 5: Tick Tock Draw Erase

Week 5

This week has been an unsatisfying week... I have worked on the sketch for Big Ben for what seemed like ages. I was too caught up on the details, where I erased, sketched, erased, sketched, and erased OVER AGAIN!! I was almost in tears in frustration. Why, why did I choose this picture, I did not know. However, I have finished the sketching, and thought, the hard parts are OVER! Yet, of course I was mistaken...

First what I drew off of:

Sketch:

Drawing...

Ahh!! My hand!!

Rough Sketch

Product of repeated SKETCH & ERASE

Some of the people asked me if I was going to do anything from my "imagination", instead of copying off of a photograph. Here's what I had planned out (I thought it was ingenious at the time). I was going to draw a clock surrounded by a giant tree. Inside the clock would be a depressing winter image with a lonely swing like this image:

Sketch:

However, outside the clock would be a happy, beautiful scenery, highlighting the difference. The message I wanted to convey is that we're too caught up with our own schedules to stop back and appreciate the good surroundings around us. Check down below to how that turned out... 

Tom Lynch

This week, I read about a new watercolor artist, Tom Lynch. I have to admit that I had a stereotype where artists like to keep their drawing technique "secrets" to themselves and only tell their students to just try their best and paint as they like. However, while I was watching his videos and reading some of the tips, I began to feel ashamed to have thought that way. This guy just seems to nice and relaxed, where he makes you feel like you're welcome to come over and stare at him while he's painting. Okay, I think you've had enough of my adoration of Tom Lynch, so I'll talk to you about who he is. According to his website, he is referred as one of the U.S.'s premier watercolorists. He's very involved with his works, where he wrote 7 books and hosted several PBS TV Art Series. It seems natural that he has been the spokesperson for the entire National Arts Materials trade Association, since he talks at ease. Also, he was just recently listed as one of the nation's top 20 teachers by a leading Art magazine.

Here are some of his breath-taking paintings:

Cafe Row by Tom Lynch

Early Colors by Tom Lynch

Link for more pictures: http://www.hilligossgalleries.com/search.asp?artist=lynch

Link for his webpage: http://www.tomlynch.com/

He's fascination towards his work is everything I had thought of a perfect mind set of a true artist. I've always said to myself that if I had the talent, I would want to highlight things in my work that are easy to miss. I wanted to convey a message that is original and genuine. Tom Lynch-the amazing artist said, "I feel it's the job of the artist to bring to the viewer the best of what can be found in the landscape along with a little creativity or exaggeration...normal and ordinary are not for me." Who wouldn't love this guy?

I also learned very important things that I had troubles with. He said in one of his videos that his painting thoughts have evolved as I've noted below:

-Realism detail (capturing like the photographs)

-Close values

-Impressionism (subtle impression)

-Color and contrast (feel good)

-Sunlight and shadow

Like him, I think I've went through the same kind of process. When I was first drawing off of a photo, I wanted to make it exactly like the photograph. I have definitely missed some of the key components, such as lighting, and color with contrast, because I was so caught up with copying off of the picture. Later, I began to think that it would be nice to put my own feelings to the paintings, such as impressionism and convey to the people of my own feelings. However, I felt it was impossible, because I was just copying off of a photo. I hope that next week, when I'm sketching and maybe painting on the spot will bring those elements out. 

Lastly, what I hope to gain off of Tom Lynch's teachings is his driving force. He had mentioned about how he wanted a variety of paintings, and want the artistic extra. Every artist, I presume, want someone to look at his painting and be able to say "wow". How long and how much dedication I need to bring that kind of compliment out of people, that I don't know. However, even after this project is over, I want to continue this "hobby" of mine until that goal has been met. 

My paintings

Big Ben

The result of using too much water...

Final painting

My own drawing

As you might be able to tell, my idea of clock just disappeared... I didn't know how to make it as a clock without making it seem...awkward...

Works Cited 

""oak Creek 9 X 12"" - Originals. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2013. <http://tomlynch.fineartworld.com/artistViewingRoomCtl.php?artistid=263>. 

"Tom Lynch - Home." Tom Lynch - Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2013. <http://www.tomlynch.com/>. 

"Welcome to Hilligoss Galleries." Welcome to Hilligoss Galleries. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2013. <http://www.hilligossgalleries.com/search.asp?artist=lynch>. 

I posted on...

Carolyn's blog: http://ccphotograph.blogspot.com/

Max's blog: http://benowitzianblog.blogspot.com/2013/03/recording-begins-if-we-kill-ourselves.html#comment-form

Lukas's blog: http://hawaiianminiguitar.blogspot.com/

Week Four: Practice Makes Perfect??

Week Four

Even though I am practicing a LOT, (maybe a little more then 20% of my time) I still didn't get to the "perfection" stage yet. However, I remember to keep on reminding to myself, "Artwork is beautiful because it's NOT perfect" so I don't lack confidence! This week, I was working on architectural drawings, where I sketch a building and use watercolor paint to enhance the drawing. My family friend, Hyun Ji, who majored in architecture, decided to teach me from the basics on how to buildings. She showed me her drawings of Venice, Rome, and other places that she drew of when she was in Europe.

First she had a little "talk" with me about perspective. She didn't have to explain a whole lot about perspective, because I told her about how I had to learn about perspectives in Geometry last year. This is a little picture of my "perspective drawings".

Then she taught me the basics of drawing a 3-D object. She told me to draw a box and draw an object INSIDE the box. We chose to draw a pink iHome for practice.

Hyun Ji's example:

My practice:

(As you can see, I messed up on the concept of putting an object inside a box)

She had many architectural pictures that she found from online for me to draw, yet the picture that she took of these vintage looking buildings captivated me. I screamed, "THIS IS THE ONE FOR ME!"

Picture:

Isn't this gorgeous? So beau-ti-ful!!!

Scroll to the bottom of this blog to see how I drew this amazing picture!

Thomas W. Schaller

This whole week, I was gazing at his works, I could only mutter one thing: He is PERFECT! If I may introduce this awesome guy, he is an architect and an architectural artist, and is considered as one of the best architectural artists in the world! He wrote many books, and won every major awards for his art, such as the Hugh Ferris Memorial Prize. His art has been exhibited around the WORLD! Take a look at some of his work...

Click on the links below to gaze at his paintings like I have!!
His gallery: http://www.twschaller.com/galleries/architecture/index.html
More paintings: http://artofday.com/wordpress/?p=2553

Watercolor painting techniques
I read further about watercolor painting techniques. This article talks about depth and luminosity, which I NEED! They talk about the one artist, named Ali Cavanaugh, and her techniques.

I'll share some of the techniques that I've learned:

1. Approach painting much like an oil artist will
-->Build up multiple layers and blend the paint for desired color and value. (This will help you achieve remarkable depth and luminosity)

2. After wetting the surface, slowly and meticulously put finishing touches one stroke by one stroke. (This could be helpful to show realistic skin tones and give rich darkness and depth to the picture.)

It was interesting to see that this artist takes pictures and then draw. She makes sure the photographs are the way she wanted them. I felt happy to know that I was doing the same thing as an actual artists are!)

Now let's take a look at MY paintings (The lighting enhanced my picture!)

I had SO MUCH trouble with this painting. First, the concept of perceptive was so confusing! Also, I think it was especially harder, because the watercolor paper was too small for this painting. I messed up the proportion on the staircase on the left, so the whole drawing is not proportional. I actually had a lot of fun with this though, because after I finished sketching, I felt a burst of happiness of imagining a finished product.

Special thanks to Hyun Ji for her help on this drawing! :)

Family Painting

I have a special attachment to this picture. This was taken at my grandparents' house the day before my family moved to the U.S. in 2007. None of us were ready to take the picture, yet smiled brightly to hide  sorrow. My favorite cousin, Brent, wasn't here, but I remembered to include in painting.

Painting:

I'm not quite finished with this painting, as you can tell. I want to add more things on the background, such as fall leaves, pencils, petals, or whatever that will fill the emptiness. If any have a suggestion, don't hesitate to comment. Thank you!

Works Cited

"20 Amazing Watercolor Paintings by Thomas W. Schaller." Art of Day RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2013.

"About the Artist." Thomas W. Schaller -. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2013.

"Thomas W Schaller Architectural and Fine Art Illustration." Thomas W Schaller Architectural and Fine Art Illustration. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2013. <http://www.twschaller.com/galleries/design/index.html>.

"Top 10 Artists Colonies." Coastal Living. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2013.

"Watercolor Lessons on Depth and Luminosity." Artist Daily. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2013. <http://www.artistdaily.com/Watercolor-Painting-Techniques/>.

My Video for this Project

Watch this video if you are curious about who inspired me to do this project and how the readings during the project and informed me! Even if you don't...PLEASE still watch this! (It's only about 2 minutes long!)

http://vimeo.com/62109479

20% Watercolor Project! from Sun Kim on Vimeo.

This was my first "official" video ever made! You'll be able to see that I had a lot of fun making this video, especially with the music! Thanks guys! :)

Citation for pictures I used in the video!

Works Cited

"Natural Bridge of Virginia." Natural Bridge of Virginia. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2013.

"Top 10 Artists Colonies." Coastal Living. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2013.

Wheaton, Sarah. "Republicans Plan Overhaul for 2016 Primary Season." The New York Times. The New York Times, 19 Mar. 2013. Web. 18 Mar. 2013.

Posts

These are blogs that I posted on!

Rebekah's blog: http://rebekahgeniusproject.blogspot.com/

Dillon's blog: http://dillonhthegeniusproject.blogspot.com/

Brooke's blog: http://brookesknitting.blogspot.com/

Awesome progress guys!

Week Three: Sketching and Watercolor Painting from Photos

Week 3

These two photos are what I watercolor painted off of this week. Scroll to the bottom to see my product and compare with the actual photographs!

Bigger's Blog
He is a portrait artist, and he explained the how watercolor paint is made and the characteristics of the watercolor painting. After reading them, I could see how I like watercolor more than other types of painting.

• Transparent yet can be made opaque (fancy, huh?)
• "Light" painting medium (opposite/reverse of Oils and Acrylics)
• Allow the white of the paper to show through
• Capture luminosity

Like I have already guessed, the article explained that pigments are made from ground minerals and dyed powder. The interesting part is that they are held together with gum made from acacia tree. That leaves me wondering... where does the smell of acacia go then?


John Sell Cotman

http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/artists/john-sell-cotman
(Go to this website to look at all of his paintings)

This grand artist, who drew this amazing painting, was born in Norwich, England. Although he only had a little formal training, he became the leading member of watercolor painting circle in London. In the 20th century, he was the most widely known English watercolorist. The British museum has been wonderful enough to contain all of his work from his early chalk drawings to his etchings. Looking at his watercolor paintings, I was amazing by the realistic colors he used, and the details. I mean, the painting above leaves you feeling amazed by how beautiful it is, even though it looks rather gloomy. I feel like rather than just looking at this painting for what it is, it leaves me of a bittersweet memory. I think the reason hides behind the use of his colors, where it's bright colors lie beneath the cloudy and murky colors of nature.

Some quick history knowledge I learned was that British dominated watercolor in the 18th century, yet the U.S. now dominates it. Before, humans use their fingers, sticks to paint with water-based pigments on caves, as many of you already know. Sometimes, they were drawn with ask, earth/minerals and water. Egyptians used to paint on papyrus paper and decorated tombs, while the Chinese watercolor painted on silk and hand-made papers. During the Middle Ages, European monks were known for decorating books with watercolor paints. It's awesome to realize people in history have done what I'm doing!

Now....after looking at his wonderful paintings, let's take a look at my paintings.

Painting #1

Sketches from the photograph...
(I know it's kind of hard to see...sorry about that.)

After painting....

The thing I had trouble with this painting was shading and the skin tone of this person. If you look at the original photograph, the tone of the picture is very dark with hints of green everywhere. However, I couldn't make her skin look green without making her look like an ALIEN! I kept on diluting color of her skin, almost to the point of ripping the paper... (As I have learned last week NOT TO DO. Oops) My mom told me that adding hints of white to make the skin color pigments makes skin look awkward and unreal. So I stayed away from using white, and mixed peach with yellow and green. The next trouble I had with this painting was the shadow. I didn't know how to show the shadow on the arm and the necks without making it seem as if part of her skin was burnt. Though I'm still not satisfied it, I left it the way it is now, not wanting to ruin it further.

Painting #2

Okay, I've always wondered why my grandma has been telling me that art works are meant for looked at from "far away", not up close. However, I came to understand why. At a quick glance, it may look "okay", but when you look closer at it in details, there are too many mistakes! I was about to rip the second paper, because in the beginning, it looked worse than terrible. I was sure it wasn't going to a success. However, I just kept on working at it with patience for over 2 days, and I think it turned out nicer than I had expected it to. I'm proud of myself, because I didn't think I could paint the grass as nice as it is on the picture. However, I glazed diluted yellow water paint first, and then started working on the details. There are some things, such as the color of the sidewalk, that are not clearly visible on the picture. If anyone wants to see the actual painting, don't hesitate to ask!

For next week...
I've noticed that a big thing was missing in my paintings...my signature! However, I couldn't really put them on, because I don't have one of those fancy loopy signatures to enhance my paintings. So next week, I'll be practicing making my personal signature and working on some more paintings based off on photos. Also, the two pictures I will draw are the Big Ben and my family picture. Wish me luck!

Works Cited

BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2013. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/artists/john-sell-cotman>.

"John Sell Cotman." N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2013. <http://www.britishmuseum.org/pdf/Cotman.pdf>.

"Portraits by Biggers - Watercolors Portraits, History of Watercolors, Portrait Art, Graphite Portraits." Portraits by Biggers - Watercolors Portraits, History of Watercolors, Portrait Art, Graphite Portraits. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2013. <http://www.portraitsbybiggers.com/history-of-watercolor-paintings.htm>.

I posted on these people: (Funny thing is, they are all new language learners!)

O'Neil: http://oneill-luxem.blogspot.com/
Her progress in learning Luxembourgish is superb!

Susan: http://susanyspanish.blogspot.com/
She is learning Spanish for a charity work she'll do this summer in Mexico!

and...

Ian: ianhebrew.blogspot.com
He's learning Hebrew more in depth!

Week 2: Done with the Basics!

Week 2


Back in the world of watercolor painting again! My plan was to produce two flower watercolor paintings, and I think my other one is better than the other one. However, I think they're both better than the first one I've done, so that's an achievement! Level~up!!


Before tracing and painting without really learning the basics, I read some articles, which could help me to enhance my painting. I must confess...I have messed up a few trials, but wasn't thinking enough to keep them to show what I have done wrong and keep a track of my progress. From now, I will try not to throw out any bad ones to show how much I'm improving each week. Thanks, Jenna, for the advice! However, I am trying to find a way to fix mistakes, because unlike oil painting, where you can apply more paint to hide the mistakes, watercolor painting is impossible to fix. If you try to add more water, the paper rips, and the paint diffuses EVERYWHERE! So I tried to find a solution.

Correcting Mistakes in Watercolor

There are many ways:

1. Lifting color before it dries with a damp brush, tissue, or a sponge. (I've seen my grandma use this technique many times. She told me to make sure to apply a lot of water.)

*One disadvantage to this, I think, is that the paper might rip. Use enough water to diffuse the paint, but not to much!

2. Glazing transparent color over dry paint to modify colors

3. Scratching with a stencil knife or razor blade

4. Rubbing dry paint with an ink eraser

The thing is, if I wanted to be a professional, I would get transparent/opaque glaze, or scratch the dry paint with a razor, but since I am not, I think I'm just going to stick to #1. But I think it was nice to learn all different types of methods. Who knows, maybe I'll become an artist and have to use these skills!



Difference between Mixing and Visual Complements


A shocker! All my life, I've been misformed into thinking that the opposite colors, such as red and green, or purple and yellow, made the colors more vivid. However, now that I see the difference, it all makes sense!


So for those of you who are unsure...

MIXING complements are pairs of colors that are the "opposite" of each other, where they neutralize one another. An examples would be red and green. As you can see on the pictures below, they are located on the opposite side. I guess they are like magnets, where opposite attract! I wonder if that has anything to do with being the Christmas colors... An interesting fact is that if you paint them together, they produce either really really dark gray, or BLACK!


VISUAL complements are the ones that I want to keep in mind, because they willl enhance my painting by giving more of a "vibrant" feel. According to the article, they said it's related to how our wonderful eyes work, called simultaneous contrast. I will make sure I use this technique when I'm watercolor painting off of a photo! That would definitely enhance my painting...right?

Painting #1

This was my second time drawing off from the watercolor book, yet it was WORSE than the first one. The tracing came out too dark and rough, and the yellow seemed to childish in this picture. Because I didn't like anything on here, I decided to start over.

Painting #2

So this is my second try, drawing the same flowers. Though I admit it's not perfect, I think it's an improvement to the previous one. I even added a shade of blue in the background to maximize the effect. It was quite hard, even with the watercolor book next to me, to paint white flowers, because since you don't use the watercolor "paint", you have to be able to paint shades really thoroughly. 

So... now that the second week is over, I will start on sketching and watercolor painting off of a picture. I have a photo that I want to paint, and I will have to find another one. Even though I will be trying my best, don't expect anything too great! My goal is two get 2 paintings done. I'll see how the process goes...

Works Cited

"Making Corrections in Watercolor." Making Corrections in Watercolor. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Mar. 2013.

"WetCanvas: ArtSchool Online: Watercolors: How to Correct Mistakes in Watercolor." WetCanvas: ArtSchool Online: Watercolors: How to Correct Mistakes in Watercolor. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Mar. 2013.