This piece aided me through depicting my obsession of drawing the female figure. I try to illustrate that women drawings on paper appear more pleasing to the eyes. I created this piece by carving a plate and using ink to copy the image onto paper. This piece was not taken directly from an artist and it is self-made.
|
Meaning of My Piece
There were many themes that I would have liked to incorporate into my project, however, I had to choose beauty because that's what appealed to me most and what has been part of my life and I'm sure many other people's lives. At first, I thought of creating a piece that mainly focuses on beauty in general. The beauty that everyone may have, however, not all know how to shine it. I decided to focus on obsessive beauty. I like the beauty of females, I am also obsessed with drawing females. I find them more attractive than men. Female beauty gives off elegance and looks much smoother, very pleasing to the eyes, as for males, it may be attracting to females, however, they do not look as elegant and beautiful as the fragile bodies of females.
Artistic Inspiration
Process
Brainstorming
1) Create sketches and ideas of what you want to portray on your Block. (Be sure to choose something that contains deep & a meaningful reason and is related to an Artist or Art movement).
|
ThemesComplex: I have the habit of looking at someone and thinking they're not attractive, and when I look at someone attractive all I think is that their beauty merely comes from their colored eyes.
Undecided in Life: I have no idea what I want to be or do in life. I feel lost and alone as if anyone can break me or influence me down the wrong path in life. Being Watched: Every time I act out in a way that is disapproved in my culture, I feel that everyone can see me and is aware of what I am doing. It makes me feel anxious and afraid of the smallest actions that goes on around me. Beauty: It's something that everyone wants. I feel very pressured because my father's family are very judgmental towards outer appearance, although it has been 7 years since I've seen them, I continue feeling pressured to have them approve of me. Body; Stress: I like drawing the female body, also it's a way to show that such fragile small body cannot harbor all the responsibility and pain the world suddenly throws at it. |
Materials
2) After choosing a sketch, gather the supplies needed for the project.
Drawing/Carving
3) Draw your chosen sketch on the block, shade in the areas which you want to carve out or leave untouched.
Drawing: |
Carving: |
Printing4) Begin by rolling out the ink on the pan and rolling it onto the carved block; place paper onto the inked block and begin, using the circular tool, to compress onto the paper to print.
Reflection The first time the project was introduced, I was dreading everything about it. I did not believe I was going to create anything that would satisfy me or anyone. If I was going to create art, It would have to be something amazing. That's just my personality I guess.
I created several sketches and chose one. When I chose my peace, I had hopes that It would turn out smooth and amazing. However, it did not turn out that way. I did not like the way the hair appeared on the paper. I did not like how the nose looked, I actually messed up while I was fixing the features. I did not know if the lips looked alright, everything just did not look right to me. If I were to do this piece again, I would draw and carve the same picture but the next time, I will make it look much better. I'll try to smooth out the hair and define the curls better. Also the eyes, I don't like the eyelashes, too edgy, I wanted it to look smooth. I was able to apply my theme to the picture sort of. Through the carving process, I injured myself three times, accidentally cut my finger and stab my wrist and finger. That is what happens when I am concentrating, I don't notice anything until it has happened. The carving process was less frustrating than the printing process. The printing process was going to put me to my grave. I created 22 copies until I found the last and certainly the best one. Every time I made a copy, there was something wrong with it. I thought that I was just not talented enough and could not make a copy to save my life, however, I was able to somehow get a copy that would put me at ease. |
Final Step5) It might take once, twice or even thirty tries to get the right print. However, don't give up, keep on trying until you've made the perfect print in which it's clean, clear and presentable. Leave all prints out on the rack to dry.
Print Failures |
Honestly, I was going to cry and bawl my eyes out. I was able to get through the process thankfully and complete my project. This was a nice experience because now I know never to give up until I make the perfect solution.