Project 2
Anger
Size: 22.9 cm x 30.5 cm Medium: Colored Pencil and Chalk Pastel on Black Paper Date: September, 2018 "Anger" is a piece inspired by Nikos Gyftakis and Francis Bacon, it represents the second stage of the grieving process - anger. The facial expression along with the use of color and line help to communicate the feeling of anger. |
Critical Investigation
For this piece, I knew I wanted to try a new technique with a new medium. I began by researching new artists in search of a new technique. I found the artist Nikos Gyftakis, who specializes in large portrait paintings with a psychedelic style. He uses a combination of unrealistic colors and an exaggerated use of line to achieve this style, which emphasizes the subject’s facial expression. I was fascinated by this style and thought it would be perfect for communicating the emotion of anger. I decided I would try to emulate this style by also using unrealistic colors, especially red to highlight the feeling of anger, along with hyperbolic lines. I then started researching Francis Bacon’s art, which inspired the facial expression I decided to draw and the use of black paper. I wanted to communicate a similar anger seen in the facial expression and with the use of color seen in Study for a Portrait. This piece shows Bacon’s interest in the human mouth as it features an open mouth, which is frequently associated with his purchase of a book featuring diseases of the mouth. Bacon states “I’ve always been very moved by the movements of the mouth and the shape of the mouth and the teeth.” In addition, suited men were a frequent motif throughout his work, due to its connotation of status and power behind the clothing. Bacon used a ‘space-frame’ technique, which highlights the central figure in a transparent cage. Bacon explains that “by drawing in these rectangles which concentrate the image down. Just to see it better … I don’t think it’s a satisfactory device especially; I try to use it as little as possible. But sometimes it seems necessary.” After finding this research, I decided I would draw a self-portrait with a similar technique to Gyftakis' work and with a similar facial expression seen in Study for a Portrait. I decided to use a similar black background with color pencils, which would help the colors pop due to the juxtaposition to help communicate an angry mood.
Process
1. Planning/Sketching
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I first began with sketching out some ideas to establish how my final piece would look. I began with drawing two self portraits in a similar technique seen in Nikos Gyftakis' work, I did this by drawing along with a reference photo of Gyftakis' work so I could study the use of movement and color. I began by using colored pencils just to practice the style and experiment with different facial expressions. I was satisfied with the technique made from the colored pencils, however the colored pencils didn’t have a vibrant enough color. This is what made me decide to also use some chalk pastel pencils because they were more vibrant, which helps to emphasize certian areas that the colored pencils weren’t doing. I then practiced this technique with a more intense facial expression on black paper along with both colored pencils and chalk pastels. This sketch turned out better than my expectations and I decided this would be how my final piece would look.
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2. Draw/Color
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With reference to my final sketch, I began my final piece the same way. I began with a simple outline sketch with a white chalk pastel pencil. I then continued by outlining the general movement of the colors with the white pencil. Then I began to fill in the movement outline with various colors only using a singular lines to fill in the space, which is sort of like painting an impressionist piece but with using pencils. I wanted every color to stand out and create movement, therefore I never blended and often alternated between colors and between colored pencils and chalk pastel pencils. I added in colors where I thought to be necessary. For example, if an area had too many dark colors like red and blue, I would add in neon green, orange, white, etc.
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Experimentation
I had to experiment a lot with this project, hence why there’s so many planning sketches. I was very reluctant to try a new medium and style because I wasn’t sure if I could pull it off, so I began by experimenting with using the colored pencils in the pyschedelic style seen in Gyftakis' work. I did this by drawing along with a reference photo of Gyftakis' work so I could study the use of movement and color. I ended up being satisfied with how it turned out, so I decided I would for sure use colored pencils. However, the colored pencils weren’t vibrant enough alone. This made me decide to also use some chalk pastel pencils because they were more vibrant, which helps to emphasize certian areas that the colored pencils weren’t doing. I was also reluctant to use black paper because I had never used it and wasn’t sure if I could pull it off. I then had to experiment with using the black paper in a sketch before I proceeded with using it, and to also experiment with using chalk pastel pencils with the colored pencils. I also experimented with using a more intense facial expression, while practicing the psychedelic technique with both colored pencils and chalk pastels. This sketch turned out better than my expectations and I decided this would be how my final piece would look. Experimenting was a fun and vital process to creating my final piece and it even helped me learn a new technique with a new medium, which makes me even more proud about my final piece.
Reflection
I’m very happy with my final piece, it turned out well and I’m happy that I was able to learn how to use a new medium and style. In addition, I think it effectively communicates my message of anger. The facial expression along with the use of movement, color, and line help to communicate this emotion of anger. The facial expression and use of vibrant red and orange hues obviously help communicate this, as the expression and colors are often associated with anger. I think the use of line and movement help communicate this emotion of anger, as the movement of the lines are chaotic which helps communicate a sense of anger.
The use of movement, line, and color were inspired by Nikos Gyftakis, who specializes in large portrait paintings with a pychedelic style. He uses a combination of unrealistic colors and an exaggerated use of line to achieve this style, which emphasizes the subject’s facial expression. To emulate this style, I drew along with a reference photo of Gyftakis' work so I could study the use of movement and color. Thus, the use of movement, line, and color are similar. The hyperbolic lines, movement, and unrealistic color express a sense of chaos which creates a mood associated with anxiety or anger. Within my piece, it’s more connected to expressing anger whereas Gyftakis’ work is more connected to anxiety. I think this is due to contrasts in texture, where my texture is more rough which creates a more angry mood. The facial expression and black background I use is similar to the expression seen in Francis Bacon’s Study for a Portrait. In addition, I use color similarly due to the juxtaposition of the black background and with the use of vibrant colors to emphasize an emotion. All of these elements help to communicate a similar emotion of anger.
The use of movement, line, and color were inspired by Nikos Gyftakis, who specializes in large portrait paintings with a pychedelic style. He uses a combination of unrealistic colors and an exaggerated use of line to achieve this style, which emphasizes the subject’s facial expression. To emulate this style, I drew along with a reference photo of Gyftakis' work so I could study the use of movement and color. Thus, the use of movement, line, and color are similar. The hyperbolic lines, movement, and unrealistic color express a sense of chaos which creates a mood associated with anxiety or anger. Within my piece, it’s more connected to expressing anger whereas Gyftakis’ work is more connected to anxiety. I think this is due to contrasts in texture, where my texture is more rough which creates a more angry mood. The facial expression and black background I use is similar to the expression seen in Francis Bacon’s Study for a Portrait. In addition, I use color similarly due to the juxtaposition of the black background and with the use of vibrant colors to emphasize an emotion. All of these elements help to communicate a similar emotion of anger.
Connecting to the ACT
1. Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork.
When researching, I found the artist Nikos Gyftakis and was fascinated by this style and thought it would be perfect for communicating the emotion of anger. I decided I would try to emulate this style by the use of similar unrealistic colors, hyperbolic lines, and movement. I then started researching Francis Bacon’s art, which inspired the facial expression I decided to draw and the use of black paper as I thought it would aid in communicating the emotion of anger.
2. What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Francis Bacon painted with an interest in the human mouth as it features an open mouth along with an interest of suited men. Suited men were a frequent motif throughout his work, due to its connotation of status and power behind the clothing.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I can generalize that artists paint things out of interest, rather than just expressing emotions or such, due to how Bacon painted with an interest in suited men and with the human mouth.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central theme about my piece was to communicate the anger felt due to the loss of a loved one, this is known as the second stage of grief.
5. What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
I can infer that Francis Bacon was revolutionary in his time, due to his style. This style was particularly unique due to the interest of the human mouth and due to his use of color and line.
Bibliography
“Work.” Nikos Gyftakis, nikosgyftakis.com/work/.
Tate. “'Study for a Portrait', Francis Bacon, 1952.” Tate, Tate, www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/bacon-study-for-a-portrait-t12616.
Tate. “'Study for a Portrait', Francis Bacon, 1952.” Tate, Tate, www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/bacon-study-for-a-portrait-t12616.