Illustration 1
Man in Sorrow
Size: 30.48 cm x 40.64 cm Medium: Gouache on Illustration Board Date: November, 2017 Man in Sorrow is an illustration inspired by Vincent Van Gogh, as it is a modern adaptation. The same figure is used from Van Gogh’s original “Man in Sorrow” to demonstrate the lament felt due to the deteriorating Earth as it shows a deforested region. This piece is an effort to advocate for the environment’s well being. |
Critical Investigation
This is one page from my sketchbook about my critical investigation
"Old Man in Sorrow" by Vincent Van Gogh
“150 years since Vincent van Goghs birth: 15 of his best paintings.” The Telegraph, Telegraph Media Group, 30 Mar. 2013, www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturepicturegalleries/9961346/150-years-since-Vincent-van-Goghs-birth-15-of-his-best-paintings.html?frame=2522963. |
"Daffodils And Tree Stump" by Lizzy Forrester
Forrester, Lizzy. “Daffodils And Tree Stump by Lizzy Forrester.” Fine Art America, fineartamerica.com/featured/daffodils-and-tree-stump-lizzy-forrester.html. |
My two inspirations include “Old Man in Sorrow” by Vincent Van Gogh and “Daffodils and Tree Stump” by Lizzy Forrester. For this illustration, I had to recreate a piece of art and put it into our modern era to depict a negative aspect. Before starting, I knew I wanted to do something impressionistic but I didn’t know how I wanted to depict a negative scene. So I simply began with researching Van Gogh art and came across many probable pieces for inspiration. I then decided to use “Old Man in Sorrow” because I knew I could easily show a negative modern adaption and because I loved the subject and style. Van Gogh suffered mental illness and seizure, so he painted “Old Man in Sorrow” to reflect his condition and his belief of how all of mankind lived with uncertainty. However, for my piece I wanted to reflect a different idea about modern society. The next step was figuring out how to make this a negative modern adaption. Upon further research, I came across “Daffodils and Tree Stump” by Lizzy Forrester. The tree stump triggered an idea, where I could have the setting behind the old man be many tree stumps to depict a deforested area. Which is a huge problem today, as many locations today are deforested. This would depict the old man’s lament towards the environment, which can be a metaphor for anyone’s sorrow towards the subject such as myself, elders, etc. I then began sketches, where I knew I wanted my subject to be the same old man. Thus, I use similar color, line, and texture within the old man of my sketches and final piece in order to convey the same depressing emotion and style. In addition, I use a similar color, line, and texture throughout the background and sky of my final piece to continue with the same emotion and style. Furthermore, I based all my tree stumps and the grass off of “Daffodils and Tree Stump” by Lizzy Forrester. I used a similar color, line, and texture from her piece as it went well with the mood and style. Lizzy Forrester is a modern artist who specializes in impressionist art.
Process
1. Research/Planning
I began by doing research in order to inspire an idea. I researched many paintings and went through many ideas before I came across "Man in Sorrow" by Vincent Van Gogh. Once I saw this painting, I knew that I wanted to use this and that I could easily turn it into a negative modern adaption as it was already depressing. Then, once I saw “Daffodils and Tree Stump” by Lizzy Forrester, it immediately occurred to me how I could use this to demonstrate a negative in today's society. My mind immediately jumped to using the old weeping man while have a deforested area by having a bunch of tree stumps behind him in order to demonstrate the lament felt due to the deteriorating environment. I then began to sketch out this idea, and it actually turned out to my liking.
2. Sketch onto Board
After the planning sketches I had to draw a finalized sketch onto the illustration board. With this sketch I made sure to be more precise and detailed in order to make it easier for me to paint. In order to be more precise, I drew the old man with a reference picture next to me and drew carefully and lightly. Similar with the tree stumps, I had a picture of an old tree stump and "Daffodils and Tree Stump" to serve a reference for myself.
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3. Painting
This is a photo of a page from my sketchbook about my painting process
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After sketching, I began to paint. I first started with a watercolor wash to serve as a base coat and make it easier to paint without leaving any of the white of the board behind. Then I mixed some colors together, and began with painting the old man. I first outlined the man with a dark blue, then began painting him with small strokes to create an impression. This was very time consuming as I later realized that it would be faster to have a darker and thicker coat of blue paint for a base coat. Then simply go over this was the small strokes of various tones of blue. After I finished the man, I started to outline the hills and painted the sky with small strokes of various warm and cool colors.
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In the sky, I wanted to used more cool colors to contribute with the despondent mood, and almost make it look like the darker cool hues were consuming the sun and brightness as if to show the deterioration of happiness. I then moved onto painting the stumps by painting with long thin strokes. In order to continue with the despondent mood, I wanted to make the stumps look dirty and almost rotten. Thus, I used dark brown, dark blue, burnt sienna, red, yellow, and even some green. For the grass, I used a variety of dark green, light green, yellow, burnt sienna, and blue. To create the texture I have, I used a patting motion with the side of a flat brush and sometimes the tip of it.
Experimentation
This entire project was essentially an experiment, as this was my very first time working with gouache. It was new for me getting used to how quickly it can dry and blends with water, since I'm so used to working with oil paint. Since this was a new medium for me, I had to experiment with how to blend it to my liking. I tried simply using water and smoothing it with a brush, which only worked well sometimes. The best way I found was to create a middle hue from the two colors you want to blend, and using a little bit of water to blend them. I also had to experiment with using water, which sounds strange, but the amount of water added seriously affects the texture. Therefore, I had to figure out the perfect balance of paint to water and when to use more or less water for what I was painting.
Reflection
I am very pleased with the final piece, it turned out much better than I thought it would. Especially considering this is my first time using gouache and painting an impressionist figure and tree stumps. I feel like I accomplished what I wanted to communicate very well. The use of the colors communicate a depressing and gloomy mood, which only aids with communicating the message. I also think I accomplish the impressionist style very well with this piece, as there is still high detail and great use of color, value, and texture. I'm also pleased with how I was able to overcome my struggles, which included painting the tree stumps and grass as they appeared too two-dimensional of me. But I simply continued experimenting with textures and colors, which helped me arrive to a final product I liked.
Furthermore, the connection with my inspirations are quite apparent. Obviously since I essentially used the same old man figure using similar color, line, texture, and value seen in Van Gogh's "Man in Sorrow." In addition, throughout the whole piece I used a similar impressionist style as seen in the sky and tree stumps. But especially within the sky, one can see inspirations from Van Gogh as I use line, movement, and color similarly. Also, there is a clear connection with "Daffodils and Tree Stump" by Lizzy Forrester. If you compare the tree stumps, you can see a similar use of color, line, and texture.
Furthermore, the connection with my inspirations are quite apparent. Obviously since I essentially used the same old man figure using similar color, line, texture, and value seen in Van Gogh's "Man in Sorrow." In addition, throughout the whole piece I used a similar impressionist style as seen in the sky and tree stumps. But especially within the sky, one can see inspirations from Van Gogh as I use line, movement, and color similarly. Also, there is a clear connection with "Daffodils and Tree Stump" by Lizzy Forrester. If you compare the tree stumps, you can see a similar use of color, line, and texture.
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.
The cause-effect relationship with my inspirations are quite apparent, since I essentially used the same old man figure using similar color, line, texture, and value seen in Van Gogh's "Man in Sorrow." Also I used a similar impressionist style, especially within the sky, as I use line, movement, and color similar to Van Gogh. In addition, if you compare the tree stumps on my piece and in "Daffodils and Tree Stump", you can see a similar use of color, line, and texture.
2. What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Van Gogh's "Man in Sorrow" was painted to reflect his mental and physical conditions and his belief of how all of mankind lived with uncertainty. Whereas, Lizzy Forrester specializes in impressionism and painted "Daffodils and Tree Stumps" as a observational piece.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I discovered that artists use their surroundings and inner feelings as inspirations for their own or a way to deal with pr express emotions. Due to how Van Gogh's mental illness and seizures inspired "Man in Sorrow," and the beauty of daffodils inspired Lizzy Forrester's "Daffodils and Tree Stump."
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The same figure is used from Van Gogh’s original “Man in Sorrow” to demonstrate the lament felt due to the deteriorating Earth as it shows a deforested region, and is an effort to advocate for the environment’s well being.
5. What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
Due to Van Gogh's use of bright and intense color and post-impressionist style, I can infer how his work encouraged fauvism and expressionism. In addition, I can infer that Van Gogh was going through a difficult time as the old man figure can be seen as a representation of depresssion and difficult experiences. Furthermore, I can infer that natural scenes are influential for Lizzy Forrester's art as it inspired many of her pieces and I can also infer how much she must love nature.
Bibliography
“150 years since Vincent van Goghs birth: 15 of his best paintings.” The Telegraph, Telegraph Media Group, 30 Mar. 2013,
www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturepicturegalleries/9961346/150-years-since-Vincent-van-Goghs-birth-15-of-his-best-paintings.html?frame=2522963.
Forrester, Lizzy. “Daffodils And Tree Stump by Lizzy Forrester.” Fine Art America, fineartamerica.com/featured/daffodils-and-tree-stump-lizzy-forrester.html.
www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturepicturegalleries/9961346/150-years-since-Vincent-van-Goghs-birth-15-of-his-best-paintings.html?frame=2522963.
Forrester, Lizzy. “Daffodils And Tree Stump by Lizzy Forrester.” Fine Art America, fineartamerica.com/featured/daffodils-and-tree-stump-lizzy-forrester.html.