Thesis Blog 4
Hola!
In my previous post, I discussed the struggles I was having with the plaster human figure. I was not able to fully solve it, but I worked around it. I sanded what I could to make it as smooth as possible, however, there were still bumps and ridges. I decided to leave these so it would look smooth from a distance, but up close it is not as it seems. After I finished sanding I was worried that the proportions of the body would look weird, especially the face, but once I started painting the face it started to look better. After completing the face, I painted my canvas one color then started working on the china patterns on the body, which is becoming troublesome for me because of the patterns I have to create, but I am working through trial and error.
During a critique when I explained my concept, my group members understood and liked how I was executing it, since it is different compared to how other people do it when it comes to the topic of loving oneself. Feedback I was given by my former teacher Melissa Schappell, were ways to make the body parts more noticeable (carving into it) and ways to have the plaster glued onto the canvas (resin). For my pottery, a classmate suggested to use floating shelves to put around the canvas instead of having a board right under it because it would help with composition. Minor details I plan to add into my project would be to put hints of green in my piece so it would mix well with the green Raku, while also painting certain areas of the body, so there would be more definition.
The next step of my piece is the background and hair. I am still going along with the idea of painting on patterns onto the background with a lighter color and I have even considered of using gold paint, but I would have to experiment with it first to make sure the color not only noticeable but works well with the crimson background. Before I finish the patterns on the human figure, I plan to start on the 3D oil paint hair because it would take a long time for it to dry. I got this technique from Ivan Alifan who does some paintings with cake pipping tools to make a relief with the oil paint while still keeping that painterly look.
This project has been a learning experience for me because usually I want immediate results and if I don't get them, then I start panicking. So far I have learned to be patient and by doing so I was able to see the results I wanted later. While working on this project, I even struggle with making everything perfect; wanting to have total control of the project, but that defeats the purpose if my concept is to embrace the imperfections.
For example, some of the plaster had already started breaking apart, which is not a big problem. I was planning to break it anyways, but for the most part I wanted it to be controlled breaks since there are certain areas that I plan to break because of personal meanings behind it. In the end, after going through a lot of internal conflict and telling myself enough times that its okay for it to break on it's own, I learned to accept it and to work with it.
Thank you for reading and if y'all have any feedback, I would be more than happy to read/listen to it!
Until next time, Adios~!!
I really like how your piece is turning out. Even though the plaster is starting to crack and break apart, It adds texture to the piece and makes it look more interesting. Also the face and body proportions look good. Were you going for a watercolor look with the details on the body, or were you going to go back over them to make them more opaque? Overall the detail really makes it pop and adds movement around the body.
Have you planned out the pattern you're going to use on the red background? if you had trouble figuring out the pattern on the body and the planning behind, it might be good to start planning it out and thinking about it now so it doesn't slow you down :) otherwise, i think you're doing really well adapting and overcoming the challenges of your project.