"angela"
Oil on canvas
1. Define which techniques you tried and mastered? Struggled?
This was my first time using oil paints. I learned how to mix colors with a pallet knife and correctly use turpentine and linseed oil. I succeeded in creating a really smooth texture and gradient, and the oil paints were extremely soft and enjoyable to work with. Everything blended extremely well, something I had difficulty with when using acrylics. However, I felt that I my color mixing and pallet was a bit of a failure. The colors did not come out how I would have liked them to. This may be due to the fact that I was lacking the essential colors of cadmium red and cadmium yellow. Although it does not look realistic, I'm happy with the overall muted tones of the painting that help convey the helpless and depressed tone.
2. How did you draw inspiration from other artists techniques or aesthetics in your work? In what ways did you derive meaning or gain historical perspectives from their work? Why these artists?
I was inspired by the character Angela in Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel García Márquez. In the novel, she is returned on her wedding night after her husband discovered that she was not a virgin. I looked at reference photos for the positioning of the head and the shadows created.
3. Describe the evolution of your piece. Decisions made. Compositional elements.
I redrew my initial sketch quite a few times to make her expression more natural and realistic. I began with a willow charcoal base that, when painted over, was extremely messy and mixed with the paint. As more layers were added this no longer became a problem, however next time I will draw a less detailed base perhaps with a pencil.
4. If you could consider doing something over, explain why you would do this and what you would do next time?
I'm still not finished, but I would've liked to keep some texture in her skin rather than making it completely smooth.
5. Elaborate on how this piece links with your other pieces? What is the common thread?
The catholic church asserted that a woman should not have sex until marriage. This notion ruined this girls life.