Title: On my way
Size: 9x12in. Medium: Watercolor on paper Completion: July 2022 Exhibition text: The original intention of this piece was to tell a simple story of two people going to the Mosque to pray. The piece depicts the Mosque of Islamic Solidarity located in Somalia.The piece was inspired by Juan Bosco’s “Ruins Morocco” and was made using watercolor on paper. |
Inspiration
For the project I was inspired by Juan Bosco's “Ruins Morocco” painting. He made it by using watercolor on paper,something I plan to also do. I was inspired by this piece because of the medium and technique used within it. I plan on initiating the technique and medium used in the inspiration. In the inspiration piece, we can see that there is a wall or structure that may be used as a type of protection of whatever's within it. The landscape of the piece is dry desert with a blue sky and yellow areas that make it look like there is some movement. I plan on having this aspect in my piece as well, however instead of the ancient wall, I will have the Mosque of Islamic Solidarity that is located in Mogadishu, Somalia.
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Planning
The planning process for this piece was not as hard or long as other projects I have completed because this one is a bit simple. However, I did need to test the hues of the watercolors I would be using so that I had a sense of how lightly or heavily I should apply the paint. To do this, I made a 1in. 2 by 6 box and went through with each color to see what they looked like. Doing this would help me choose the appropriate color for when I am actually in the process of making the piece. Another step I took to plan out the piece was to make multiple sketches, each adding more detail so that I could develop familiarity with the shape and length of how I wanted to draw the final piece. Once I was ready to start the process of making the piece, I gathered my materials of the paper I was using for the project, my sketches, a ruler, pen, pencil, and lastly the paint set, I began the piece.
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Process
The process of making this piece started with me using a ruler to make straight lines that were the walls of the Mosque. I then started to connect the bottom of the walls and finished drawing the basic outline structure of the building. Once the outline was done, I added the many details that would allow for the piece to resemble the real one. Such as the bottom of the walls with black blocks, the green accents on top, the long column, the designs between the entrance, and the windows. After I finished adding the details I began the painting process. I started with the sky because I thought it would be easier to start from top to bottom. For the sky I used Mid Ultramarine and Sun Yellow because they were the most similar to the colors used in the inspiration piece. To help make the sky look like wind was blowing and to give it the same movement as there is in the inspiration. I swirled my brush around while painting and applied more color in some areas than others. I also added some Mango in the yellow areas which allowed for a highlight effect. I then moved onto the ground, to paint this I used Natural Brown for the darker shading and Burnt Yellow Ochre for everything else.The Burnt Yellow Ochre really looked like desert sand if a light amount was taken and used to paint, However, I did use more color on certain areas for sharing affect. I used the Natural brown as a contrast to the Burnt Yellow in areas such as the line between the sky and the ground to differentiate the two and give it an ever going effect. I also used it in the corners of the building because those areas would be places the sun can't reach. After that, I went in Ink Black on certain areas of the buildings, but also used a lighter shade for shadow effect. I also used Kiwi and mixed it with the Sun Yellow to use the green parts and used Sun Yellow for the gold accents on the columns. For the two people, I used Poppy red and mixed it with Burnt Yellow for a lighter color. With the man I used Natural Brown and Mid Ultramarine. After I finished painting and let it dry, I placed the piece under a notebook so that it would lay flat, and after two days I went at it with a black pen and highlighted areas.
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Experimentation
For this project I experiment with the paint a lot so that I would be familiar with how light or hard I should use the brush and also with the colors. I also experiment with whether or not I should add people in the piece. When making the piece, I left the people for the very end to see where or not they thought it would look decent. I decided on including them because it adds to the scene and allows for more movement to come to the piece.
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Critique
Similarities
A similarity between the inspiration and my piece is that both have a building as the main part of the artwork. In the inspiration we have what seems to be a wall that was used in ancient times to protect villages or cities. While in my piece we have a Mosque that people visit regularly. Both buidings would have been normal in the ancient times. Another similarity between the two is the use of color and technique. Since both the artist for the inspiration piece and I used watercolor, there is a level of similarity.
Differences
A difference between my piece and the inspiration would be the composition or how the structure in the piece is perceived. Mine is a bit more forward and takes up more space on the paper. While the inspiration is elongated and seems to be moving away. Another difference between the two pieces is the physical building. In my piece there is a Mosque, while in the inspiration there is a structure that is used to protect the civilization within.
A similarity between the inspiration and my piece is that both have a building as the main part of the artwork. In the inspiration we have what seems to be a wall that was used in ancient times to protect villages or cities. While in my piece we have a Mosque that people visit regularly. Both buidings would have been normal in the ancient times. Another similarity between the two is the use of color and technique. Since both the artist for the inspiration piece and I used watercolor, there is a level of similarity.
Differences
A difference between my piece and the inspiration would be the composition or how the structure in the piece is perceived. Mine is a bit more forward and takes up more space on the paper. While the inspiration is elongated and seems to be moving away. Another difference between the two pieces is the physical building. In my piece there is a Mosque, while in the inspiration there is a structure that is used to protect the civilization within.
Reflection
Overall I am satisfied with the outcome of this piece. Even though it is relatively simple, I was proud that I was able to produce the idea that I had successfully. This wasn't my first time using watercolor,but it was my first time using it seriously as a medium. A challenge I faced making the piece would be when I was painting and had trouble not going over the same spot too many times or else the paper would start to give away. I can also say the same thing for applying color and blending, too much in one area was a bit difficult to even out. You can see this in the door of the building. I added too much black and tried to blend it in to make it have a shadow effect but the color spread to other areas. To fix it I used a paper towel to soak up some of the paint and tried to carefully blend. When people look at my piece, I hope they understand that it's a cultural reference and see the movement throughout.
Connecting to the ACT
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork?
I am able to identify the cause and effect relationship between my inspiration and its effect on my work through the ideas I formulated for my piece and the execution of it. The inspiration allowed for me to visualize what I wanted to do and how to do it.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The overall approach of the author regarding the topic of my inspiration is to depict the ancient civilization structures.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
A generalization or conclusion I discovered about ideas and cultures while conducting my research is that there are not many artists that make pieces related to Somali culture.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea or theme around my inspiration research was to find a structure in Somalia that would be present in ancient times.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
An inference I made while reading my research was that there is a lot of cultural and religious relevance about one of the inspirations.
I am able to identify the cause and effect relationship between my inspiration and its effect on my work through the ideas I formulated for my piece and the execution of it. The inspiration allowed for me to visualize what I wanted to do and how to do it.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The overall approach of the author regarding the topic of my inspiration is to depict the ancient civilization structures.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
A generalization or conclusion I discovered about ideas and cultures while conducting my research is that there are not many artists that make pieces related to Somali culture.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea or theme around my inspiration research was to find a structure in Somalia that would be present in ancient times.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
An inference I made while reading my research was that there is a lot of cultural and religious relevance about one of the inspirations.
Bibliography
“Mosque of Islamic Solidarity:” Alluring World, 12 July 2017, www.alluringworld.com/mosque-of-islamic-solidarity/.
“Ruins Morocco by Juan Bosco.” Pixels, pixels.com/featured/ruins-morocco-juan-bosco.html.
“Ruins Morocco by Juan Bosco.” Pixels, pixels.com/featured/ruins-morocco-juan-bosco.html.