SW1

=Studio Work #1:= = Le Bleu French Director Day =

Media: Watercolor, Sharpie, Masking Fluid Size: (Unavailable at the moment), Month of completion: October 2011

**Description:** This piece merges caricature art with water color art. Caricature art is the humor side of myself. I doodle all the time in class. However, one time I was doodling in english class and I came up with this set. The main character and focus in this artwork is "The French Director" he is one of my main characters. This scene is set up as if it was in a movie. The French Director is directing a movie with massive amounts of equipment, a whole film crew there, just to film flies in the air. This scene is set up in France. The baguette bread in The French Director's hand is an emblem of France.

**Analysis:** **What were the artistic and/or cultural influences for this project?** **Who/what influenced either the composition and/or the style.** For this piece I was influenced by caricature art and water color art by Monte Ellis and how he uses masking fluid in one of his artworks to add more definition and define certain areas of the picture. I was also influenced by the abstract style of caricature in Egyptian art. I used masking fluid to define the characters who I wanted to stand out. **What materials/media/processes did you use and or experiment with, and how?** I used watercolor, a sharpie, and masking fluid. I used watercolor and tried as much as possible to come close to Monte Ellis's style but also making it my own. I think the best medium for caricature art is a sharpie, so I used that to draw the characters and other objects. I used the masking fluid on certain areas like clouds, or just to outline sections, the tripod, and certain characters I wanted to stand out. **How do you think you have responded to advice and criticism during this project (and during the term), both from fellow students and the teacher. Did you actively seek advice? If so, was it useful?** I think for this project I was very responsive and I was seeking a lot of advice. Watercolor wasn't new for me, but the technique that Monte Ellis used was unique, so I had to refresh my memory a bit and practice a few times before I got to work on trials and studio work. I asked for advice from mom, my teacher, and other people. The advice was very useful since it kind of ignited my memory and my ideas about how I want this piece to come out. **Clearly explain the weaknesses/areas for improvement -** I think the weaknesses in this piece are just a few. One is I hadn't adapted to Monte Ellis's style a 100 percent. The background is very filled whereas Monte Ellis's backgrounds would have much more brushstrokes. Two would be how I don't think I added enough symbols to show that it is set in France. I think I should've added the Eiffel Tower right behind those bushes. **Clearly explain the strengths of the piece –** I think the strengths in this piece are a few as well. One would be how I'm satisfied and successful with the mix of 2 styles, watercolor and caricature. I liked the seriousness and feeling the watercolor gave it and I like the humor in the caricature. Together they make a very well done artwork. **What could you take through to the next project and develop further? This could be anything, from a technique to an idea, not neccessarily just the theme.** I have an idea of actually going to France and actually shooting the same scene. Other than that I have another idea of producing similar scenes to this one with other characters. The scene would describe who the character is, like in this one. I'm thinking of having it with the 3 base colors. I have blue for now, and I have yellow and red left.