Artwork: Dry Point Printmaking
Title: Two Faces
Size: 17.5cm x 12.5m Medium: Dry Point Completion: November 16, 2018 Exhibition Text Two Faces was created based on how I view myself. It is essential for me to have two faces, one for myself and one for others. When these two different things are combined, it makes me a person that has a personality that becomes fit for everybody, not just my own self. It was inspired by The Artist’s Hand I created by Henry Moore and Self-Portrait in Bowler Hat created by Max Beckmann. Drypoint printmaking was used to produce this piece. |
Meaning
As I reflected myself, I found out that I have two faces meaning I act very differently around others compare to when I am alone. I sometime asked myself if I was being fake or was it just normal to act different depending on who you are with. Well, I came up with a solution that it is essential for me to have two faces. One is a face for myself, and the other one is for others. This is because not everyone is alike and it is important to have personality that fit for everybody. So, having these two different faces let me be a person who has a personality that fit for everybody, not just my own self. Just because I act different around others does not mean I am fake, instead I am being the best me to be comfortable with others. One of my hand covering half of my face represent a face or a personality that I have with is private. My other half face represent my face and personality that I used for public. When these two faces are mixed together, it makes me a person that fit for everybody, not just for myself.
Planning
Inspirations
Moore, Henry. The Artist's Hand I. Digital image. Tate. Tate, 1979. Web. 22 Nov. 2018.
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My first inspiration was The Artist's Hand I created by Henry Moore in 1979. As I read its display caption, one thing that caught my mind was "hands as vehicles of expression." I reread that phrase repeatedly and I came up with an idea for my title, Two Faces. I wanted to cover half of my face using one of my hand. This is because I want to show the feelings or symbols to represent through my hand. For my piece, I needed more than a hand to explain what my work is about, so I decided to include myself as well. I also like how the hand that Henry Moore made because it is filled with details, the shading, and the balance between darkness and the brightness are very impressive. So, I wanted my image with enough details and a balance of brightness and darkness.
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Beckmann, Max. Self-Portrait in Bowler Hat. Digital image. 1921. Web. 22 Nov. 2018.
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My second inspiration was Self-Portrait in Bowler Hat created by Max Beckmann in 1921. What really caught my eyes about his piece was the scratchy textures. I thought I could do cross hatching and scratchy textures for my piece as well. I really like how his work is filled with details, variety of lines, shapes, and a balance of brightness and darkness. So, I combined the ideas that gained from my first inspiration with my ideas from my second inspiration. I came up with my final thought what I wanted to create, a self portrait with a hand covering my face. I wanted to keep my image to be simple, direct, and get to the point.
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Planning Sketches
First, I searched for inspirations for this project. Then, I brainstorm everything that came to my mind. After that I started making different sketches. I wanted stick with the theme of self throughout my project so I included myself.
I thought it would be better if I sketch the image big enough to see all the details. Also, I practiced shading and cross hating in this sketch before doing anything to the plate.
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I created three different sketches so that I could choose one that I like the most. I needed up choosing Idea #2 because I thought this might be a little different than the projects that I did before.
I ended up taking picture using Snap-chat. Since drawing is not my strongest, I thought it would be best to use whatever method work the best for me.
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Experimentation/Techniques
This is the first experiment that I did. I did not like how this image turned out to be because it lack the amount of ink. I did applied enough ink for this image, however I rubbed the plate too hard that I took out the ink.
I created more images experimenting different amount of ink that applied and the hardness of the rubbing of the plate. This way I could see what I could do better for the next image.
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This is the second experiment that I did. I liked how the hair turned out to be. The ink that applied for both sides of the hair are balanced. However, the center of the face is kinda faded away. So, I felt like I should apply more ink to the face.
These are some images that I created using regular printing paper. I found out that using water color paper make a big difference to observed the ink evenly and more effectively.
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Process
First, I placed the Akua printmaking plate on top of the the picture and tapped around the corners so that it will stay in place. Then, I started applying cross hatching to define every details using uline shap-blade knife.
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Next, I placed the watercolor paper inside a bucket filled with water and let it soaked for eight minutes.
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Then, I applied half a spoonful of Akua intaglio ink on to of the Akua printing plate.
Next, I used small pieces of paper to wipe out the extra ink on the plate. I made sure to rub harder on the center of the face to make it lighter than the hair.
After that, I put down the fabric on top of the paper and continuously rolled the machine slowly. Then, I took the cover off and let the paper dry.
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After that, I used squeegee to spread the ink evenly across the plate. I spread the ink in every direction such as horizontally, vertically, and diagonally across the plate.
Then, I placed the completed plate on top of printing press. I took out the watercolor paper that I soaked and dried it using a towel. Then, I carefully placed the paper on top of the plate.
This is the final piece that I created.
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Reflection
Critique
I am pleased with how my final image turned out. Even though this was my first time using a dry point method to create an image, my experimentation helped a lot. I learned what I did wrong, what I could do to fix the problems and what could I do better for the next image. For example, after creating two prints, I went back and did cross hatching to the where I want the spot to be darker. One of the most challenging part during this process was the rubbing part. It was difficult because I could not tell if I put too much pressure in my hand and if I took out too much ink. However, I overcame that challenge by rubbing a little bit at a time and placing the plate in a brighter area to see how much ink I took out. Over all, this is amazing technique to produce an image.
Compare and Contrast
"The Artist's Hand I" Henry Moore, 1979
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Similarities
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Differences
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"Two Faces" Jacinta Tial, 2018
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"Self-Portrait in Bowler Hat" Max Beckmann, 1921
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Similarities
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Differences
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"Two Faces" Jacinta Tial, 2018
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ACT Responses
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork?
Henry Moore explained how hands can convey so much. He said, "they can beg or refuse, take or give, be open or clenched, shoe content or anxiety." I realized that hands are not just hands, but you can present your feelings or emotions through hands. Also, Max Beckmann created "staccato marks and scratchy textures" to produce his images. I included "scratchy textures" like him in my piece.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The author of my research talks about why hands are very important and the reasons Henry Moore uses hands for his artworks. Also, the author from my other research talks about Max Beckmann life, how he started his career with lithography and discovered dry point.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
While researching my inspiration, I discovered that Max Beckmann's "Self-Portrait with Bowler Hat" is believed to have been invented during the 15th century by the Hoesebook Master. Other artists who used this method include Mary Cassatt, Milton Avery, Hermann-Paul, and Alex Katz. Also, I found out Henry Moore was both influenced by Surrealism and Constructivism.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central themes around my inspirational research are illness, violence, and the isolation in the modern urban environment.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
While reading my research, I inferred that Max Beckmann's works must be influenced by the surrounding or environment that he was living in, and it did. Also, I inferred that Henry Moore might have an illness or something just by his explanations of hands. He did suffered from ill-health.
Henry Moore explained how hands can convey so much. He said, "they can beg or refuse, take or give, be open or clenched, shoe content or anxiety." I realized that hands are not just hands, but you can present your feelings or emotions through hands. Also, Max Beckmann created "staccato marks and scratchy textures" to produce his images. I included "scratchy textures" like him in my piece.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The author of my research talks about why hands are very important and the reasons Henry Moore uses hands for his artworks. Also, the author from my other research talks about Max Beckmann life, how he started his career with lithography and discovered dry point.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
While researching my inspiration, I discovered that Max Beckmann's "Self-Portrait with Bowler Hat" is believed to have been invented during the 15th century by the Hoesebook Master. Other artists who used this method include Mary Cassatt, Milton Avery, Hermann-Paul, and Alex Katz. Also, I found out Henry Moore was both influenced by Surrealism and Constructivism.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central themes around my inspirational research are illness, violence, and the isolation in the modern urban environment.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
While reading my research, I inferred that Max Beckmann's works must be influenced by the surrounding or environment that he was living in, and it did. Also, I inferred that Henry Moore might have an illness or something just by his explanations of hands. He did suffered from ill-health.
Tate. (n.d.). 'The Artist's Hand I', Henry Moore OM, CH, 1979. Retrieved November 22, 2018, from https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/moore-the-artists-hand-i-p02907
Beckmann, M. (n.d.). Max Beckmann Self-Portrait in Bowler Hat (Selbstbildnis mit steifem Hut) (1921, published not before 1922). Retrieved November 22, 2018, from https://www.moma.org/collection/works/66692?sov_referrer=art_term&art_term_id=34
Beckmann, M. (n.d.). Max Beckmann Self-Portrait in Bowler Hat (Selbstbildnis mit steifem Hut) (1921, published not before 1922). Retrieved November 22, 2018, from https://www.moma.org/collection/works/66692?sov_referrer=art_term&art_term_id=34