Artwork: Project 4
Title: Umbrella
Size: 60cm x 30cm Medium: Acrylic and watercolor on canvas Completion: November 2019 Exhibition Text We all need someone who will be outside in the storm with an umbrella just big enough to cover and protect us from the rain. We can also be that person with the umbrella. Inspired by Couple Under One Umbrella and Rain Rustle painted by Leonid Afremov. Acrylic paint and watercolor were used to create this piece. |
Planning
Inspiration
Afremov, Leonid. Couple Under One Umbrella. Oil on canvas. Web. 17 Nov. 2019
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Couple Under One Umbrella by Leonid Afremov is my first inspiration for my piece. This piece is a couple sharing one umbrella while walking on a street on a rainy day. I think that rain is the most romantic weather. An umbrella is a symbol for protecting, sharing, or accepting. I liked how the artist captures the mood, emotions, and use splashes of color and wide strokes. I wanted to capture the mood and the emotions of spending time with people that you love and care for. I am going to use this painting as an inference for my final piece because I think the image is very straightforward and meaning. In addition to this, sharing the same umbrella mean they are sharing, supporting, and protecting each other from the rain. This could be interpreted as sticking and moving forward as a team to a better place. I think we all need someone that could be our umbrella when we are in need to keep moving.
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Rain Rustle by Leonid Afremov is a romantic moment, two people holding and walking in the rain. Many people consider rainy weather to be dull, others prefer to set out on a quiet walk down an empty street. When I saw that this piece, I was in love because of this kind of symphony of colors that transforms the wet street or park into a magical forest. I always wanted to take a long walk or have a romantic date in this kind of setting and weather. I was inspired to create a romantic scene like Rain Rustle because I enjoy spending time on my own or with people that I love. I got an idea of creating two people holding each other while walking on a magical street. This is to show how spending time with people that I love is so important to me because I do not know what the future holds, I think it is a good idea to be together as much as we can when we have a chance.
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Afremov, Leonid. Rain Rustle. Oil on canvas. Web. 17 Nov. 2019
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Planning Sketches
A first sketch is a person in a black jacket holding a colorful umbrella to prevent the rain. A colorful umbrella represents all the good things in life that keep us moving despite all the challenges along the way. An umbrella could be a symbol of protection. I think it is important to be your own umbrella because at the end of the day you only have yourself.
The second sketch is an Autumn night at a park with various colors of leaves. This sketch does not capture the message and theme that I wanted to portray in the piece.
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The third sketch is a couple embracing and sharing an umbrella while walking towards the yellow glowing light. The various and bright colors of the trees create Autumn's night. I think this picture captured the meaning of an umbrella. We all need someone who will be outside in the storm with an umbrella just big enough to cover and protect us from the rain. We can also be that person with the umbrella. Life seems a lot better when we have someone by our side.
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Experimentation & Techniques
I first experiment that I did was using watercolor on canvas without applying the primer for the base. The color seems brighter, thicker, and more solid when applied on the canvas with a little amount of water. However, the color seems to spread more and lighter when a large amount of water is applied. One thing I really love about watercolor is that it is easy to blend the colors. I used a clear clean brush with a little bit of water to blend the two edges of the color to get rid of the harsh and rough lines. The colors are visible without applying anything for the base, but gesso.
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The second experiment that I did was using the paper for watercolor. At first, I thought it would be easy to control, however, I need a lot of patience. I found out that I need some time to let the paint dry instead of adding a different color because it is too easy to blend. In addition to that, the paper will crumble or curve if a large amount of water is applied. Overall, all you need is patience.
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Process
First, I created a canvas. To do this, I used the wooden stretchers to create the frame. I used a manual staple gun to staple the corners and used the hammer to secure them. Then, I added the canvas and stapled the edges and corners using the manual gun. I cut the extra edges with a scissor. After that, I applied one layer of thick gesso to the canvas and let it dry.
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Second, I outlined the couple with an umbrella using a very light pencil. I did not want the pencil mark to visible over the colors. I eyeballing the place where I want the figures to locate. I placed them on the right side of the canvas instead of the center because I want to try a different position.
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Third, I mixed the main primary colors and white colors to create different colors. For example, I combined blue and yellow to make green. I added more white to green when I want a light green. Another example would be yellow and red which create an orange. I did not do any swatches because I want to paint the whole thing at once.
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Fourth, I started to apply various colors to the canvas using a palette knife. This is because I wanted to achieve Leonid Afremov's technique, the layers of colors creating leaves. At first, I applied the colors using the side edge of the palette knife to blend the color to create a smoother base. Then, I applied various colors using the tip of the palette knife to create layers.
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Fifth, I started applying yellow for the background or as a base color because yellow portrayed a lighter atmosphere. At first I used a palette knife, however, I found it easier to use a big brush to blend the color to the canvas. Another thing is that I thought I would get thick layers of colors when it is dry, however, I did not get the shiny and thick layers like how I expected it to be. I think this is because I am using acrylic and watercolor instead of oil paint. Oil paint has that glossiness which acrylic does not have.
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Sixth, I started using watercolor to paint the umbrella because I found it easier to blend to create a smoother image. I used black as an outline for the metals that hold the wings together and for the rest, I applied a combination of various colors to reflect the falling leaves. The figures of the couple are not highly detailed however, applying highly details of colors makes it more presentable and noticeable.
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Seventh, I applied various colors such as green, red, yellow, etc. around the couple creating leaves and the ground. I used a painting brush with a straight line edge to create a rectangular shape. I added white to give a rainy reflection of lights.
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Eighth, I let the paint dry and add more paint for a finish touch up.
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Reflection
Critique
Overall, I am happy with the final result because I was able to present being there and supporting each other in a difficult time. I am positive that the audience will get a sense of romance and a positive mood from the piece because of the use of primary colors and the interaction of a couple. There were challenges throughout the process. One example was creating layers of leaves with different colors using the palette knife. The colors tend to blend together to create a muddy or dark brown color. So, I decided to let the paint dry and add another layer of color to it. Another challenge was painting the couple because I was not good at drawing figures. However, blending different colors to create contour, shadows and creases create a figure like an image. There are many successes as well. My favorite part of this piece would be the umbrella because the colors are bright, blended well and organized. I used watercolor for that because it was easier to blend on the canvas compared to Acrylic paint. If I could redo this piece, I would use oil paint because I want to achieve that glossy look just like Leonid Afremov’s works.
Compare and Contrast
Similarities
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Differences
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Similarities
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Differences
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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?
Leonid Afremov painted a romantic scene such as a couple walking to a park sharing an umbrella. He applied impasto which is when he uses palette knives and oil paints to create a wet effect. Just like Leonid Afremov, I created a romantic scene like a couple sharing an umbrella.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The author wrote Leonid Afremov's biography. Afremov was a struggled artist when he came to America. He and his son visited the gallery to gallery in New York and found galleries that Liked and purchased paintings. However, Afremov was forced to paint limited themes. Then, his son was introduced to eBay by one of his friends, and they sell Afremov's paintings online. This creates an opportunity for him to paint whatever he wants.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
While researching for my inspiration, I found out that Leonid Afremov is a Russian-Israeli modern impressionistic artist known for working with mainly a palette knife and oils, and for being a self-representing artist. His works are mainly landscapes, city scenes, seascapes, flowers, and portraits.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea or theme around my inspirational research is romantic moments on a raining day. Leonid Afremov created a much breathtaking painting of autumn parks with a couple walking and created a warm feeling by using vibrant colors and lights.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
While reading my research, I thought Leonid Afremov might have a great life without any struggles because his works are mainly landscapes, city scenes, seascapes, flowers, and portraits. His works present positive feelings and romantic scenes. However, he was a struggled artist before fame.
Leonid Afremov painted a romantic scene such as a couple walking to a park sharing an umbrella. He applied impasto which is when he uses palette knives and oil paints to create a wet effect. Just like Leonid Afremov, I created a romantic scene like a couple sharing an umbrella.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The author wrote Leonid Afremov's biography. Afremov was a struggled artist when he came to America. He and his son visited the gallery to gallery in New York and found galleries that Liked and purchased paintings. However, Afremov was forced to paint limited themes. Then, his son was introduced to eBay by one of his friends, and they sell Afremov's paintings online. This creates an opportunity for him to paint whatever he wants.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
While researching for my inspiration, I found out that Leonid Afremov is a Russian-Israeli modern impressionistic artist known for working with mainly a palette knife and oils, and for being a self-representing artist. His works are mainly landscapes, city scenes, seascapes, flowers, and portraits.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea or theme around my inspirational research is romantic moments on a raining day. Leonid Afremov created a much breathtaking painting of autumn parks with a couple walking and created a warm feeling by using vibrant colors and lights.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
While reading my research, I thought Leonid Afremov might have a great life without any struggles because his works are mainly landscapes, city scenes, seascapes, flowers, and portraits. His works present positive feelings and romantic scenes. However, he was a struggled artist before fame.
Bibliography
Leonid Afremov Bio. (n.d.). Retrieved November 23, 2019, from https://afremov.com/Leonid-Afremov-bio.html
RAIN'S RUSTLE IN THE PARK - PALETTE KNIFE Oil Painting On Canvas By Leonid Afremov. (n.d.). Retrieved November 23, 2019, from https://afremov.com/rain-s-rustle-in-the-park.html
COUPLE UNDER ONE UMBRELLA - PALETTE KNIFE Oil Painting On Canvas By Leonid Afremov. (n.d.). Retrieved November 23, 2019, from https://afremov.com/couple-under-one-umbrella.html
RAIN'S RUSTLE IN THE PARK - PALETTE KNIFE Oil Painting On Canvas By Leonid Afremov. (n.d.). Retrieved November 23, 2019, from https://afremov.com/rain-s-rustle-in-the-park.html
COUPLE UNDER ONE UMBRELLA - PALETTE KNIFE Oil Painting On Canvas By Leonid Afremov. (n.d.). Retrieved November 23, 2019, from https://afremov.com/couple-under-one-umbrella.html