SELF ANALYSIS | LIMITED COLOR

    I mentioned in my last self analysis that I wanted to focus more on the details of my paintings moving forward. For our first assignment I focused on colors and sharp edges, but on this assignment I combined that with a focus on highlights, shadows, and blending. I began this project by priming the background one color and then color blocking the shapes of each object. I then went into each shape one by one to create highlights and shadows, but I found that I didn’t enjoy this method. I used medium (blending liquid)  for the first time to blend into the color blocks I created, but it didn’t blend as I expected it to. So, I then decided to go back to what I was used to doing with previous paintings outside of this class. The method I’m used to using is blending the highlights and shadows into the base color while everything is wet. Looking at my painting now, I can definitely identify where I used the medium (blending liquid) and where I blended while wet. I intend to practice more with using medium, but for our next assignment I will be using the technique I am most familiar with and find the most successful.

    In addition to blending, another challenge I had was creating depth of field. Something I was reminded of during critique was that I should use warmer colors in the foreground and cooler in the background. There was one object in my painting that seemed to not have as much separation from the background and I believe that was from using similar colors, and less shading on the background to show a casted shadow. Due to this identification, moving forward I will be adding light sourcing and the shadows it creates, along with cool versus warm colors to my list of techniques to work on. On the other hand, what I found most successful about my painting was the teal vase, gray kettle, and white table cloth. I loved how well I was able to capture light and shadow in those objects. I also really enjoyed how smooth I was able to get the curtain background. The colors looked very seamlessly blended that way and more realistic, which is what I’m striving for. My final two paintings of this class will reflect the technique’s I’ve practiced and gathered from these last two assignments. I am excited to see the growth I’ve had in the short period of time.