AS Artist Research Examples
(former pupils)
Pencil work
Analysis of Colin Davidson’s work and making it relevant to prep work-
Colin Davidson is known worldwide for his portraits and extraordinary work. He has a unique style, which is very relevant, as I wish to expand my knowledge and attempt different techniques.
Davidson’s use of lines is exquisite and has resulted in both an interesting and life like portrait. There are various elements to his work, and due to the striking images that are created I have been inspired by many.
I admire how Davidson creates a three dimensional aspect to the portrait, through emphasising shadows and leaving areas the colour of the page, thus resulting in a realistic image. Colin Davidson understands light and depth and this is something that I am trying to portray in my work.
His technique is controlled, as the lines are quite blunt and work effectively to highlight areas of depth of the face.
I believe Davidson’s technique adds character to the portrait, as well as making the image more interesting. His work has inspired me to try different techniques using this traditional medium. I also learnt that I should emphasise the contrast between light and dark through shading. Shadows are a very important aspect to Colin Davidson’s work as they act to create the different shapes of the face. This is important as the use of lines do create an interesting and detailed portrait, but it does not allow for intricate detailing to be shown.
Relevance-
I thoroughly enjoyed studying Davidson’s work as I have been greatly inspired. In fact, I have decided to try his technique for myself on one of my prep sheets. I will try to take on board all I have mentioned above in the hope that I create a life like, interesting portrait.
Katja Turnsek
Pencil work
I admired the softness of this piece both visually and emotionally. Katja Turnsek, the artist who portrayed this man, highlighted the gentle personality and nature of this man by leaning softly on the pencil. I believe this creates a beautiful effect of making the image more thought provoking, yet still is very detailed through the use of lines. Turnsek has still managed to add depth to the piece and outlined the various features of the man’s face, using darker tones through pencil, which makes his features more pronounced.
Relevance-
I aim to try to softly use the pencil like Turnsek, while maintaining depth in my pencil study.
Michael Douglas
Pencil Work
Michael Douglas has effectively used the white of the page to emphasise the smoothness of the man’s face. The dark surroundings means all attention is focused on the face, and more specifically the eyes, which are the focal point in this piece. Douglas has still managed to infuse detail into this piece and make it realistic. The contrast between the light and depth create this striking portrait. The eyes are beautiful, contributed by the reflection within them, which allows a story to be told.
Relevance-
It is my aim to complete a study of my image in pencil, with the background dark to emphasise the important features within my image.
Watercolour work
Watercolour
Cheng Fen Yeh
Cheng Fen Yeh’s technique is beautiful and immediately caught my eye when researching watercolour artists. The dreamy style of his painting is very thought provoking and allows the viewer to feel and think for themselves as to the meaning behind the piece. I personally feel a sense of hope for the future generations through this piece, as the baby gazes into the bright future. Secondly, I admire the thick brush strokes, and the free flowing watercolour which highlights the shadow as can be seen on the neck of the child. I found Cheng Fen Yeh’s understanding of light to be very inspirational as it resulted in a three dimensional, and life like portrait to be created.
Relevance-
In my prep sheet I am going to attempt to use/practice Yeh’s style and technique, as I believe it is both effective and intriguing.
Acrylic Work
The artist who painted this acrylic piece is Dottie Dracos. I was inspired by the simplicity of the cows’ face. The use of dark browns and ochre tones flow together beautifully. The black and blue on the nose and eyes are dramatic and give depth and interest to this piece. The white glow around the eyes and nose highlight the important features of the face. The use of the simple blue background makes the cow more eye catching and avoids any distraction.
Relevance-
In my prep sheet I aim to utilize the spectrum of browns that this artist uses and it is my intention to highlight the eyes of my animal through using similar colours.
Textile Work
When I researched textile artists, Sophie Standing’s artwork was the first to grab my attention. The contrast between lights and darks and the unending use of tonal variation completely sets her work apart from others. I especially liked her two pieces of work that consist of the elephant’s face and the face of the hippo. The bright splashes of colour contrasting with the darks for shadows, are so interesting and expressive. The fine, sewn lines to enhance the details, bring both of the pieces to life and make them much more exciting to look at. I especially love the bodies of both animals and am intrigued at how every time you look at the work, you can discover something new e.g. the flowers and leaves.
Relevance-
I aim to complete my subjects in batik using the same contrasting tones and shadows to ensure , like Standing, the images are dramatic and eye catching
Ceramic Work
Fiona Tunnicliffe’s work caught my attention because of the overlapping of layers of clay used and the finely engraved details added to the animals. What particularly struck me was the form of the horse’s body; the build up of the shapes and layers to create the muscular body is intriguing. The swirls and dark paint used on the dog make the sculpture unique and the amount of detail injected in it is fascinating.
Relevance-
I aim to try this method of working with clay. Once I have made the form, it is my intention to focus on the detail and to ensure that this is sufficient in order to make the oxides more dramatic.
Digital Media Work
Charlie Bowater
What inspires me the most about this piece is the dark nightmare theme that lies beneath the beautiful girl in the dress. The idea itself inspires me to think of ways I could develop my painting skills
I love the colours used. The digital artist has mainly used a monochrome colour palette and has kept the background a much simpler range of black tones, in order to make the soft colours of the image stand out.
I love the technique used to make the ruffle dress and the fine detail of the lace in comparison to the well blended and softer surfaces on the skin of the upper part of the image. The wide range of dark to light tones on the ruffles of the dress help to enhance the body of the dress.
The overall angle of the image itself is interesting. Many artists would paint at an angle looking straight on at them, however this artist has explored the angle of the lady and the slight tilt of her head to create a more suspicious and mysterious atmosphere.
Relevance-
I aim to use this type of colour palette in my digital media piece to ensure my work creates impact.
Sir Sedrick
Sir Sedrick includes a frame in his digital work. Through this, Cliff Hope says, Sedrick injects extra personality into his work. The neat, ornate frame from Sedrick’s image contrasts with the tangled thorns and skull that surround the Hunter Orc in the centre of the canvas. I like the use of the frame as it gives you a chance to close a scene and makes the viewer focus on the art.
Relevance-
I would like to include a frame in my piece of digital media, to also ensure the viewer focuses on the art