Title: Vibrant Suffocation
Size: 38 cm x 38 cm Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Completed November 2023 - Exhibition Text -Vibrant Suffocation is an acrylic painting meant to be a color exploration in contrast, emulating the iconic colors of traditional 3-D glasses and the intersection between red and blue. With inspirations form Magritte and his use of clashing subjects as well as Chambers and his iconic use of color and how they interact. This piece is meant to show the opposing nature of fear and how anxiety can feel suffocating to ones self.
|
- Inspiration -
The Lovers II by Margritte, 1928
|
The Lovers II by Margritte depicts two subjects, presumably a couple embracing what would be a loving kiss. However within this composition is Margrittes signature surrealist twist. The audience does not know what the couple looks like, instead both subjects are obstructed with bags over their heads. However in spite of these bags the subjects are still looking towards each other embracing. The subjects appearance creates an off putting feeling within the piece, the muddled colors additionally aiding in this.
|
After Albers (Max) by Chambers, 2020
|
The use of a secondary object (the bags over the couples heads) creates an unsettling feeling for the viewer, both subjects seem to be almost melting into each other due to their position. I wanted to create a similar claustrophoic feeling that is present within this piece. I believe this was achieved via the overall composition of the subjects as well as the contrasting/plain background. The viewers attention is based solely on the subjects and their actions.
After Albers (Max) by Dominic Chambers presents a single subject lounging in a relaxed pose. There are three squares of color within the piece, each being a varying shade/hue of yellow-orange. The second square within the piece is the one with the most contrast, this is due to the yellow-green hue that heavily divides the majority warm color. The use of a geometric shape as the base also creates an equally framed piece. I wanted to utilize Chambers use of color and how he is able to create contrast with colors of similar hues. While blue and red as a pair already contrast each other, I wanted to make sure that they would look somewhat uniformed.
After Albers (Max) by Dominic Chambers presents a single subject lounging in a relaxed pose. There are three squares of color within the piece, each being a varying shade/hue of yellow-orange. The second square within the piece is the one with the most contrast, this is due to the yellow-green hue that heavily divides the majority warm color. The use of a geometric shape as the base also creates an equally framed piece. I wanted to utilize Chambers use of color and how he is able to create contrast with colors of similar hues. While blue and red as a pair already contrast each other, I wanted to make sure that they would look somewhat uniformed.
- Planning & Experimentation -
To better understand how I wanted to approach the varying colors of blue and red I first experimented with water based and alcohol markers, as well as colored pencil. While this wouldn't blend/layer the same way acrylic (my chosen medium) would this experiment still allowed me to choose what shades of red and blue I wanted to use for the final piece. Likewise I would be able to see how each color would intersect.
My initial idea for this piece was for it to be even more reminiscent of 3-D glasses. When thinking of the traditionally colors used for it, before the viewer puts on the glasses the colors intersect with each other creating varying shades within the image. This initial idea was also influenced by Chambers and how even when his colors merge, they almost create new shades. |
To get a rough idea of what I wanted from my piece I also made some sketches of the overall composition. I also dabbled with the overall position of the hands as well. Since I wanted my piece to have a more overbearing nature, focusing on the hands was a larger point of importance. This part of my planning was somewhat difficult for me, due to the fact that I had wanted a more realistic style while normally doing more exaggerated realism.
|
- Process -
Since I wanted this piece to be more realistic, like both Margritte and Chambers I first took some reference photos in my desired pose. I decided that the poses themselves would cut off from my nose down, also only showing my hands. This would be an effective way of showing a more claustrophobic atmosphere. Experimenting with the direction of where I would look and the direction of the hands would allow me to convey different things with my piece. It would also help me determine how close or how far I want my subject to appear within the piece (like the first image very close up; in front of the audience).
|
After deciding on the best reference image I put the image into Photoshop and began editing the image to see how it would look/get a rough estimate about how to begin coloring the piece. I did this by changing the hue and tint of my body, emphasizing the blue. And then doing the same with the hands. Since I wanted the hands to appear more pointed I also edited on nails to give the hands a sharper emotion.
Once I was satisfied with the edit I projected it onto the illustration board. I made sure to pay extra attention on the hands since those would be the main point of contrast. Within my projection I also added areas where there would be more definition (things like lighter areas of the skin or shading around the hands). This is because within Chambers works their are high light values as well as dark values (all within the same color blocking). |
For both the red and the blue I first created a pallet with varying shades, this would make it easier for me to lay out the colors for the skin and create a better reference point for me as well.
With the reference outlined I added the first base of color with blue and red. I made sure the red had some blue tones in order for them to feel more cohesive. With this base for the blue I added some lighter values within the face (cheek area) and some shading surrounding the neck and hands. This would add more definition in my piece while also creating a more grounded style. Once I finished the detailing within the body and face I moved onto the hands, following a similar process as well. I also made sure to make the shading around the hands darker than the rest of the body but not darker than the background. Like The Lovers I also made my background more plain since it was not the main focus of the piece.
|
(Making the background darker than the subject allowed the colors to appear more vibrant)
|
Once finishing the overall detailing for the subject I also added a glossy varnish around certain areas. Since the whole piece has a matte finish having glossy detailing would allow for more interaction with the piece. I also added an exaggerated highlight to the nails and a glitter detailing to the face. While this is unlike both Margritte and Chambers I wanted to emulate their uses of fabric to create detailing. I did this by adding more detailing to my somewhat bare piece.
- Critique -
SImilarites:
- Like both inspirations my subject is the main point of focus, it takes up the majority of the piece as well. This is to emphasize an unease and suffocating nature for my piece.
-My piece shares the most similarity in color with The Lovers it containing more darker blue tones. While my piece is arguably more vibrant than both inspirations, the use of color is still the same. Like Chambers I use color as a way to section off certain aspects within my subject.
-Like The Lovers my subject is obstructed. The audience does not see the full level of expression from my subject, similar to how both Magritte's subjects are unable to fully embrace. The approach in which this is done is different, however they both achieve similar results.
-My piece shares the most similarity in color with The Lovers it containing more darker blue tones. While my piece is arguably more vibrant than both inspirations, the use of color is still the same. Like Chambers I use color as a way to section off certain aspects within my subject.
-Like The Lovers my subject is obstructed. The audience does not see the full level of expression from my subject, similar to how both Magritte's subjects are unable to fully embrace. The approach in which this is done is different, however they both achieve similar results.
Differences:
-My piece is more vibrant than both my inspirations, this in part due to the darker background emphasizing the overall color that is used. Chambers piece has a warm atmosphere, this is more muted with a brown-yellow. This contrast in overall hue (my blue colors and Chambers yellow) also shows the difference in messaging as well. While my piece shares more in common with The Lovers Chambers piece presents a sole subject resting on a calm day, this is unlike my cramped suffocating piece.
- Reflection -
This piece was different in comparison to my traditional semi-realistic style. While this piece contains bright color combinations the overall subject and shading are grounded in realism. Since this is one of the few pieces of mine in realism I was determined to ensure its authenticity. I enjoyed being able to explore how colors in different mediums interact and how both red and blue can contrast (as well as how certain hues of the colors can interact). If I were to remake this piece I would make sure to add more definition within the hands because in comparison to the rest of the subject they are somewhat flat. I initially thought about making the hands a more orange-red, however I think the final piece looks more cohesive.
- Connections to the ACT -
1) Clearly explain how you were able to identify the cause effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect on your art?
While The Lovers is a more surreal style with obstructed faces and claustrophobic atmosphere both that work and Chambers have a more realistic style. When seeing this style I thought it would be more effective in showing my message.
2) What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
There are similar uses of color by Chambers and how he utilizes contrasting colors with geometric shapes. Chambers has somewhat harsher line however mine does not. Margritte has a darker interaction of subjects, I replicate this as well with both my hands and face.
3) What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I learned more about the different relationships of color and how it can impact a subject. Similarly how a plain colored background or a darker colored background (or subject) impacts the vibrancy of the colors.
4) What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
While I wanted my inspirational pieces to focus on color, I also wanted to find works that would be able to show a sense of anxiety and almost fear. For me the surrealist art movement is the most effective in evoking this emotion, similar to that of unease. This is something I tend to feel and something I wanted to evoke in my own piece as well.
5) What kinds of inferences did you make while reading your research?
How colors are able to interact with one another while also being able to be seen as their own being. In the case of my own piece each aspect of the subject (face and hands) can be removed and seen as their own works, this is due to the difference in color (like Chambers).
- Citations -
“Dominic Chambers - Artists - Roberts Projects LA.” Www.robertsprojectsla.com, www.robertsprojectsla.com/artists/dominic-chambers.
“The Lovers.” The Museum of Modern Art, MoMA, 2013, www.moma.org/collection/works/79933.
“The Lovers.” The Museum of Modern Art, MoMA, 2013, www.moma.org/collection/works/79933.