Title: Overbearing Light
Size: 25 cm x 28 cm Medium: Illustration Board Completed April 2023 - Exhibition Text -Overbearing Light is a pencil illustration taking inspiration from Van Gogh’s Worn Out as well as Theatre Magazine. I wanted my piece to emulate the appearance of the classic Hollywood Starlet, a concept throughout the media that was seen as perpetually perfect. When faced with eyes constantly watching you, or the feeling of being constantly judged people tend to want to put their best image forward. I wanted to show the parallels between this and how it differs from reality.
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-Inspiration-
Worn Out by Van Gogh, 1882
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Main Artist Inspiration: Vincent Van Gogh
Initially a pencil sketch created in 1882, Sorrowing Old Man or Worn Out displays a decrepit man in a closed off pose. The emotion that is evoked from both pieces is very melancholy, the audience being able to feel the grief rolling off of the man. I had wanted to emulate a similar pain within my illustration and I had figured that the best way to do so was to replicate the pose. Since the man's face is obscured by his own hands the emotion itself is reflected in his pose. Overall coloring of both pieces mainly focuses on the subject rather than the background. This allows the audience's focus to be solely on the subject. Similarly I had also wanted to replicate the overall coloring/line work of Sorrowing Old Man. Since I wanted my piece to have a high contrast having line work to support this would be the best decision, while there would be engaging objects in my own background I wanted to place some emphasis on my own subject.
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Sorrowing Old Man (At Eternity's Gate) by Van Gogh, 1890
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Additionally, I was also inspired by the famous Hollywood starlet Marilyn Monroe as well as Theatre Magazine, a magazine that emulates the 20s style I wanted to achieve. Theatre Magazine utilizes high contrast within many of its covers, this is something I wanted to replicate as well. In order to achieve that contrast I made sure to have a limited color pallet with stark dark's. While I was inspired by Monroe for her looks and iconic status, I was also influenced by her history. Monroe was seen as perfect to the media, framing her as a beautiful blonde and nothing else. While she was not responsible for how the media framed her, it is able to show a darker side to fame and by extension praise. There could always be something darker going on behind the scenes that influences someone, this is something I wanted my work to display.
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Theatre Magazine Cover, USA, 1920s
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-Planning & Experimentation-
In order to better frame how I wanted to arrange both subjects I first created a rough outline for both poses. After doing so I debated which pose to specifically use for the first illustration, later deciding to go for a 'classic' pose that would be able to reflect the perceived perfection. Similar to Worn Out, I wanted to replicate the pose while making sure all the attention was on the subject. To show how raw the subject is in the second illustration I planned on making her appearance more guarded, with a robe covering most of her body.
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I wanted to create a refined title for my 'magazine' since the appeal of many of them (including Theatre Magazine) is the cover itself. I had chosen the name of 'starlet spotlight' since I had wanted to replicate an old school tabloid. I had experimented with different fonts and orientations, debating what would look best when put together with the actual drawing. Since I had wanted my illustration to have a similar feel similar to Theatre Magazine I wanted to go with a font that could easily catch the viewers attention. This meant that I needed a bolder font, and when I would begin the illustration process I chose the color gold as well.
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-Process & Experimentation-
This process was somewhat difficult for me, as I initially had one product (a painted illustration) that I enjoyed but felt like it didn't mesh well with my inspirations. as a result I had to process, the initial and then the final.
For both Processes I created a charcoal transfer of the previous posing. This would allow me to then redefine the overall line work while fixing anything that may have been wrong with it. I did this in order to have a smoother base when I would begin to paint. Since I had wanted to emulate Theatre Magazine I created my own title to further the desired 'perfection'. This would further my messaging as well since many magazines show a polished version of someone without any imperfections. After sketching I painted the background, keeping it simple so all focus would be on the subject. Similar to the Theatre Magazine I wanted my subject to be covered in a spotlight to further focus the attention on her instead of anything else. It was difficult for me to figure out what color would go well against the spotlight since I chose a bright yellow, however I felt that lavender would be a good color for the dress and gloves since the symbolism for the color is purity and grace. When people tend to put a certain image out to the public it is one that would make them look the best, this is something that is prevalent within my first illustration. Similar to the first illustration I added the same title to the second illustration as well. To further show the difference between both illustrations I made the title look less uniformed. I had also replicated the lining from Van Gogh's Sorrowing Old Man, since I wanted more attention on the subject I outlined her in black while making the color of her robe one that would contrast with the background and chair. I made several things in the background bright and aggressive, but once it came to the subject I made her robe pale pink. This was meant to symbolize how raw she is meant to feel when she is away from the public eye. To further the messaging I also made the background somewhat disheveled to show the 'real' side. To parallel the first illustration I also made the once huge and bright circle encompassing the subject now a small light that is almost swallowed by the dark background.
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While this initial finished product looked nice I felt as though it didn't succeed in both emulating my inspiration, while also failing to make the impact I wanted it to. This led me to create a second experimental product as a result. This product followed a similar initial process to the first product (having a charcoal transfer) however that is when the process starts to differ.
Instead of using bright colors I decided that these illustrations would be in grey-scale with the only color coming from the red spotlight (emulating theatre magazine). I had also changed the overall layout
-Critique-
Similarities:
-Since I was heavily inspired by the posing of Van Gogh's Worn Out, his subjects posing is similar to my second illustration. While some of the key parts of the pose (like the legs) are obstructed the overall emotion stays the same. I had wanted the posing to be able to replicate the feelings of grief and pain.
-Similar to Theatre Magazine I utilized a full color spotlight while keeping the background plain. However instead of doing all black my illustration also includes red (like a red carpet) but due to the color difference making my spotlight yellow made the contrast greater. Both spotlights intend to bring attention to the subject, this is a key thing I wanted to bring from the magazine inspiration.
-I had heavily utilized the line in my final illustrations, this is because I wanted the subject to seem almost lackluster in comparison to the background (even when being presented positively). This is similar to Worn Out, Van Gogh's own subject barely coming across as fully defined.
-Since I was heavily inspired by the posing of Van Gogh's Worn Out, his subjects posing is similar to my second illustration. While some of the key parts of the pose (like the legs) are obstructed the overall emotion stays the same. I had wanted the posing to be able to replicate the feelings of grief and pain.
-Similar to Theatre Magazine I utilized a full color spotlight while keeping the background plain. However instead of doing all black my illustration also includes red (like a red carpet) but due to the color difference making my spotlight yellow made the contrast greater. Both spotlights intend to bring attention to the subject, this is a key thing I wanted to bring from the magazine inspiration.
-I had heavily utilized the line in my final illustrations, this is because I wanted the subject to seem almost lackluster in comparison to the background (even when being presented positively). This is similar to Worn Out, Van Gogh's own subject barely coming across as fully defined.
Differences:
-While my subject posing is similar to Worn Out, the use of lines is different. Instead of having deep lining on the subject I instead have lining in both of my pieces. While this does detract some attention from the subject overall, I redirect this attention with the background color/shape instead.
-Theatre Magazine is known for having a delicate style to reflect the women on the covers. This is different from both my illustrations due to emphasis I place on dark lining. My subjects are more pointed with this darker lining, rather than appearing to be soft.
-While my subject posing is similar to Worn Out, the use of lines is different. Instead of having deep lining on the subject I instead have lining in both of my pieces. While this does detract some attention from the subject overall, I redirect this attention with the background color/shape instead.
-Theatre Magazine is known for having a delicate style to reflect the women on the covers. This is different from both my illustrations due to emphasis I place on dark lining. My subjects are more pointed with this darker lining, rather than appearing to be soft.
-Reflection-
Creating an illustration as a way to demonstrate opposite messaging is a concept I find very interesting. I had some difficulty when creating the posing as well as determining the colors of my piece as well. I was aware that I wanted high contrast but I was unsure about how I had wanted to achieve that. Similarly I was unsure with how to fill up the space on the illustration board as well, however once I looked more at Theatre Magazine, creating my own version of a 20s magazine full of Hollywood starlets was an easy way to fix that. I enjoy the amount of detail I was able to put into this piece as well, all the elements coming together to create opposing messaging with similar story ques. However if I were to make this piece again I would want to put even more detail into the (second) background to make it seem even more messy and disheveled.
-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?
In relation to both Worn Out and Sorrowing Old Man I was heavily inspired by both the posing and contrast. This is also the same when looking at Theatre Magazine as well. Contrast was a big aspect of my piece so I looked into inspirations that would easily translate.
2) What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
There are key notes of both Marilyn Monroe as well as Van Gogh within both of my pieces. Van Gogh specifically would be able to note the posing inspiration as well as the same use of line and how it lends itself to the contrast and the main focal point(s).
3) What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures etc. while you researched your inspiration?
Through my inspiration I was able to learn more about the importance of lining when it comes to art. While some works contain little to no line, those that do emphasize the overall attention that wants to be placed on a subject.
4) What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
I placed importance on looking into the 'classic Hollywood' look as well as contrast (and bright colors) which is why I was drawn towards Theatre Magazine and their way of coloring. Similarly I had wanted to find works that were able to outwardly reflect pain and suffering. I wanted to be able to demonstrate the perfectly polished side, hence the magazine inspiration while being able to demonstrate the gritty reality as well.
5) What kinds of inferences did you make while reading your research?
How emotion can be reflected within works, as well as how contrast is utilized to give a polished professional look to pieces.
-Citations-
https://classicalartsuniverse.com/sorrowing-old-man-analysis/
Sorrowing Old Man ('At Eternity’s Gate’) – Kröller-Müller Museum. krollermuller.nl/en/vincent-van-gogh-sorrowing-old-man-at-eternity-s-gate.
Theatre Magazine (USA) https://www.bridgemanimages.com/en-US/noartistknown/theatre-magazine-magazine-cover-usa-1920s/nomedium/asset/3458411
Sorrowing Old Man ('At Eternity’s Gate’) – Kröller-Müller Museum. krollermuller.nl/en/vincent-van-gogh-sorrowing-old-man-at-eternity-s-gate.
Theatre Magazine (USA) https://www.bridgemanimages.com/en-US/noartistknown/theatre-magazine-magazine-cover-usa-1920s/nomedium/asset/3458411