Sophomore Review - ksteckportfolio

Color Theory – Man

A Portrait of Matisse

Color Theory: Spring 2023
Color-aid Paper on Mixed Media Paper
8in x 10in
The purpose of this project was to study why famous painters chose specific colors in their works and how the colors (their different hues and values) create a sense of harmony in the overall piece. I chose a painting of Matisse by Andre Derain because of how he created a balanced feel between warm and cool colors. This is a high-key piece that has a lively quality through the use of saturated colors.

Window

Through My Window

Drawing II: Spring 2023
Charcoal
18in x 24in
This project was our final project for interior drawings. This project was assigned to test our understanding of perspective, composition, and value. The contrast of the bright window lighting the bed with the dark walls create depth and emphasis. I chose a darker background and a strong focal point to create a sense of solitude in this piece.

concrete

Digital Collage

Digital Art: Spring 2023
Photoshop
10in x 12in
This assignment tested the ability to use Photoshop to blend, transform, and layer different media pieces to create a compelling image. In this piece, I mixed modern and traditional elements, vibrant colors, and organic lines to create a dreamlike quality. Also, I used pieces with varying textures to add variety to the piece.

sgwp

Orchid

Design: Fall 2022
Technical Pen on Bristol Paper
9in x 12in
The purpose of this project was to design a stained glass window with floral elements. This piece explores how the use of line and line weight can create a sense of unity. I used repeating patterns and geometric shapes on both sides to give the overall piece a balanced look. I simplified the basic patterns and lines of an orchid for this piece. For example, the long vertical lines on the sides of the piece mimic the shape and height of an orchid while the middle pattern is drawn from the petals of an orchid.

Wolfie

Wolf Overlay

Digital Art: Spring 2023
Adobe Photoshop
12in x 16in
This assignment was to combine multiple techniques often used in Adobe Photoshop such as overlays, layer masks, and adjusting colors. This piece emphasizes color and texture through the use of color harmony of the red and blue wolf and the texture the fur displays.

Vilya

Drawing I: Fall 2022
Charcoal
18in x 24in
The last assignment of Drawing I was to create a portrait of yourself or someone you knew. This project was a challenge meant to use all the fundamentals (shape, perspective, proportion, line, negative space) learned in creating this portrait. I chose to draw a portrait of my grandmother because I wanted to convey an isolated moment of joy. I used a grid system to ensure the proportions were correct and to align my subject so I could work from the background to the foreground. This piece uses negative space to highlight the focal point of the piece. Also, lines were used to give the piece a sense of movement, especially emphasizing her smile and eyes.

Mountains

Some Winters

Printmaking: Fall 2023
Ink on Printmaking Paper
11in x 14in
The purpose of this project was to create a three color reduction print. For this piece, I used a gradient of blue to create a calm yet isolated winter scene. The darkest blue and fragmented lines at the bottom create contrast with the darker blue ice, depth, and texture within the piece. The white in between the blue colors create a sense of rhythm and continuity. The soft blue colors are meant to distinguish between the foreground and background of the piece. The variety of lines, shapes, textures, and colors create the overall sense of unity in the piece.

horizon

Horizon

Drawing II: Spring 2023
Charcoal
18in x 24in
This project was assigned in order to explore our own interpretations of landscapes. I chose to do a minimalist scene of a sunset in order to display a pure and clean beauty of a landscape. It is meant to show order and harmony. I used gradation on both the sun and the land to create a sense of movement within the piece. The lightest area is the focal point and is where the horizon line lies.

Self-Portrait

Printmaking: Fall 2023
Ink on Printmaking Paper
11in x 14in
This project was an introduction to the process of screenprinting. It is ideal for creating areas of large, flat colors. In this piece, I was inspired by African art and prints and how they use simple lines and bright colors to portray their subjects. I used solid, organic lines to create a sense of movement and reflection on the face in the center. The vibrant colors in the background contrast with the dark central figure.

redg

Risk!

Painting I: Fall 2023
Oil on Canvas
9in x 12in
This was the first still life project of the painting class. It was meant to test skills such as composition, lighting, color choice and to tell a story through our artwork. I chose meaningful objects such as cards and game pieces from an old board game my dad had as well as my grandmother’s sunglasses and glass. I included the clock to emphasize the word “Risk!” to show that brevity of life and as a warning to use our time wisely. I chose simple but stark colors to reflect this message as well. The dark black background gives a serious tone to the piece.

Light Study

Photography I: Fall 2022
Digital Image
5in x 7in
The purpose of this photograph was to practice composition, light, and photographing close-up objects. I used the gray background to contrast with the vibrant green of the plant while showing the subject isolated in thirds. The soft light is seen reflected on the glossy surface of the leaf further emphasizing the vibrancy and texture of the plant. The lines of the leaf lead the viewer through the photograph to the focal point where the light and leaf meet.

A World of My Own

Painting I: Fall 2023
Oil on Canvas
16in x 20in
This was the final project of the Painting I class. We chose different styles to paint in using a still life made for our class as the subject matter. This project was meant to test composition, use of color, and unity. I took inspiration from Impressionist style painting and used a palette knife to create this piece. The blue gradient background works with the earthy colors of the figure to create a sense of calmness and of being grounded. The variety of strokes of paint and the colors add visual interest to the piece.

Cetra

Design: Fall 2022
Ink on Bristol Paper
11in x 14in
The technical focus of this piece was to use line variations to create rhythm and emphasis within our artwork. I was inspired by naturally occurring patterns in nature and used different line weights to add variety. Also, I used the repetition of certain lines to create emphasis.

porch

Porch with Sailboat

Painting I: Fall 2023
Oil on Canvas Paper
8in x 8in
The object of this assignment was to attempt to color match a painting of our choice in order to practice mixing colors and showing color harmony. This piece utilizes lighter, less intense colors to create a balanced yet interesting perspective. There is no one dominant color allowing the viewer to experience the flow of the piece. The deeper blue in the background helps create the illusion of dimension and depth. The use of mostly cool colors give an overall calming affect.

pitch

Still Life

Painting I: Fall 2023
Oil on Canvas
16in x 20in
This piece was part of our final still life in Painting I. The technical focus of this piece was to use value, shape, and composition to create a well developed observational piece. In this piece, I used cooler colors differing in their value and hue to create variety. Also, I grouped the objects in odd numbers and placed different colors in different corners to create visual balance. I used a mix of geometric and organic shapes to harmonize this piece as well. This piece includes a skull which is reminder of memento mori.

coll

Free Study

Color Theory: Spring 2023
Color-aid Paper on Mixed Media Paper
8in x 10in
In this study, we were free to choose our own colors to show an understanding of color harmony and value. I chose a mix of warm oranges and yellows varying in their intensity and tints to pair with browns and greys to create a harmonious color palette. The geometric shapes help to balance the piece.

white sands

Was It All a Dream?

Digital Art: Spring 2023
Photoshop
12in x 16in
This assignment was to use different blending modes, distorting, layer comps, and curve adjustments in Photoshop to create a unique final product. In this piece, I layered different colors and distorted different lines within the piece to give an overall abstract and painterly quality. The smooth texture also creates a dreamlike quality for this piece.

Card-tar

Picasso Guitar

3D Design: Fall 2023
Cardboard
20in x 24in
For this project, we recreated famous artwork using cardboard. I chose to recreate Picasso’s painting of a guitar in order to show how physical forms and shapes create a 3D piece. This deconstructed guitar is able to emphasize depth. The natural texture of the cardboard and the various heights of the cardboard pieces also add visual interest.

dusk

Night Photography

Photography I: Fall 2022
Digital Image
8in x 10in
This was part of the night photography section for my Photography I course. This project was meant to help us understand exposure, composition, and provide a unique perspective as opposed to daytime photography. In this image, I wanted to emphasize the basic outlines of the tree and house in the foreground so the star in the sky could be the focus of this piece. The grey clouds provide an outline and highlight for the foreground.

words

The Brief Loveliness

Design: Fall 2022
Collage on Bristol Paper
8in x 8in
The purpose of this project was to create a collage made of words with a specific overarching theme. I chose the theme of growing up and used different magazine article titles to compose my image. I used harsh lines to delineate each section of the collage. I used similar sized clippings grouped together to create balance, unity, and rhythm within this piece. The hierarchy of text is displayed in a logical reading order.