Recreation of Adam
Watercolor and pen 30.5 x 40.5 November 2017 click to enlarge
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Exhibition Text Recreation of Adam is inspired by Michelangelo's Creation of Adam, Death of a Salesman and Norman Rockwell. This illustration was made using watercolor and pen. It represents the theme of relationships and conveys the message of a father inspiring a son to be a better person. |
Planning Sketches
Inspiration
Process
Drawing Process
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The materials used for completing this illustration were illustration board, watercolor, a variation of small round brushes, pens in the sizes .005, .01, and .02, and a pencil and eraser. The first thing I did was create a sketch/outline of my piece laying in the basic shapes and forms. I then went over these forms with pen adding more detail. I then started laying in shadows of the hands then proceeded to fill in the highlights and mid tones. I then started painting other objects in the pieces then lastly painted the background with a wash. |
Experimentation
Reflection
The inspirations I had going into this project were Michelangelo's Creation of Adam, Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, and Norman Rockwell. Creation of Adam depicts God giving life to Adam. In my illustration I used the same form of the hands but added different elements to the piece but kept the meaning relatively the same. For instance, the flower seeds being passed between the two figures represents how a father can pass on not life but a positive example for his son to adapt and live by. I also drew inspiration from Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. In the book a major symbol that is used is seeds. The main character, Willy, planted seeds before he committed suicide so that he could feel as if he made something out of himself before he died. I decided to have a packet of daffodils being passed between father and son to symbolize how the father is passing on a new start for his son and how these seeds will build his son's sense of self. Lastly my piece is similar to Norman Rockwell's art because he always creating stories within his work telling stories of everyday life, which is something I emulated. A few things I feel I exceeded at during this project was the ability to experiment with new techniques I had not yet fully opened myself up to. For example, drawing faces with colored pencil was an eye opener and painting with watercolor was something I had not had much prior experience to. I am happy about my practice in these mediums because I am always doing my best to try out new mediums and methods of creating. I think the detail I put into my piece could have been amped up and that possibly there could be more use of the negative space. Overall a struggle I had was creating a plan for what my illustration would look like- I had all my ideas and the meaning behind the piece figured out I just had trouble visualizing it and putting it on paper. What I can say I am happy with about this piece is the meaning behind it and my attempts at using watercolor with little experience. All in all, I do believe this is not my best work but I am satisfied with the effort I put into it.
ACT Questions
1. Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork.
My first source of inspiration came from the style Rockwell uses in his illustrations as well as how he connects his pieces to everyday American life. I used the techniques of shading to create dimension to make my illustration look more realistic as well as incorporated aspects Americans can relate to. Secondly, I took inspiration from the meaning behind Creation of Adam and put a modern spin on it. I also used the symbolism of seeds as did Death of a Salesman.
2. What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
I was inspired by the meanings Norman Rockwell and Michelangelo incorporate in their work as well as Death of a Salesman. I was influenced Rockwell due to the way his work was depictions of everyday American life. I was also inspired by Creation of Adam because the meaning behind that piece is how God is giving life to Adam which is a concept I was influenced by and I wanted to make a modern day spin on it. Death of a Salesman influenced me to have the object of seeds being passed between the father and son.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I learned a lot about Norman Rockwell and how his pieces were strictly depictions of modern American life at the time and how he told stories within his artwork which is something I was striving after doing. I also came to a further understanding of the symbolism of seeds in Death of a Salesman.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
I wanted my theme to be expressed through the symbolism I used. I wanted it to be centered around relationships and also wanted the message of the piece to be apparent.
5. What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
After looking at the different meanings and techniques used in the art pieces I researched I was able to envision how my final piece was going to turn out as well as how I would make a modern day interpretation of Creation of Adam and a connection to Death of a Salesman.
My first source of inspiration came from the style Rockwell uses in his illustrations as well as how he connects his pieces to everyday American life. I used the techniques of shading to create dimension to make my illustration look more realistic as well as incorporated aspects Americans can relate to. Secondly, I took inspiration from the meaning behind Creation of Adam and put a modern spin on it. I also used the symbolism of seeds as did Death of a Salesman.
2. What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
I was inspired by the meanings Norman Rockwell and Michelangelo incorporate in their work as well as Death of a Salesman. I was influenced Rockwell due to the way his work was depictions of everyday American life. I was also inspired by Creation of Adam because the meaning behind that piece is how God is giving life to Adam which is a concept I was influenced by and I wanted to make a modern day spin on it. Death of a Salesman influenced me to have the object of seeds being passed between the father and son.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I learned a lot about Norman Rockwell and how his pieces were strictly depictions of modern American life at the time and how he told stories within his artwork which is something I was striving after doing. I also came to a further understanding of the symbolism of seeds in Death of a Salesman.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
I wanted my theme to be expressed through the symbolism I used. I wanted it to be centered around relationships and also wanted the message of the piece to be apparent.
5. What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
After looking at the different meanings and techniques used in the art pieces I researched I was able to envision how my final piece was going to turn out as well as how I would make a modern day interpretation of Creation of Adam and a connection to Death of a Salesman.