Weekly Reflections
Week 1: During week 1 I discovered what type of learner I am; I am a tactile learner that does well in both structured environments and environments that conform to my personal needs at a given time. Additionally, I worked on bettering my composition skills alongside my small group members. I wasn’t very stressed this week, but am anxious for the weeks to come.
Week 2: During week 2 we began learning about the elements of art. Alongside our lecture, we began working on our templates for our thumbnails. I struggled with cutting straight lines, but I am much more appreciative of quality craftsmanship.
Week 3: During week 3, I focused on my quick sketches and practice thumbnail drawings to help prepare for my final thumbnail pieces. I am better understanding craft and composition by doing the practice sketches. Additionally, we learned about the principles of art alongside gestalt. Both lectures helped inform me of how to properly portray the desired elements and principles in my thumbnails.
Week 4: During week 4 I gave a speech about multi-media sculptor, Rowan Mersh. By giving my presentation, I noticed that while still slightly nervous, I am bettering my vocabulary and knowledge when it comes to art. Additionally, I finished working on my thumbnails for my digital portfolio, and I really am proud of how they turned out.
Week 5: During week 5, we started discussing the first portion of color theory. We discussed color wheels and value scales and created our own of each in order to further our understanding of color. We also had a mini discussion board critique on our thumbnails, which helped me personally to get feedback on what worked and what didn’t.
Week 6: During week 6, we worked on value scales, intensity scales, shade and tint scales, as well as color wheels. Additionally, we went over the second lecture for color and mainly spent the week finalizing our own scales and color wheel. I struggled with wanting my scales and color wheel to be perfect, but I ultimately had a major realization that this is not achievable.
Week 7: During week 7, we worked on finalizing our color scales and color wheels. Additionally, we began working on our simultaneous contrast assignments. We also began to prepare for our black and white studies. I am excited about the black and white studies because I really enjoyed making the thumbnails, however, I am nervous about how I will achieve all my ideas.
Week 8: During week 8 we started our work on our black and white studies, which included learning how to photograph our work properly if we don’t have time to access the scanner. So far, I am happy with my productivity, especially because I not only managed to make five studies, I am nearly finished with my portfolio for the first turn in.
Week 9: During week 9, we only had one class period due to our fall break. Despite not having a true class period, I spent several hours completing my black and white studies. Later, we discussed an upcoming project, which will be our color studies. I am glad that our black and white studies are done because while I enjoyed learning more about the elements and principles, the work was rather meticulous.
Week 10: During week 10, I began working on my color studies. I struggled with additive color at first, since I was using my iPad to create my compositions, but after reviewing what additive color was, I was ready to complete my studies. I lost inspiration have way through my studies because I felt like the color schemes and compositions were clashing, but after polishing my work, I feel confident with my final products.
Week 11: During week 11, we worked on our 3D studies. I was nervous at first since I struggle with 3D forms, but I was able to do things in my own way that reflected my personal style and was quality content I was proud of. I also added color into my studies which made me feel more passionate about my work since I enjoy discovering new ways to incorporate color into my compositions. Additionally, we also started discussing our wearable art projects, which I am both nervous and excited about.
Week 12: During week 12, we discussed our ideas for our wearable art pieces and started to work on them. I am happy with the progress I have made with my mine, but am still trying to add details to enhance the overall concept. I am nervous about bringing my concept to life, because my piece is based on inspiration from heavier topics, and I don’t want to make a mockery out of my intended theme.
Week 13: During week 13, we had small conferences to discuss our progress on our wearable art. I finished the actual pieces for my project early, but am trying to figure out the best way to capture my concept in an effective manner. Other classes are causing me stress, so I am fearful my stress will carry over to this project, however, I am hopeful for the final product.
Week 14: During week 14, we had to share our final projects for our wearable art pieces, and unfortunately, there was a technical issue with mine so I was unable to share my piece in its entirety. I was disappointed because I was really proud of my final outcome, but I suppose that how I feel about my project is what matters most. We are also working on our storyboards for our stop motion piece, and I am stressed out, yet excited, for that project.
Week 15: During week 15, we discussed our storyboards for our stop motion piece and I wasn’t too confident with my proposal. I was challenged to be the most different with my piece, yet I felt like I was holding myself back. After playing with my original idea, I started constructing the setup and began to feel more confident in my work, yet I was still stressed out about being behind schedule.
Week 16: During week 16, we discussed the progress we had with our stop motion pieces. Between week 15 and 16, I managed to nearly finalize my project. I was stressed out with how it was going, and after really listening to feedback, I decided against my sad ending and changed the narrative. I added to my project as I went, and even included a happier ending. The piece itself has aspects to it that are choppy, and while that may look like a craft error, I rather like how it turned out. It is the perfect metaphor to encompass my piece: while things may seem difficult along the way, they usually have a way of working out in the end.
