Here's HS Junior- Ashley

LarrySeiler · #1 10-03-2001, 09:49 AM

I'm featuring the drawings of a couple high school juniors I have here. A scary proposition for young art students to have their work seen by many actual artists...but a good opportunity for them to experience the existing community of artists as well. I'm sure they would appreciate any encouragement or helpful suggestions. Thanks!
Mr. Seiler

Here is Ashley, with a mixed media drawing of a ceramic vase. Charcoal vine, fixed then gone over with watercolor washes. Then a carbon pencil to beef up line and value, and a bit of acrylic white paint for highlighting-

and now the larger drawing alone-

coolray · #2 10-03-2001, 11:10 AM

This is a great way to start!.. The best thing for any artist, or inspiring artist , is to get an observation from their peers. It lets you know where you are at, and where you need to go, in your work. Having said that, you will get mixed reviews on what you do and some of it (maybe most

) will not be what you want to hear. I have had some brutal critiques of my work at times. But in the end you should be able to pick yourself up and learn from the experience.

Now to the vase...... First of all Ashley, may I say that the overall look of your work is great! Your choice of colors are soft, giving the vase more of a pottery look.

The use of multi-mediums has been executed nicely. I think I would have used a wash on the background as not to take away from the vase. It looks as though you were in a hurry on the background.

Watch your shadows. You are showing a light source from the left of your vase which appears to be the main light, but be aware of the other light coming from the right of the vase as depicted by the reflection of light there. You should have a shadow coming off the left side of the vase, thought not as defined. And gradient your shadows from dark to light more, starting from the base of the vase and moving away.

Overall, pay attention to detail and look at perspective, the vase looks skewed somewhat.

You've done a real nice job Ashley, and don't take these points I've given as a negative response, these are just the things I see, and reflect what I have come across in my growing as an artist. Keep up the good work!!

LarrySeiler · #3 10-03-2001, 11:24 AM

very good constructive criticism Coolray, thanks!!!
Mr "S"

Ivyleaf · #4 10-04-2001, 01:44 AM

I love the colors in the vase, and the shadows on the handle and the inside are done very well!

Keep up the good work!

Lulu · #5 10-04-2001, 02:03 AM

Ashley I love your use of mixed media here, I could learn a thing or two from you

Coolray, I could learn a thing or two from you too, very helpful encouraging critique, not only for Ashley

LarrySeiler · #6 10-06-2001, 08:08 AM

You know...oddly enough, one of the neat things about teaching art to high school students is that they are in that "wet-behind-the-ear everything is still somewhat new" stage. Often they don't know what they don't know, and are less inhibited in some ways to try something. They don't know yet what is not going to work...though when they feel something doesn't, they want to avoid it at all costs.

Yet...sometimes you get to witness happy accidents, or see colors come together that as an artist...the teacher him/herself might not have tried. So, Lulu...as many years as I have painted, I have to concur I too can learn something once in awhile from observing my students. Its a neat journey we are on......

-Larry

LarrySeiler · #7 10-09-2001, 10:10 AM

Thank you for the comments and the helpful tips everyone. It will be very helpful when I do my next drawing. Thanks for the hints on using light source and shadows, Coolray. Thanks Ivyleaf, for the positive comments about my colors!

Ashley...

toddjunck · #8 10-09-2001, 11:30 AM

Ashley,

You have created a beautiful piece. The colors are wonderful!

You should be very proud of your work. I know that Mr. S is!!!!

Todd

P.S. Larry, this is a great idea. Keep posting more of your students work!

**billyg** · #9 10-10-2001, 05:19 AM

Hey Ashley,
Cruising the web to my home town in the UK I discovered that my old Art master at Grammar School had actually shown at the Royal Academy after he had retired from teaching. His stuff that was shown was generally traditional still lifes and landscapes a far cry from the Piccasso and Matisse he tried to stuff down our young throats back in the late 40's early 50's as this was the time of change when tradition went out the window and modernism came in the door and never the twain shall meet. We all hated art because of the change and I never bothered with it until 3 yrs ago when I started again and I am now well and truely hooked. I can see from your work that Mr "S" while teaching you fundimental art and basics also encourages you to do your own thing. I like what you have done as you should, be proud of it. Well done Ashley. You can have my quote of Paint like a Millionaire and also, Hang onto Mr "S". youll learn heaps from him as we at wc have.
Happy Painting Billyg

impetuous · #10 10-12-2001, 12:30 AM

I love the way that the colours all blend in this, especially the bluey purple bits up teh side by the handle.
It was a tricky angle to draw from, with the spout that way, so congratulations for being so brave

(would have been easier to draw with the spout one side and the handle the other) I have to be honest and say that I'd have picked the easy option ...but then I'm so lazy

(my teacher would have come alone and moved the jug so as to MAKE me do it the hard way! ...killjoy!)
Even though, as Cooljay said, it looks a bit skewed, I think you've done a great job

Perspective is a killer, it's my biggest bugbear, and the worst thing about it is that unless you get up and take a break now and then you don't even see that you're a bit off with something until it's too late. If I could give a bit of advice then it's sit your work up straight, get up and walk to the other side of the room and look at it (yeah, yeah, I know, you feel a bit of a prat, especially when your surrounded by 20 or so other people, but it really works!)

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