Graphic Design 1: Photoshop

Graphic Design 1, taken Fall 2015, was my first time using Photoshop. Some of it I liked and some of it I didn't but all of it was a good learning experience.

First was the Duck

 

The goal of this project was to get acquainted with Photoshop by placing a duck in a pond. We used the pen tool, gradient tool, and the brush tool. Our instructor walked us through how to use several tools as well as their basic workings.

Magazine Covers

The goal was to recreate three magazine covers. Three because aside form the Ducky, our instructor made us do everything in threes. He said anyone can make something good once but a good designer has to be consistent. We used the pen tool, text tool, and the gradient tool.  (I don't own Mandisa's image but I do think she's awesome)

Surreal Project

Lightman

The Birds

Tulips in the Morning

The goal was to create a Surreal Art piece using high resolution images. We used the pen tool, quick selection tool, layer mask, and various layer filters. Finding images I wanted for free was challenging.

Liquify Project

The goal was to create a cohesive or thematic works using the liquefy filter. We also used the pen tool, type tool, and crop tool. I don't own any of the images and truthfully I didn't watch any of the movies.

Like I said it was a good experience. The Surreal project was my favorite because well Surrealism. (*-*)

Painting 1

So finally after many years of running and doing what I want, in the Spring 2015 semester I took a painting class. Painting 1 to be precise and boy did I learn a lot. The main thing being, I am not a Renaissance/Baroque type gal. I'm a Post-Impression/Expressionism gal. Naturalism/Realism can be done however it is not my friend. I felt very imprisoned and sad doing our first two projects. Also, I'm grateful that I took Drawing 1 or I would have been beyond miserable.

Project 1: Monochromatic still life

Project 2: Color still life

So this is what we used for the second project

And this was the result

Although the second two projects were quite enjoyable. Most likely due to the bit of freedom given. I had fun working on them simultaneously.

Project 3: Texture and Geometric shape

I'm really happy with this and is was great art therapy for me. Believe it or not, this was the result of me pouring a lot of stress and sadness out so I could focus more clearly on how things would get better. Which they did of course.  

Project 4: Make what you want

It didn't come out the way I envisioned at all but it was alright. I'm keeping my sketches so as I increase my skills, I can try again in the future.














Overall it was a great class.

Drawing 2

Drawing 2 was not my friend and I'm still trying to recover. Okay that may be a bit too dramatic but not totally wrong. In Drawing 2 we learned about value. Since we see objects and understand objects because of how dark or light they are, value is incredible important to art. Generally speaking, as long as there are dark values in harmony with light values, your artwork will look pretty good. But the whole process was lost on me. I understand it theoretically, it just doesn't translate well when I try to produce. (To me anyway) Nevertheless, it was a good experience to have. 

So here are some examples of what we did.

Cow skull still life

Female bust

The skull wasn't bad but the bust was a bust. (Yes I typed that on purpose) We also did some on toned paper.

skull still life

male bust

We also did some torsos and a self portrait.

male torso

female torso

self portrait

The final was interesting. We had to make a replica of a drawing.

Overall I learned a good bit but I still need lots of improvement.