Assignment 2
the class I have chosen to create an assignment on is Art. the medium I have chosen to use is spray paint. I struggled with teaching myself spray paint art because there is no formal spray paint art class that anyone can take in the states. It is an art form that is said to have originated in Mexico but can now be found around many tourist attractions and beach piers. There are a plethora of videos of artist making masterpieces in crowded city streets that can be found on youtube amongst the amounts of amateurs taking the art form on for a try. That is where I got the logistics of how the art is created. there are many basic “how to” videos on how to make structures and form out of the paint. However there were many textures and structures that I could not find videos on, which required me to divulge deeper into the hidden secrets that the spray paint held within its limits of manipulation. When I first saw the artform, like many it was a surreal space scene. I was instantly captivated and wanted to try it for myself. At the same time my grandfather had become ill from liver cancer and I decided to make him a mural on the walls of the building where I had spent seven years working, my projection booth where I played film movies. So with no permission, during my shifts I brought in spray paint and for the first time began to spray the wall full of color and space. As a result I learned my first lesson, and from that moment on I would never be the same. I loved every part of the process and felt as if I learned something new from every angle that I shot the paint and texture I created layering paint and manipulating it with magazine paper, sponges, palette knives, plastic bags, pot lids, garbage can lids, and film containers. I worked on the piece every shift I worked and showed it to my grandparents as it was coming together. My grandfather passed that week from the cancer and I finished the mural in honor of him. It has been about a year and a half now and I have continued my endeavor learning new complexities in the application of spray paint art. I have even began teaching my close friends and family the artform and will soon be painting live when spring comes.
Notably, spray paint art is an entertainment artform that takes place in busy open areas. The art attracts a crowd and the artist becomes a performer amongst the street. The artist begins by laying down paint onto a canvas from poster board, wood, plastic, or glass. The artist then preps the canvas with colors that will lay as undertones for being peeled back up with a palette knife, let that dry and then begin to spray a picture, beginning with the farthest objects and work their way into the foreground. I have always painted alone with only close friends watching, taking my time and seeing the picture as a voyage. As I paint I go on a journey with the color and create whatever scenery comes to mind. With that in mind I am free to paint whatever my heart and soul desires and can reflect upon what I have painted when I’m finished.
For most people spray paint is a taboo that only taggers and bombers use, but that is just a creative form that is expressed through the very same medium. ultimately the spray paint is a medium that can be used in any form in any creative way because it can adhere to almost any surface. It is the creativity from artist to artist that differentiates the outcome or final result of what transpires when the paint is dry. I enjoy the medium because it is an art form that one cannot easily find a book on in a bookstore or find a class teaching it. It is an academia of the streets and the art speaks for itself. When it comes to it and the creative result of trying new things one can always try a new texture and consistency and a whole new creative world materializes within it.
For most people spray paint is a taboo that only taggers and bombers use, but that is just a creative form that is expressed through the very same medium. ultimately the spray paint is a medium that can be used in any form in any creative way because it can adhere to almost any surface. It is the creativity from artist to artist that differentiates the outcome or final result of what transpires when the paint is dry. I enjoy the medium because it is an art form that one cannot easily find a book on in a bookstore or find a class teaching it. It is an academia of the streets and the art speaks for itself. When it comes to it and the creative result of trying new things one can always try a new texture and consistency and a whole new creative world materializes within it.
Part 2
For the purpose of instruction I can elaborate upon what I believe helps makes a great picture and is a good instructional guideline to start with.
1) A good assortment of colors creates a richer emotional complexity, but black and white can do the trick and is a good place to start and not feel overwhelmed by all the color
2) Creating highlights and shading creates depth amongst the color.
3) One can begin making what is farthest from view which can be considered the sky in most landscape pictures, and work inward creating mountains, hills, trees, lakes of water, and shrubbery.
4) Create movement in the picture. which can consist of clouds in the sky, wind through the leaves, rushing water or waves, and fog.
5) Once the sky is created land can be placed by layering desired colors and letting them dry for a moments, the paint can be manipulated before it is dry and once it is too dry one can apply clear coat to wet the paint again in order to wield control of the pigment if not finished employing the desired shape or texture.
6) Layering everything over itself allows for depth to take form, and giving more definition to what is close to the viewers allows it to appear closer.
7) Be creative, this is your imagination and whatever you desire can take form with a little practice. skill only comes with practice and enjoyment comes first. If one enjoys to create the creation will come. style only comes through mastery, and one cannot be a master without practicing. If the art reflects oneself, it reflects the colors one likes, the forms and shapes one likes, the tone one feels. It is like a language one learn and like anyone new to a language they will not be able to fully express themselves but through practice one is able to learn the emotions they wish to express.
For the purpose of instruction I can elaborate upon what I believe helps makes a great picture and is a good instructional guideline to start with.
1) A good assortment of colors creates a richer emotional complexity, but black and white can do the trick and is a good place to start and not feel overwhelmed by all the color
2) Creating highlights and shading creates depth amongst the color.
3) One can begin making what is farthest from view which can be considered the sky in most landscape pictures, and work inward creating mountains, hills, trees, lakes of water, and shrubbery.
4) Create movement in the picture. which can consist of clouds in the sky, wind through the leaves, rushing water or waves, and fog.
5) Once the sky is created land can be placed by layering desired colors and letting them dry for a moments, the paint can be manipulated before it is dry and once it is too dry one can apply clear coat to wet the paint again in order to wield control of the pigment if not finished employing the desired shape or texture.
6) Layering everything over itself allows for depth to take form, and giving more definition to what is close to the viewers allows it to appear closer.
7) Be creative, this is your imagination and whatever you desire can take form with a little practice. skill only comes with practice and enjoyment comes first. If one enjoys to create the creation will come. style only comes through mastery, and one cannot be a master without practicing. If the art reflects oneself, it reflects the colors one likes, the forms and shapes one likes, the tone one feels. It is like a language one learn and like anyone new to a language they will not be able to fully express themselves but through practice one is able to learn the emotions they wish to express.
A few questions to consider while painting is
what do you want to create?
me: mystifying fantasy full of surreal landscape
cg: I'll probably paint some planets, because they seem less intimidating than everything else.
hg:I wanted to create a basic planet with a moon.
how does the paint feel as it comes out the can?
me: upon shaking it to mix the solvents a little air comes out first, but afterwards the well mixed paint flows like a mist through the air onto its surface.
cg:Scary. I feel like I either spray too much or too little
hg:Very watery and took some time to get the flow correct to not flood the canvas.
how does the paint feel after it has been laying for a moment?
me: upon application it is very moist but soon gains a consistency that one can try to manipulate.
cg:The parts where I've sprayed too much are still pretty wet, the good portions are damp but almost dry.
hg:Sticky.
what colors do you like to use and why?
me: my favorite colors are fluorescents because under a blacklight the art almost bounces off the canvas.
cg:I like blues and pinks, I like brighter colors because even if I mess up if the colors are pretty
hg: dark blues and purple because I wanted to create a cosmic scene that showed the size of the universe by making the viewer consider dark matter.
how does it feel to create texture?
me: finding new textures is one of my favorite parts of applying paint and removing it with objects to create texture.
cg:It's pretty exciting because I'm not sure how it will come out but it's always better than I expect.
hg:It is a cool experience to take items that would normally go unnoticed and apply them to the canvas to watch them create the illusion of planetary features.
what shapes do you like to make with the palette knife?
me: My favorite shapes are sharp spikes and trees because they create such life and emotion.
cg: I like to make mountains, there are easy and make the picture pop.
hg: Rocks
what do you consider to be your favorite scenery?
me: I love spacescape because so much can be made in the vast open space.
cg:Sunsets, you can never go wrong with a colorful sunset.
hg:My favorite sceneries are those of planets among the stars.
do you find the art form to be malleable enough to be creative and express your creativity?
me: It is by far my most favorite medium because I feel like an astronaut exploring new worlds known to no other man.
cg:Yes! I never thought I could spray paint but after trying a few times, I wouldn't mind taking it up as a hobby. It's fun and once you get the hang of it the paint kind of just lands where you need it to.
hg:I do. It is a simple enough process to imagine whet you want to make and construct it out of the techniques you learn.
what do you want to create?
me: mystifying fantasy full of surreal landscape
cg: I'll probably paint some planets, because they seem less intimidating than everything else.
hg:I wanted to create a basic planet with a moon.
how does the paint feel as it comes out the can?
me: upon shaking it to mix the solvents a little air comes out first, but afterwards the well mixed paint flows like a mist through the air onto its surface.
cg:Scary. I feel like I either spray too much or too little
hg:Very watery and took some time to get the flow correct to not flood the canvas.
how does the paint feel after it has been laying for a moment?
me: upon application it is very moist but soon gains a consistency that one can try to manipulate.
cg:The parts where I've sprayed too much are still pretty wet, the good portions are damp but almost dry.
hg:Sticky.
what colors do you like to use and why?
me: my favorite colors are fluorescents because under a blacklight the art almost bounces off the canvas.
cg:I like blues and pinks, I like brighter colors because even if I mess up if the colors are pretty
hg: dark blues and purple because I wanted to create a cosmic scene that showed the size of the universe by making the viewer consider dark matter.
how does it feel to create texture?
me: finding new textures is one of my favorite parts of applying paint and removing it with objects to create texture.
cg:It's pretty exciting because I'm not sure how it will come out but it's always better than I expect.
hg:It is a cool experience to take items that would normally go unnoticed and apply them to the canvas to watch them create the illusion of planetary features.
what shapes do you like to make with the palette knife?
me: My favorite shapes are sharp spikes and trees because they create such life and emotion.
cg: I like to make mountains, there are easy and make the picture pop.
hg: Rocks
what do you consider to be your favorite scenery?
me: I love spacescape because so much can be made in the vast open space.
cg:Sunsets, you can never go wrong with a colorful sunset.
hg:My favorite sceneries are those of planets among the stars.
do you find the art form to be malleable enough to be creative and express your creativity?
me: It is by far my most favorite medium because I feel like an astronaut exploring new worlds known to no other man.
cg:Yes! I never thought I could spray paint but after trying a few times, I wouldn't mind taking it up as a hobby. It's fun and once you get the hang of it the paint kind of just lands where you need it to.
hg:I do. It is a simple enough process to imagine whet you want to make and construct it out of the techniques you learn.
there is always a feeling of ambiance that occurs after spray painting, whether it be the joy it brings or the fumes you breath.