Dry Point
Title: Revealed
Size: 12.7 x 17.8 cm
November 2016
Exhibition Text: This dry point piece was created based on the theme of identity. It is apart of the "Flight" series, where I am able to express my thoughts about the feminine body. This piece was inspired by works of Rene Magritte due to his ability to connect with birds. This piece is meant to communicate how women shouldn't be held down and can be just as brave and strong as long as they are willing to spread their wings.
Artistic Inspiration
For my dry point, I was greatly inspired by Rene Magritte. This particular artist is best known for his surrealist paintings. In his paintings, most of the time the figure of person being presented is shown with some sort of object over their face. I see this as a way of keeping one's identity a secret. In my painting I wanted to show a person once concealed as bursting out of the idea of not knowing who they are, and showing 'this is me'. The wings are put to reoresent freedom and strength, both of which are an essential part of becoming your own individual person.
Experimentation
Before attempting to start the dry point, I had to begin by experimenting with different ideas, materials, and sketches. After this, I did research on several artists and was able to narrow it down to one artist. I then based my work off of their work. When this was done, I was able to start my sketches. After I completed my sketches, I began to pick out the materials I was going to use. For my final sketch, I decided to use one of the three I had experimented with.
My last experimentation was putting the oil based ink into the dry point and transferring it onto a piece of paper. This was a difficult step for me because I have never used oil based ink before. Throughout this step I came to realize that I had to maintain my area as clean as possible. The trickiest part for me was wiping off the additional ink, without taking all of the ink out of the scratches.
Process
1. Finding ideas and exploring sources
For the first step I concluded that I wanted to continue with the theme of identity, following my block print, so I chose to portray a different idea relating to the same message. From my research I concluded that wings are a powerful symbol of freedom and victory. As a result I started to put together some ideas about a body containing wings.
For the first step I concluded that I wanted to continue with the theme of identity, following my block print, so I chose to portray a different idea relating to the same message. From my research I concluded that wings are a powerful symbol of freedom and victory. As a result I started to put together some ideas about a body containing wings.
2. Planning and Sketches
After putting together a few ideas, I created at least three planning sketches. Each represented the same idea just with a different placement of the wings.
After putting together a few ideas, I created at least three planning sketches. Each represented the same idea just with a different placement of the wings.
3. Transferring the Sketch onto the Proxy-glass
I transfered my sketch onto the proxy glass by placing it over my sketch and then scratching it in. This assured me that the transferring wouldn't cause any changes from the sketch to the proxy glass. This technique allowed me to know exactly where I was scratching into.
I transfered my sketch onto the proxy glass by placing it over my sketch and then scratching it in. This assured me that the transferring wouldn't cause any changes from the sketch to the proxy glass. This technique allowed me to know exactly where I was scratching into.
4. Inking
After completely scratching my piece, I began the inking process. I started by gathering all the necessary materials and then I began to soak the paper in which my final dry point were to be printing on. Throughout this step I had to make sure that my area was kept clean so that I wouldn't get any of the oil based ink onto my hands causing me to ruin the final print.
After completely scratching my piece, I began the inking process. I started by gathering all the necessary materials and then I began to soak the paper in which my final dry point were to be printing on. Throughout this step I had to make sure that my area was kept clean so that I wouldn't get any of the oil based ink onto my hands causing me to ruin the final print.
5. Covering the Proxy glass
After setting up my work space and gathering all my materials, I began to add oil based ink onto my dry point plate. This only tool a small amount of ink, for me to cover up the entire piece.
After setting up my work space and gathering all my materials, I began to add oil based ink onto my dry point plate. This only tool a small amount of ink, for me to cover up the entire piece.
6. Removing Ink
Once I finished spreading the ink I had to remove all the extra ink, leaving only the ink in the cracks. I did this by tearing up newspaper into many pieces. With the small pieces of newspaper, I wiped away the ink by rubbing it off in a circular motion. I continued to do this until the proxy glass was all cleared.
Once I finished spreading the ink I had to remove all the extra ink, leaving only the ink in the cracks. I did this by tearing up newspaper into many pieces. With the small pieces of newspaper, I wiped away the ink by rubbing it off in a circular motion. I continued to do this until the proxy glass was all cleared.
7. Printing
Once the ink was ready, I started to prepare the paper. After getting the paper soaked I took it out and put it on top of a towel so that the extra water would be soaked by the towel. I placed the glass and the paper on top and then I rolled them into the compress machine one time, during the rolling the ink transferred into the paper and that was how I created my final piece.
Once the ink was ready, I started to prepare the paper. After getting the paper soaked I took it out and put it on top of a towel so that the extra water would be soaked by the towel. I placed the glass and the paper on top and then I rolled them into the compress machine one time, during the rolling the ink transferred into the paper and that was how I created my final piece.
Reflection
Overall, "Revealed" was a success because in the final piece I was able to exhibit my meaning properly. With this project I was able to explore many ideas before deciding on my final piece and at the eventually I was able to create a sketch that expressed my meaning the best way possible. Another success was, that even though it was extremely difficult for me to do the inking process, I was still able to get at least one good print. However, if I had had more time to gain more experience with the inking process , I would have tried to create a print with a greater result that what I had gotten.
The meaning of the piece is clearly visible in "Revealed", by featuring a female standing with her head raised high and her wings spread wide open.
If I were to complete this project again, one thing I would improve on would be scratching my piece into the proxy-glass. i would have liked to make my lines deeper so that the inking process would've gone a lot smoother.. Finally I would manage my time better in order to include more trials and gain more practice and experience in the inking process, since that is what was most challenging.
Overall I am pleased with how " Revealed" turned out, even though it could have been a little bit cleaner,.
The meaning of the piece is clearly visible in "Revealed", by featuring a female standing with her head raised high and her wings spread wide open.
If I were to complete this project again, one thing I would improve on would be scratching my piece into the proxy-glass. i would have liked to make my lines deeper so that the inking process would've gone a lot smoother.. Finally I would manage my time better in order to include more trials and gain more practice and experience in the inking process, since that is what was most challenging.
Overall I am pleased with how " Revealed" turned out, even though it could have been a little bit cleaner,.
ACT Questions
1. Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork.
Revealed was inspired by Man in a Bowler Hat, which was created by Rene Magritte. I chose to imitate the way Magritte places a bird over the face, by adding an angel like wing over the face of my figure.
2. What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The author of my topic usually paints with an object of a sort covering over the faces. This technique makes the painting look beautiful yet mysterious.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
Throughout my research I found that there are a lot of people that want to be seen as strong rather than fragile. They don't see that they are capable of being much more than just a fragile being. Another thing that I learned was that this could tie in with identity. The piece could portray someone figuring out who they are or what they want to be.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The theme I chose to pursue was identity. The whole idea of something covering one's face brings the question, who are they? or who am I?
5) What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
While doing my research I came to the conclusion that there are many other artists using the same technique as Magritte, which helps make these paintings universal.
Revealed was inspired by Man in a Bowler Hat, which was created by Rene Magritte. I chose to imitate the way Magritte places a bird over the face, by adding an angel like wing over the face of my figure.
2. What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The author of my topic usually paints with an object of a sort covering over the faces. This technique makes the painting look beautiful yet mysterious.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
Throughout my research I found that there are a lot of people that want to be seen as strong rather than fragile. They don't see that they are capable of being much more than just a fragile being. Another thing that I learned was that this could tie in with identity. The piece could portray someone figuring out who they are or what they want to be.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The theme I chose to pursue was identity. The whole idea of something covering one's face brings the question, who are they? or who am I?
5) What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
While doing my research I came to the conclusion that there are many other artists using the same technique as Magritte, which helps make these paintings universal.