Thursday, December 5, 2013

FINAL PROJECT
watercolor and ink on paper

Nick Fleming

This is a figure study that attempts to show how the basic use of contrast can make for an effective composition. Not only that, this painting is also a literal representation of the visceral technique I appreciate in art. The multitude of teeth, gums, bumps, blood, and chaotic brush and pen strokes are all there to show what I mean when I say visceral technique. Monsters are a great way to show an animalistic quality in imagery (I think). Monsters are not the only topic that can show power because anything has the possibility to be rendered to show movement, strength, and subsistence.

The contrast between the angelic woman and grotesque monsters is not used only to create a composition in terms of technique. This collage of paintings/drawings shows a narrative of a blissful woman/spirit in a realm of nirvana, heaven etc about to be invaded by creatures from a realm that is the opposite. What if the notion of heaven, salvation, nirvana, or paradise is not what the religions of the world think it is? Is there a possibility that in heavenly existence there is still a need to confront our (and others) demons? This is simply an idea that I thought would prove to make an interesting image to show what I like my art to look like and to also show a tidbit of narrative (that I see in comic books) in the environment of fine art. 

11 comments:

  1. You've put so much detail into this painting, it's crazy. From far, I feel like there is too much going on. But when I looked at it up close - although the detail is pretty much never ending - it all makes sense. Every bit of detail kept my eyes busy. This is an interesting concept. I really like the combo of watercolor and ink.

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  2. I actually really love the choice of color palette throughout this piece and how you used several layers to display your work instead of one flat surface. In my opinion, as I was looking at this my first thought was, "The Men in Black," but maybe that's just because I had watched that movie the night before. This piece is really intriguing and really does have the eye wandering from monster to monster which is great. Great use of detail throughout each figure as well as combining two mediums that can be hard to blend together.

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  3. I find the contrast to be very shocking at first sight if i have not met and talked to you. Now i like how the paper is coming off because for me it showed that the monsters broke the constructs of the woman's grasp. I really enjoyed the detail within the teeth. I think if you would of toned your background first it would help this piece become more outstanding.

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  4. I think this concept is deep. What if heaven is no different from your hell. Will our souls ever find peace in death, do our souls even exist? I think this painting is a thumbnail of your future mural. I hope that you will pursue this concept and make it larger and more detailed. It deserves to be presented in front of more people.

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  5. Although my eye moves around the piece, it feels too muddled for me to know what's going on and settle on any one place unless I go up close to it. The details are nice and I like the creatures you created. I'm still mixed about the palette you used, part of me likes it because it feels like it relates to that grotesque you were going for but I also partly don't like it because it doesn't feel like enough variation for some reason. I really enjoy the use of layers, I think that would be something great to play around with some more.

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  6. You say in your artist's statement that your goal is to show that contrast is the basis of a good composition, but I don't see any great contrasts in this work. Many of the brushstrokes are similar to each other, and there is not a lot of tonal variation. My eye does not want to look at it because it feels too chaotic and I don't feel directed throughout much of the composition.
    I think your most effective choice was the layering. This really helped to set off aspects of your work the most. I think if you change the tones of some areas it will really strengthen the piece a lot.

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  7. I think your concept is really interesting. I think nirvana is reached through a balance of good and bad but that's a whole other story I can keep talking about. Your style of painting is really whimsical and fun which combines well with such a deep topic. I'm curious to see what you will do to further this idea. Cool piece!

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  8. The concept of your piece is very interesting, that what if hell and heaven are the same. I was really interested in how this piece finally came together as I watched you work on it for a long time. What really makes this piece interesting to look at is that I almost try not to look at it. There is something about the chaos and the grotesqueness of the piece that creates emotion. The layering of the piece came out really well. I am excited to see what you create next.

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  9. Nick, your beautiful detail and shape need to be seen more often. Though you started with wonderful, expressive, thick paint work, what you made for your final definitely needs to be delved further into. After talking with you about how you envisioned it and how it came out, I agree with your opinion; it needed to have more, more breaking of the bounds on the bottom, more monsters. This is great.

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  10. I enjoy the contrasting colors and styles that collide and create a pleasing chaotic combination of colors. I hope that you explore this approach more
    . I like the clash that happens and I think you shouldn't be afraid to exaggerate it because it is working for me. Your choice of inks and watercolors really show some careful astisan quality and shows what I feel like is your style. I can definitely see this as something you felt comfortable in and still was able to explore enough out to make it fresh, great work my friend.

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  11. really liked the individual figures and monsters. the colors were really nice but at the same time brought your message of dirty grossness across. I would like to see more monsters on a larger scale and maybe an little less clustered overall really cool piece

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