SW+14+-+Pop+Art+Diptych

Pop Art Diptych Media: Acrylic paint on canvas Size: 61 x 61 cm Month of Completion: January 2013

**Description:** This studio work is an attempt at Pop Art as inspired significantly by Roy Lichtenstein and partially Julian Opie. I used Roy Lichtenstein's technique similar to the one he used in "Drowning Girl." Instead of using shading to render the body and the face, i used only lines while having only solid colors. Unlike Roy Lichtenstein, I do not have a background. The background was inspired by Opie's work. Although he focuses primarily on portraits, I still used his technique of using contrasting, bright solid colors in the background. Both artists are known for having their focal points toward the face rather than having an entire figure as I have done. Having the entire figure was inspired by Lichtenstein's "Girl with Ball." This refers back to the 1950s and 60s American culture that I have already researched during studio work 8 (Advertisement). In this diptych, the painting on the right shows empowerment whereas the painting on the left shows discomfort, which contradict one another. It is also appropriate to have been inspired by the Pop Art movement since the movement peeked in popularity throughout the 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s. Also, the Pop artists' portrayal of women have been related to what the media and society considered perfect. Because of this, this artwork fits within the theme that I have used throughout my pieces.

**Analysis:** **What were the artistic and/or cultural influences for this project?** **Who/what influenced either the composition and/or the style.** This diptych was inspired by both Roy Lichtenstein and Julian Opie, however, Lichtenstein's influence was more significant than Opie's. I used Lichtenstein's technique of rendering people through lines like that of a comic book strip. I have shifted from shading to the use of solid colors. The background was inspired by Julian Opie since in his work he uses contrasting and bright colors as the background. The cultura influence in this piece is 1950s/1960s American culture. The left painting's composition was inspired by Lichtenstein's "Girl with Ball" whereas the painting on the right was deliberately changed to create the imbalance found in the diptych.

**What materials/media/processes did you use and or experiment with, and how?** I used acrylic paint on canvas. I used this medium because in "Drowning Girl" Lichtenstein had used synthetic polymer paint and oil. I could not use oil because during this piece. I had to move the paintings while traveling and moving them would be rather difficult if I had used oil since it dries slowly. I created several trials where I transfered the line drawing and used the paint to fill in the lines and by using a monogram liner brush, I found that I was able to paint over the lines without creating absurdly thick or thin lines. This was especially helpful while going over small details such as the facial features.I also found that an overuse of water would not give the effect that I wanted. It made the paint too translucent and created blotches in the painting.

The people who ave seen these paintings have helped me find disproportionate areas, which I then fixed. I have used the teacher's criticism and attempted other techniques that are not realistic. For this project, I did not seek proper advice from my classmates or the teacher. Once I receive criticism, I will edit this.
 * How do you think you have responded to advice and criticism during this project (and during the term), both from fellow students and the teacher. Did you actively seek advice? If so, was it useful? **

**Clearly explain the weaknesses/areas for improvement -** Although I have researches how to render the facial features and have previously also researched the proportions of the face, I found in frustrating that the face in the painting on the left was slightly unusual. However, before having the final piece, I fixed the cheek bone, the mouth and the eyes and the face still seems unusual. I will ask my fellow classmates and others for criticism as this is endurable. Also, the dress in the painting on the right is not flowing accurately with the direction of the legs.

**Clearly explain the strengths of the piece –** I was able to create a contrasting background that created a more visually interesting and intense diptych. The paintings also show a clear relationship between the artwork of the artists that have inspired me and accurately portrays a similarity of the work during the Pop Art movement.

**What could you take through to the next project and develop further? This could be anything, from a technique to an idea, not neccessarily just the theme.** It would be interesting if I were to focus more in Lichtenstein's work and made comic book strips (not necessarily with a story line). I would research topography and use the same technique. However, I would create a setting for the subject to make sense of the story behind the painting. In the next project, i will be creating the second have of SW 13, which was the video.

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