SW+01+-+Distorted+Reflection

Distorted Reflection Media: 6B and HB pencil Size: Month of Completion: October 2011

**Description:** This studio work was meant to focus on the center of the cat's eye where a distorted self-portrait was drawn. The idea of distorting the image was heavily influenced by M.C Escher's "Hand With Reflecting Sphere." The drawing was also supposed to be realistic as realism was my main interest throughout this project. The self portrait drawn in the center was supposed to make it look as if it is a reflection rather than a self portrait with the surrounding drawing being a frame. This is why the reflection of the cat's fur is also shown in the center -- to give the effect of a reflection. I first considered this idea when I noticed that objects are naturally distorted when reflecting off eyes. This is also tied with realism because, in reality, objects are actually distorted in an eye's reflection.

**Analysis:** **What were the artistic and/or cultural influences for this project?** **Who/what influenced either the composition and/or the style.** This drawing was heavily influenced by M.C Escher's "Hand With Reflecting Sphere." In Escher's work, Escher drew a self portrait while looking at a sphere that distorted his reflection. While thinking of objects that would give the same or similar effect as the sphere Escher used in his work, I noticed that when I looked at my cat's eye, the reflections were naturally distorted. However, I did not draw this by observation. I took a photograph of the eye, and a separate photograph of myself and combined both (with the self-portrait being distorted) to give the illusion that it is an actual reflection of myself.

**What materials/media/processes did you use and or experiment with, and how?** I used a 6B pencil and an HB pencil to produce this studio work. I used the 6B pencil to draw in the darker tones that were difficult to draw with an HB pencil. This was especially effective when drawing the dark area surrounding the eye because it created more depth. On the other hand, the HB pencil was used to create the light to medium tones. This was better for me to use when shading and it was what I mainly used when drawing the fur and the self-portrait.

The first trial I drew in the IWB was drawn mostly with the 6B pencil. The people who saw this mentioned that it was not realistic (or at least not as realistic as I intended it to be) since the fur drawn did not actually look like fur because it was too dark and extremely smudged. After seeking help from my teacher, I was able to draw individual lines that would make the overall drawing look like -- or fairly close to looking like -- fur. Initially, I wanted the main focus to be the distorted self-portrait and the people who saw the first trial mainly commented on the cat rather than the portrait. This made it clear that I needed to work more on emphasizing the self-portrait by making it bigger and more detailed. After hearing advice and criticisms from people, I was able to develop my trials into a more successful piece.
 * 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 -** The fur of the cat does not look as realistic as I wanted it to be. However, it is much better than my first trial (and first attempt). Since my techniques in drawing are restricted to basically portraits and observational drawings, it was difficult for me to create a studio work using a technique that was new to me.

**Clearly explain the strengths of the piece –** I was able to differentiate between the darker and the lighter tones and I think that was very useful in creating depth and making the piece more realistic than having light tones throughout. I also think I was successful in drawing the reflection distorted.

**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.** I would like to continue with portraits. I am also considering not working with distortions any further since I don't find the idea satisfying to my liking. Drawing in pencil is what I usually draw in, however, eventually, I would like to experiment with wet media. Even when using wet media, I would like to continue with realism and optical illusion (since the optical illusion part of my theme was distortion, I will continue with distortion until I develop that idea into something I'm more interested in.)

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