Well, I was supposed to blog as I went along, recording myt process in the research and whatnot of out final drawing....but I didn't. That's my fault, but instead of lamenting about it, I will provide a recap of what my process was with this drawing.
I started my thinking over Thanksgiving break, where I explored the idea of the use of white space and flat planes of tone to create a sense of space and depth. This interest was influenced by Egon Schiele's use of white backgrounds, and Salvador Dali's landscapes, which often depict flat planes of color. I also looked at an SVA 2009 Illustration catalog, drawing inspiration from a couple compositions and styles. I wanted to incorporate a figure that was at once rendered and outlined. Not saying that I would fall back into my old ways of heavy outlines, but that select parts would be outlined, and left flat as Schiele does, while other parts would be highlighted for importance by rendering. I was having a tough time tackling a composition with objects that I liked, but I knew I wanted an asymmetrical composition. I researched asymmetrical compositions on the internet, but did not find anything more useful than the understanding I already had of it. Perhaps this is because asymmetrical composition has no real formula and must be "felt out" instead.
When I returned from the break, I immediately went to the Library and picked up multiple Egon Schiele books,scouring through them and trying to absorb how he created such beautiful compositions. At this time, I was still really struggling with placing objects in the composition and what objects I wanted. I wasn't feeling any sort of connection to material objects, not one deep enough to put in my final drawing.
That's when I discovered Schiele's dual portraits, especially his dual self-portraits. I was intrigued by portraying yourself twice in one image, something I inadvertently practiced in my last assignment for the class by drawing myself three times. The three figures didn't really have a narrative though, and I wanted there to be one between the two me's that would be drawn in my final. BY choosing to go this rout, I ended up with a much more symmetrical composition, but I tried to skew it so that some asymmetry was left between the two figures.
I guess in a way Egon Schiele ruined this drawing criteria wise, as I lack objects in the drawing. I was troubled by his lack of objects in his portraits (all but a few of the later ones), and also influenced by it. Egon placed such importance on the human form and its emotion that objects were cast aside as distractions. I stayed true to myself on this one, by sticking to what I love dearest, the human form. While the subject matter is similar to most of my work (partially because it's an assigned self-portrait), I tried my best to push the piece materially and stylistically.
I suppose this rebellion from the criteria stems from the monotony I have felt simply cranking out assignments for 2D and most of 3D like an automaton. I wanted to take charge of this drawing and really make it mine. I hope it isn't a total disaster.
