The primary focal point of this composition is the closed blue orb on top of a background of dark orange. It is the focal point because it is following the rule of thirds and is using simultaneous contrast with complementary colors, and light and dark values. The visual flow starts at the primary focal point because of all the shapes in the foreground pointing to it using directional dominance, and next the eyes go to the two half opened spheres on the top left and the bottom right, and lastly the eyes end and rest at the fully opened “flower” or “sun” on the top right which is the secondary focal point. The composition is very balanced. The picture plane is proportionately taken up, there is the perfect amount of space between each object, the primary and secondary focal points are following the rule of thirds, it is asymmetrical, and the visual weight is distributed evenly between the two focal points. The primary one is all the way in the background, and the secondary is the most forward, however the intensity of weight is even. The illusion of space and dimension is created by overlapping 3 layers, the primary focal point layer, the half opened sphere layer, and the self actualized sun, the secondary focal point. It is also achieved with varying sizes. I made the primary focal point smaller and the secondary bigger, making it so that if the sphere were on the same layer, it would be the same size. The use of color could use some work. The compliments of blue and orange is utilized very very well and is unified, however the range of value and saturation is not explored. The temperature of the colors have been accomplished well however. The colds are used to send objects back in space, and warmth of the orange/red is used to pull the object forward.
The concept for this painting is around the word “transformative.” The painting is separated into 3 stages. Stage 1 is the cold small closed orb in the background resembling me when I was at the worst in my life, depressed, shy, nervous, a sense of unwarranted guilt, anything you can think of that would prevent someone from being who they are and want to be freely. The sharp points in the background around this orb are the obstacles that prevented me from opening up. The dark background, with the cold blue spikes and the ball being cold itself resembles all the emotions associated with cold or dark colors.A slightly more neutral tone for the blue spikes and maybe for the primary focal point was desired, but mixing colors is very difficult. Stage 2 is the second layer of the 2 orbs opening up. When I had joined the fashion design program officially and made it my career goal I had something to fight for and was willing to make sacrifices of what was holding me back. I started to develop a more sociable personality and an even more compassionate one. The core inside of the orb you see is the warmth that has been in me that needs to shine through. Finally, stage 3 is a sort of self-actualization. At the end of the degree, and after taking art classes for 2 semesters, I have tapped into and explored more of myself and have started to figure out what my “purpose” is, so to say. The extreme warmth of the opened flower, or sun, contrasted with the rest of the composition, symbolizes the warmth of my being.
The successful parts of the design is the composition, the balance, and asymmetry, the focal points, the simultaneous contrast for the focal point, the neatness of the painting, figure ground relationships with positive and negative space, the balance, and the use of directional forces. The ONLY unsuccessful areas of this design are the use of color with value and saturation. More mixing is needed. The abstraction of the design is also not quite there. It is a little objective. The design strongly accomplishes composition elements such as visual flow, rule of thirds, entire picture plane is activated, and focal points are clearly established. The design shows a beginner’s understanding to color theory. The only colors used are just blue and orange with a little red and yellow, but there is no range. The level of detail and professional craftsmanship is pretty high however the border is dirty and could use some cleaning. The edge of each color of pain are very crisp and clean. The design definitely accomplishes the narrative of a transforming experience very strongly.
griggzor 