The more experimental I got while making my studies, the more successful I felt the outcome was. There were certain techniques such as the repeated line making that I felt were particularly beneficial to my process and was able to use them in numerous ways to create emphasis. The line making is definitely something I want to incorporate into my projects this semester. I also discovered the power of repetition in a few of the studies. As I continue to be interested in psychological phenomena I often come across repeated themes and thought processes, which I feel directly relates to the recurrence of certain imagery. I found it challenging to decide when a study was completed. I often over crowd my work, which is not always a fault, but I wanted to keep my studies simple so that I could practice specific techniques with a wide variety of materials and mediums.
I feel I was most experimental with the studies on texture. I have a acquired some new acrylic mediums that are intended to add body to the paint, which allowed me to experience a somewhat sculptural process. I also attempted the use of oil paint for the first time in my life in a couple of the studies. I enjoy the vibrancy and concentrated color palette as well as the ability to rework certain areas days later. However, I am used to working at a fast pace, and have found that elements of mixed media are important to my work at this point in time so I do want to continue working with acrylic paint for now. There will definitely be a time in the future when oil paints will prove to be more beneficial.
Experimentation with materials has become a way for me to expand my conceptual intentions. My interest in mental states as well as physical attributes keeps me searching for ways to add emphasis to the portraiture work that I do. I relate the way that the paint reacts to certain surfaces and mixed media elements to the way the brain reacts to outside forces, whether it be a personal experience with a substance, death, relationship, body image, etc. or an ever present and often uncontrollable outside force such as the media, expectations from society, competition, etc. These ideas closely relate to many of the "interest" words I listed earlier in the project. Words such as environment, disorders, balance, relationships, self-control, indulgence, harmony, trends, among others, I feel, make direct connections to the conceptual goals of my work. I want the effects of a person's experiences to be backed by the effects that I create with heavily layered paint application as well as elements of mixed media.
