Tutorial Exercise 22nd February 2013 > Pop Art

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Final Design Project

At the very beginning of working on this design project, I had a couple of different inspirations and ideas on how I wanted the artwork to look like. However, after much consideration, I decided to settle with this one sketch which I find associate the most to the topic given which was social media issues. 

Step 1

For my final design project, I first started working on it by drawing/sketching the image of a human with a cigarette in one hand. After the sketch was completed. I continue on by painting the image with a brush tool.

Step 2

Continuing on, I inserted a layer of eye prints that I created onto the human image.

Step 3

In the next step, I started drawing the cigarette smoke using the pencil tool.

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After that, using the brush tool, I started colouring the smoke by changing the opacity, flow and hardness at different times in order to create a better tone.

Step 5

Once that was completed, again using the brush tool, I decided on choosing the colour black as the background colour for my artwork.

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After the colouring is done, I start inserting logos of various social media over the smoke. In order to remove the unwanted white patches around the logos. I used the magnetic lasso tool.

Step 7

Once the logos are inserted, for some of the images, I used the overlay and soft light function to change the appearance of the logo.

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Final Step!

And lastly for the finishing touches, in order to make the smoke appear more realistic, I added different tones of grey to the smoke by using the brush tool.

My final artwork on social media issues.

Artist Statement

When I first thought about the term, social media issues, a jumble of words started popping up in my mind like a gush of water. Meaningful associations that I personally believe that are very much related to this topic are the issues of privacy and addiction.

Through the artwork that I have created, the message that I am trying to convey is the fact that social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (just to name a few) have caused major addiction problems particularly towards the younger generation of people out there who seems to be relying on social media on a daily basis, which I find similar to the addiction of smoking cigarettes. 

The cigarette shown in the artwork symbolizes the usage of social media. Smoking can be seen as legal and so is the usage of social media. However, using social media can be as addictive as smoking. When both are used excessively, social media and smoking can cause danger to its consumer and at the same time can be life-threatening as well.

Having said that, based on the artwork, the eyes mainly indicates privacy. The reason why I covered multiple 'eye print' on the human's body is because I am hoping to illustrate a sense of vulnerability and over-exposure of oneself. Constant use of social media, unknowingly, people are putting themselves in danger by over exposing their personal details and revealing it out in the open and the realization that people are watching you without you having the slightest knowledge about it. 

References 

[YouTube Logo]. Retrieved April 12, 2013, from: http://9to5google.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/happy-5th-birthday-youtube-501ecffedf.jpg

[Twitter Logo]. Retrieved April 12, 2013, from: http://www.rainbows-angels.com/blog/twitter-a-felony-in-oregon/

[The Latest Facebook Virus]. Retrieved April 12, 2013, from: http://teenspeak.org/2011/11/23/the-latest-facebook-virus/

[Instagram didn't get the tome wrong]. Retrieved April 12, 2013, from: http://asburyandasbury.typepad.com/blog/2012/12/instagram-didnt-get-the-tone-wrong.html

[Tumblr Logo Vector].  Retrieved April 12, 2013, from: http://www.logoeps.com/tumblr-logo-vector/4573/

[The Many Looks Of the MySpace Logo]. Retrieved April 12, 2013, from: http://www.webpronews.com/the-many-looks-of-the-myspace-logo-2010-12

[15-Blogger]. Retrieved April 12, 2013, from http://c4lpt.co.uk/top100tools/blogger/
http://c4lpt.co.uk/top100tools/blogger/

[Untitled photograph of a Flickr logo]. Retrieved April 2013, from: http://c4lpt.co.uk/top100tools/blogger/

[ICQ]. Retrieved April 2013, from http://www.crunchbase.com/company/icq-2

Tutorial Exercise > Art Movement

My favourite art movement? Pop art and Expressionism were the first thought that came to my mind, I would honestly say. However, if i were to pick one, I would still go with pop art. Even though I have always liked Vincent Van Gogh's artwork. Especially how he painted the swirly sky in one of his famous masterpiece, Starry Night. 

The thing about pop art that I find really captivating is how it uses recognizable images retrieved from popular media, advertisements and products. With the combination of putting in celebrity images and fictional comic book characters, pop art stands out because of its uniqueness.

Another characteristic which catches my attention is the use of flat imagery influenced by comic books, newspapers and even photographs. But then most importantly, what I love about pop art is the strong vibrant colours which makes pop art really stricking and stands out from the crowd.

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I was a Rich Man's Plaything (1947) by Eduardo Paolozzi.

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Just what it is that makes today's homes so different, so appealing? (1956) by Richard Hamilton.

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Marilyn Monroe Pop art prints by Andy Warhol.

Personally, this artwork reminds me of the different faces/personality/sides of Marilyn Monroe. And what I love about it is the combination of various colours used and how it opens up my imagination.

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A pop art skull drawing.

It is amazing how a person like me who has always disliked skulls can actually find this pop art inexplicably beautiful. I never knew skulls could look so mesmerizing, until now that it!

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Eye-catching pop art nails!

Nail art would be the perfect example of how pop art has evolved and impact our daily lives. Which is also why pop culture remains popular among people even until now.

References

Paolozzi, E. (Artist). (1947). I was a rich man's plaything [Photograph], Retrieved April 12, 2013, from: http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/paolozzi-i-was-a-rich-mans-plaything-t01462

Richard, H. (Artist). (1956). Just what it is that makes today's homes so different, so appealing? [Photograph], Retrieved April 12, 2013, from: http://ndla.no/en/node/19645

Warhol, A. (Artist). (2010). Retrieved April 12, 2013, from: http://dobermansden.com/doberman-pop-art/

Skull Drawing [Pop Art]. Retrieved April 12, 2013, from http://weheartit.com/entry/25573932/via/zedsdeadbby

Martone, L. (Photographer). (2013). The one with the Pop Art nails!! [Photograph], Retrieved April 12, 2013, from: http://www.fingerpaintedblog.com/2013/03/the-one-with-pop-art-nails.html

Tutorial Exercise 22nd March 2013 > Trip to Central Market

Last Friday, instead of having class as usual in the computer lab sitting and facing the oh-so-dull computer screens. The whole design team went on a field trip to Central Market. Yay!

Having not been to Central Market before, I was told repeatedly that it wasn't a safe and that I'll have to keep my guard up if i were to go there. Despite the warnings, I can't quite help but feel excited and enthusiastic about this trip and also, I have been anticipating it for weeks. When we finally got there, everyone started putting on their photographic skills into practice. I literally hear clicking sounds everywhere and it seems like every one was snapping pictures of everything that they could get their eyes on.

While I was walking around the streets with my camera in one hand, for a second I feel like I'm tourist visiting a foreign country. I could still recall, when I was walking down a row of shops, mostly selling artworks, an artist who was working on a painting caught my eye.

Perhaps, more specifically, it was the look on his face, the way the 'Pak Cik' looked when he was working on his artwork that kept me riveted for a good 10 seconds. So incredibly focused, passionate and engrossed in creating his next masterpiece.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take a picture of him or the artwork because I thought it would be rude of me to do that and if I were to put myself in his shoes, I wouldn't have liked it either.

Throughout the trip, my friends and I went around loitering and in between I did manage to snap a few pictures which I personally find amusing. I can tell everyone had a lot of fun apart for the fact that it rained. Boo.

 I took this picture mainly because it reminded me of all the fat cats in Turkey which are all covered with thick furs. And also the fact that it somewhat reminded me of my father 's self-righteous stance before I get a beating from getting into trouble.

Malaysia's various handicrafts and souvenirs to bring home! 

Handmade arts and crafts.

On the busy streets of Central Market. 

Street art. by Malaysian artistes. Believe it or not. It stretches all the way to the far end!

Tutorial Exercise 26th February 2013 > Trip to National Art Gallery

Today in design class, my classmates and I we went on a trip to Malaysia's one and only..National Art Gallery. And tell you what, it was such an eye-opener!

If I could set my own laws, there should definitely be one saying "compulsory visits to Malaysia's Art Gallery." Personally, I believe every Malaysian should have visited the art gallery at least once in their life. (It's free people! There's nothing to lose.)

All in all, I felt that the entire gallery is so filled with Malaysia's unique art works which is like no other. Other than that, the gallery also provide a platform for young talented artists to exhibit their paintings and for them to express themselves through their artworks. I was pretty much wonderstruck throughout the whole visit. At one point, I had this sudden complusive desire to be an artist whose works can be hung on the walls even though I'm pretty convinced it's not going to happen in this lifetime that is.

Through this visit, it made me realize that Malaysians in particular do not pay much attention to Art and that many Malaysian's artists are not being recognized for their works. During my visit, the gallery seems pretty empty and disregarded by Malaysians. I feel that people should open up to art a little bit more and that art should be promoted more in Malaysia.

Being exposed to art at a young age myself, it made me become more imaginative, creative and expressive I would say. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words. Isn't it what they all say?

Tutorial Exercise 8th February 2013 > Horse Colouring and Painting

Tutorial Exercise 5th February 2013 > Wonders of Colour

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Cute pastel-coloured yellow ribbon.

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Pastel yellow.

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A pair of yellow sky high heels.

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Yellow antique phone.

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B! For yellow bananas!

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A breathtaking yellow sunset

Colours colours colours! Whenever I think about my favourite colour, the first thing that comes to mind is the word, yellow.

Personally, I believe that my preferences in colour constantly changes from time to time depending on my mood. However, the colour yellow seems to quite persistent in holding on to the top spot, come to think of it. Frankly speaking, I myself have no idea how I came to like yellow in the first place. Probably, I have always had a thing for yellow without realizing it myself or perhaps I just happen to like it a lot more as I grew older.

Having said yellow, don't get me wrong. I'm not referring to a mustard shade of yellow or likewise the sort of yellow found on school buses. The kind of yellow that I am most attracted to is pastel yellow a.k.a light yellow. The kind of yellow which reminds me of the sunset that radiates calmness.

Regardless of shade, the colour yellow itself gives me a sense of warmth, hope and joy. If I were blind, and there is only one colour in the world I can choose to see for the rest of my life, honestly from the bottom of my heart, I would pick yellow in a heartbeat!

References

[Untitled photograph of bananas]. Retrieved April 12, 2013, from: http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/yellow%20pastel

[Yellow Sunset]. Retrieved April 12, 2013, from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/raichelle/5419467473/

[Untitled photograph of a telephone]. Retrieved April 12, 2013, from: http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/pastel%20yellow

[Untitled photograph of a pastel yellow bow] Retrieved April 12, 2013, from: http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/pastel%20yellow

[Untitled photograph of a pastel yellow heels]. Retrieved April 12, 2013, from: http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/pastel%20heels

[Pastel Yellow]. Retrieved April 12, 2013, from: http://colorblocks.tumblr.com/post/20574845782/pastel-yellow-fdfd96