Digital Painting
La virgen Susana
Size: 94 cm x 102 cm
Medium: Digital Painting / Fire Alpaca
Month of Completion: December 2017
Exhibition Text:
Medium: Digital Painting / Fire Alpaca
Month of Completion: December 2017
Exhibition Text:
This digital painting, La virgen Susana, was painted by Susana Flores in 2017. It draws lots of interests, because it contains similar aspects which are symbolic to the religious figure La virgen de Guadalupe. In this portrait, I am facing the viewer with an expression that is calm and solemn. It also seems she is confident with her gaze. La virgen de Guadalupe is a powerful symbol of Mexican Identity and I someday aspire to be a symbol of my people's identity.
Cultural Inspiration
La virgen de Guadalupe Is a Powerful Symbol of Mexican Identity
"Our Lady is seen as the champion of the underdog, of the Indian, of all those who lack power in society,” Gonzalez said. “In that sense she continues to be relevant as long as disparities in economic and political power exist. “
“You have to remember that she is the ultimate Mexican mother,” Gonzalez added. “She is all about motherhood. And who doesn’t love their mother?” “She is used as a symbol of justice,” Mora said, “because she holds an appeal to the poor, to marginalized people. In the modern day, we can see her as representing people standing against oppression, declaring their independence.” “Our Lady of Guadalupe is a powerful symbol of Mexican identity.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/our-lady-guadalupe-powerful-symbol-mexican-identity-n694216.
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Planning Sketches
Process
I first uploaded my reference shot in a new layer and toned down the opacity so it was easier to see as I outlined my figure with a solid red colors. Instead of I going straight to filling in different sections with colors on one layer, I started outlining as if I were making line art because I wanted to stay true to my personal technique. Each facial part was done on a separate layer. I first layered on the colors of the skin tone as it served as a basis for the face. I continued with the hair color.and added the shading of the black in the hair and areas where I knew were going to be the heaviest in shading. I also took the time to add facial features where they were supposed to go by turning the sight of the skin tone layer off to outline my facial features. Later on I added the highlights and darker shades of my skin face and arms and added more detail to my eyebrows and hair. Once finishing my face and adding the lips, I focused on my shirt and the folds and creases created from my chest. Creating the creases in my shirt and layered darker colors on top of gradients gave the illusion of depth and form. After I then added the background with contrasting colors in the same style I did when I painted the shading in my arms and face. |
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Experimentation
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Reflection
What I liked: I am happy with the way this piece came out rather realistic. I think I was able to apply my own techniques successfully although this was very out of my comfort zone. I think the colors ended up working very well together in this piece, I was afraid that the green would both be too bright and overpower the whole piece, but I think because I made some of the leaved much paler it complemented the darker hues.
What I didn't like: The hair could use more depth, perhaps a stronger variety of colors and tone would add life or movement to it. I also think I could have added more to the background in the same way. The leaf design looks great but i feel as though it lacks huge importance to the piece's aesthetic. I wanted to attempt something out of my comfort zone but in retrospect, it does nothing to add to the piece conceptually only aesthetically and connection to the artist.
What I didn't like: The hair could use more depth, perhaps a stronger variety of colors and tone would add life or movement to it. I also think I could have added more to the background in the same way. The leaf design looks great but i feel as though it lacks huge importance to the piece's aesthetic. I wanted to attempt something out of my comfort zone but in retrospect, it does nothing to add to the piece conceptually only aesthetically and connection to the artist.
Connection to the ACT
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork?
There are certain aspect between the paintings that clearly resemble for example the leaves in the background, the butterfly, and the two animals on both sides. First of all, Frida Kahlo is a symbol of the Mexican culture which is why she is my main inspiration when talking about my own culture.
What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Frida Kahlo represented her culture with joy and pride, but in her paintings she always reflected upon two completely different worlds, the world happiness and the world of sadness. I decided to depict the world in between two cultures.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
My central theme and idea for this piece was to stay true to Frida's original meaning. She was going through a divorce and the painting all had symbols of Diego and suffering. I personally went through something similar.
What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
There are certain aspect between the paintings that clearly resemble for example the leaves in the background, the butterfly, and the two animals on both sides. First of all, Frida Kahlo is a symbol of the Mexican culture which is why she is my main inspiration when talking about my own culture.
What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Frida Kahlo represented her culture with joy and pride, but in her paintings she always reflected upon two completely different worlds, the world happiness and the world of sadness. I decided to depict the world in between two cultures.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
My central theme and idea for this piece was to stay true to Frida's original meaning. She was going through a divorce and the painting all had symbols of Diego and suffering. I personally went through something similar.
What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?