END OF THE YEAR THOUGHTS

Through this year, in Art Principles, I have changed the way I plan, create, and look at art. My greatest accomplishment this year was discovering and realizing how I create art best and my tendencies (in making art). I have really recognized that I am a perfectionist and that I like to work in small detail. This was evident in both my projects and in the low ful completion of many of the projects. One project that really exemplifies this is my collage. I spent many hours focusing on the waves and even putting extremely small details on the people and on the waves; thus not fully completing the entire project, but having one part of it (what I think of as) amazing and spectacular. Although I did not incorporate this observation into my projects until near the end of the year, it really helped when I started to, because I could make sure that I made smaller projects and was able to be scrupulous, while being able to complete them as well (for example my block print).

Although  learning how to make the best of my tendency to become "obsessed" with details and making the art "perfect" to how I wanted it (which rarely happened), this was also my biggest struggle throughout the year. I have only finished a few works of art this year, due to my attention to small details (for example the self portrait, the collage, and many of the drawing from observations). This kept me behind and made me have to spend extra time on many of the projects. It also kept me back from looking at the bigger picture of the projects and sometimes made me frustrated.

The area that I progressed the most in this year was in was improving on basic skills. I really improved on perspective, figures, and the way that I am able to actualize my ideas. Sometimes, with perspective, I would, without knowing it, draw something and the perspective would be just right, and other times I got tremendous help from Ms. Roberts. In addition, I improved on my knowledge of using shading and color to show perspective and distinct features. Figure-wise, I was able to make the people look like actual people, and I learned how to use scale and how to make distinct features on faces. Lastly, I really improved in the way I start an art project. Before this year, I would start a project and have not plan at all, and usually have to make many changes because of no technical planning. This year, I really progressed. I would make plans, sketches, etc. before starting a project, and all of the techniques I acquired this year really helped me convert my ideas into art the way I imagine.

Thank you so much for a great year Ms. Roberts!