1. The art criticism process includes four steps. The first step is to Describe. Describe what the piece looks like, the colors, shapes, scene, and the objects. The second step is to Analyze. Explain what is being used in the piece, and how the lines, shapes, textures, colors, and values work within the piece and describe the composition. The third step is to Interpret. Explain what is going on in the piece, the feeling it evokes, the focal point, why the artist created it, and what the art is trying to convey. The final step is to Decide, this includes deciding whether or not you like the piece and why, describing what is the best about it, what you dislike, and what you would change.
3. This piece is a mixed media collage piece. The main colors used are blue, pink, cream and other shades of white in pale, muted tones. Some main shapes in it are the outline of spoons, straight lines and circles, and non geometric shapes. Because it is abstract, there is no scene to portray. The colors and values work together nicely to make a uniform theme and the lines, shapes, and 3D objects work to bring harmony in the randomness of the rest of the piece. They also draw the eyes to different areas of the piece. There is no specific meaning behind the piece, because it is abstract, it is up to the viewer to decide how it makes them feel. The focal point of the piece is the outline of the spoons, as it is the largest part of it. I am very happy with this piece because of how the process was not very planned out, and it still turned out nicely. For the process, we started by putting down layers of blue and pink tissue paper, then layering pictures on top, and then placing the 3D elements, paint, and more tissue paper on top.
2. An artist uses observation skills in lots of ways. They need them for being able to look at lines and shapes in the real world and be able to put them on paper. They also need to be able to observe shadows and color make them close to what they observe. It also can be helpful to be observational when looking at their own pieces and thinking critically about them and what could be improved. In this work, I had to observe a picture of a bumblebee to be able to draw it.
3. Copying is sometimes plagiarism, but there is also a grey area. Being influenced by something is not plagirism, but copying without putting ones own spin on it can be. There are no truly original ideas, so it is impossible to not get inspiration from anybody else. I believe it is not a bad thing to get inspiration or be influenced by other people's art. In this zentangle, I looked up different patterns to use for inspiration, but I still used my own shapes and colors to add a spin to it.
8. The sketchbook assignment that helped me the most were the sphere medium tests. It really helped me get a feeling of what each medium is like. It also helped show me which mediums were best for which purpose. I still do these whenever there is a medium I'm not familiar with.