YIN Xiaotang (Music) talks on Hepworth's ' Fenestration of Ear_The_Lamp'

1) INTRODUCE THE DRAWING IN GENERAL TERMS

•What is the title of the drawing?

It named 'Fenestration of the Ear_The_Lamp'.

•What is the name of the artist?
   The artist is Barbara Hepwprth.

•What is the year the drawing was done?
It was painted in 1948.


•What is the medium? (ie the materials used to produce the picture, for example charcoal on paper, pen and ink etc)
Pencil and oil on board.


•What is the subject matter or general theme of the work? (eg is it a figure drawing, a map, a portrait, an autobiographical work, a picture about nature, a drawing of the city etc?)
This is a picture depicting a surgery. It shows that three doctors are manipulating the operation while the patient is actually invisible.


•What is the purpose of the drawing? (eg Is it a diagram that explains how something works? Does it record accurately record the appearance of something? Does it express the artist's emotion or memory? )
It shows a regular but not very realistic scene of a surgery and it’s depicting what doctors are doing in the operation room. "Barbara was running a nurseru school for the first three years of the war……she drew at night……In 1942 the Nicolsons moved into a roomy house with its own garden, and conditions became a little easier."1 It’s more emphasized on the mood not the details. I think it express the artist’s feelings of harmony and warming, and her admiration of doctors for their love and care.


2) DESCRIBE THE DRAWING IN DETAIL
•How is line used? What does it do/express?
Lines are very simple and fine, very fluent as well. There are seldom straight lines, but a lot of curved lines. Some contour lines are blurring into the background. Lines are very delicate when it comes to eyes and hands.The lines show how Barbara tried to capture a specific moment quickly and her intension to memorize her day duty feelings other than to do a sophisticated sketch.


•How is tone used? What does it do/express?
Tone in this picture is very harmonious and warm. But the whole picture isn’t focusing on perspective and light and dark, it’s very flat. The yellow color makes the scene warm and has a sense of peace and safety. Purple seems to mixed right with yellow, and help to create shadows and depth in the picture.The tone is particularly important in this painting, and the yellow-dominated tone seem to manifest the inner qualities of love for lived and rescue every life of doctors.


•What can you say about shape and/or form in this picture? What is the effect?
Mainly there are 3 human figures, and one patient seems to be covered under the doctors and light. But the figures are without identity, and simplified by the simple lines and less concern about the proportion.In the painting, there are a lot of curved or circle-liked shapes, such as the left side doctor's arm seem to form a circle with the right side doctor.This kind of arrangements help to make the painting soft and harmony, assisting to express feelings.  


•Is texture a feature of the drawing?
Yes. In this picture, the artist was trying to emphasize on the mood of the painting, not the detail and reality of it. So she tried to make the surface smooth, and lines are fluent. Us viewers don't have to spend efforts to appreciate the details and skills of the painting, instead, we can experience a sense of harmony and warmth immediately while watching it. Colors are simple and echoing with each other, no strong contrast. The arrangements of colors help to preserve the mood constructed by lines and composition.


•What can you say about the composition of the drawing? What is the effect of this type of composition on the overall drawing?
The composition of this drawing is triangular; three figures show the apexes of the triangle. And the whole painting is slightly above our eye level. These arrangements help to create a sense of stable and harmony. And the closed composition makes the patient seems to be protected by the three doctors, also increase the sense of safety.Actually the lamp is the emphasis of this painting. Because other contrast are all based on it, while the three doctors' eyes are leading us to the lamp. The lamp is warm and bright, and very important in the operation, as well as represent doctors' faith of saving people's lives. The doctor in the middle is depicted quite like a Christ-like figure, judging from his eyes and the gesture of him, his head and arms seem to form another smaller triangle, which make the composition more stable, and reinforce the sense of safety and harmony.


•Is rhythm important in this picture? If so, say more about it...
Not so much I think. Because in this painting, it’s more like a capture of a very moment, make it still and memorize it. But I think the curved lines are like floating music notes, they are very tender.


•Is the picture balanced? Explain...
Yes, this drawing is quite balanced. The composition contributes a lot. It’s a closed triangle composition, very stable. Although the whole picture is slightly deviated to right, but because of the two lower figures, it still very balanced.


•Is perspective used in the picture? If so, describe the way that the illusion of three-dimensional space has been created.
A little. Instead of using shadows precisely, she used the position of three figures to show the three dimensional space, because the two lower figures seems bigger than the higher one, so there should be some space between them. Also the use of purple color helps to replace the shadow, which used to create the three-dimensional feeling.


•Is the picture harmonious? If so, in what way?
Yes. First it’s because of the composition. The triangular composition remains me of the religious sacred feelings. And this composition makes the scene stable.Doctors seem to coherent with one another, and they together form a closed triangle, which also make the paintnig more harmony. The curved lines contribute to this feeling as well. Those lines are tender, thin and clean, no clear angles, no complicated overlapping. The use of colors is warming and bright.


•Are there any strong contrasts in the picture? Say more...
No. The color is light and echoes to each other, not in contrast, but in connection.


3) INTERPRETATION AND EVALUATION
•What is the mood of the drawing? Justify your answer using information from your responses above
The mood is peaceful and harmony, with a sense of warmth and safety. Lines are very simple and fine, there are seldom straight lines or sharp angles. The yellow color makes the scene warm and has a sense of peace and safety, because this color relates us to lights, and light is warm and safe experience of human beings. The triangular composition remains me of the religious sacred feelings. And this composition makes the scene stable. All the elements in the drawing help to form the mood of harmony and peaceful.


•What does the drawing express? Justify your answer using information from your responses above
It use simple lines and warm colors to express a feeling of safety and harmony. The composition of the painting also shows its stability and safety feelings. The middle figure was depicted as a Christ-like figure, with his eyes tenderly looking down and his hand forming a holding position, which remains me of religious painting and Virgin Marie.


•In your opinion, why is this work interesting/moving/ clever/ imaginative/thought-provoking/......?  Choose the adjective(s) that best fit(s) the work, and then justify your conclusion in terms of specific features and qualities of the drawing.
I think this painting is moving. Because the lines are loose while clean, but the facial expression and hands are carefully depicted. The composition as well as the color forms the tone of the painting, making us feel safe and harmony. The most eye-catching figure was represented as a religious figure. It shows doctors’ duty of saving people and warmhearted.



Reference List
1: From Lucie-Smith, Edward, Lives of the Great 20th-Century Artists,
   http://www.artchive.com/artchive/H/hepworth.html

Yau Ka Yee, Anna talks on

YAO Xiaochun talks on SEA NETLE---CHRYSAORA FUSCESCENS

Understanding drawing analysis outline

INTRODUCTION

What is the title of the drawing?

The title of the drawing is “ SEA NETLE---CHRYSAORA FUSCESCENS”

What is the name of the artist?

The name of the artist is “Jenny Keller”

What is the year the drawing was done?

May the 22^nd,but the year which I am finding

What is the medium?(ie the materials used to produce the picture, for example charcoal on paper, pen and ink etc)

The medium of the picture is writing brush ,ink and gouache on the paper

What is the subject matter or general theme of the work?

The subject matter of this picture are the 3 moving jellyfish.

What is the purpose of drawing?(eg Is it a diagram that explain how something works? Does it record accurately record the appearance of something? Does it express the artist’s emotion or memory?)

For the Montery Bay Aquarium open ceremony.It record accurately record the appearance of the jellyfish ,and also,from the picture,it can express the artist’s emotion which was loving the nature of the world.

DESCRIBE THE DRAWING IN DETAIL

1.How is line used? What does it do/express?

First look at these lines which can give me general feelings , such as freedom , movement and changeable.

For example, the line quality is from a little bit thick to very thin, from this changeable can express the movement of the jellyfish instead of the static ,smooth and continuous, these features can express the feeling of freedom .

The line types of this picture is curve , different jellyfish towards different direction which can express the freedom and movement of the jellyfish, move to different places

2.How is tone used? What does it do/express?

The tone which used becomes darker from central to other part of the jellyfish.

This point can show that the different parts of the jellyfish and movement.

3. What can you say about shape and/or form in this picture? What is the effect?

The shape of the picture is the real shape of the jellyfish; let people feel the realistic of the jellyfish. In order to understanding why of the artist likes to drawing more details of the jellyfish rather than drawing more general, this should be consider the Jenny’s drawing style and her biography. I have been search the information about the jenny, she has been said a sentence “ if you draw it, you will see the whole thing” this means that she likes to drawing the details of the nature  and also she often take her journal with her ,when she travel a place, he will take the notes on her journal.

So this kind of shape which is real shape of the jellyfish can give people the realistic, accurate feeling rather than the general imagination.(Fromthe book which is called drawing from life:The journal as art)

4.Is texture a feature of the drawing?

Yes,there is texture which we can seen on the picture .
The texture which the artist use give people more clear about the sturcture of the jellyfish.And also ,the artists use it let the 2D into 3D.Give people a kind of solid feeling and result.

5.What can you say about the composition of the drawing? What so the effect of this type of composition on the overall drawing?

The composition of the drawing is more concentrate on the central of the whole paper, the artists wants to create this composition because this arrangement can give people a kind of feeling that the jellyfishes will move from central to different directions, give people a movement and freedom feeling.

6.Is rhythm important in this picture? If so , say more about it

  Yes, of course.

Because the biggest feeling of this drawing is the movement. Rhythm can let people feel active of the biology which is jellyfish .

7. Is the picture balanced? Explain

Not quite balanced, more central, because in this way can express the movement of the jellyfishes which are from central to different directions. Give people the movement and freedom feeling of the jellyfish.

8.Is perspective used in the picture? If so , describe the way that the illusion of three dimensional space has been created ?

Yes. This drawing is three dimensional spaces. The artist used contrast, line, drawing a different side of the jellyfish these skills let the three dimensional space become true.

9.Is the picture harmonious? If so , in what way?

 Yes.This picture is quite harmonious,from the line style which the artist can express the peaceful of the jellyfish,although it is moving ,but the line are quite peaceful ,so this picture is
harmonious. 

10.Are there any strong contrasts in the picture? Say more

There is color contrasts  of the jellyfish.

INTERPRETATION AND EVALUATION

What is the mood of the drawing? Justify your answer using information from your responses above?

 The moods of this picture are peaceful, freedom and movement.

 Firstly ,the medium which is used by the gouache instead of others, because when use the gouache ,it has to be added water ,water can give people more freedom, let people to imagination, so overall ,use this medium can give people a kind of freedom feeling.

Secondly, artists use the line can express the movement of the jellyfish and freedom of the jellyfish. For example, the line quality is from a little bit thick to very thin instead of the same , such as very thin or very thick, this line changeable can give people a kind of feeling which is the jellyfish is moving instead of just stay in one place, because of the jellyfish is moving, so that it can give people general  feeling of the picture which is the movement .

Thirdly, From the line types perspective is zigzag ,artist drawing the line from different direction instead of only vertical ,horizontal, diagonal or curve ,when drawing the line from different direction that can give people freedom and imagination.

 What does the drawing express? Justify your answer using information from your responses above?

The drawing expresses the movement, realistic, freedom of the jellyfish, and also ,at the same time, the artists wants to express realistic of the nature.

In your opinion, why is this work interesting/moving/clever/imaginative /thought provoking/? Choose the adjectives that best fit(s) the work, and then justify your conclusion in terms of specific features and qualities of the drawing.

I think the most feature of this drawing is movement, the artist can use the different techniques let the jellyfish from static situation becomes movement on the paper, such as the line,the composition,the medium ,that was an amazing. and also, this drawing can reflect the idea of the artist which is she loves the nature, no matter the plant or the animal.From this drawing can analysis the artist’s imformation,so I think this drawing is wonderful.

Wong Sin Yi, Stacie talks on Bunny by Kiki Smith

Kiki Smith, Bunny (1997), Etching on Nepalese paper

 Kiki Smith, Contemporary American artist

What is the subject matter or general theme of the work?

A drawing of a bunny

What is the purpose of the drawing?

Smith produces images of nature, such as insects, animals as well as cosmos since she is fascinated by the interesting connection between human and nature (especially human and animals) and the attribution of all beings in the world. Smith said “I found this anthropomorphizing of animals interesting: the human attributes we give to animals, and the animal attributes we take on as humans to construct our identity. I’m trying to think about this relationship between nature and human nature, their different objects.(1)”

The piece reveals a strong association between animal instincts and human nature. In the drawing a bunny is used to symbolize the feminine fragility and menstruation. In fact the anthropomorphism of a rabbit can be ambiguous: it tends to be in feminine form that signifies fertility and rebirth since the animal is associated with the earth which is the common metaphor for a mother giving birth(2); it also represents a craven because of the timid trait of the animal(3). The faded rose ground stands for menstrual blood(4). In the period, women who experience some uterine pain may feel week and depressed associated with menstruation. Regarding its fertility, shyness and fragility in the drawing, Smith subjectively inclines to present the traditional or stereotyped gender role: the fragility in women.

How is line used? What does it do/express?

The unhealthiness is expressed by the lines. Depicted by curved, thin and scattered lines the bunny appears to be having sparse hair or suffering from hair loss due to the lack of nutrition. It’s contrary to a sense of robustness and firmness expressed by thick, bushy and bold lines.

What can you say about shape and /or form in this picture? What is the effect?

The bunny looks exhausted and fragile, inclining its body forward and can barely hold its thin and elongated limbs. The fragility of the animal is shown by the thin curved lines which make its form soft and boneless. Because of the elongated and boneless body it is exaggerated that cannot be identical to an average rabbit.

The bunny also resembles a spirit or soul. The whiteness and sparseness of lines show the translucent quality on the body of the bunny which seems light, ghostly and wispy with little sense of weight and strength. It can be interpreted as a dying animal because the ghostlike appearance may be associated with its fragility.

Formed by the scattered lines the face of the bunny is unclear and its eyes are hardly seen. It is likely to be a sick ugly animal which is different to a healthy one with cute bright eyes and smooth bushy fur. With the sad and unenthusiastic facial expression of the bunny its frailness and fragility are underscored.

Is texture a feature of the drawing?

Yes! It’s the main feature of the drawing. The texture of the unhealthy bunny’s hair is presented by the use of curved, thin and sparse lines.

What can you say about the composition of the drawing? What is the effect of this type of composition on the overall drawing?
A contrast between the form and the plain ground is strongly created  to emphasize the difference between the two. The cluster of lines is put against the emptiness of space not only to draw attention to the subject, but also to the intimate relationship between the subject and the space. The composition of the drawing is similar to the Chinese traditional paintings’ which emphasis on the subjects and conveys a strong sense of imagination by leaving a large portion of the space blank besides the figures in the picture, for instance, the bamboo paintings of literati painting tradition(Fig. 1). The faded rose ground, combined with the fragile and boneless appearance of the bunny  which signifies the feminine fragility and timidity, is left to invite viewers to observe the drawing from different perspectives and to imagine what’s in that portion of area.

(Fig. 1) Wu Zhen Ink Bamboo

Is the picture balanced? Explain.
Yes, it’s balanced. It seems that the picture simply centers on the bunch of white lines as well as the hairy texture and soft structure of the bunny, but the emptiness of the faded rose ground also plays an important role in the composition as a whole regarding its imaginative quality. Thus, the above elements are evenly distributed and structured.


Is perspective used in the picture? If so, describe the way that the illusion of three-dimensional space has been created.
There is no certain rule of perspective used in the drawing since the ground is left blank. Because of the empty area, the space in the picture is ambiguous in which the subject can be observed from different angles without boundaries.


Is the picture harmonious? If so, in what way?
No, it’s not a harmonious picture since there is an apparent contrast between the detailed form and the vacuumed space which have little correspondence to one another.


What is the mood of the drawing? Justify your answer using information from your responses above.
The melancholic and lonely mood is created by the combination of the bunny’s facial expression, pose and the ground color. As the faded rose ground suggests the feminine fragility during menstrual period that women are physically subject to the process, the dim old color also conveys a gloomy atmosphere and a feeling of faded youth because of the absence of bright and colorful elements which make one feel old and depressed. Bounded up with the dim ground, the moodiness of the unenthusiastic facial expression of the bunny and the fragility of its thin unhealthy hair and boneless wispy body is stressed. Besides that, there is a strong sense of loneliness conveyed by the emptiness of the ground in which the bunny stands still without companions. Thus it symbolizes a lone soul who is isolated and neglected.


What does the drawing express? Justify your answer using information from your responses above.
It is an allegorical and feminist drawing expressing negative emotions in women utilizing various symbols associated with animals. The feminine fragility and melancholy are signified by the signs of the bunny itself, of the faded rose ground, of the thin sparse white lines, of the translucent elongated form and the moody facial expression. It’s a rather personal and subjective interpretation of the animal because of its exaggerated and little realistic form and color. Thus it’s an imaginative, original and anthropomorphic bunny created by Smith to reflect human nature.


Choose adjective(s) that best fit(s) the work, and then justify your conclusion in terms of specific features and qualities of the drawing.
It’s expressive! The depressive, weak and lonely feelings are conveyed by the creative use of lines, shape, color and space. The unhealthy and fragility in women expressed by the sparseness and scatter of the hair and the softness of the inclined body is convincing and perceivable. Although the elements are exaggeratedly presented, we can still identify with the feelings and associate them with our own experience and memories because it's human nature having those negative emotions.

It’s imaginative! Regarding the vacuumed space, it offers viewers a room for imagination. Besides that, the translucent and hazy appearance of the bunny which resemblances a spirit creates a sense of illusion and fantasy. The human emotions expressed in the imaginative or dreamy sense maybe closely associated with human’s subconscious mind like dreams.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) Wendy Weitman, Kiki Smith Prints, Books and Things (The Museum of Modern Art, New York, 2003), 98.

(2) Udo Becker, The Continuum Encyclopedia of Symbols (Continuum N.Y London, 2000), 138.

(3) Ibid., 138.

(4) Ibid. 1, at 30.

WONG Man Ting (Cat) talks on ChapmanEtchings's 'ExquisiteCorpse2000-2.jpg'

1) INTRODUCE THE DRAWING IN GENERAL TERMS

What is the title of the drawing?

The title of the drawing is ''ExquisiteCorpse''.

What is the name of the artist?
The name of the artists are Jake and Dinos Chapman.


What is the year the drawing was done?
The drawing was done in 2000.


What is the medium? (ie the materials used to produce the picture, for example charcoal on paper, pen and ink etc)
The medium is etching.


What is the subject matter or general theme of the work? (eg is it a figure drawing, a map, a portrait, an autobiographical work, a picture about nature, a drawing of the city etc?)
The subject matter is a drawing imaginations that depicts amalgamations reminiscent of Jake and Dinos Chapman occur in dreams.(1)

What is the purpose of the drawing? (eg Is it a diagram that explains how something works? Does it record accurately record the appearance of something? Does it express the artist's emotion or memory? )
The purpose of it express the artist's memories, imaginations and dreaming. The drawing is played upon and foreground (pI.1-pI.4) by Jake and Dinod Chapmans' collaborative approach because they pass foldedd paper between them in a game of consequences'.(1)  I think the artists depict the feeling of the complexity and details used to express the mood to be a more chaotic, shock and powerful.

(pI.1)(pI.2)

(pI.3)(pI.4)

2) DESCRIBE THE DRAWING IN DETAIL



How is line used? What does it do/express?
The artists used a thin mark made by etchings. It is emphasis on using the line and the line is continuous and spread.The line quality is really details and complex. The artists used the dense,tight an heavy line such as the dense wood and the head of goat to express the strong and pressure feeling like chaotic  memories, imaginations and dreaming. For example, it used lots of different texture to depict different of gradation of the wood and brance.


How is tone used? What does it do/express?
The drawing is monochrome. the artists used the white background and the darkness of main object like line, shape or a formto to show the contrast of lightness and darkness.


What can you say about shape and/or form in this picture? What is the effect?
The drawing of shape and form are even tone. The drawing can be divided into four rectangle shapes from up to down as the artists pass folded paper between them in a game of 'consequences'. (1) Therefore, each part is different shape, line, tone to express different feelings and powerful.

Is texture a feature of the drawing?
Yes,texture is a feature of the drawing,especially this drawing. The artists is emphasis on the texture to depict something feels like dense wood. 

What can you say about the composition of the drawing? What is the effect of this type of composition on the overall drawing?
The composition of the drawing is balance and symmetrical. The left and right are near images as well as upon and forground are details and complex. The background is clear which makes people focus on the detail of goat and tree.

Is rhythm important in this picture? If so, say more about it...
Yes, I think rhythm is vital in this drawing on ground that the artists uesd the texture to  draw its dramatic and expressive.

Is the picture balanced? Explain...
Yes,the composition of the drawing is balance and symmetrical. The left and right are near images as well as upon and forground are details and complex. 

Is perspective used in the picture? If so, describe the way that the illusion of three-dimensional space has been created.
I think the artists are seldom to use perspective in the drawing. It only have little contrast of light effect to make modeling and shading. It looks like the 2D image.

Is the picture harmonious? If so, in what way?
 No, the artists used different tones to depict the details and make a strong contrast of the lightness and darkness.

Are there any strong contrasts in the picture? Say more...
Yes, there is strong contrast in the drawing. The artists used different texture to express sense of emotion,especially the contrast of darkness and lightness.


3) INTERPRETATION AND EVALUATION

What is the mood of the drawing? Justify your answer using information from your responses above
The mood of drawing is strong, heavy, pressure mood on the ground that the artist depicts the feeling of the complexity and details used to express the  mood to be a more chaotic and shock.

What does the drawing express? Justify your answer using information from your responses above
The figure is monstrous and endearing, a meeting point of imaginations that express the feeling and occur in dreams. It seems that the drawing objects occur in their dreams like human body, aminals and plants. Those objects are related to our life. It makes people to think that the artist express the relation of nature and war or city as well as human, plants and animals should be lived in harmony. It is because the goat wear a watch and with the knief in left hand side as well as the main object combine the tree and the goat to make people to feel that the contrast of nature and violence or war.

In your opinion, why is this work interesting/moving/ clever/ imaginative/thought-provoking/......?  Choose the adjective(s) that best fit(s) the work, and then justify your conclusion in terms of specific features and qualities of the drawing.
This work is really interesting and imaginative due to using ''ExquisiteCorpse''. 
''ExquisiteCorpse''  is a method by which a collection of  images is collectively assembled. Each collaborator adds to a composition in sequence, either by following a rule or by being allowed to see the end of what the previous person contributed. (2) The drawing is following a rule that the artists played upon and foreground (pI.1-pI.4) by Jake and Dinod Chapmans' collaborative approach because they pass foldedd paper between them in a game of consequences'. 
Also, the art content is an  imaginations that depicts amalgamations reminiscent of Jake and Dinos Chapman occur in dreams.  The artist express the dramatic feeling and  shocking. 
Moreover, I love the artists put emphasis on the details and used different texture to present the diffent shape, level. Also, it used the dense,tight an heavy line such as the dense wood and the head of goat to express the strong,pressure and powerful feeling.

1. Drawing book : a survey of drawing : the primary means of expression / edited by Tania Kovats
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exquisite_corpse

WONG Chau Yin(Filia) ChuckClose's FingerprintII1978

1) INTRODUCE THE DRAWING IN GENERAL TERMS

•What is the title of the drawing?

FingerprintII


•What is the name of the artist?


Chuck Close


•What is the year the drawing was done?


In 1978


•What is the medium? (ie the materials used to produce the picture, for example charcoal on paper, pen and ink etc)


There are lots of fingerprint on the paper.


•What is the subject matter or general theme of the work? (eg is it a figure drawing, a map, a portrait, an autobiographical work, a picture about nature, a drawing of the city etc?)


It is a man.


•What is the purpose of the drawing? (eg Is it a diagram that explains how something works? Does it record accurately record the appearance of something? Does it express the artist's emotion or memory? )


It is trying to show the face of a man by using different levels of tones of the fingerprints.




2) DESCRIBE THE DRAWING IN DETAIL


•How is line used? What does it do/express?


There is no line used.


•How is tone used? What does it do/express?


There are lots of different levels of tone used, from slight white to gray and very dark black, and most of them are gray actually.
By using different levels of tones it makes the contour of a man more extrusive and stands out, makes us easier to figure out which part are his hair, forehead, eyebrow, eyes, nose, ears, mouth, chin, neck and collarbone.


•What can you say about shape and/or form in this picture? What is the effect?


The form of the picture is quite systematical and mechanical.  From it we can see there are lots of fingerprints in the same size put in orderly, and no any overlap.  And the artist is using the tones very carefully and trying to connect different levels of tone of the fingerprint together, makes it harmony, trying to make the man being more solid like having three-dimension effects.


•Is texture a feature of the drawing?


YES, even it just simply made by a paper with lots of fingerprints, the texture of the picture is quite soft, smooth and natural.  Fingerprints makes everything not really in detail but quite rough and it is between reality and abstraction.


•What can you say about the composition of the drawing? What is the effect of this type of composition on the overall drawing?


The drawing composed a lot of different levels of tone of fingerprints.
It looks like an old photo token a long time before which just with white, gray and black.  Also, as it is quite mechanical like a photo printed with lots of dots.  And the artist is using his fingerprint instead of using any tools.  Not as exquisitely as the photo but roughly give the outline of a man.  It is quite abstract but impressive.  And we can see the artist was putting lots of effort to create the tones and space, making everything so natural.


•Is rhythm important in this picture? If so, say more about it...


YES, there is rhythm in the picture.  As there are lots of fingerprints put in one by one orderly, from slight gray to dark gray by observing different levels of light and space.  And the fingerprints create rhythm which makes the mood more harmonious and the overall being so coherent, smooth and natural.


•Is the picture balanced? Explain...


No, it is because the face of the man is a litter bit turn to right, seems that the posture is not balance.  Also the light seems coming from left hand side, in which we find some shadow of his nose, face, chin and neck in right hand side but none in left hand side.  And the shape of the hair is not balance, right hand side is higher than the left.


•Is perspective used in the picture? If so, describe the way that the illusion of three-dimensional space has been created.


YES, it uses the perspective.  The artist is keen in using different levels of tones of fingerprint which create three-dimensional space.  In the picture, we can that the slight gray is most spacious and the lightest part, and in contrast, the dark gray is the darkest, intimate and concentrated part of the man.  When they come together, it creates some space and pop out the outline of the face of the man clearly.  By using the tones, we can easily find out where the light comes from, which part of the man is and how far between different parts of his face is, etc.  And makes the man seems a real one and it is solid.


•Is the picture harmonious? If so, in what way?


YES, it is harmonious.  As there a lot of different levels of tones of fingerprints put in orderly in a consistent way.  Even the tones is different, it is trying to charge the level of tone very slightly and carefully in order to match with the overall image.  Finally, everything comes so natural and smooth and harmonious.


•Are there any strong contrasts in the picture? Say more...


YES, there are some strong contrasts in the picture.  Especially when it comes to the darkest, intimate and concentrated parts of the man, such as his hair, eyeball, nostril, the shadow of nose and chin and his clothes.  Also, comparing with the left hand side which is more brighten and slight gray than the right hand side.  We can clearly to observe every part of the left face but it is quite dark and mistiness in the left face which with lots of dark shadow.




3) INTERPRETATION AND EVALUATION


•What is the mood of the drawing? Justify your answer using information from your responses above


The picture seems with nothing special mood and quite rough by only using the dots (fingerprints) to outline a face of a man, but actually, the mood of the drawing would be quite earnest, cautious, calm, stable and intricate…  As the whole structure is really complicated, it involves different levels of tones of the fingerprint.  And the artist has to pay attention to do every step to figure out which part should put which level of tone in an appropriate way.  Undeniably, it needs quite a long time to finish it patiently.


•What does the drawing express? Justify your answer using information from your responses above

It is a sophisticated microscope by using the pointillism.  The artist is using different levels of tones of his fingerprint to shape the contour of a man’s face.  It seems quite rough, between reality and abstraction.  But, it tells us that dots can also make things done, which can make the item quite extrusive by using different level of tones.  When we use the tone appropriately it would finally create the three-dimension and space effect.  Also, our fingerprint can make a special texture and feeling to the art work with this small dots shape and even the veins.  It makes everything being more natural, smooth and unique.

•In your opinion, why is this work interesting/moving/ clever/ imaginative/thought-provoking/......?  Choose the adjective(s) that best fit(s) the work, and then justify your conclusion in terms of specific features and qualities of the drawing.

I quite impressed by this art work and I would like to descript it is a sophisticated one.

Obviously, it would be easier for one to draw a man by using a pen or other tools but not the fingerprint.  The artist is really a smart and well organized person.  As it is difficult by using different level of tones of the fingerprints to express and outline a face of a person.  It involves some technical skills, experience and well organized plan before drawing.  From the picture, we can see the artist is really keen in using tones which created three-dimension and space of the man.  Eventually, it makes a harmonious, smooth and natural feeling to others.

TSE Wing Lim talks on Carbon Colour Of Julia Robinson 1976 Larry Rivers

1) INTRODUCE THE DRAWING IN GENERAL TERMS 


•What is the title of the drawing? .
•What is the name of the artist? 
•What is the year the drawing was done? 
The title of the drawing is Carbon Colour Of Julia Robinson.The drwaing finished by Larry Rivers at 1976. He was one of America's most important postwar artists. 


•What is the medium? 


The medium is  charcoal on paper.


•What is the subject matter or general theme of the work?
 It is a figure drawing and one carbon drawing.


•What is the purpose of the drawing? 
There are one original drawing and one carbon drawing which record Julia Robinson's appearance. Two drawings are not same with the other one, they make a contrast, the left one is like Larry Rivers stand behind the windows and then draw it, right one is more substantial, seems like a face-to-face drawing. 


2) DESCRIBE THE DRAWING IN DETAIL


•How is line used? What does it do/express? 


Different types of line had used in the drawing such as the straight line, rough line, curve line etc.  We can see the line contrast in the drawing. The left side's line is lighter than the right side's line. For example, the head of the woman, the line of right side is more detailed and heavy. Also, the strong and dark lines draw the outline of the figure and the background, some rough lines draw the dark shadow.


•How is tone used? What does it do/express? 


The drawing has three main tone, the darkest part(most black), the middle tone (the gray area) and the lightest part(white part). The darkest part in the drawing is the clothes shadow of the woman, including her boots. The gray area is her clothes. The part of lightest tone is at the left side of the drawing mostly. 


•What can you say about shape and/or form in this picture? What is the effect? 


I think everything in the drawing are doubled, the shape mainly focus on the female figure, right hand-side is real figure and left hand side like a shadow in a mirror, their shapes are similiar.


•Is texture a feature of the drawing? 


Texture is a one the feature of the drawing. The texture of  the clothes is smooth , light and soft. Also, the texture of woman's hair are soft and light too, it seems that her hair is waving. The curve lines make the texture become soft, the hair and clothes contains many curve lines. Oppositely, the background (the door and other objects) are very tough, because it contains many straight lines.


•What can you say about the composition of the drawing? What is the effect of this type of composition on the overall drawing?


The composition of the drawing is divided into two parts, left and right. Actually, the drawing like two same pictures combined into one drawing, so their compositions are same. The woman stand at the middle of two pictures, the background of two pictures are same too.


•Is rhythm important in this picture? If so, say more about it...


The rhythm is not very important in this picture, because the action of the figure is keep still.


•Is the picture balanced? Explain...


This picture is balanced. Because the picture is like a mirror and the real object. Right side like a real object, left side like a unsubstantial reflection. 


•Is perspective used in the picture? If so, describe the way that the illusion of three-dimensional space has been created.


This picture is used linear perspective, it created another space behind the door (the door is behind woman), we can see the outdoor view through the window on the door.


•Is the picture harmonious? If so, in what way? 

This picture is quite harmonious, there are two reasons: the first one is because the posture of the woman is quiet, she is holding her posture in the drawing. Another reason is the place, it is a indoor location. Indoor make people feel safety,stable.


•Are there any strong contrasts in the picture? 


Yes,  although the two figures are similar, but  the composition, tone and the line in the picture make the strong contrasts actually. The left side is lighter and simple, seems like an illusion. In contrast the right side is more detailed and darker, it is substantial.
Also, there are contrast about light, 3 slope white light are on the right side picture. 




3) INTERPRETATION AND EVALUATION


•What is the mood of the drawing? 
The first impression that the drawing give me is a doubt.
I am doubted that why there are two similar pictures in one drawing? Why the artist do this? After I have an analysis on it, I discover that there are some different between two pictures, one is substantial, another one is like a duplicate copy or a mirror reflection. There are contrasts between those two pictures.


•What does the drawing express? 
 They record Julia Robinson's appearance. The drawing express contrast relationship between two pictures.




•In your opinion, why is this work interesting/moving/ clever/ imaginative/thought-provoking/......?   
I think contrastive is the best adjective to describe the work. Because the work contains two pictures, although they are similar, but it is easy to see the contrast.