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To produce this piece, I followed the instructions on the provided website. I also looked at the video, but it didn't help. Since the tutorials don't work on my laptop, I had to go in blind, which was fine because I still managed to complete the only goal, finishing the assignment. I used the magnetic lasso for most of it since that was the easiest tool to manage. I feel discouraged by this piece because it reminds me that this is only the first assignment and it'll only get more difficult from here. I dislike that there is a gap between the stem and the pumpkin. This happened because the stem refused to copy over with the rest of the pumpkin, I fear that my laptop cannot handle Photoshop. I like the eyes because the texture of the fruit looks like the kaleidoscope pattern of real irises. I enjoyed cutting things out because the magnetic lasso was satisfying. In the future, I hope for more creative liberty because I originally had a body with him but I cut it out.

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To produce this piece, I followed the instructions that the video provided. I created the two rectangles and one circle needed for the foundation. Then, I added text with the impact font over that. I used the FX section of Photoshop to add different gradients and patterns to overlay the shapes, this made the piece more visually interesting.

This project was easier than the Melon Head because I have had more experience using Photoshop now, but I found the video long and tedious regardless. To improve, I need to understand color theory better. I wanted to do a red theme but because of the gradients, the piece looks more like a rusty and messy pink. I'm frustrated with the colors of the final piece, I don't like any of the gradient options which is disappointing since there are so many options. This piece reveals that I can easily follow instructions to make a piece that nearly matches the example. If I was the teacher, I would comment on how the yellow doesn't work with the pink. Next time, I'll probably choose a different color for my name but I also felt that the yellow popped aggressively and that was needed.

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I’ve gotten better at following the tutorials and mastering the move key. I had issues transferring the images into Photoshop, I couldn’t find them in my downloads, so eventually, I just gave up and saved them to my desktop. I’m satisfied with the project because I think the concept is quite cool. I like this project most of all because, unlike the others, I don’t find it hideous. I’ve definitely improved with using the stroke and other fx tools. If I was a teacher, I’d comment that the circles aren’t equal distance from each other. I’d like to improve on making the circles more equal if we have a similar project to this in the future.

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I have gotten better at knowing how to adjust the layers, which was difficult since there are so many features. I think I need to improve on memorizing where the certain tools on the left hand side are. I like this piece because choosing my own pictures was personal, which is different from the other pieces so far. I don't like how I wish my face showed more through the image. I enjoyed choosing a nature picture. It was satisfying to see that my face showed through the nature picture. I want people to notice the lighting. If I had a chance to do this piece over again, I would probably try to figure out a way to make my face shine through the nature image more. I tried to edit it but I just couldn't figure it out.

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I used the patch tool to cut out the image from its entirety. Then, I used the move tool to drag it to my main image, and then to resize and adjust it to fit. Then, I utilized the stamp tool, the eraser tool, and the FX feature to attempt to blend it together. I've gotten better at knowing where the tools are without thinking about them. I need to improve on cutting things out with a steadier hand because it's difficult to get even lines and that's the process that takes the longest. It was satisfying to see the edges blend together and that's what made the piece feel more complete. I was frustrated by using the stamp tool, it was difficult to manage, but it kind of helped. This piece reveals that I have been able to adapt and learn skills to some limited extent by doing these weekly projects. My ability to cut things out and make things neat has improved since the beginning of the year. I think my work is pretty similar to everyone else's, I noticed other people had ice cream cones and owls in their work. Before I started the project I made sure that no one was doing the same combinations as me, that way I wouldn't be accused of plagiarism and my work would be different from everyone else. If I redid this piece I would probably want to use similar ideas/animals as my classmates because I thought my peers were creative.

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I went for a deep dive through movie posters online and found inspiration from them. I used the fx feature a lot, so I could get depth for my text and images. I followed the tutorial loosely, it was easier to use my own knowledge than be reliant, this shows overall improvement. In the future, I could improve by working on layering. I had a lot of issues with the credit/billing block, I didn’t know what to put for it and it took a bit of time, evidently I got through it. I like this piece of work because I could actually be creative and that is the point of art. I enjoyed the creativity. In the beginning of the year, I was far more reliant on the tutorials but now I’m not. If I was a teacher, I would comment on the lack of originality of doing a Sesame Street inspired piece. I would probably change the whole idea if I did it again.

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My process was first to go online and find inspiration for my quote, next I drew out samples. When I finally had my final idea drawn, I used Adobe Capture to put it on Photoshop. I used the paintbrush and the paint bucket tools to help add color to my piece and add more details. I've gotten better at being able to memorize where all of the tools are. Now it feels like muscle memory rather than having to go and look through the toolbar and read what each tool does. I think this piece of work is pretty wholesome because the objective was to create a poster for the home and I think this is pretty homely. I need to improve on being able to draw more symmetrically, evidently I cannot draw heart and my lettering is a little wonky. I like the colors that I used, I didn't want to do anything bright and obnoxious so I tried to mellow it out. I don't love how my polka dots are not super visible, it was very difficult to get them to look right. I enjoyed having creative liberty with this piece. I was a little frustrated with using Capture because it was a new tool that we had to learn to use. I learned that I have definitely improved since the beginning of the year. This project in comparison to my first project shows my improvement because now I have better control over Photoshop than I did back then. If I was the teacher I'd probably just say that I should have tried to be more symmetrical with my lettering. If I redid this piece I'd maybe want to use some sort of stencil rather than free-handing.

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1. for this one I used the Cutout, Mosaic tiles, and Ink outlines filters.

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2. for this one I used the stained glass filter twice on different settings, and also glowing edges and diffuse glow

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3. for this one I used the sprayed strokes, glass, and ink outlines filters

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1. Composition and Framing: "How does Kehinde Wiley compose his subjects

within the frame, and what impact does this have on the viewer's perception

of the subject?"

None of the poses that the people in his paintings are in are boring. Although it is just a single figure posing with a bright and detailed background, the stance or positioning of the person evokes emotion and a distinct idea for each painting. Some of the subjects in this picture are posed to mimic old-fashioned paintings of European royalty or nobility. He uses the positioning of the subject to communicate with the people. In his portrait of Obama, he communicates the idea that Obama is a man-of-the-people rather than a powerful and cold monarch which is more authentic for the public's perception of the president.

2. Use of Color: "Analyze Wiley’s use of color in the artwork. How do the

colors contribute to the mood or message of the piece?"

I think the mood of the pieces is power, specifically celebration of black people and their heritage and culture. The use of bright color is either influenced by traditional flowers (like the use of Kenyan flowers in Obama's portrait) or it can be used to draw attention to the portrait. Drawing attention to the portrait means drawing attention to the message that he's trying to give off, which is that black people deserve representation in the art world that they have been lacking for so long.

3. Patterns and Backgrounds: "Wiley is known for his intricate, patterned

backgrounds. How do these backgrounds interact with the foreground

subjects, and what effect does this have on the overall composition?"

The message of the piece is to show a contrast between his works and the typical 18 and 19th century paintings that are shown in museums. Although a lot of the subjects take up the same stances as figures in historical artworks, the use of modern streetwear and loud and bright colors and patterns juxtaposes the traditional stances and poses that were used in old fashioned paintings

4. Themes and Messages: "Discuss the themes represented in Wiley’s work.

How does he address concepts of identity, power, and culture?"

Some Concepts that he focuses on is the blending of old and new art styles. He does this by mixing the positioning of old fashioned and well-known artworks with his African-American models wearing streetwear and brightly colored and patterned backgrounds. He incorporates part of his identity into his work by raising awareness for the challenges faced by so many Urban black men and by using his experience of growing up in LA to influence his work.

5. Subject Matter: "Wiley often portrays African-American subjects in the style

of classical European portraits. How does this choice affect the interpretation

of his work?"

A lot of the subjects of European art tends to be of nobility or royalty or even religious figures so by replacing these figures with black people it shows how black people are just as powerful and respectable but they just weren't represented in that time period. He’s basically saying that black people have a place in art especially in art that is typically the first thing that is thought of when people think of art, famous portraits.

6. Technique and Medium: "Examine the techniques Wiley uses in his paintings.

How does his approach to painting contribute to the visual impact of his art?"

While the article doesn't specifically talk about the techniques that he uses, I can assume that it has to do something with photography so that he can have a reference photo for his realistic paintings. Then he probably comes up with some sort of concept art or reference for the backgrounds and maybe he does some sort of stamping method since a lot of it seems to be really repetitive and patterned. The use of photography and a reference photo and potentially stamping allows him to have a result that maintains the look of his figures and their everyday clothes while also having his signature patterned backgrounds as an impact for the eye.

7. Symbolism: "Identify and interpret any symbols used by Wiley in his

artworks. What additional layers of meaning do these symbols add?"

One symbol that is used in his work is the use of streetwear and everyday clothes. For someone who grew up not seeing himself represented in artwork he wanted to bridge that gap as much as possible and a beautiful way of him doing that is by using models that are wearing their everyday clothes. In this way it doesn't add another barrier where only super wealthy people wearing fancy expensive clothes get to be represented in art, it can be everyday people. Another symbol is the use of flowers in Obama's painting. He used flowers from Chicago, Kenya, and Hawaii as a way to represent the president's background in his portrait.

8. Contextual Analysis: "How does Wiley's art reflect or respond to

contemporary social and political issues, particularly regarding race and

Representation?"

His art reflects to political issues and social issues regarding race and representation because as someone who grew up not being represented by the art that he viewed in museums, he deemed it incredibly important to be represented in art so he uses African American models as the figures in its work instead of adding to the typical representation of only white people.

9. Viewer’s Reaction: "Describe your initial reaction to Wiley’s artwork and

how your understanding of the piece evolved upon closer inspection. What

elements of the art provoked this change?"

When I first saw the portraits I was just looking at the figure rather than anything else since that's what the eye is drawn to but then after reading about it I started to see the similarities between the 1800 and 1900 portraits and Wiley's work. After looking at it for a while I truly could see how intricate the backgrounds were and how much effort and detail was put into them. I feel like at first people don't tend to notice backgrounds but Wiley's work is incredibly detailed and impressive and that shouldn't go unnoticed.

10. Comparative Analysis: "Compare Wiley’s work with that of a traditional

portrait artist. How does Wiley’s modern interpretation challenge or

complement the conventions of portrait painting?"

It definitely challenges the conventions of portrait painting at least historically. In America today, people are far more accepting of African-American people being the center figure of such portraits but in reflection to the 1800 and 1900 portraits, the painters would be quite shocked by the progression of art since their time. But his work also compliments the conventions of portrait painting, the use of African Americans as the figures in his paintings compliments the typical way that subjects are posed in paintings while he also challenges what people think of portraits by adding complex backgrounds.

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1. What idea or message are you trying to get across?

The message that is conveyed is that cell phones are bad and they are sucking the life out of us.

2. How has this piece of work inspired you?

I probably won’t go on my phone as much in the future. Although it is ironic that I’m doing a digital piece that condemns technology.

3. How would you summarize your artwork?

It definitely is controversial because many people absolutely adore what is in store for us, technology-wise, in the future, while many are terrified.

4. What rating between 1 and 10 would you give your artwork and why?

10, because I worked on this project in 2 class periods, then for 4 hours straight when I got home. I’m exhausted and deserve a 10.

5. What have you learned from creating this art piece?

AI offers a lot of options but when you write a prompt that could be violent it says it doesn’t register. It was hard to make an apocalyptic piece when I couldn’t type “utterly terrified people”

6. Were you happy with the final result? Why or why not?

Yes, it matches my sketch and usually my art doesn’t, so I am overly pleased.

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1. What idea or message are you trying to get across?

There is a hidden city that is magical and can only be seen in reflections, like the lake.

2. How has this piece of work inspired you?

I want to write a short story about the war that caused them to go into hiding.

3. How would you summarize your artwork?

Ancient and magical!

4. What rating between 1 and 10 would you give your artwork and why?

10, it is the kind of thing that I’d put on my wall. I like magical pieces as such.

5. What have you learned from creating this art piece?

Using FX is so important when trying to translate images into an idea.

6. Were you happy with the final result? Why or why not?

Yes, since it is exactly what I drew and planned for it to look.

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1. Have any of your art skills improved during this project? Did you learn new

skills? Which ones?

Yes, I’ve learned how to cut out images to their lines much faster with the erase tool. It is still time consuming but I follow the lines better now.

2. Is there anything you could have done to improve any of your work?

Explain.

I’m not sure. Broadened my mind maybe, to have a more creative outcome.

3. Tell me about the colours you used and why you used them? Why do they

symbolize?

I used brown tones because those are in the classic steampunk color palette but I used pops of blue to bring attention to certain elements and add variability.

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1. Describe the medium or materials used in this piece of artwork.

I used photoshop and adobe firefly.

2. What steps did you take to create your art piece?

I inserted the pics into the piece then used the eraser tool to erase everything but the part of each animal I needed. Then, I adjusted it to fit.

3. What part was the hardest/easiest?

Erasing is easiest but so time consuming while using adobe firefly is difficult because it never produces what I envision.

4. What were your feelings like as you created the art piece?

I think it's fun and I made a cool concept.

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1. What idea or message are you trying to get across?

That emotions are complex and conceptual rather than easy to navigate.

2. How has this piece of work inspired you?

I feel like I want to work through my emotions by visualizing them as hills to climb rather than impossible tasks.

3. How would you summarize your art work?

A visual depiction of the emotional world.

4. What rating between 1 and 10 would you give your art work and why?

10, I think it gets my point across very well.

5. What have you learned from creating this art piece?

Imagination is important because I needed it for this piece.

6. Were you happy with the final result? Why or why not?

Yes, I think it has a good message.