ART-101 Padlet Portfolio by

Peregrine Falcon

aalmonte3820_ — 2023-12-14 16:03:07 UTC

I took this photo a couple of weeks ago using a long lens with my DSLR. It was captured at Palisade Interstate Park, the residence of the peregrine falcons. I believe this bird is female, as you can tell by its size. There was a male nearby, making it easy to compare since males tend to be smaller. These magnificent birds can be seen occasionally perching on the same branch. I selected this photo because I'm captivated by the bird's appearance, such as the bird's wing pattern, textures, and the autumn yellow colors of the leaves and branches in the background.

Abstract of a Peregrine Falcon

aalmonte3820_ — 2023-12-14 16:08:34 UTC

To transform it into an abstract piece using watercolor paint, I simplified the peregrine falcon, reducing the level of detail in its wings and head, and I altered the background. I didn't add many shadows, only using splatters of color. I created curvier branches and introduced a variety of color splotches that closely resemble the colors in the original picture.

Non-representational of a Peregrine Falcon

aalmonte3820_ — 2023-12-14 16:13:19 UTC

To make the image non-representational, I used the same color palette, incorporated simple shapes, such as circular eyes and a triangular beak, and exaggerated the wings, textures, and patterns. By doing this, I aimed to convey the same mood found in the abstract and the photo.

American Sycamore Leaf

aalmonte3820_ — 2023-12-14 16:22:39 UTC

I went hiking at Ramapo Park this weekend and picked up a leaf because I was captivated by the autumn colors and the distinct edges of the leaf. I believe the leaf is from an American sycamore tree.

Positive Space

aalmonte3820_ — 2023-12-14 16:26:39 UTC

As I sketched the positive space composition of the leaf, I delved deeper into the intricacies, such as focusing on the veins.

Negative Space

aalmonte3820_ — 2023-12-14 16:29:28 UTC

Yellow

aalmonte3820_ — 2023-12-14 16:34:39 UTC

While it's a color that's often associated with happiness, sunshine, and optimism, it also reminds me of food items like honey, Dijon mustard, and lemons.

Green

aalmonte3820_ — 2023-12-14 16:35:29 UTC

Green is another color that was easy for me to mix; I see so many shades of green in nature, from trees to grass to plants, and it's a color that tends to be associated with the natural world. It's a color that can symbolize growth, harmony, and balance.

Red

aalmonte3820_ — 2023-12-14 16:38:11 UTC

When I was working with reds, I felt like they were associated with love, passion, or things that are red, such as those found in nature like tomatoes, roses, or rubies. I noticed that red is strongly culturally linked, and it's a powerful color that evokes strong emotions.

Blue

aalmonte3820_ — 2023-12-14 16:39:41 UTC

Blues can be seen as peaceful, calming, and serene, but it can also represent feelings of sadness or depression.

Graphite Ball

aalmonte3820_ — 2023-12-14 16:42:37 UTC

The graphite pencil allows for a range of tonal values, from light to dark, and can be easily blended to create smooth transitions between different shades. I was able to blend the graphite by using my fingers, resulting in a somewhat realistic blending effect.

Sharpie Ball

aalmonte3820_ — 2023-12-14 16:44:49 UTC

In the process of drawing, I’ve noticed that hatching and cross-hatching help to create texture and depth in the sphere. As a result, it had a cartoon-like aesthetic.

Graphite and Sharpie Blending

aalmonte3820_ — 2023-12-14 16:47:22 UTC

I think that the graphite drawing technique produces much smoother and more subtle shading compared to the sharpie, hatching, and cross-hatching techniques.

Painting Emotions

aalmonte3820_ — 2023-12-14 16:52:10 UTC

I quickly sketched three things: a coffee cup spilling over with the word "Believe," aiming for a motivational, cheesy coffee cup you'd get at a souvenir shop. Then, I thought of my Java homework and drew a bunch of papers with lines of code I need to remember, and a bed. Why the bed? Because I’m just tired, and I spend my time in my bedroom during Java and data structure classes.

Then I tried to think about the compositions. I used a pencil to sketch it out, added some shadows, and carefully applied watercolor paint. I was scared of it since I can't erase, but eventually, I got more comfortable and learned a few things on how to control the paint. I thought about colors—I made the coffee cup yellow, as it makes me feel happy, and the bed blue, signifying tiredness or feeling stuck. Brown, to me, feels dirty, and it's all over the space, it’s chaotic. Then I thought about adding a figure in the corner, a dark figure, black, representing the fear.

Recycle Robot: "KIM the Robot"

aalmonte3820_ — 2023-12-14 16:58:37 UTC

In creating my final sculpture, I named the robot Kim the Robot, assigning its primary function to contribute to environmental sustainability by collecting leaf litter from city trash and transforming it into compost. This compost, in turn, plays a crucial role in fostering the growth of fertile soil for planting more trees.

Macro Photograph: "Keyboard"

aalmonte3820_ — 2023-12-14 21:36:19 UTC

Instead of me solely concentrating on the letters adorning the illuminating keys, I chose to explore the sides, ridges, and undersides, elevating the pictures beyond the typical shots of a keyboard I’ve seen online.

aalmonte3820_ — 2023-12-14 21:37:26 UTC

aalmonte3820_ — 2023-12-14 21:37:56 UTC