[Sonique128]

this was mainly a study of roy lichtenstein's bull series. it took me a week, about an hour and a half each day, to figure out how he got to each step. i will tell you people this, it seriously hurt my brain to think how he did it -- but i got the main idea.

after these series of pieces i believe my skills in composition and design have been driven up a par... which is a very good thing. anyways, here it is.. and im very happy with it.
each piece is about 10x12 inches.





[ December 14, 2001: Message edited by: Sonique128 ]

[Ahcri]

This is really well done. The transformation from the first picture to the last picture is interesting. My only suggestion is that in the future, maybe you could attempt to add some Ben-day dots for variation (if it's not too difficult ).

[toast!]

really interesting, thanks for sharing man

[jabber]

sorry, who is roy lichtenstein? whatever your study is on, i find it fascinating. i would like to know more.

[tyron]

very interesting!... tell us more about the steps, please?

[Bilbo]

cool .. i really like the third step.
i too would like to hear more about the process, especially about the transition from 5 to 6 which seems most radical to me.

[Sonique128]

if you want to find out more about roy lichtenstein, look at this page: http://www.artchive.com/artchive/L/lichtenstein.html

he's a very famous american pop artist -- my second favorite pop artist(robert rauchenburg being my all time favorite pop artist).

and here is what i got from the study:

step 1: monochromatic picture, simplifieed to a certain extent, simplified enough so that you can still see that its whatever it is(in my case: my self portrait).

step 2: i simplified the picture even more. only the most important shadows i use, and shade is only one color. moved from monochromatic to black and blue, thus starting to get into the dechstil(sp?) color palette -- which is only the primary colors. (look at an artist named 'mondrain' of you want to look more into this era of art).

step 3: this is the piece that starts the series to what it till be. the color palette is the primary colors, black and midtone grey(#808080 or half white half black ). i simplified the face even more, to the point where it is only geometric shapes. this piece is also the piece where you will want to establish what your center of interest will be in the next few pieces. i made mine to the upper left. and my big area of yellow is going to be the biggest color in the next few pieces. i threw in blue in other places other then the blue lined area to create balance within the piece, so you eye is always moving thoroughout the piece. on to the next step.

step 4: the simplification process has gone to the next step of starting to go non-objective. i simplified the face to just a square, i concentrated on the center of interest(upper left) by adding shapes within the big square "face." the curve within the square is the "hairline." and the grey shape from piece number 3 on the face has been kept in the same area to keep the constant flow from piecec to piece. once again, i threw blue around to keep balance within the piece, and i did the same with the yellow and red. and the big black shape in the center of interest was placed there to make the eyes shift to that spot immediately since its the darkest color, it stands out the most.

step 5: the "face" has been squished to the little rectangle, and the center of interest still retains within the upper left. balanced all the colors. 2 big black shapes in opposite ends of the piece balance the piece. the grey shape has been made to a quarter circle, the curve of the black line on the quarter circle leads the eye to the center of interest.. and so does the blue smaller quarter circle. once again, the simplification process has been taken a step farther.. mind you, on this piece, i started to make things up(but thats a secret artists should keep to themselves, and let the viewer ponder ).

step 6: this piece is the simplist piece of all, the black lines have been kept to a minimum and the big yellow area is the dominating color. 3 black shapes are in this piece now, once again balancing the whole piece. the lines on top of lead the eye to the center of interest(upper left). and the negative space quarter circle help define the center of interest. and once again, i just made up shapes to help the piece. this piece is a non-objective piece now, so it doesn't really matter if it was "me" or not. balance, rythm and harmony. the 3 important elements of design.

thats pretty much it, if you know the elements of design and composition down pat, then a piece like this should not be a problem. i learned the elements of design once, but it was reenforced by doing this study.