Original Artwork:
Hot Air Balloons Folk Art Painting by Renie Britenbucher
Traced Images:
a) Outlines only
b) Thicker outlines of some elements
c) Details only
d) Dotted outlines of hot air balloons
e) Thick, coloured outlines of hot air balloons
f) Thin outlines + coloured details
g) The whole sky
h) Darker parts of the sky
i) The whole grass
j) Shadows on the grass
When details are taken out of the original image like in (a), the image is still somewhat comprehensible (even to friends who have not seen the original image). However, the whimsical nature of the original image is removed, and we are left with empty bulbous forms.
When the details are traced, some of the hot air balloons are still comprehensible because the details follow the shape of the balloon. On the other hand, the trees become completely indiscernible. The overall image becomes less obvious relative to (a), and it could take some time for viewers to realise that those are details of hot air balloons.
This is interesting because while I was looking through some of my classmates' blogs, I noticed that the details were what made the image comprehensible.
Then again, when the landscape is totally removed like in (b) and (d), it becomes almost impossible to tell that they are hot air balloons. Perhaps, due to our tendency to associate round shapes on landscapes to hot air balloons, it is easy for us to discern what the image is when both elements are included.
Experimentation:
Experimentation:
Initially, I attempted to experiment with the different layers in photoshop. I reduced the opacity of all the individually scanned images and layered them differently. However, in doing that, the results were not prominent and the positioning of the layers were not obvious, as compared to the layers that were directly scanned together.
For example, in (b) and (c), the different positions of individual layers are very apparent but when layered the same way in photoshop, (e) is produced for both. Similarly, even when a thicker outline is used like in (d), the position of the thicker outline is not clear unlike in (a) where is is obvious that the thicker outline is in front.
On the bright side, the colours are brighter when photoshop is used as they do not get diluted by the thick layers of tracing paper - compare (b) and (c) to (a).
When the thicker outline is placed in front like in (a), it gives dimension to the image where some balloons seem to be "jumping out" at us, as compared to (b) where the image is more flat. When the details are placed in front like in (c), the hot air balloons look relatively normal whereas the shadows look very unnatural. This is probably because shadows are naturally of a lighter and softer shade, while patterns on hot air balloons are very colourful and random.
Here, I replaced the black outlines with colourful dotted ones. This adds a very whimsical and playful touch to the image, which reminds me of Arabic lights (pictured above).
Next, when I removed the grass layer, I was pleasantly surprised with a landscape that looks like snow-capped mountains.
These are some of the images I came up with, with the thick coloured outlines. Individually, the lines look very rough and uneven due to the marker used. In my opinion, it does not really look like anything and it is not very appealing. However, when combined with the black details, it reminds me of pop art, where vivid colours and bold black lines are prominent.
Again, when the black outline is layered on top, the pinks and blues are diluted. Regardless, the colours still clash in a beautiful way and the shadows look more natural - one of my favourite compositions!
Finally, when the sky and grass layers are layered behind, the balloons do not stand out anymore due to the similarity of colours.
These are the final versions with the coloured layer. Comparing the first two images, although the colours got diluted because of the additional layer, the image with the thicker outline is, in my opinion, more attractive than the one outlined with a thin pen. Since the hot air balloons are the highlight of the artwork, I believe the use of a thicker outline would help make the hot air balloons stand out more.
Again, when a variation of outlines is used, the hot air balloons that are outlined with the thicker marker seem to be "nearer" to us as compared to those outlined with a thin pen.
Beauty in Chaos:
Paying homage to Dada, I came up with images that went against conventional rules. Layers were flipped (a, b, c), intentionally misaligned (e), and landscapes were placed in front (d).
As a result, (a) looks very abstract and the original landscape looks more like the sea now.
The misaligned/flipped dotted layer becomes separate from the hot air balloons, and acts like its own element. For example, in (c), the dots resemble fairy/christmas lights. Those in the sky could also be said to look like fireworks.
Constructive Critique:
By capturing the scene on canvas, the artist had probably wanted to retain a "snapshot" of this magical moment indefinitely.
In my opinion, the painting brings a sense of warmth and longing. Originally, I thought it looked rather playful due to the combination of colours. However, I later noticed that the colours seem to be of a darker shade, and are not explosively bright. This allows the artist's sense of nostalgia and longing for this yearly event to effectively shine through.
In the layers I have created, although the whimsical nature of the image is brought out - such as when the dotted outline was used - the sense of nostalgia and longing is lost completely. Even when colours and outlines of details were used, that feeling of warmth is not brought back. Perhaps, this is due to the lack of black (except in the shadows) used in the original image?
Thus, from this exercise, I learnt that lines are effective in giving emphasis and depth to an element. The thicker and darker the line, the greater the emphasis. Layering the separately traced elements also give a sense of depth to the final image. Finally, the use of different types of lines gives rise to different messages, as can be seen in the dotted outline adding a touch of whimsicality to the image.
Picture credits: [Arabic lights] [Pop art]
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