Studio+Project+15

INDEPENDENT PROJECT 9

Workbook Pages (IWB):
media type="custom" key="22200744"

media type="custom" key="22200748"

Description
This studio project was a combined rework of Studio Projects 5 and 13. "The idea is to have two side by side pieces, one showing traditional urban life in Egypt (in villages, etc.), and this one showing traditional rural life in Egypt. The setting is Upper Egyptian Nubian life." The piece on the lift highlights urban Upper Egyptian life, with the traditional style of architecture, while the right one highlights rural life with farming.

What were the artistic and/or cultural influences for this project? Who/what influenced either the composition and/or the style.
The influence on the architectural style exhibited was the Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy and his apprentice Ahmad Hamid (whom I had the opportunity to meet). As for the farmer, his drawing was strongly influenced by the Egyptian artist Ragheb Ayad.

What materials/media/processes did you use and or experiment with, and how?
Throughout these pieces I have been experimenting with layering oil paints and pastels. This is my most layered piece. In some cases, there may be 2 or 3 layers of oil pastel, over a layer of oil paint, over another 2 or 3 layers of oil pastel, each which would have been left to dry before covering.

How do you think you have responded to advice and criticism during this project (and during the term), both from fellow students and the teacher. Did you actively seek advice? If so, was it useful?
I have consulted a lot of people concerning these pieces, including my father and the art class. I believe that I have responded well to the criticism I received, for example in the rework: I completely colored in the fields (in the rural piece), after it was remarked to me that white spaces in between the paints looks unprofessional. I also focused on eliminating any other white spaces. Another thing I did was that I made the divide between the top of the fields and river, rough, with the outline of plants, as was suggested to me.

What could you take through to the next project and develop further? This could be anything, from a technique to an idea, not necessarily just the theme?
The idea of layering oil paints and pastels seems like a good medium for me, even though it's time-consuming. However, the results I'm getting in terms of color palette and texture are pleasing me.