Diptych Illustrations
The Cycle of Life
15 x 20 inches
December 2019
Colored Pencils on Paper
15 x 20 inches
December 2019
Colored Pencils on Paper
The Cycle of Life is a diptych on how people may view climate change and how much of an impact it makes if nothing changes. Inspired by Hugues Merle's, Mary Magdalene in the Cave, her strong facial expression. Also, Conrad Kiesel's, Woman in White Holding Irises represents one's careless outlook. Both of these figures represent our attitudes towards the changes in our environment. Our lifestyle must change for the better or we will meet our end.
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Inspiration
In IB Environmental Systems we have been studying Humans, Pollution and Sustainability. I knew that I wanted to create a piece using the contrasting ideas of Life and Death. While in class an idea came to me. I could represent what is going on our Earth by showing the relationship we have with our environment. Climate change is one of the biggest issues we're facing. Many countries have astonishing levels of pollution in their air and water. The human lifestyle is jeopardizing our planet and if we don't take action now, we might not be able to stop climate change.
I looked up some photos I would use to create the background for my figures. The dark, gloomy city and the thick gray clouds fit perfectly with my description of our polluted cities. The beautiful, colorful forest grounds look unreal. It also represents my interpretation of how our planet could look once we are no longer here. Hugues Merle is a French painter, he was part of the Academism movement. His work consist of women, Christianity and Biblical Figures. Mary Magdalene in the Cave caught my eye. Her facial expression and body language, mostly in her hands. I knew I want to use her figure to represent death. In the original piece she's not dead but, her face could be seen as if she was. Conrad Kiesel is a German architect, painter and sculptor, his work fits with the Realism movement. Majority of his work is portraits, he preferred painting women. Woman in White Holding Irises was very different in comparison of his other work. Her face and body language show carelessness. How she's turning away from the viewer, and with her hand on her hip. She gives of a strong attitude, and that's what I needed. She represents how many people choose to ignore their surroundings, she might be someone contributing to the problem as well. |
Planning Sketches
First, the Life panel will show our current situation. The background will depict what a common city looks like. I will emphasize the smog that is polluting our air. The Women in White Holding Irises will be the main figure. Her careless body language represents the people who aren't aware of the changing environment.
Then, the Death panel shows how our planet would look after we become extinct. Once the human species dies out, our Earth will decompose and grow back again. It's part of the cycle of life. |
Process
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Experimentation
Before I started drawing, I practiced some techniques we learn Freshman year of art. I used my cross-hatching skills and gradients. Cross-hatching is good for mixing colors and giving a rough look. While, gradients blend from one color to another.
I use my cross-hatching to color in the faces and clothing of my figures. It gave it a delicate look to the women. For the backgrounds I used heavily blended gradients to show depth in the surrounding. For example the sunset and rise I added to my panels. |
Reflection
I am very proud of my diptych. I can see a lot of mistakes in the Life panel, but I took those mistakes and learned from them. I worked on Death's panel next so I can see the improvements in that one. If I could change something I would definitely go over Life's city background. I looked at many reference photos but, to me, it looks very unrealistic. I personally am more fond of Death's panel over Life's because I notice all of my mistakes. I have learned a lot from this project and hope to use my skills for the next.
Compare & Contrast
Similarities
Differences
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ACT Responses
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork.
My inspiration is from what I am currently learning in school combined with artwork I have researched on my own time. The impact from our class discussions on how our planet and lives are changing honestly scare me sometimes. I want my artwork to bring awareness to others about climate change.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
He wants to educate his readers on the statistics and facts of how we may have reached the limit. How it's becoming more and more difficult as the days go by to decrease the problems climate change has caused.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I have learned that in many countries that don't have the money or resources suffer a lot from pollution. That the people in power will not change their ways when it comes to producing their product because, it doesn't have an impact on them. Once they step into our shoes and see what we see, their opinion might change.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The main theme is pollution and it's impact on our Earth. How many people choose to ignore and carry on with their daily lives rather than stepping back and realizing the great changes in our environment.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
That I will try to change my lifestyle for the better. Perhaps reduce certain habits of mine that might affect my carbon footprint. I want to make some kind of impact that can positively affect my life and others.
My inspiration is from what I am currently learning in school combined with artwork I have researched on my own time. The impact from our class discussions on how our planet and lives are changing honestly scare me sometimes. I want my artwork to bring awareness to others about climate change.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
He wants to educate his readers on the statistics and facts of how we may have reached the limit. How it's becoming more and more difficult as the days go by to decrease the problems climate change has caused.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I have learned that in many countries that don't have the money or resources suffer a lot from pollution. That the people in power will not change their ways when it comes to producing their product because, it doesn't have an impact on them. Once they step into our shoes and see what we see, their opinion might change.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The main theme is pollution and it's impact on our Earth. How many people choose to ignore and carry on with their daily lives rather than stepping back and realizing the great changes in our environment.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
That I will try to change my lifestyle for the better. Perhaps reduce certain habits of mine that might affect my carbon footprint. I want to make some kind of impact that can positively affect my life and others.
Bibliography
Carrington, Damian. “Climate Emergency: World 'May Have Crossed Tipping Points'.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 27 Nov. 2019, https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/27/climate-emergency-world-may-have-crossed-tipping-points.
“Conrad Kiesel.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 1 Oct. 2019, https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conrad_Kiesel.
https://www.the-athenaeum.org/art/detail.php?ID=58150
https://www.the-athenaeum.org/art/detail.php?ID=81686
“Conrad Kiesel.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 1 Oct. 2019, https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conrad_Kiesel.
https://www.the-athenaeum.org/art/detail.php?ID=58150
https://www.the-athenaeum.org/art/detail.php?ID=81686