2. ABSTRACT
This honours year project aims to clarify one’s aesthetic vision. Aesthetic criteria will
be established through research into aesthetic theory and define one’s artistic style to
create meaningful art, which expresses personality and originality. The digital
medium will allow both an intellectual and social process as well as an emotional and
subjective process.
Additionally the practice-based project serves as documentation of an artistic process
to create extraordinary imagery in terms of craftsmanship as well as thought
provoking concepts. Important aspects and emerging themes will be gathered,
documented and analysed.
3. AESTHETIC CRITERIA
“The whole concept of the avant-garde in art is meaningless. I can see what it means when applied to sport, for
instance. But to apply it to art would be to accept the idea of progress in art; and though progress has an obvious
place in technology - more perfect machines, capable of carrying out their functions better and more accurately -
how can anyone be more advanced in art? How could Thomas Mann be said to be better than Shakespeare?”
(Tarkovsky 1989)
Even though the search for ones aesthetic voice is a timeless act which varies from
individual to individual, examination of art history and current technology and tools
help guide the artist’s search.
The chosen theme is “Seeing, Observing, Thinking” (Sander 2009). In other words
the combination of craftsmanship, observation and intellect will be essential to
produce meaningful content.
The core focus of the aesthetic criteria will be established around “lighting”.
4. NOCTURNE IN BLUE AND GOLD – THE TAY BRIDGE
The attempt of a more dreamlike painting to capture the atmosphere of the setting. Inspired by
the Tay Rail Bridge, Dundee.
5. ARTISTIC INFLUENCES
(on Nocturne in Blue and Gold – The Tay Bridge)
Tonalism
▫ Tonalism was fundamentally a landscape art: subdued, profound, and spiritual
▫ Intimate, poetic and expressive style of landscape art, relying on soft-edged broadly painted
tonalities to communicate emotion
▫ Neutral palette of predominantly cool colours
▫ Technique of glazing, the layering
▫ Mystery, dream, memory, and imagination
▫ Atmosphere is both palpable and evocative of poetic and meditative states.
“The Tay Bridge” by Theodor Fontane
Extract:
The husband and wife, with an anxious eye,
Look out to the south and of misgivings sigh,
Keeping a lookout and praying for a light,
Which o’er the water advances bright,
Proclaiming, “In spite of night and driving rain,
I come, I, the Edinburgh train.”
6. ARTISTIC INFLUENCES
(on Nocturne in Blue and Gold – The Tay Bridge)
In particular James Whistler’s artwork had great impact
on the painting.
Nocturne in Black and Gold, the Falling Rocket,
1875
James McNeill Whistler
Nocturne - the Solent, 1866
James McNeill Whistler
7. ARTISTIC INFLUENCES
(on Nocturne in Blue and Gold – The Tay Bridge)
Impressionism
▫ Impressionism also concentrated on landscape, but included more cosmopolitan and
narrative subject matter, including the figure
▫ High-keyed colours and broken brushwork to capture scintillating sunlit effects.
▫ Capture dynamics (snapshots like in photography)
▫ Heavy focus on lighting
8. Fairytale Home
PRACTICAL DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Improving digital craftsmanship skills.
An example of a digital painting approach from
traditional sketch to value sketch to coloured
painting.
Further focus was set on the composition and the
creation of the fairytale-like atmosphere.
10. I worked with many layers and their settings to
achieve different lighting effects in "Under the
Roots". The sun shining through the leaves of the
woods (especially in the day version) and the
shadows they cast were one of the key challenges. I
wanted to keep a welcoming atmosphere despite the
dense and massive trees. Therefore I avoided sharp
corners and used a curvy and elegant design for the
tress as well as the house. This contrasted the first
concept of the house.
Under the Roots
PRACTICAL DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
12. PROJECT PLAN
▫ Define aesthetic criteria and the critical framework
-> Case studies
1. Rembrandt
2. Impressionist or Tonalist (possibly George Inness or James Whistler)
3. Modern/Digital Artist
▫ Continue practical studies (sketchbook/digital)
▫ Create original artwork reflective to the research stages
-> Demonstrates the development of my personal art style
