Online Portfolio// A Level
My portfolio
showcases snippets of three of my A Level projects: firstly my A2 contextual
study on how Gothic Literature has influenced art; my AS coursework project on
surfaces and finally my AS exam project entitled relationships.
My most
recent work on Gothic Literature was based on the ‘Terror and Wonder: The
Gothic Imagination’ exhibition at the British Library which introduced me to
the idea of the conventions of this literary genre and specific gothic novels
inspiring pieces of contemporary art, such as Jake and Dinos Chapman’s
collection of etchings ‘Exquisite Corpse’. I studied this collection in depth
and even organised an appointment with the Prints and Drawings room at the Tate
Britain to view some of this series, which is based on the traditional
surrealist game of ‘Consequences’ and has clear links with Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’.
Additionally, I studied Nathaniel Grogan’s ‘Lady Blanche Crosses the Ravine’
which is based on a scene from the gothic novel ‘The Mysteries of Udolpho’, as
well as looking at Arthur Rackham’s gothic/ fairytale style in detail. I was
heavily influenced by first hand visits to galleries like the Saatchi Gallery
and the Tate Britain. Throughout this project, I have researched chiaroscuro
and surrealism, and developed gothic inspired backgrounds/ settings and
explored silhouettes and shadows. I have focussed a lot on experimenting with a
wide range of techniques such as lino printing, etching, mixed media reliefs,
stitching and collaging.
For my AS
coursework project on surfaces, I based my study on traditional Austrian
culture and my visit to the British Museum- exploring root carvings of tree
spirits as well as other types of carvings from my local St Albans Abbey
Cathedral. I combined this subject matter with patterns inspired by Cath
Kidston and Charlotte Duffy to create an interesting final piece, which has
been developed from my own portrait and experimentation.
Finally, for
my AS exam project on relationships I was inspired by SAS Christian and
Jennifer Louise Martin’s work to explore the negative impacts of the media on one’s
own relationship with their appearance. I was very fond of their enlarging of
eyes and dripping paint/ nail varnish down the portrait, as well as their
portrayal of negative emotions contrasting with the typical presentation of the
idea of perfection as dictated by the media. Martin’s more expressive style
challenged my painting technique and allowed me to experiment with and develop
a technique and colour palette for my final piece.
2015/16
A LEVEL A2 EXAM PROJECT: Truth, Fantasy or Fiction
Final piece for my exam project- May 2016, completed in 10 hours. Oil paint on canvas, coloured section is acrylic paint on watercolour paper (only paper available for this last minute addition!).
A LEVEL A2 CONTEXTUAL STUDY: How has Gothic Literature influenced the work of artists?
Main title page: Ivy- covered stairs developed in the style of Nathaniel Grogan- acrylic paint on A3 sized paper.
Jake and Dino Chapman 'Exquisite Corpse' artist study- A3 size sketchpad. Fine liner, 2B sketching pencil and biro on paper.
Jake and Dinos Chapman 'Exquisite Corpse' development using my own photos. Biro, coloured/ sketching pencils and fine- liner on paper.
Arthur Rackham artist study. Watercolours and fine liner on A3 sized watercolour paper.
Nathaniel Grogan further development- exploration of chiaroscuro using my own photos. Acrylic paint in A3 sized sketchpad.
Further Nathaniel Grogan development using my own photo- further exploration of gothic themes and chiaroscuro. Acrylic paint- A3 sized paper.
Quick observational drawings- graphite crayon/ biro/ fine liner/ oil pastels and photo of A2 tonal drawing in the top right.
Approx. A3 sized tonal drawing completed using 4B and 6B sketching pencils on paper.
Experimenting with gothic backgrounds- exploring intense/ arctic landscapes. Chalk, watercolours, oil pastels, sketching pencils in A3 sized sketchpad.
Further experiment with a background- gothic reflections and silhouettes. Acrylic paint over old textured packaging and tissue paper- A3 sized.
Experimenting with etching despite only basic school equipment- worked over the top using biro and graphite crayon. A3 sized sketchpad.
Experimenting with lino printing- using different coloured inks and surfaces such as old brown packaging.
A LEVEL AS COURSEWORK: SURFACES 2014/15
Exploration of patterns and carvings/ traditional Austrian tree spirit root carvings.
Carvings and facial observational work- charcoal/ chalk/ oil pastels/ sketching pencils/ acrylic paint/ watercolours/ biro/ coloured pencils.
Oil painting on small board showing own photo of traditional Austrian tree spirit root carving.
Development of patterns using Photoshop and my own version of a traditional Austrian tree spirit root carving.
Surfaces final piece- fine liner, watercolours, acrylic and oil paints. Inspired by Charlotte Duffy and Cath Kidston. A1 sized canvas.
AS EXAM PROJECT: RELATIONSHIPS 2015
Exploring how the media affects ones relationship with themselves.
SAS Christian artist study- A3 sized sketchpad. Coloured and sketching pencils and acrylic paint.
Developing my own photos in the style of Jennifer Louise Martin- experimenting with distortion, acrylic paint and editing software.
Experimenting with cropping my final composition and dripping acrylic paint and nail varnish over my own edited photos.
Relationships final piece inspired by Jennifer Louise Martin and SAS Christian- acrylic paint on canvas.
