Methods of Design: Aesthetics Project Pt. 3

The Blue and Beyond

Christopher West

Colored Pencil on Bristol

2016 

Untitled (Cat #257)

Phil Sims

Paint on Canvas

1996

In the above project I took inspiration from the Untitled work by Phil Sims and in my opinion made it more appealing. I did find a colored pencil in my supply box that was very very close in the shade of blue that Phil Sims used in his original work. I used that color as the outer ring of blue just before you get to the black that was used in the corners. Another similarity is between the two work is that I kept with the abstract minimalist feel of the original just not as minimalist. For the most part that is where the similarities end, by using more blues I really added to the value range taking it from almost white in the middle to black on the outer most areas. Also by using the approach that I did it gave the work a sense of movement, your eyes are drawn from the outer dark colors to the inner lighter colors. The light "streaks" throughout the work help with this sense of movement by making it look blurred as if you were falling into the light in the middle. 

Methods of Design: Aesthetics Project Pt. 2

Into the Blue (WIP)

Christopher West

Colored Pencil on Paper

2016

So out of the three pre production sketches that I did for this project this is the one that we decided looked the best. So I am going to rework it and make it look better. I am thinking of trying art markers instead of pencils. Also I am going to add a bit of movement I think. 

Methods Of Design: Aesthetics Project Pt. 1

Untitled (Cat #257)

Phil Sims

Completed 1996

Paint on Canvas

Subjective Critique

Since taking an Art History class here at Full Sail I have learned to appreciate more different kinds of art and one of those that I have learned to enjoy is abstract expressionism, but the art movement that I have a hard time grasping the concept of is the Minimalist movement. I just have a hard time understanding how someone can paint a canvas a solid color and call it art. Its not creative nor is it original. It has no movement nor does it tell a story. Though it does evoke feelings but not good ones. Honestly in my own personal opinion anyone could have painted this and called it art. If this were my work of art I would break it up with other colors or give the work a sense of depth or movement. Anything really to keep it from being a boring stretch of blue canvas. 

Objective Critique

In this Untitled work by Abstract Minimalist Phil Sims, the artist painted the canvas a solid color of blue using several layers of paint to create slight variations in the shade of blue. This lends to a very unified solid painting. What this painting lacks though is any sense of movement or a solid focal point to draw the viewers eye. Paintings in this style should be viewed almost in a meditative state to get any sense of meaning from them. 

Model Creation (What I have learned)

Model Creation has been an interesting class thus far. And I say "thus far" because the class still has 5 and a half hours to go before it ends and the next one begins. In this class we learned about form and silhouette, holding edges on the models as well as proper edge flow, and details. Lots of details. We also go to take our models into Zbrush so we could do a little sculpting onto our models so they looks more exact. This class really taught us to pay close attention to the details on the models because they are important.

3D Foundations (What I have learned so far)

In my 3D Foundations class (3DF for short) it was my first real experience with using Maya and learning how to start building models from the basics like blocking out and working our way up to some more advanced techniques including laying out UV's and baking the Ambient Occlusions. For the final project in that class we had to take some of our models and lay them out in a scene that was provided for us and then render it.

Oil Gear Block Out

 Oil Gear 1st Refinement

Oil Gear 2nd Refinement

Oil Gear Final Refinement 

(Cleaned up)

Container (not a block out but close)

Container 1st Refinement

Container Final Refinement

This is only a small portion of what I did in my 3DF class but these models best show the advancement of my abilities in that class. They also show the best progression from first model to a more refined model that is borderline finished.

Introductions

Hello there,

My name is Christopher West, but to keep it simple I go by Chris. I am currently an online student with Full Sail University, where I am currently studying to go into the computer animation field. I am not sure yet if I want to go into film, special effects and post production, video games, or what ever else I can use my education for in the long run. I am at the point where I am just wanting to learn as much as I can so that I have many options laid out before me.
Deep down I am a big kid and a bit of a nerd, as I love animation and games so honestly I think this is the right path for me. The journey is still going to be long but I can do this.