Frank - Statement

Ever since I was little I have been fascinated by the wonder of the human body. Someday I hope to study medicine and learn more about the physical traits of the body. However, at this point, instead of looking at the body from a scientific point of view, I have taken a different way of exploring it. Therefore, my concentration focuses on the use of color, lines, and other aspects of art to show the aesthetic beauty and the curvature of the human form.

Originally my idea was to draw human bodies as they appear to me. When I go into drawing sessions I draw from observation, trying to catch every detail, striving for realism. As can be seen in the first few drawings in my portfolio, I have used a conservative method of pencil drawing. I tried to use my skill in black and white sketch to show the contrast of the body, bringing out detail. For example, I tried to get all the shades on the back of the woman (slide 1). I made an effort to work on a smaller scale to demonstrate various ways of shading the body. In slide2, I used an eraser and other shading styles to give the drawing more depth. I also tried charcoal, a medium that I do not use much, to show contrast (slide 5). After some trials, I decided that using merely black and white could not bring about what I was trying to convey. I began to experiment with watercolor. First, I used conservative colors, like skin tone, but then I found that I was more successful at achieving the effect I wanted by blending in different colors like yellow, orange and red. This painting style gave the paintings more variety and livelier contrast (slides 6,8). Then I began to incorporate lines as I painted to show the curvature of the human form (slides 7, 10). I even experimented with mixed media such as ink, oil pastel, and watercolor together to show a wider variety of elements, and in turn to demonstrate how the human body can be unpredictable (slide 9). After experimenting in these ways, my paintings became more abstract, as can be seen in the last few slides. My paintings became less objective. Lines became more prominent, and details became less focused in my drawings (slide 12). I ceased to concern myself with getting the color just right. In the end, I realized that the human body is not something that is confined within lines, nor can it be confined to a few colors; instead, it is unpredictable and organic. It is because of this ambiguity of the body that artists remain fascinated by and curious about its nature.