Experiment - Inspired By Bec Wonders

For this experiment, I decided to use the idea of using different mediums to draw out parts of the photographs and then remove parts of the actual photo before layering the two together by hand. I took this idea from Bec Wonders who paints parts of photographs before placing the painted elements onto the photographs to create interesting, unique ideas. 

I chose the mediums of charcoal and chalk, biro pen, and watercolour pencil when creating these images as I felt that using different mediums would allow for more experimentation as well as finding different ways to build up tone to contrast with the photos themselves. Charcoal and chalk allows for creating striking contrast but also for blending mid tones within the light and the dark, creating a smooth yet sketchy and rushed quality. However, I felt that this technique didn't allow for much detail so I chose not to use it in other photos. 

When drawing with biro, I layered up the tone to create more of a contrast as well as directional line to add form. Because I was drawing females and i want to challenge the perception of gender, I drew typically masculine beards and moustaches. I pressed harder with the nib of the pen for this in order to create dramatic lines that stand out against the colour of the photographs. 

With watercolour pencils, I decided that I would have a black and white photograph. This is because I wanted the watercolour to stand out from the rest of the image and I felt that this would make the tonal lines of colour much more visible. I used reds and purples for makeup as I wanted to challenge the stereotype that men don't wear makeup and I layered the warmer tones to add more depth and interest into the composition. In my opinion, I think that this was more successful that the biro or the charcoal and chalk as there was more of a variation of colour and the use of watercolour allowed for me to experiment with layering colour to create tone and an aesthetically pleasing composition.