Carter’s Exercises

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Southside Boogie Woogie

I was going to write up a description of the process of making tis, but I didn’t know how to integrate that with the art. Basically, each of those elements were generated by the same program where a pen tool was attracted to the different places where I went during the day. With some restrictions, it becomes sharp and angular, while with others it is smooth and stretched out. The colors were all randomly generated using certain restrictions to keep them from getting to extreme or clashing.

Texture Rubbing

The texture rubbing was fun. I used a crayon and a wooden sign I made to get the lines and the texture of a computer motherboard for the interesting texture for the background. I used the Photoshop blend modes to make them look cooler.

Musical Expression

I chose Bethena by Scott Joplin for this one. This is a song I’ve been playing on piano for a while so I know it very well. Originally, I set out to create some sort of simple flower using a single pen stroke. The plan was to go toward the center of the flower every time the song returned to its main theme. Since there are three themes in a row that don’t return to the main theme, it didn’t look anything like a flower, but when I moved things around, I got it to look like a heart. Then, I flipped it so that it can also look like a letter B (for Bethena). Every major change of direction is a new theme in the song, and the overall smoothness and calligraphic quality of the line definitely reflects the beauty of the song.

I also took into account the general mood of the song and the meaning behind it. I’ve read that this song was likely written shortly after the death of Joplin’s wife, and I know when I listen to it or play it I feel the ups and downs of life. Some themes are joyful and relaxing, while others are sad or bittersweet. I think a heart is the universal symbol of life and love, so it is natural for this illustration to take that form.

Collage

I’m colorblind so I needed a lot of help to find all the colors for the color wheel. I assembled it without help so I don’t know if it’s actually right.