2D || Final Strips

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  • Attraction

Strip:  attraction_

The lines are achieved by folding a black paper and sharpening its creases.  I used a white chalk instead of water color to draw on the creases as the color can be easily spread out. I wanted to create an “outer space” effect to show that how we are all strangers in this universe holding a magical, invisible thread; lighter lines meaning distant, bolder lines meaning people we have met in our lives. The tiny dots are the intersections, representing two people whose paths are meant to cross.

More details in my research.

  • Infatuation

Strip: infatuation

The lines are achieved by painting on the cling wrap, pressing it onto the paper and slowly lifting it up. The effect shows that everything is melting away. The practicalities of having an infatuation are scary. It is in a drunken-like haze of stares and grins, possibly the same feeling when we are on drugs. However, it soon comes down to nothing. There are too many unrealistic expectations and beliefs about the other party, plain obsessions. Thus, when things go awry, you shut down or pull away.

More details in my research.

  • Longing

Strip:longing_

The lines are achieved using the end of the brush handle. It produces the type of lines which are bold at first, but sketchy at the end. Due to its nature which doesn’t quite take the stain, broken lines are easily achieved. From the strip, we can see that the lines are coming from two sides, trying to reach one another but to no avail. You are constantly keeping this person in your mind, but you can’t be right beside that someone due to various reasons.

More details in my research.


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  • Happiness

Strip:euphoria

The strip is created using nail polish. The results immediately send me the cheerful, pleasant vibes. It looks like a flowery print (just lacking of colors) or the cells in your body, dancing merrily.  Happiness is contagious – also shown how it is spreading everywhere in the strip. Overall, it is about being yourself and feeling good about it.

More details in my research.

  • Relief 

Strip: relief

relief-i
Close-up version^

The lines are achieved by dabbing a huge brush on the paper. Prior to that, the brush is dipped into the water and left to dry for around 15 minutes. The inconsistent lines show that how tensed and uneasy a person has been feeling for the longest time before he/she is free from it. The lines stop abruptly, meaning the end of a problem. Hence, all the uneasiness is gone.

More details in my research.

  • Eagerness

Strip:eagerness

The lines are achieved by using a comb. The smudge at the bottom is created through painting more ink on the comb and dragging it vertically upward on the paper within seconds. The darker color symbolizes something that needs to grow out and reach a certain place. The print is not in an organized manner just to show how impatient an eager person can be.

More details in my research.


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  • Astonishment

Strip:astonishment

The strip is created using salt. The results look like a stormy night sky, which thunder could come rolling in any second, catching you by surprise. You are filled with the emotional impact of an overwhelming surprise as you stand in awe, soon the emotional punch fades out and you are back to neutral.

More details in my research.

  • Awestruck

Strip:awestruck_

awestruck-i
Close-up version^

The lines are created by using a cleaning brush.  The uneven surface of the brush helps to create a dramatic effect. I made the mark in a circular manner, keeping the middle in white to show the dilated pupils when you are struck by something completely unexpected.

More details in my research.

  • Speechless

Strip:speechless

The lines are achieved using a bandage. I placed the bandage on the paper and painted the ink over it, keeping a short distance in between. I wanted to recreate the random dot pixel pattern of static displayed when no transmission signal is obtained – to show the loss of speech and nothing is being conveyed.

More details in my research.


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  • Grumpiness

Strip:grumpiness

grumpiness-i
Close-up version^

The lines are created using a half-painted bandage. The wavy, zig-zag lines depict how grumpiness should be. Unmotivated and unable to produce a straight line. Smudging a little here and there. There are broken lines showing how reluctant the person in completing an easy task.

 More details in my research.

  • Rage

Strip:rage_

The lines are achieved by dabbing the edge of a sponge in calligraphy ink. As I have an image that I wanted in my head – waves, I am pretty satisfied with how the results turned out. The thick and thin strokes symbolize the aggressiveness in this emotion. There is a sense of direction created as the giant waves are seen to be coming from the right direction.

More details in my research.

  • Torment

Strip: torment

torment-i
Close-up verison^

The lines are achieved using the cleaning brush. I feel that torment is a pretty challenging mark to make. How do I depict the feeling which one is scarred internally, having unaddressed trauma that has been haunting them their entire lives, being inwardly tortured by something you can’t tell? After much experimenting, I came across this, which looks like claw marks with a rather rough surface behind it. Perfectly suggest the helplessness, trapped situation when you are trying to get out but you can’t.

More details in my research.


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  • Depression

Strip:depression

Close-up version^

The strip is created by using a toilet tube. I painted the tip with calligraphy ink and flattened the tube. To achieve the ink blot on both ends, I dipped the tube into a bottle of ink and dragged it across immediately. The white space in between represents the persistent “empty” mood, a sense of hollowness.

More details in my research.

  • Melancholy

Strip:melancholy

The lines are created using a toothpick painted with black ink. I rolled each toothpick vertically downwards and upwards in an alternative manner to achieve a type of variety, while still maintain its neatness. As you can see that the ink blot is found at the top and bottom of the strip, instead of just concentrating on one line. I wanted to create a sense of loneliness and gloomy feeling. Hence, I thought of rainy days and staying in, watching the raindrops rolling down the window – just like drowning in your own kind of sorrow.

More details in my research.

  • Isolation

Strip: isolation

The strip is created using a straw, dipped in black ink. I removed the excess ink before stamping it on the paper.  I repeated it across the paper to represent a community of people, leaving one extra at the far right to suggest the exclusion.

More details in my research.


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  • Anxiety

Strip:anxiety

The lines are achieved using a comb. Anxiety causes one to return again and again to the same fears. I brushed the comb at different angles to depict how anxiety feels in reality – it keeps you staying at the same spot, going over the exact same thing, unable to move forward. Another symbolism in this strip is dreadful – the lines look like someone has been dragging his feet.

More details in my research.

  • Worry

Strip:worry

The mark is achieved by twisting a toothbrush. The results look like dark clouds following you everywhere – a state of mind that you can’t break free. The lighter area shows that you might think you are finally free from the problems, but the next second they are there, swallowing you up with the same negative thoughts or even more intense than before.

More details in my research.

  • Panic

Strip:panic

The lines are created using a toilet tube that has been cut diagonally to achieve oval curves. The curves suggest someone has been running frantically in circles, freaking out over something. Panic attacks make you think that you are losing control, hence the lines are overlapping without a sense of direction.

More details in my research.

*Close-up versions are included for specific emotions as they were not found in previous posts.



Thoughts on Project 1:

I personally feel that it is a great project to kick-start the module with. This Project has pushed me to think out of the box; in terms of figuring out what materials can be used (which turned out everything can be a tool!) and conceptualizing the lines. It’s definitely not that easy when I first started out. Looking at the table of emotions in the brief, I was overwhelmed and had absolutely no idea how to produce lines to depict them.

Some of the challenges I faced in this Project are firstly, I tend to give a backstory to the emotion and my lines turned out very representational. For example, I depict “attraction” using an eye with the transmission of electric power to it. Besides, I placed myself into a box by selecting the eighteen emotions way before experimentation and forcing myself to produce lines based on each emotion, which led me to many creative blocks. I was so frustrated when the lines just didn’t work out.

However, after our first two mark making sessions, I started to figure out how this whole thing works. My favorite part of the process was definitely the conceptual phase, which I saw an image in my mind and imagined my final execution in an abstract way. For instance, Rage and Anxiety are exactly the images I pictured. Sometimes the marks didn’t look as good or just seemed off to me, yet they did surprise me in a good way! And I think that’s the best thing in experimentation.

Experimentation could be draining as well, but overall it was really fun when I get to discover the abstract meaning behind the lines I have made and seeing how they synced well with the emotions I have selected. I have always been putting emotions down in words, hence it is truly refreshing to create the emotions using just lines and marks. Most importantly, I learned that mental block can be overcome through reading some articles relating to the chosen emotion. From there, I could pick up bits and pieces that inspired me to make the lines.

Onward x

2D || Mark Making Session III

Self-exploration continues out-of-campus..

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Using calligraphy ink with lots of water, I painted a dark background and sprinkled salt on it.  I left it to dry for about 5 minutes.

The results are amazingggg! It did look creepy at first sight..

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Looks like a storm is brewing!

Apart from that, I tried dripping nail polish into a tray of water.

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Filling half the tray with water and dripping different colors of nail polish onto its surface. It’s interesting to see how some colors sink, spread or float! I tried swirling the colors with a stick, but it didn’t work out well – all the colors just “tangled” together..

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Folded a piece of black paper randomly.

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Sharpened the creases and used a white chalk to draw lines.

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Wish upon a star

 

2D || Eighteen Emotions

Below are a list of emotions that I have chosen, including its definition and my take on what all of them means to me.



  • Attraction
Mary_Huang
Source: writtenimages

Definition – A primal magnetism.

What comes to my mind when I look at the term “attraction” are parallel lines and the intersections. In reality, we all have the same beginning points and ending points; just like the parallel lines, living our own stories and it’s in the middle where we meet up and branch off that life is shared.

  • Infatuation
Source: fortydaysofdating

Definition – A short-lived passion or admiration for someone.

Infatuation is a feeling which almost similar as obsession. You tend to see only perfection in them and you place the other person so high above your ownselves. It’s like you are experiencing “brain fog”, but soon everything reveals. The key word “short-lived” meaning something that doesn’t last. A quick answer would be ice.

  • Longing
Source: fortydaysofdating

Definition – A yearning desire.

Longing is a persistent desire for something unattainable. It can be something we never had or we lost it. It creates vulnerability and the whole process is dreadful.



  • Happiness
happiness__encaustic_art_10x14cm_3edef35e5b1d6857f476eaaca00c62b7
Source: dailypainters

Definition – The state of being happy.

I don’t think there is a definite answer to what happiness means. Happiness can relate to a range of positive emotions. Generally, it is a state of good feeling in the soul, things that make your cells dance. It can be a fleeting moment as well.

  • Relief
'Le Tre Grazies (Three Graces Carved marble Bas relief)' by Eppe de Haan
Source: artparks

Definition – The easing of a pain, distress or anxiety.

It is a feeling of optimism that follows the removal of any discomforts in your life. Possibly something that has been bothering you for awhile. All the tenseness has gone with the wind!

  • Eagerness
3fc3f541620351.57ace9234ac1a
Source: abduzeedo

Definition – Enthusiasm to do or have something.

An alter ego of longing; an impatient one. Eagerness is having a purpose in mind and excited to reach it. Overpowering feeling to break through.



  • Astonishment
black-lightning-wallpaper-7
Source: spyderonlines

Definition – A great surprise.

When you are dazzled or overwhelmed by something extraordinary. It comes off completely a surprise that it becomes unbelievable. Thunder and lightning are all I can think of at this moment..

  • Awestruck
323967313_640
Source: tedxamsterdam

Definition – Filled with feelings of wonder, respect.

Everything around you becomes silenced and all your senses are heightened, that’s how awestricken should be I guess? A feeling of profound amazement. Like WOW.

  • Speechless
me9100503-loopable-video-4096x2304-4k-static-noise-tv-screen-white-a0180
Source: motionelements

Definition – Temporarily deprived of speech by strong emotion.

When you are completely surprised which results in the inability to speak because you have lost your train of thoughts by this sudden encounter.



  • Grumpiness
Morris Plate 4 1976
Source: UArts

Definition – Being in a slightly angry mood because you are annoyed at something or are feeling tired.

Grumpiness seems to be the easiest emotion to work with. I guess it is a common feeling for everyone. Irritated, annoyed, reluctant to do something, lack of motivation, etc. Everything just doesn’t seem right when you are grumpy.

  • Rage
anger_by_liza23q-d7ejepx
Source: deviantart

Definition – Violent, uncontrollable anger.

The image in my head are waves and more waves like it’s consuming me. Very explosive kind of feeling. Just like the waves, you can’t control it and you can’t expect its arrival.

  • Torment
torment-mimulux-
Source: fineartamerica

Definition – A state of great suffering.

There are many layers of meaning behind torment. As it is something that we suffered internally, mental anguish? Unlike the other two above which we can find a way to express somehow. For instance, throw a fit. It’s interesting to depict a trapped feeling with lines.



  • Depression
isolate
Source: metalinjection

Definition – A mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest.

Depression can be very destructive as it impacts your thoughts and feeling. It makes you feel less than yourself. There is always a void inside; an unending emptiness. Just like a black hole. You feel a lot of nothingness.

  • Melancholy
Sans-titre-132-by-Eric-Lacombe
Source: openstockblog

Definition – A feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause.

My favorite kind of sadness I would say. Being wrapped up in sorrowful thoughts, making up something just to feel the gloominess. It’s your own imaginary world, no one’s going to care if you drown in your own flood of tears.

  • Isolation
2743572abb80231533e1b4d7b98c2a5f
Source: pinterest

Definition – The state of being in a place or situation that is separate from others.

Belong to no one. Being excluded from everything. It is rather pathetic if you are being shunned. On a positive note, you are probably going to stand out for being different!



  • Anxiety
725c3c6b4268ebf4564058ba19fdefc2
Source: pinterest

Definition – Unease about something with an uncertain outcome.

Anxiety is the cousin of depression. It makes you overthink about everything and anything. Eventually it stops you from doing a lot of things as you are constantly worrying about what might happen. Anxiety is when you feel too much and it is dreadful.

  •  Worry
xautodrawing1.jpg.pagespeed.ic.bNjFMrfu2F
Source: abstractartframed

Definition – Concerned about something.

A whirlwind of thoughts in your head, which you can’t seem to escape from. A troubled state of mind as if all the devils are haunting you every second.

  • Panic 
002sf3689neutrinoorangedet
Source: simonsgallery

Definition – A sudden, overpowering feeling of fear.

This feeling spreads quickly within you, similar to how a drop of ink dissolves in water. It makes you lose control which leads to irrational behavior. I’m trying to picture “panic” in my head… Running in circles!!!

 

2D || Mark Making Session II

During the second mark making session, I tried more miscellaneous items!

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Dipping a toothpick into a cup of calligraphy ink and rolling it vertically on the newsprint. I really love the results as it looks very organized, even though there is smeared mark along the way. It’s like imperfection perfection and it looks like venetian blinds too!!

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Crumpled plastic bag dipped in calligraphy ink and dragged it along the paper.
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The plastic bag effect is pretty interesting!

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Brought along a leaf with me that day.
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Stamping the ink on the paper.
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Wanted to do monoprint with the leaf, but I realized that monoprint results are just the exact shape of the item and I wanted something messy!

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Bandage was probably my favorite tool among all!

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Placed the color in the middle and slowly dragging it across the paper.
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Besides, I placed the entire bandage on the paper and colored it to achieve the cross-hatching style (sort of)

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LOVE, LOVE this series!


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Found this little fella on the table and decided to put it into good use!

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Crumpled tissue.
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Looking like wheel tracks!

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Back to traditional method!

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Last week, I tried using cling wrap to produce the melting effect. Little did I know that a straw can do so much better!

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Sponge again! The effect looks therapeutic.

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These cleaning brushes produce great line work!
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Just like a gust of wind

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A haunted scene, maybe?

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And of course, not forgetting my trusty comb!
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A little bit of edginess this time

 

That’s all for this session!

2D || Mark Making Session I

Last week, we were tasked to bring some mark making tools to class to create some prints. My initial thoughts were “Will it be like all the art classes during primary school days?” “Are we all going to be like 7 year old again?” I was pretty nervous about it and at the same time, looking forward to how the session would turn out to be.

It was close to what I have expected. Surprisingly, the whole session was super chill. We even get to play some music and also given the opportunity to just create and have fun with no expectations! Well, comparing to all the other classes, which are mostly packed with studio activities, this was really good news, wasn’t it?

Before we proceeded to make our first print, we were introduced to the different tools and equipment available in class. Then, we picked our spot and started the mark making journey.

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Unsure of what prints exactly that I want to create, I did not work on monoprint like the others. Instead, I grabbed a bunch of brushes and black ink, not to forget my own mark making tools to begin with.

I started with the comb because I wanted to do the effect of someone’s been dragging his feet.

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It was a little harder than I thought it would be. Due to the material of the comb, the color did not stain well. Hence, I would have to keep applying colors on it.

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I would say it turned out not that bad.

Next, moved on to the toothbrush!

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The uneven surface of its bristles made it an interesting tool. I was able to create a fluffy-like print and also like a whirlwind of thoughts. However, I need to be more careful when soaking the toothbrush in colors.

Apart from that, I tried the back of the toothbrush too.

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Sadly, it did not turn out well.

After this, I started using different brushes to make my prints.

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I didn’t really fancy the results as they looked common and I still could not tell what kind of emotions from the brushes series but maybe one day. Hopefully, soon.

I used the tip of the brush handle and I love this result more!

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It gave off an eerie vibe, felt like I was trapped in a haunted woods. I am naming this The Claw of Madness!

During the process, I painted a bold stroke of black on the paper, thinking to work on it with some other tools that I could trade from my friends. In the end, I used the same comb to scrape off the paper surface.

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It started unintentionally, but it turned out to be cool!

Besides, I tried using toilet tubes to achieve curves.

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I found some leftover cling wrap by the others and I thought of using it to create a melting effect.

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It symbolizes something short-lived.

Soon, I ran out of ideas and started trading materials with my friends. Thanks Alicia for the straw and sponge, Nicole for the walnut and Ben for the lemon!

The straw effects reminded me of the community feeling and how everything unites and works harmoniously.

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While the sponge was a rather spontaneous method, quick to execute! It did look like waves, trying to consume something.

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I never thought that food is something I would use to work on prints, especially nuts! I was really impressed by this piece of walnut. The texture provides density in my print and the shapes formed cute little animals in my head.

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Ahhh the lemon! At first, it was just an ordinary kids’ artwork – using fruits/veggie to make prints. However, the more I looked at it, the line of lemon print reminded me of the carousel and also very flowery. Overall, it looked pretty cute!

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This marks the end of my first mark making session. Looking forward to the next!