College, part 3. It is so good.

15 weeks ago, I embarked on quite possibly the most difficult project of my career as an art student. Trompe L'oiel paintings are sharp-focus still lifes meant to fool your eye into thinking it is an actual 3-d picture. I have never done anything like this before in my life and was extremely nervous.

Today was the critique for our trompe paintings and I am very happy to say I tied for 5th place out of my class of 16.

Of course there were better ones than mine, but looking at my painting skills before this class compared to them now, I have improved so much.

Many thanks to Bob Zappalorti, and excellent painter and teacher. Google the name if you don't know it.

So, I think I am inadvertently making an infamous name for myself at school.

You see, I have an Illustration class on Thursdays which holds critiques on the assignments. The entire class is encouraged to participate, but not much is uttered throughout the crit, unless it's coaxed out of someone by the professor.

Well, one of the assignments posted up looked, for a lack of a better term, half assed. Judging by the laziness and the overall lack of effort compared to the other pieces, it looked as if this particular student rushed his the night before, while the rest of the class took advantage of the week of work time we were given.

I decided to say something about it. I stated that the piece looked rush and that the idea wasn't pushed enough. I also pointed out some tips that could have made the piece better (use of perspective, dramatic shadows, etc.) The room fell silent for a little, and it took a few minutes before the professor could recoil from my statement.

I am not in any way trying to perceive myself as the greatest artist to ever live, but during a critique it is important to CRITIQUE as well as compliment.

I don't know, that's just me.

/rant

I promise!

so, some new stuff.

1st year of college is done.

next one should be pretty cool.

life is pretty great now.

also, i need to go to home depot and steal some Masonite board. gotta start getting used to painting on it....

well, thats it. cheers.