Critique #4: Miranda Y.
This is a very powerful and effective piece for illustrating the struggle of anorexia. I also really want to commend you for thinking outside the box and using mixed media to help to tell this image. Specifically, the nest framework, the 3-D torn paper, and how it’s not just all the same kind of paper, it’s all different kinds of papers, different ways of handling it. I think that’s adding a lot of depth, and it’s making the image a very compelling image to look at.
Some mediums to use to add to it and push it to the next level, is applying some conte crayon. I think in the face, there are some areas of depth in the face that could be pushed more, especially in the eyes. Conte crayon is not as forgiving as charcoal, it’s a little more permanent, so you have to keep that in mind when using it. But I love using it as a tool to apply detail to a nice charcoal drawing.
Also, using some sandpaper. Sandpaper is a great way to bring back some highlights. Specifically in this, some highlights right on the eye lids, to kind of bring out that shape. The cool thing about sandpaper is that it can bring back the white-white of the paper, so for charcoal, it’s a way to almost start over if the paper is thick enough. Also, sandpaper gives it a kind of rough, haggard texture which I think would work really well with the torn paper texture that you used for the outside.
The facial expression in this image is really interesting and compelling. Notice how much of a story is conveyed with the expression shown. Picture now, if the eyes were open instead. How would that change this?
A good artist to think about for this example is Mead Schaeffer, he was an illustrator from the mid-20th century, and specifically a piece he did called Hide the Body, in that one, he’s just using dramatic light and a killer facial expression (pardon the pun) to tell a great story. This piece is terrific, and you’ve done a great job with it.