Task 4 Final Composition #1

Introduction reference picture shows cultural aspects of the women

The evolvement of Task 3 to Task 4 happened through the through the representation of her hair, as well as the attire.

use of various skills and methods, that led me to choose My composition was inspired by the display of culture and

mediums that have a positive impact on my compositions. how it signifies black empowerment, this shows national

My compositions compose of several skills that fulfil my identify and signifies the race while down falling a grave

artistic intention and it helps me achieve the outcome issue like segregation.

needed. In this task I will be I will be using acrylic colors

and watercolour paints for my 4 final artworks, the mediums The reference picture is more modernized then my

will differ in their method to convey a message to the composition as I wanted to take readers back to time and

audience, however, both show the importance of the black show how the attire changed from Children to Women as

race and identity and make the idea of segregation fall. The the reference picture consists of a woman in traditional

compositions enable me to show the message my attire. The race of the girl was inspired by the Reference

composition that it tries to convey, in the inspiration of Kerry picture, where both show Black Empowerment. The

James Marshall, who makes paintings that convey Black composition shows a less happy environment due to facial

Empowerment and Identity. expressions, making the composition less cheerful. My

inspiration from Kerry James Marshall, who also made the

The medium chosen enables me to depict the depth and reference picture has used hints of bright colors and has

volume of my compositions. While using the mediums, I will blended the paint thoroughly and it was my main objective

use a bold color palette to show the Importance and in the composition, which I achieved through the Task 4.

seriousness of the compositions. There will be an accent of Various techniques was also in this composition for the

bright colors showing the joy and happiness through making of a work which signifies black empowerment and

struggles in the everyday lifestyle and lifestyle choices. The makes an issue like segregation significant, in a world

compositions will try to look realistic as they are trying to where it is a prevailing issue of human impact.

express Culture and Identity. My 4 Final compositions have Final #1, “Alone”, 24 x 36 inches, Acrylic color
aspects of empowerment and downfall of segregation paints on Canvas.
which is my theme followed in all tasks.

The compositions name is “Only Me” and the reference

picture is “Untitled 2002” by Kerry James Marshall. The
female black figure which signifies her identity in the
composition has minimal facial expressions and the attire
represents the vivid use of the cultural aspect. The
Final Composition #1: Critical Analysis

Form: The art form of this composition is an acrylic

painting which was chosen only because this art Subject Matter & Appearance: The main element of the

form effectively lets the medium show the message composition is the girl, where I added cultural significance

my composition entails. using the scarf which signifies her religion and her belief,
the scarf signifies the girl as a religious black woman
believing in her ancestral past. Elements or structural
Composition: The axis of the painting is vertical system contributes to the immensely to the appearance of
and the main element in the composition is the girl the work.
which was put in the center, this allows the image to
pop out and puts emphasis on the girl. The black
lines surrounding the image also allow the image to Medium: The medium of the work is acrylic, which was

be bolder. used because the thick layered paint allows the

composition to have a more bold and opaque look, in
addition its allows me to use techniques that will allow my
Lines and Shapes: The Background of the
work to have a unique aesthetic.
composition is made with rectangular shaped paint
strokes of different bold colors which are
complementary to each other, the foreground of the Symmetry: The composition was made symmetrical, in
composition has the main element which is the girl order to put a main emphasis on the center of the
that is overlapping the background, making the composition which is the girl. The background of the
composition more dramatic and bolder. composition was also made symmetrical by incorporating
all the colors in an equal and balanced scale.

Colour value, texture and space: The color hue

used was a bold palette with joyous and bright
Techniques: The techniques used in this composition was
colors for the background, the main element has a
washing with acrylic color paint on the scarf which makes
more complementary color that is a little dim, which
it more realistic with frills and cloth like drapes. Detailing
balances the composition. The light was directed in
was used in face of the girl and the scarf which also
a way that the shadow appears on the cloth of the
makes the work look realistic. One directional stroke was
girls scarf. Texture was added on the scarf to make
Final Composition #1, “Alone”, 24 x 36 inches, Acrylic used in the background with minimal blending to make the
it look more dramatic and the main element was
color paints on Canvas. background look bold.
positioned so that it is centred in the composition.
Final Composition #2 The composition uses complementary colors, these colors
are in contrast to each other such as the background which
is green and the cloud as well as the attire of the women.
There was a use of analogous colors in the background
which is the light purple, pastel pink and brick pink. The
contrast between the colors makes the women stand out
and gives her significance in the composition.
The third composition is “Together” inspired by photograph
capturing an African American in a cultural attire called
“Young African: Wrapped in Traditions” by Whitney
Richardson, my objective of making this composition sis to
tell the significance of the African race and how human
impact is deteriorating a culturally and ancestrally
significant race.

The first composition plays a main role in showing my

The composition uses the colors to show that one can fight
theme which is segregation, as I wanted to show how self-
by themselves if they just believe in themselves and their
identify and creativity as well as imagination can play a
self-identity. That’s what my composition entails, saying
major role in fighting against grave problems such as
that she is all she has and she can fight a grave issue like
segregation that are due to the vast human impact on the
segregation, my work plays a role in bringing a topic like
environment, which I try to tell through my composition by
that into the world, so awareness can spread on this issue.
putting emphasis on the women and her self-identity.

Final Composition #3
Final Composition #2, “Looking into the haze”, 12
x 24 inches, Acrylic color paints on Canvas.
The second composition is “Looking into the haze” inspired
by an untitled composition by Kerry James Marshall in
2016, where my composition signifies self-belief and
identity through the use of the imaginative background and
the lines and shapes used. The cloud around the women
signifies her in her imagination, where the cartoony and
unrealistic background plays a major role in showing her
self identity.
The composition uses the pastel a mild color to signify
peacefulness and with a bolder color used on the girl, helps
make the girl stand out in my composition. Palette knife was
effectively used in the borders, detailing was used for the
facial expression of the girl, the hair locks to signify culture
and the flowers. The composition uses a more unrealistic
tone in the background and focuses more on realism in the
center of the composition. The techniques and colors used
played a major role in achieving this aesthetic in the
composition, as well as helped in showing the message I
want to convey through my work.
Final Composition #3, “Together”, 14 x 18 inches,
Acrylic color paints on Canvas.
Final Composition #2: Critical Analysis
Form: The art form of this composition is an acrylic
painting that was used due to its ability to add
texture and a bold color palette.
Composition: The axis of the painting is vertical
and the main element in the composition is the girl
which was put in the center and cloud like
background, surrounding it is an unrealistic
background.
Lines and Shapes: The background of the girl is
made of cloud like substance resembling
imagination, which is made of symmetrical lines.
There were also different shapes used in the
background for the flowers and the palette knife
patterns.
Colour value, texture and space: The color hue
used was a bold palette with complementary and
triad colors, there was a use of complementary
colors in the background and the girl. The
background uses a lot of texture with the use of
palette knife. There was texture also used in the
scarf which made is look more realistic along with
the face of the women that used monochrome colors
to achieve the look of a African American. The entire
space was filled with patterns and images to signify
imagination and importance to the identity of the
women.
Subject Matter & Appearance: The main element
of the composition is the women; the women uses
minimal expressions but the background signifies
her identity with a joyous use of color hue. The use
of the flowers and the texture further adds notion to
the imagination and her self-identity as a black
woman
Medium: The medium of the work is acrylic, this
was used due to its ability to add texture to the work,
as it has to look more unrealistic in the background.
At the same time effectively adds the realism in the
features of the women, which makes it more
significant.
Symmetry: Symmetry was mainly used in the cloud
of the women and the flowers. In addition, there is a
use of symmetry in the placement of the women,
which was done in the center to give more emphasis
to the women.
Techniques: The techniques used in this
composition was detailing for the borders of the
imagination cloud and to give more emphasis and
realistic notion for the flowers and leaves of the
background. Washing was used in the scarf to make
Final Composition #2, “Looking into the haze”, 12 x 24 inches, it look more realistic with frills. Palette knife was
used in the background to give texture and
Acrylic color paints on Canvas.
unrealistic background.
Final Composition #3: Critical Analysis

Form: The artform in this composition is an acrylic Subject Matter & Appearance: The main element
painting due to the ability to add texture for the of the composition is the African American girl,
work. where it signifies that that girl only needs herself
and her identity to survive in an environment filled

Composition: The axis of the painting is with grave amount of human danger. The

horizontal and the main element in the appearance of the composition makes it look more

composition is the girl which was put in the center, peaceful.

which allows the image to pop out and puts

emphasis on the girl. This composition was made Medium: The medium of the work is acrylic color
to show peacefulness and how one only needs paints, which allows me to add texture to the
herself and her identity to survive. background and make it more unrealistic, where
the medium allows me add a more opaque tone to
my composition.
Lines and Shapes: The foreground of the
composition which has the girl sitting on the box
uses symmetry as the box uses vertical lines to
make the box. The flowers and leaves also uses Symmetry: The composition was made

shapes and lines to create an image that displays symmetrical, in order to put a main emphasis on

the message my composition entails. the center of the composition which is the girl. The
symmetry was mainly used in the border to put a
bolder look on the girl.

Colour value, texture and space: The

background uses pastel colors to symbolize Final Composition #3, “Together”, 14 x 18 inches, Acrylic color
peacefulness and the foreground has the girl with paints on Canvas. Techniques: The techniques used in this
the box which are in contrast colors to the
composition was palette knife on the border which
background that makes them pop out. The flowers
gives more texture, and detailing was done on the
in the side have bold colors that make it also
girls face and the hair locks, as well as the flowers
stand out. Texture was used throughout the
in the side and the box. There was one directional
background with the palette knife to make it look
stroke used for the sky and the ground to make
more peaceful.
emphasis on the girl in the center.
Final Composition #4
This work shows how the girl in the composition can fight
against human problems like segregation if she believes in
herself which was achieved through adding minimal facial
expression and emphasis on the background.

The composition uses a mild and pastel color hue in order

to achieve the desired aesthetic. The use of pastel colors
shows the gentle background and with contrast color on the
inside compared to the border makes the girl in my work
stand out.

The techniques that I have used was wet on dry for the
ground and the attire of the girl that gives a more blended
and spread aesthetic. The sky uses wet on wet to give a
patchier and sky like appearance as well as the border of
the composition uses wet on wet. The skin of the girl was
covered with watercolor paint that was effectively blended
in to look more realistic.

The attire and minimal facial expressions allow my

composition to show the message which is to believe in
themselves and fight against segregation which an issue of
human impact and I artist want to convey to the world by
these compositions.

Final Composition #4, “I Believe”, 12 x 16 inches,

Watercolor on Watercolor paper.

The fourth composition is “I believe” inspired by a

watercolor composition “Rebekah” by Stephan Scott
Young, my composition chose watercolour as the medium
as I wanted to achieve a more translucent and mild color
palette with more emphasis on the women.
Final Composition #4: Critical Analysis

Form: The art form of this composition is an

Subject Matter & Appearance: The main element of
watercolour painting which was chosen only because
the composition is the girl, where there was no use of
this art form lets me show the message of the
cultural aspects but showcases more of self-integrity
composition.
and self-identity which I wanted to showcase in this
composition. This shows more of how one can fight by
Composition: The axis of the painting is vertical and themselves against segregation.
the main element in the composition is the girl which
was put in the center, the girl signifies peacefulness,
how herself and her trust in her identity is need to
Medium: The medium of the work is watercolour which
survive and combat segregation or other human
was chosen as it can give a more translucent and
impact on the environment.
peaceful look. The medium allows the composition to
look more peaceful and gentle.

Lines and Shapes: The background of the

composition comprises of the tree which uses shapes
and lines to look realistic, the girl’s hat and basket also
use lines and shapes that make the composition more Symmetry: The composition used symmetry in the
realistic. background and the girl in the composition, the girl used
symmetry through the placement of the girl in the center
of the composition surrounded by the border.

Colour value, texture and space: The color palette

used in the composition was with mild colors
throughout, the color used was pastel colors with
darker colors in the background to let the centre Techniques: The techniques used in this composition

element in the foreground pop out. The texture in the was partially dry brush for the trees that adds texture,

composition was mainly applied in the tree and the and wet on dry for the ground and the attire of the girl

girls skin to make it look more realistic. The space that that gives a more blended and spread aesthetic. The

was left is the sky and the ground which was left with sky uses wet on wet to give a patchier and sky like
Final Composition #4, “I Believe”, 12 x 16 inches,
no elements. appearance as well as the border of the composition.
Watercolor on Watercolor paper.
Reflection:
Kerry James Marshall, who is my inspirational artist shows
Black Empowerment in his compositions, showing their
cultures, their life after the civil rights movement and the
freedom for the black race. His ideology is on the
importance of the Black race plays an important role in our
world, to help understand how this race is vital for the
cultural preservation and sovereignty of the world. The
composition play a major role in showing so, and helping
people gain knowledge on how to end a severe and grave
issue like segregation. All of my compositions had an
overall positive outcome, through my task I understood the
various culture, traditions, and Identities through which I
based my compositions. The compositions overall
displayed varied outcomes, as I achieved different goals in
different compositions, however, I got my desired aesthetic
and objective from all four compositions. My compositions
let me develop various skills throughout the tasks, but the
most important one was during planning, that helped me
through all my task even though I lacked in my time-
management skills, which help my develop my self-
management skills.
The compositional techniques that were gained throughout
the whole process can be further used for further tasks,
such as the palette knife, wet on dry techniques and more.
The compositions also helped me spread awareness to the
audience viewing my documentation or viewing my works.
The idea of my composition is very deep, but it is visual to
everyone. I used transparent colors to show the amount of
simplicity and peacefulness in one of the compositions. I
used a bold, joyous color palette on other compositions.
The area of research I am focusing on is segregation, which
has been incorporated throughout all my tasks and
compositions. Through this task, I have developed several
skills and knowledge, I understood how artists can impact
the world through their works and how one can convey any
message through the medium of art. These tasks showed
me that any composition meaning can be depicted through
the various amount of colors and different brushstrokes,
through this work we could spread awareness to all the
viewers and any painting or composition can have a various
number of messages. In addition my inspiration artist
helped me gain various techniques which I developed
through these compositions, this enabled me to be more
curious and to learn more.
Connection to Unit Matrix
My compositions are connected to the matrix as the
compositions relate to the:
Key Concept- Aesthetics is connected as I tried to make a
composition which was aesthetically pleasing to attract a
wide range of audience that can spread awareness as well
as showed the message I wanted to convey to the
audience.
Related Concept- Interpretation is connected as I made
composition that use a variety of techniques and colors that
will allow the audience to effectively interpret and analyse
my work in order to understand the meaning and message.
Global Context- Globalization and sustainability is
connected as through globalization issues such as
segregation came to a rise, however it can be combated to
achieve sustainability through awareness that can be
brought to place by the artists and there compositions.
Statement of Inquiry- The artists can draw attention to
issues of human impact on the environment (Locally and
Globally) means that through my compositions I can draw
attention to problems like segregation that is a grave issue
due to human impact and has a huge impact on the
environment, however It can be combatted and changed
through raising awareness.
The ATL skills:
I developed these skills through my compositions:
Communication skills
Communication: I communicated to the audience and
spread my knowledge on black segregation where I aim to
establish a diverse community where such an issue is
eradicated.
Social Skills
Collaboration: I collaborated with my mentors in order to
understand how I should construct my compositions in
respect to the mediums, colors and the presentation of the
composition.
Thinking Skills
Creative Thinking: I used my creative thinking skills in
order to understand what colors should be used to
represent the message that my composition entails.
Critical Thinking: I used my critical thinking skills to
understand how I can present my composition and what
texture I can use to make few elements bolder and more
significant, which can help convey the message of my
composition.