Visit to The National Portrait Gallery

Dame Edith Evans (Dame Edith Mary Booth)by Henry Glintenkampoil on canvas, 192232 in. x 26 1/8 in. (813 mm x 662 mm)

David Hockney ('Self-Portrait with Charlie')by David Hockneyoil on canvas, 200572 in. x 36 in. (1829 mm x 914 mm)

Mike Leighby Stuart Pearson Wrightoil on canvas, 200328 in. x 19 7/8 in. (710 mm x 506 mm)

A study of a portrait painting

Doris Zinkeisen

by Doris Clare Zinkeisenoil on canvas, exhibited 192942 1/4 in. x 34 1/8 in. (1072 mm x 866 mm)

This was my favourite painting at the National gallery. It was in the interwar room between the contemporary art collection and the Victorian collection thus making it easier to compare against the two styles: modern and archaic . Unlike the Victorian work this portrait had a much more relaxed composition and uses bold colours in the foreground to stand out and catch the attention of the viewer, this is similar to the more contemporary section of the gallery and so the painting can be seen as a mark displaying the progression of art into the ‘modern’ era. I particularly like the large pattern on the kimono and is the first thing noticed when you look at the painting. it is a clear symbol of the art deco period it was painted in.

Self portraits Geoffrey Beasley undertook a BA in fine art at Ravensbourne college of art and design and went to study at the Royal Academy Schools and Nottingham Trent University. The portrait is of the artists son, who while living with his parents, was able to pose throughout the creation of this painting which is made from life. Beasley has painted both his sons, finding it easier to achieve a level of intimacy with them than other models.

This painting uses a variety of muted colours, especially greys to create a sense of calm and tranquillity. This was one of the main reasons I liked it as well as the simplicity of it, allowing the viewer to look closely at the various tones making up the face, creating shadow and a sense of three dimensionality. I decided to create my self portraits in this style so that I could work closely on the tones of the face.

Eddy in the morning by Geoffrey Beasley

Oil on canvas

Project Evaluation

I found this project extremely challenging as I do not often enjoy painting, particularly portraits, or working on canvas due to a lack of experience. I felt that I would have struggled less had the brief

been to draw using pencil, pen or charcoal. However the project did allow me to develop my painting skills through observational painting and also by conducting a series of studies. I am most pleased

with the studies as I had to mix colours in order to copy the original, and this has been useful practise as sometimes I do not mix colours correctly. I took a while developing my self portrait, I found it

extremely difficult to mix the colours that made up the face and all the different tone sit took to make it appear three dimensional and have depth and so it took me several attempts to paint the faces of

both portraits. If I had to re-do the project I think that perhaps I would have picked the style of another artist, such as one whose portrait I copied , as I feel that the studies I conducted had more

colour an pattern expressing the style of the artist as well as reflecting on the personality of the sitter. I think that I still need to improve in my painting to try and find mu own style as I am not able to paint

realistically and so I would like to attempt a more abstract way of creating a portrait using the same media.

Professional Practice Case Study My case study is on my art who is a graphic designer, specifically web design. Amongst other websites she is best known for designing Wise pay website which is used by schools throughout the county. Below is a copy of the interview I conducted for the project:

How do you clarify and negotiate a brief, and interpret the requirements of the brief and the needs of the client?

First I ask who the target audience is (typically its either a business or consumer website) , for example adults, children, etc, and what it is going to be for. I also need to know if this will be a long term or short term website design, to know whether content will be added in the future. All content for website needs to be provided also. What kind of look do they want, business or consumer base and the product that they are trying to sell. Look? Modern and flashy look, very simple, advertising product or service. I need to know the timings of how long I have to design the website ,and if there are going to be any printed marketing to accompany the website.

How they organize and manage a project plan

• Stage 1: ideas and concepts

• Stages2: liaising with the client to see if they like the idea and concept, two three ideas are needed. Once the client is happy with the concept move onto the design of it, checking with the client after the design. Work out how pages link (stag one)

• Stage 3: Make up flat deigns then go back to client and ask if they are happy with design, client then gives content. Put through to the programming department where designs are then sends designs to the programmers and makes them live

• Stage 4: testing stage before putting website onto the internet.

What is your attitude and approach to your? specialism

Clients sometimes don’t know what they want until they see it, may say they want a certain style or look but until they say it. sometimes random design is included and the client likes it. #2 design is different, every one has there own opinion and style, unique, differs from what the designers can give them. Client sometimes like designs that are garish and don’t always work online but if this is what the client wants them sometimes this is what they get, after all they are the ones paying for it. Advice to client is given as how best their product or service would sell best online, however sometimes client conflicts occur and a client has a strong opinion as to how their product should be portrayed.

Professional Practice Case Study Continued…

How do you modify and develop initial ideas to produce a final outcome?Initial ideas come from client brief, all you need to find out is “what is it they are trying to sell” from this you can see if the clients ideas best portrays the service or product they are trying to sell, and offer to make suggestions from there. Then you have to go through stages, stage 1:concept and ideas, stage 2: go to clients with the design of what the website will look like, and ex-plain how it will work, if they are happy work can continue and move onto stage 3: building the website and then testing it. Once this is all done you can make the website live.

How do you liaise with clients, customers and the general public? Normally there is a project manager or account manager who liaises with the client on your behalf. Otherwise phone or email is used.

How do you choose materials, techniques, technology and the processes to produce the work?I choose what I think will be best for their brief, for example for branding ,such as logo deign, illustrator would be used. If they want a brochure, desktop publishing would be used. Build work is done by the technical department. This includes movement, flash and animation. I only create the flat designs.

How is the commercial viability of the work considered?Sometimes Market research is needed, to see if the product will be viable, i.e “The Online Takeaway” (an old project). It also comes down to cost, if the work will be cost effective and make money in the long run. Cost is always a factor to consider.

How do you respond to constraints that affect your work ?Time is a big constraint as sometimes clients tend to go back and forth on design then they still want to meet the project deadline. If client changes a design or the way a website works that can also put pressure to meet a deadline. Resources are also a consideration when a third party such as a printers are involved as printing time and logistics can be an issue.

Professional Practice Case Study Summary

I have always wanted to study architecture which is a design based course ,I think that a design course would be more useful as a career move as opposed to doing a fine art degree. However this case study has taught me that when you are working in a design based job the client and their tastes always come

first. I am quite a headstrong person and like to do things a certain way as I have my own particular tastes when it comes to architecture, however there will be times when I must put the needs of the

client first. I still want to study architecture and plan to do so after finishing college. I am prepared to work with other people and input ideas and guidance when needed, however this case study has taught me that when given a brief I must not derail in order not to waste time and to meet the target. This year

I will try and time manage more as practise for professional life.