PORTFOLIO FOR ARCHITECTURE

By Natasha Kirsopp
This set of images formed part of an AS Level Art project based around the topic of Feminism. The work produced
was primarily self-portraiture, featuring some elements of typography. Experimentation and development were key
in this project and this is something that will be conveyed further throughout this presentation.

The observational pencil drawings were drawn in high contrast in order to give the characters a three dimensional
appearance. The other two images were created using India ink and white acrylic, again allowing for further depth through
highlighting. Observing features within the portraits meant I could understand the structure and compositions of the face.
Using a paint brush created dark strokes but, to make the depth more realistic, dry brushing provided me with a softer
alternative for shading.
Appreciating different facial
features and designing them using
a variety of textures allowed me
to develop my observational
drawing skills from the beginning
of my first AS project.

Experimenting with materials such

as oil, biro and ink formed a key
basis for subsequent projects.
Pastel and charcoal were the most
challenging materials as it was
difficult to layer them to create
darker areas because lighter
shades saturated into the base
colour. So to overcome this in oil, I
applied a thicker layer and
stippled the paint.

Developing my technique in
various media was crucial to
understanding their nature and
how they can be manipulated to
present particular moods and
ideas.
Experimentation with oil and acrylic paints and comparing the two to decide which
I preferred, allowed me to better appreciate how these two different mediums
could be used. The two portraits I completed, one in oil and one acrylic, display
my development of this image to create a smoother, more realistic image. As this
was part of my Feminism project, I wanted the subject to appear strong: this was
created through the additional depth in the oil study. I was strongly influenced by
Tamara de Lempicka, particularly in the hair and eyes, as she was a big part of
the Art Deco movement that gave women greater social mobility.
Experimenting with typography within my Feminism project was essential
as words have had a strong influence in the movement, since its very
beginnings with works such as A Vindication of the Rights of Woman by
Mary Wollstonecraft.

Literature has acted as a catalyst for the movement, providing an outlet

for women to be heard by a mass audience and fight for their deserved
rights peacefully. Charlotte Perkins Gilmans The Yellow Wallpaper
focuses on this idea, with its nameless protagonist supressed and unable
to write, eventually descending into violence and madness. The red
lettering of the word liberation and text extracts from The Female
Eunuch demonstrate the hidden anger and frustration underneath the
sewn layers which represent suppression. Using easily-breakable cotton
to create a strong structure represents how everyday prejudices and
stereotypes can work together to supress people, but gender barriers
can ultimately be broken.

By using sewing in my project, I was able to try a new technique which is

directly correlated to the stereotypical, traditional roles of women in
history: something that Feminism questions and ultimately rejects. This
portion of my project furthered my knowledge of Feminism and allowed
me to explore various art forms that women have created in response to
it.
These images represent
the development process
I went through when
approaching my final
piece design. Using
Photoshop, I layered
portraits Id taken to
form this layout. I
decided to use a heavier
application of oil paint
to improve the contrast
and give the figures a
stronger form, like in my
earlier experimentations.
The addition of faded
text allowed for the
subtle inclusion of
typography that I
wanted to achieve.
As a concluding piece to
this unit of work, I
wanted to include a
range of influences from
the entire project. I
chose to establish a
divide in the painting
and used brighter and
more vibrant colours on
the right hand side so
the eye is drawn to this
area. Again using
Germaine Greer
extracts and the same
font, I subtly wove
powerful words into the
background. Painting on
wood proved difficult
with oil paint which
seeped into the wood,
but by layering the
paint, I created better
texture in the hair with
finer strokes.
The next images are part of a project named Towns and Cities. I wanted to create
contrast between older and newer buildings to demonstrate how towns are always
evolving and changing. I start with observational sketches I drew in my hometown of
Reading in biro and ink to understand the shapes and components in buildings. I found
this specific exercise interesting because I began to see hidden details that Id been
completely oblivious to prior to the project - the buildings began to have more
character.
Exploration with photography
proved essential in this project and
displayed how buildings layer
themselves and interact with one
another. This particular image fitted
well with my theme of old and new
because of the variety of
architectural styles within the shot.
There are strong contrasts between
the Grade II listed building on the
right and the modern, industrial
buildings. For example, the newer
buildings have sharp lines and clear
cut glass, whereas the older
buildings tend to be softer and
place value on aesthetics as well as
functionality.
 Painting with acrylic and
FINAL PIECE applying it with acrylic
binder allowed my
painting style to be
smoother and helped
when creating the
gradient in the sky. I also
used smoother painting
techniques for modern
elements of the
composition and stippling
for the older ones. I found
it challenging to form the
modern parts of the
image because of the
straight lines which I had
to realign several times in
order to create good
perspective.
INDEPENDENT WORK
Similar to images from my previous
project, I used ink and acrylic to
form a simplistic portrait that
focuses on the shapes and structure
of the face and their form. I made
this on A3 paper, increasing the size
that Id used before so this time I
was able to add finer details like in
the eyebrows and lips, so even
though it was simple it was still
realistic.
INDEPENDENT PHOTOGRAPHY
This image, along with
the title image, were
taken in my hometown of
Reading. I wanted to
explore my town and
decided in order to
appreciate the
architecture that heading
to the rooftops would
allow me to see past the
modern shop facades
and get a different view.
I think its important to
view and analyse
existing architecture so
that when designing,
especially within a
particular area, the
strengths and weaknesses
of existing design,
relating to people and
landscape, can be
considered and
revaluated to
accommodate to the
needs of a community.