P S Art 2016 Exhibition Schedule www.nyc.gov/schools/artseducation

Plausible Results
Jesus Velazquez
Grade: 10
School: Curtis High
School, Staten
Island
Art Teacher: Samantha Erck
Oil pastel on paper
STUDENT: I’ve learned
that being patient is
the key to being a good
artist. Researching the
human anatomy was
exciting. I also learned
color theory and how
the background should
be my first priority
when drawing or
adding color. Ms. Erck helps me
when she thinks I need help and
I feel comfortable asking for her
assistance. She’s always around the
classroom helping the other students
with their artwork as well. My biggest
struggle and challenge in this artwork
was the oil pastel itself. I had never
used oil pastels, and wasn’t good at
coloring. Moving to oil pastel was a
big step from what I normally do.
Another challenge I faced was my
dislike of drawing objects on a large
scale. This artwork took many twist
and turns, but in the end, I strived for
greatness and finished my artwork.
I was actually very happy with my
finished artwork, and even happy
with the struggles.
TEACHER: This unit on drawing
was designed to have students
understand and practice color theory,
increase their ability to blend and
mix complementary colors, and
identify successful compositions in
old magazine ads. Students used a
two-inch view finder to locate a good
composition and justify it using the
Rule of Thirds. Once the two-inch
inspiration was found, students
challenged themselves to re-create
the composition twelve inches
bigger than the example. Using their
observational drawing skills and their
knowledge of complementary colors,
the results where amazing. Jesus
took a huge risk with this piece. Both
technically and creatively this oil
pastel is impressive on many levels.
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