Design Principles | Task 2 Visual Analysis

17/2/2025 - 3/3/2025  Week 3 - Week 5

Gao Yuan Yi 0373945

GCD60804 Design Principles / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University

Task 2 Visual Analysis

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Task 2

In this task we are required to write a 300 - 350 word visual analysis of the artwork I selected from the art gallery, sketch 3 ideas on how the selected design can be improved and describe each idea and support it with a rationale in about 30-50 words.

Selected Artwork

Chosen Reason: I feel a deep connection to the portrayal of women in art. I am not only drawn to external beauty and aesthetics but also eager to capture the inner strength and vitality of women through art. This preference aligns with the core ideas of many art movements and feminist theories. The “charm and power” I perceive in women is actually a recognition of their complexity—they can be gentle yet strong, mysterious yet rebellious.

My sense of power in art may come from my admiration for maternal strength, my attention to social struggles, and my resistance to the passive roles of women in cultural contexts. This duality—both a symbol of beauty and a blade that breaks chains—fascinates me. Because of this, I focus more on works led by female artists, explore female figures in non-Western cultures, and examine how technology-based art represents the female body. These areas give me broader perspectives and inspiration, helping me better understand the endless possibilities of women in art.

I think Adrienne Stein is exactly such a female artist. Her 'Rain Dove' follows several key design principles, making it visually appealing and expressive.

Fig.1.1 'Rain Dove' - Adrienne Stein

2019

8 in x 10 in (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)

https://beautifulbizarre.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Adrienne-Stein-Rain-Dove.jpg

Adrienne Stein is an American contemporary realist artist known for her works featuring symbolism and a magical realism style. Born in 1986 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, she currently lives and works in Pennsylvania and Colorado. Her paintings blend nature, mythology, folklore, and personal memories, creating a unique world between reality and fantasy with vibrant colors and delicate brushwork.

Stein' s works are characterized by symbolism and magical realism, often depicting lush natural landscapes and figures while incorporating elements from art history, folklore, and nature. Her inspirations come from her travels, family life, and her admiration for the Pre-Raphaelite movement and Dutch Golden Age masters. Her paintings are rich in symbolic imagery, exploring the intersection of personal and universal myths.

Stein sees painting as a spiritual practice, akin to prayer. She strives to balance tradition and modernity while giving her works new meaning. Her creative process often integrates direct observation with imagination, focusing on the details and the interplay of light.

Adrienne Stein’s works not only showcase technical excellence but also offer viewers a world filled with fantasy and deep contemplation through rich symbolism and emotional depth. Her artistic practice and achievements have established her as a significant figure in contemporary realism.

Although I can't find specific details about the background, themes, or main ideas behind her creation of this painting. I've learnt that her inspiration comes from directly observing nature, memories, imagination, art history, folklore, archetypes, and natural elements. These are all driven by a sense of both personal and universal mythology. Additionally, her travels, as well as the beautiful surroundings of the Pennsylvania garden where she lives with her husband, artist Quang Ho, and their son Liam, are also important sources of inspiration for her work.

Adrienne Stein's works often focus on women, exploring their inner worlds and emotional states. 'Rain Dove' might be her way of visually expressing a specific emotion or personal experience. The title 'Rain Dove' could suggest a blend of natural elements (rain, doves) with female imagery, symbolizing peace, freedom, or emotional release. Her work might be influenced by contemporary feminist movements or societal discussions about women's identities. Through her art, she could be celebrating female strength or reflecting on gender roles.

'Rain Dove' might combine female figures with natural elements to symbolize women's freedom, resilience, and inner strength. Rain and doves are often seen as symbols of healing and peace. The piece could express emotional release or spiritual healing. As a surrealist artist, Adrienne Stein might use 'Rain Dove' to create a dreamlike scene, blurring the lines between reality and imagination, and evoking emotional connections with the viewer.

Reference:

About — Adrienne Stein

Adrienne Stein CV — Adrienne Stein

Adrienne Stein | ArtCloud

95 Adrienne Stein (100greatestwomenartists.blogspot.com)

Adrienne Stein on Painting Composition - Realism Today

Visual Analysis

Phase 1: Observation

• Composition: The painting is in a vertical format, with a female figure as the main subject. She is surrounded by natural elements like doves and flowers, creating a dreamy atmosphere.
• Color: The artwork combines cool and warm tones. Blues and greens give a sense of moisture and movement, while touches of gold and orange add contrast and draw attention.
• Lines and Forms: The figure has a soft and flowing posture. Her clothing and the background elements resemble water or wind, giving the painting a sense of movement and life.
• Light and Shadow: Gentle lighting highlights the contours of the figure, making her stand out and adding depth to the painting.

Phase 2: Analysis

1. Balance

• The painting has asymmetrical balance.

Fig.2.1 asymmetrical balance

1. The woman's face is on the right, while the dove on the left balances the composition.
2. Her flowing hair and flowers extend to the upper right, balancing the weight of the dove.

2. Color & Contrast

• Warm and cool contrast:

1. The cool tones in the skin and dove (greenish and bluish) contrast with the warm flowers (yellow and red).

Fig.2.2 cool

Fig.2.3 warm

• Light and dark contrast (Chiaroscuro):

1. Bright areas on the face create depth, while shadows add drama.

Fig.2.4 Light and dark contrast

3. Movement

• The flowing hair and flowers suggest wind, making the scene feel alive.

Fig.2.5 Movement

• The dove tilts its head slightly, leading the viewer' s eye to the woman's face.

4. Focal Point & Hierarchy

• Main focus: The woman's face, emphasized by contrast and detail.
• Secondary focus: The dove and flowers, which support the main subject.
• The soft background keeps attention on the main subjects.

   Fig.2.6 Focal Point & Hierarchy

5. Unity & Harmony

• The elements (woman, dove, flowers, background) feel connected through similar colors and lighting.

6. Emotion

• The woman' s mysterious expression and the dove's presence create a dreamy, calm, and slightly melancholic mood.

5. Texture

• Visible brushstrokes add richness, especially in the hair, flowers, and background.

Fig.2.7 Texture

Phase 3: Interpretation

• Theme: The title Rain Dove suggests meanings of purity, freedom, and spiritual transformation. Doves are often symbols of peace, while rain can represent life or cleansing.
• Influence and Style: Adrienne Stein' s work often has elements of surrealism and symbolism. She uses detailed brushwork and lighting effects to bring out emotions. This painting continues her exploration of the relationship between nature and the human figure.
• Cultural and Symbolic Meaning: In art history, water and rain are linked to life, growth, cleansing, and emotional flow. Doves symbolize peace, the soul, or spiritual beliefs. By combining these elements, the painting might express a sense of harmony between humans and nature.

Conclusion

Rain Dove showcases Adrienne Stein' s unique artistic style. Through color, lighting, and composition, she creates a surreal atmosphere that conveys mystery, peace, and spirituality. The painting is not just visually beautiful but also rich in meaning, allowing viewers to interpret it in different ways.

Reference:

Adrienne Stein | Escape Into Life

Figures — Adrienne Stein

阿德里安娜·斯通作品中古典与当代的融合 – 国际艺术新闻网 (artnewsnet.com)

神秘又充满活力色彩的女性人物油画︱Adrienne Stein|艺术家|艺术史_网易订阅 (163.com)

Garden of Delights: An Interview with Adrienne Stein (beautifulbizarreartprize.art)

Small Works Show at Gallery 1261 — Adrienne Stein

Improve Design

Improve Design #1

Fig.3.1 Improve Design #1

In this design, I changed the positions of the dove and the character, placing them facing each other. In the original painting, the dove stands on the character’s shoulder, but in my design, I moved its position and extended the flower crown on the character’s head, letting the dove perch on the branches of the crown. This also makes the character and the dove face each other, showing a different kind of connection between them. It adds a touch of playfulness to the design while keeping the original painting’s peaceful and beautiful style.

Improve Design #2

Fig.3.2 Improve Design #2

In this design, I tried flipping the usual proportions of the dove and the character. I made the dove larger than the person and moved the flower crown from the character’s head to the dove’s head. This unusual approach creates a strong visual impact while also tying back to the name of the artwork, "Rain Dove." I also changed the direction of the character’s flowing hair, making sure the overall composition stays balanced.

Improve Design #3

Fig.3.3 Improve Design #3

I feel like the character in the original painting doesn’t stand out enough. When I look at the piece, I have a hard time figuring out where the focus is. I think the character plays a more important role here, and their expression is key to conveying the emotions the artist wants to express. So, I increased the contrast on the character, using stronger warm and cool tones—adding cooler shades to the shadows and warmer tones to the highlights. This makes the character look more three-dimensional and draws more attention to them, giving the figure a stronger presence and more life.

Fig.3.4 before and after improvement