RiceBunny's Xanga

Sunday, May 04, 2008

Sun, 04 May 2008 03:02:49 GMT

So I am waiting for my new camera to arrive. So I will update when I get it. I want to show my years worth of artworks!

Zebras. Are they white horses with black stripes, or black horse with white stripes? Hmmmmm

Oh yeah, and I got into World of Warcraft. Here is a screenshot of me on the Griffin...I wish Griffins were real.

I'd take one out on a joyride I tell ya...plus imagine Griffin poop on your car. B*tch would probably strip the paint off!

~ Michelle Phan

Last minute graphic design project

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 01:14:56 GMT

So I read a few feedbacks, negative ones like this...

    Wow congrats! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that my project was to rearrange an existing magazine spread and target it to a different audience. I mean it was plainly written in english and since I see that you responded to me in the same language, I am going to assume that we know english here. Let me explain it again. I took Seventeen magazine which is usually a teeny bopper read and fused it with Vogue and basically recreated a Teen Vogue (only a little more high fashion).
    And the "load or crap off of wikipedia" are called a "Placeholder Texts". Place holder texts are basically bodies of text that takes up a certain area to give the piece an impression of "written text". See? That wasn't that hard to understand right? So in future reference, please do not criticize me if you did not read my entry explaining what I did. You do not have to know the concept of graphic design to understand my project, it's common sense...which isn't so common anymore huh?

But, to the people who did critique me (intelligently), I thank you. I will definitely take your advices =)

   I attend school to be an illustrator, but one of my courses covers basic graphic design. Apparently it is very crucial to understand it in the creative industry. Since graphic design is not my cup of tea, I gave it my best shot... I finished a cover and 2 inside spread in a course of 1 hour. It's due today at 12:30 pm and I just finished it ( I can be a slacker at times)!

    We basically had to take an existing magazine and revamp it to target a different audience. I took Seventeen magazine that are usually read by the middle school/high school teenage girls and gave it an edgier high fashion quality instead.

So from this teeny bopper Seventeen magazine...

...to a revamped teen high fashion read. Notice how I used Gemma Ward as my main model. She can throw on a garbage bad and still make it look chic. I used some photos from a photoshoot she was in and added text and manipulated it. I even had to extend the top part of the cover photo to fully include in the title. Cloning is my favorite tool. I used a font for the title called Edition (at dafont.com) because it is the closet thing I can find to Vogue's font. I even made sure to keep all the font colors to minimum.

I played with big letters to give it that editorial feel, but had to ensure that it was still fun to read.

Here I cropped off the right photo to include in the large body of text. Notice my play on enlarging a single letter to give it a more interesting flow.

See? Last minute projects are not all bad =)
~ Michelle Phan

Almost done =D

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 14:59:08 GMT

I'm almost done with my sophmore year at Ringling.

Here is a sample page from my children's book.

I attended the Senior Thesis Illustration show, I wish I took some photos of the wonderful artworks, but I dropped my camera and it broke =-(

I am so tiny!

Update soon!
~ Michelle Phan

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:58:15 GMT

Be back after finals this week! Good luck to everyone!

~ Michelle Phan

Been M.I.A

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:50:33 GMT

I have been busy working on my exams, projects, essays and paintings. I am almost done with my children's book! Now I am on the look for a publisher!

~ Michelle Phan

just another random post

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:12:25 GMT

So I am not sure how I am going to create the tank top tutorial...video?...photos? I will figure something out. I am such a perfectionist when it comes to tutorials...

Someone mentioned how I always wear black. NOT TRUE! I wear black 99.9% of the time but the other 1% I wear

Non black. Wow...

An awesome video of over 200 people freezing in place at Grand Central. The looks on their faces are priceless I tell ya. This is art at it's finest!

Anyways I have not updated much because gasp, I'm busy! With a lot of art projects. In fact I have to finish 5 paintings by this weekend and one of them is going to be SWEET!

This is actually a rough color study for my oil painting of Narcissus.

What I usually do is do a thumbnail, rough sketch, tight sketch, value and color study on photoshop then print it out (making sure the file is CMYK) and paint it with oils.

Check out my transition. I originally wanted to give Narcissus a red drapery to symbolize passion but also cover the genitals (since my version of Narcissus will be genderless) and break up all the green color. I realized how the red was way too over powering and even if I toned the color down a bit, it seemed awkward so instead I substituted the red drapery with ivy and leaves. Perhaps this will symbolized how much in love Narcissus was with himself and how he was staring at his reflection for a long period of time (that vines and leaves grew on him).

I want to play around more with oils now because I just purchased 45 brand new GRUMBACHER paints for a whopping $130.00 on eBay!

Put it this way, I saved $500.00 dollars.

I no longer have to mix my violets and cadmium oranges...sweet bliss.

Besides YouTube and Wikipedia, Ebay is God.

Some screenshots of doodles...yes doodles...to ashamed too call them finished pieces.

I'm still working on this one, I figured I needed photo reference since I cannot get the pose down right.

Here are 2 posters I designed.

One is inspired by the Russian Constructivism style.

The other is...bleh I actually came up with this hunk of junk in 20 minutes so there was not really a lot of conceptual thought placed behind it...darn you deadlines!

I just thought I'd throw in a random photo of myself so I can up my page hits...

Wait...another photo can double that too! SCORE!

Believe it or not, I get more page views if I have a photo of myself...how strange huh? The painting Narciss is very befitting since I love myself so damn much *cough cough*...ahem...

Have a nice Friday and I will conjure up some ideas for the next tutorial.

Until then!

~ Michelle Phan

Wow I actually updated again!

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 23:30:49 GMT

I know! This is nothing short of a miracle!

http://www.twinarmada.com

I'm going to help pick new clothes for Twin Armada so I will update you when the new shipment arrives.

My next tutorial will cover taking a Black or White Tank top...whichever and turning the look from day time casual to night time chic! This is my take on it so all you pro fashionista feel free to pitch in your thoughts =)

I've noticed I rarely post any of my artworks up. I mean I am an artist attending art school so shame on me! So here is a painting I worked on a couple weeks ago. This is for introduction to Oil painting for outdoor landscapes. This is my first attempt at observational landscape painting.

Observational landscape painting is harder than it appears. The light and colors are constantly changing, so you have to have a good memory and a quick hand.

This painting was done in 4 hours.

This is seriously my favorite commercial at the moment. Who would have thought a stack of tires would end up looking so darn cute, but the odd thing is...tires are black so why is the Michelin man white? Hmmmmm. Anywho enjoy the click. At 00:16 is face is priceless! Oh yeah and I filled out a rebate for my tires..I didn't get jack shiet! Lies I tell ya.

I also love their slogan "Michelin, because so much is riding on your tires"....gosh my mind was definitely in the gutter when I chuckled.

Of course whats a RiceBunny post without a photowhoring picture of herself...am I right?!

Nonetheless, see you next time folks =)
~ Michelle Phan

JabbaWockeeZ

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 21:45:05 GMT

I am not sure if you have catched America's Best Dance Crew on MTV.

My favorite team is the JabbaWockeeZ. They are absolutely brilliant. They take the concept of dance and turn it into art. Here are my two favorite dance routine they preformed. Their wardrobe consists of masks and gloves which I feels gives it a sense of a mysterious allure and it is also very theatrical.

Dance..another form of art.

Apologize

Michael Jackson : PYT

AMAZING huh?

~ Michelle Phan

Twin Armada

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 21:30:51 GMT

Fashion is another form of art that I love, but finding the right stuff at a good price is always hard to come by.

One of my friends recently launched an online clothing store.

It is more of your urban contemporary style, which happens to be one of my favorite styles to dress up to.

So please take a look at the site and hopefully you will find something you like! Inventory is small since they just launched it, but expect more products within the next few weeks!

I am currently working on the tutorial on taking a black tank top from daytime to night time chic!

~ Michelle Phan

Eyeshadow Tutorial : Wet on Wet Technique

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:07:57 GMT

This tutorial will take on a different approach on applying eyeliner. Instead of applying on the eyeshadow dry, we will apply it on while it is wet. I call this technique Wet on Wet eyeshadow application.

I came up with this technique when I was inspired by the wet on wet watercolors we had to do. Basically you would take your watercolor and paint it on the already wet surface of the paper.

(edit) Many people are bashing me for making a false claim that I created this technique. This is funny because I actually discovered this technique from myself and never knew that it actually existed. Like I said before, I am not a makeup artist or guru. I am an artist. If this technique does exist then wonderful!

The colors would blend to create beautiful prismic looking colors that are otherworldly. The colors glow, appearing more luminous and iridescent.

Here are some beautiful examples of the wet on wet watercolor technique from a talented artist. Unfortunately I could not find my own examples my watercolors, but when I find them I will share them to you.

The colors are more brilliant.

With a wet brush you are able to pick up more pigments. Blending becomes smoother and effortless. I am very sensitive when it comes to my eyelids since they are so delicate. Constant rubbing and friction and wear down the natural collagen, thus aging your eyelids faster. So I wanted to come up with a different technique that still gave me the liberty to play with colors but without the constant buffing. Thus the wet on wet technique was born.

Any eyeshadow can work. I decided to not use M.A.C eyeshadow products since they already have high pigments by default. I used Loreal and H.I.P eyeshadow. This can work on any eyeshadow except creame.

I used a M.A.C concealer brush to apply on my eyeshadow wet. The reason for this is because any other brush would become way too flimsy. You will need a firm brush that is soft to the touch. Any concealer brush can work.

The next brush you will need is a good blending brush. I cannot stress to you how important brushes are.

Now start off with a clean foundationed face.

I am using a moss green color because green looks good on all eye color and skin tone.

There are 3 videos. The first one is the more simple approach and I am verbally explaining it in detail. The next 2 are just with more colors.

Second Video. In this one I use up to 4 different shades to create a look with more depth.

Third Video. In this video I am working with compliment colors. Orange and blue.

Apply your lightest color on your upper lash brow. Then take the same color and apply it on the middle of your eyelid. This will help give it more dimension and depth.

Now take your next darker shade and apply it on the outer corner lid of your eye and work your way towards the middle of the natural contour of your eye socket. From there apply the same shade in the inner corner of your eyelid, remember to leave the middle of your eyelid alone with the lighter shade.

Next apply a darker color (if necessary) on the outer corner of your eyelid. This will enhance the color of your eyeshadow and give it a stronger contrast.

Now take the darker color and apply it on the outer corner of your lower lid. This will soften the look. Then take the lightest color and apply it on the inner corner rim of your eye. This will open up your eyes.

lastly, apply on your eyeliner and mascara.

Now we are finished. The wet on wet technique also takes less time believe it or not...well for me it does.

The colors are very vibrant thanks to my wet brush picking up more pigments.

Enjoy and good luck!

~ Michelle Phan