- What did you learn?
I learned the difference between using the paintbrush in Photoshop and the pen tool to draw in Illustrator. When I began this project, I was using the paintbrush in Illustrator which was very time consuming and difficult to draw with since I was using the mouse on my computer. I felt like I was doing something wrong and when I talked to Professor Dunkle about it he told me to use the pen tool instead. The pen tool is one of the more powerful tools to use while drawing a portrait and it takes less time. Once he told me that, I did not realize how much easier the pen tool was while doing this project. I’ve used the paintbrush in Photoshop in previous classes but did not use it for this class since I drew the portrait in Illustrator. The paintbrush is more adaptable and easier to use in Photoshop while the pen tool is better to use instead of the paintbrush in Illustrator.
- What was easy?
I thought the easy part of the project was going into Photoshop and picking a filter like we did in Lab 1 for my portrait photo. I found this to be the easiest part of the project because it was not time consuming and there were very few steps you had to take to pick a filter that you thought fit your photo.
- What was challenging?
The challenging part was using the paintbrush tool in Illustrator to draw my portrait. It took me some time just to draw and fill in a facial feature of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I was very precise and detailed with how I wanted the portrait to look and it took a lot more time doing that with the paintbrush tool. I eventually started using the pen tool which made it a lot easier.
- How could your submission be improved?
I think my submission could be improved by adding even more detail within my portrait. I think if I had more time, I could draw in more detail of her facial features by using shadows and highlights.
- How could I improve the assignment for the next class?
I could improve the assignment for the next class by using the pen tool in Illustrator which would allow me to have more time drawing in more details of her face.
- How might you apply your knowledge in future assignments or work scenarios?
I might apply my knowledge in future assignments by using the pen tool instead of the paintbrush in Illustrator. This would make me be more time efficient with my work and less stressful as well.
- How did a specific reading or video inspire or help you?
The modern illustration and illustrating people slides helped me with deciding what kind of portrait style I wanted to create. The illustration people slides gave me an idea of the shadows the artists used in their portraits and how they made them look so good.
