Caitlin+McCafferty

Major: Senior, Historic Preservation Experience with computers and software: A little Photoshop and AutoCAD Experience with art : I took a photography class and ceramics in high school. Something interesting about myself: I am a coxswain on the UMW Women's Rowing team. Artistic Interests: I am not an artist, but I am interested in learning how to paint landscapes. I also like Neo- Classical art as well as Impressionist and Rococo.



Gestalt Principle:Posters showing **similarity**

Gestalt Principle: Grate showing **continuation**

Gestalt Principles: Magnets showing **proximity**

Gestalt Principles: Maps and paintings showing **closure**

Gestalt Principles: Maps showing ** figure ground **


 * Color Theory **


 * Monochromatic:** This is monochromatic because this shows a mixture of the different shades and tints of blue.


 * Monochromatic:** Different shades and tints of blue


 * Complimentary:** Red and green are complimentary colors.


 * Complimentary:** Yellow and Purple


 * Analogus:** Red, red-orange, orange, yellow-orange


 * Analogus:** Red, red-orange, orange


 * S** **plit Complimentary:** Violet, yellow-green, yellow-and orange

**Split Complimentary:** Blue, yellow-orange, red-orange

Abstract Essay


This painting titled Basking by Paul Ryan presents ideas on the gestalt principles and color theory. By using the gestalt principles and color theory techniques, interest is generated in the painting. Although the painting is made up of both green and yellow green, the color scheme is monochromatic. This monochromatic color scheme works well with the painting since both the painting and the color scheme are simplistic. The artists uses color temperature to make figures in the painting advance or recede. Because the bright yellow-green figure is placed next to a shade of green, the yellow-green figure comes forward and becomes the main figure in the piece. The tinted green figures also advance from the yellow-green figure since the tinted green figures are a warmer color. By using these different color temperatures, three different layers are created in the painting which adds interest for the viewer. Because the artist chose green, it evokes feelings a nature.

Gestalt principles found in the paint also create interest. Colors used in the painting creates figure/ground. Because there are layers to painting, it is difficult to differentiate between the figure and its ground; this also creates many different figures and grounds. Another gestalt principle found in the painting is continuation. Even thought the figures are different shapes and sizes, the artist brings them together through continuation; he draws his viewer across the painting horizontally by placing the figures close to each other. Figures are also placed next to each other to create divisions vertically. This gestalt principle is proximity.

Contour and Gesture Drawings
Contour #1

Contour #2

Contour #3

Contour #4

Contour #5

Gesture #1

Gesture #2

Gesture #3

Gesture #4

Gesture #5