This magazine pertains to my growth and experiences with art. It shows the art pieces that I have made within my time in computer graphics, art seminar and previous high school work. Each art piece is given a discription as to how I developed the pieces. References to other sites where my work is, is also included within the magazine. Images from previous projects that I have done within my high school years were also included to show the similarities and changes that I have taken when creating my art.
2. 1
Table of Contents
Page 2 Art introduction
Page 34 Start of book two
Page 70 Artist information
Shawnita Montgomery
3. By: Shawnita Montgomery
Craft:
The program that I used to
create this image was Adobe
Illustrator. The pen tool was
specifically used to create
the outlines of the image,
multiple brush strokes were
tested out on the image and I
ended up using “chalk scrib-
ble.” I took the image, which
is of four buildings down-
town. Our project was to get
an image that had multiple
overlapping. I used multiple
colors in the gradient tool.
With that I gave the buildings
shades of orange, green, gray
and black.
(Above is an example of the
“Chalk Scribble” Stroke used
in Illustrator)
DRAWING
WITH
SHAPES
Composition:
There are multiple shapes,
colors and lines that I want
my viewers eyes to fall
on. As the image is being
examined with their eyes,
they’ll take notice to how
the same gradient color is
being use, however they
don’t line up with one an-
other. Instead of using the
gradient to cover the entire
image I used the shaped in-
stead. For each image the
color are either stretched
or bunched together. The
shows the distinct differ-
ence in the shapes and how
the colors can be used.
Concept:
The image is basically of
multiple buildings over-
lapping one another. They
were changed in a dras-
tic level due to colors,
shapes and strokes. They
background being the sky
helped the image stand
out more because its color
is soft, while the build-
ing colors are extremely
strong and noticeable.
The image has fuzzy like
strokes giving it a Gotham
like theme. The colors
make it seem as though
the sun was setting the
buildings reflected both it
and the sky.
2 3
4. Playing with
Shapes..... and Colors
Craft:
Using Illustrator I mainly
worked with the colors
and shapes of the imag-
es. I used solid colors for
both images to give them
a stronger notice. Shades
were rarely used within
both images.
Composition:
The first thing the viewer’s eyes
should fall on in the first image (to
the left) dark red shapes and soon ex-
pand the ‘shapes surroundings. In the
second image (Below) the viewer’s
eyes should fall on the bright yellows
and fall into dark shades. I used col-
ors that you’d rarely see combined
to make the color combination more
interesting.
Concept:
The images mainly focus
on buildings that share
the same colors but use
them in different ways.
The buildings each has
major differences from
one another, but the colors
causes them to have a con-
nection.
4 5
5. Craft:
In these three images I
worked with Adobe Illus-
trator to edit them. They
relate to all the images
on the previous pages as
you can see. The main
difference and focus was
that I worked with brush
strokes. I tested many dif-
ferent brush strokes on the
original image and came
out with these amazing
details and designs.
Composition:
I want the viewers eyes to
take notice to the differ-
ent strokes outlining the
buildings in the images.
Each one has different
strokes that are extremely
bold and noticeable. I also
want them to take no-
tice to the colors of each
stroke, which makes them
seem much bolder.
Concept:
Each images mainly fo-
cuses on different brush
strokes outlining the same
buildings. Each image has
the same buildings and
sky’s but the strokes are
the only differences.
Discovering
new....
6 7
View Full Image on page 8 & 9
8. Shapes, lines and colors
12 13
Craft:
Adobe Illustrator was use
in the edit image to the
left. The pen tool was
used to over the actual im-
age. I used strong shades
of color to give the image
a very noticeable differ-
ence. Different shades of
colors were used the give
the image depth and make
the details pop out to the
viewers eyes.
Composition:
I want the viewer to fo-
cus on the overlapping of
stairs as the original has. I
want them to also see how
drastic the colors have
changed but the image is
still the same. This was
a test image that decided
to do just as an example.
It doesn’t have extreme
details to worry about but
have good overlapping.
Concept:
The image is about stair-
cases of course. The edit-
ed version is mostly about
overlapping colors and
using different shades to
make the details stand out
more on the staircase.
Original Image
9. Colors
and
Shadows
Craft:
For the following images
I use Adobe Illustrator.
The tools for this were the
paintbrush, color guide
(using multiple forms
of color) and the brush
stroke. Also a glass bottle
and small round vase was
used, and a bright light to
give the objects shades.
Composition:
I want my audience to see
the growth of my images
as they develop more col-
or and detail. I way their
eyes to fall on the shades
and shadows as well as
the shapes outline. Focus
on the Hue’s and values
of the images. The im-
ages were created for my
computer graphics class
recently and I want my
growth or skills to be no-
ticed as I try to advance
my work to my best.
Concept:
The main focus of these
images is about a glass
bottle and a small round
vase with lots of shadows.
14 15
10. Making
images with
strokes
16 17
Craft:
Adobe Illustrator was
used for these images.
The Bamboo sketch-
pad was also used and
different colors. The
visual aid used was a
vase that was placed
in front of the students
to draw. Drawing with
strokes to fill in the im-
age was used instead of
starting with an outline.
Composition:
I want the viewers to focus
on the shades that were
used which gave the im-
ages a dimensional feel-
ing. Shadows and shades
were worked with which
is why lighter and darker
shades were used.
Concept:
The images are of a vase.
The vase had a light
shined upon is which
gave it, its shadowy
looks.
11. 18 19
Shades and...
Craft:
Adobe Illustrator was
used to create this image.
The paintbrush and Bam-
boo sketchpad were also
used to create the form of
the image. A cup was also
used with a light shined on
it to give it strong shades.
I decided not to use colors
in this image other than
natural shades to make the
vase seem more realistic.
Composition:
I want the viewers eyes to
take notice of the curves
and shades of the cup.
They work together to
give the image depth and
a strong dimensional feel.
The dark shades show
how the light reflected
on the cup. The designs
of the cup are shows with
short black strokes that
run down the cup.
Concept:
The image is specifically
about a cup. However the
details define much more.
The details show shad-
ows, strokes, shades and
depth. The image is about
a cup being looked at by
an artistic mind. This im-
age is from the point of
view of the artist. The cup
can and will be seen in
many different ways but
the drawing captured it in
a rare position.
...shadows
Full image on page 20 & 21
13. 22 23
Making shapes with numbers
Craft:
Adobe Illustrator was
used to create these im-
ages. Numbers of five
were continuously written
down to take the shape of
teapots that were placed
in front of the students to
draw. I drew two differ-
ent pots and used different
brush stokes; one thick
and the other thin. The
Bamboo sketchpad was
used to create the images
just as the previous ones
that I created.
Composition:
I want the viewers eyes
to see the difference from
the thick and thin stroke.
The darker teapot seems
to have more depth, while
the other seems to show
more detail. The teapots
are different but they fol-
low the same style. The
numbers of fives are very
noticeable up close but
from a distance the image
make the shapes of a pot.
Concept:
The main focuses are
teapots made of num-
ber fives. Thin and thick
strokes were used to show
a major difference in the
pots.
14. 24 25
Different
types of
strokes
Craft:
The same teapot was used
to create theses six dif-
ferent textures of teapots.
Using Adobe illustrator I
used multiple strokes to
create the three teapots in
the second column going
down. The first column is
images of outlines of the
teapot. Then same stroke
was used in all six images,
with the help of the Bam-
boo Sketchpad.
Composition:
I want the viewers to take
notice to the strokes used
in each image. The same
strokes were used howev-
er the images make it look
as though multiple strokes
were used. The reason for
that is due to the repetition
of drawing lines. The lines
overlapped making them
look thicker than one an-
other.
Concept:
The multiple images are
all teapots. They are all
actually the same teapots
but are drawn in different
styles. Each one uses the
same strokes but go dif-
ferent directions or only
form the outline of the ac-
tual pot.
See full image on page 26 & 27
16. 28 29
Practing
with
colors
Craft:
Adobe Illustrator was
used in this image you
see. Different colors and
strokes were tested on a
black white paper of 11in-
x17in. Different forms
of fives were written and
drawn for practicing. This
was the start of my use
with the pen for the Bam-
boo sketchpad.
Composition:
I want the viewer to main-
ly focus on the multiple
colors that overlap each
other. Also I want them
to look at the different
strokes and forms of fives
that are continuously writ-
ten and draw on the paper.
Concept:
Basically this is an image
of multiple numbers of
fives that were done ev-
eryday for practice in the
computer graphics class.
This was helping students
prepare for new styles on
drawing art.
See full image on page 30 & 31
18. 32 33
Brightness... ...Shades and
Contrast
Composition:
I would like the viewer to focus on the
shadows and outlines of the images. In
order to get their eyes to focus on the
outline and shadows I made them a pitch
darker. I want the viewers eyes to fall on
the dark details. I would also like them to
focus on the black and white of each im-
age. I used more dark ink on light paper
to show contrast. I want the audience to
see how one object can be seen different-
ly in multiple ways and how the shadows
can stand out to make the image look
more unique.
Craft:
I used a mechanical pencil
to draw these images on a
white print paper. The im-
ages are made up of 100
strokes. The lines were
drawn in different direc-
tions to give more detail of
the image. I also smeared
some of the drawings with
my fingers to make shad-
ows.
Concept:
The artwork is simply
about a champagne glass
being drawn in different
ways. I want the audience
to see how differently the
same image can be done,
as you see in the other im-
ages.
19. 34
Going deeper into the
mind of an artist
Seeing More
Learning More
Knowing More
20. Sketches with shapes...
Craft:
In this image I used white
computer paper, a pen-
cil and a pen. I started
with a pencil making the
shapes forms and out-
lines of the curves. I then
covered the pencil draw-
ings with a pen. I didn’t
cover all just most parts,
which supported its name
“Collision.” With support
from Adobe Photoshop I
used image adjustments to
work on the levels of the
image. The level tool gave
a darker outline to the
shapes and objects within
the image. I used the pen-
cil to give the image the
grayish look for the fig-
ures to look more realis-
tic. To make the circular
and curvy shapes I used
objects around my house
to. The image has much
repetition which I did in-
tentionally by repeating
some of the shaped over
and over.
Concept:
The image basically
shows two subjects fac-
ing away from each other.
The background is filled
with odd shapes, lines and
curves. The subjects seem
to take on human figures
however they are not be-
cause they have wings.
The lines separate and
shows the difference be-
tween them. Everything
overlaps something giv-
ing the image a sense of
dimensional usage. The
dark colors collide with
the gray and the white
giving a feeling of depth.
The females eyes stand
out due to the dark color
that relate to the dark col-
ors that outline and fill in
the shapes.
Composition:
I want the viewers eyes
to fall on each and every
shape. I want them to take
notice to the lack of color
and the shades of black
and gray that was used. In
the image there are shapes
filling in the background
to cancel out negative
space. The main subjects
stand out due to their
lack of repetition like the
shapes around them. They
face away from each other
but one looks towards the
viewer. The other looks
the direction it’s turned. I
also want them to notices
the difference from the
pencil to pen collision.
Some parts of the shapes
are strong with the pen.
However when it comes
to the pencil the shapes
seem to silently blend in
and give a calm feeling.
“Collision”
36 37
By: Shawnita Montgomery
21. ...Lines and Curves
Craft:
In this image I used white
computer paper and a pen.
I took the risk for mistakes
because I wanted the im-
age to be however my
hand movement flowed.
The border of the image is
a cut out from a calendar
to make the image seem
endless. The main two
subjects were actually in a
previous drawing of mine,
which gave me, the idea to
you’re them. I used repeti-
tion to fill in the negative
space of the white paper.
The paper is a dark gray
due to the image being
placed against an image
drawn only of pencil. The
pencil lines rubbed again
the paper giving it its gray
color and I decided to
keep it.
Composition:
For This image I want the
viewers eyes to fall on
each and every shape. I
want them to take notice
to the lack of color and the
shades of black and gray
that was used. In the im-
age there are shapes filling
in the background to can-
cel out negative space. As
in the image on the previ-
ous page (page 3) there
are two subjects. The line
separating them is more of
a curve. I want to viewers
to wonder what’s going on
and what’s the meaning of
it. The two creatures just
stand there taking no ac-
tion other than looking
down. The curves and
shapes behind them could
be multiples things from
plants, to vines or veins. I
have them running off the
page to make them look as
if they never end.
Concept:
The backgrounds are
filled with odd shapes,
lines and curves. The sub-
jects seems to take on ani-
mal like features, perhaps
rabbits. The lines, curves
and shapes behind them
just flow along the page
freely. The creatures over
the lap the lines and the
lines overlap each other.
Its as though tree branch-
es or leaves attached to
stems. The name “Quick
Thought.” Fits the im-
age because the creatures
stand still, frozen on the
spot yet the lines behind
them seem to be moving
at a fast pace.
“Quick Thought”
38 39
22. Craft:
This image was a drawing
at first. I used pencil and
white computer paper. I
then traced it with a black
pen and scanned it to a
computer. Using Adobe
Illustrator I was able to
use to pen tool to get the
outline of the shapes. I
also used Adobe Photo-
shop for the colors. I used
the gradient tool to give
the image different shade
of green. In Illustrator I
used the opacity tool to
make some of the shapes
and colors blend in do
they wouldn’t overlap so
much. The bird in the im-
age was created entirely in
Photoshop because it was
much easier to work with
the colors of the animal.
Composition:
This image was created for
a specific project. A green
piece had to be made so I
wanted to have a connec-
tion to nature. With that
Idea in mind I drew a bird
standing on what looks
to be stems on branches.
I also wanted the image
to be abstract so I added
odd shapes with different
shades of green. I want the
viewers eyes to see how
black and white where
used but able to sit in with
the green. I made sure that
the colors faded with one
another. I also want them
to take notice to how im-
age seems dimensional due
to the lines and angles.
Concept:
Thereareactuallytwomain
focuses in this image. First
there is the bird perched on
stem and secondly there
are the multiple colors of
green. The different shapes
in the image were cre-
ated so that more shades
of green could be used.
The shapes also helped
the image have a more ab-
stract theme. The bird has
a strong connection with
the background because
the colors are much alike.
The image is almost fully
green with gives the nature
hint. This shows another
powerful connection with
the bird.
“Dark Essence”
40 41
Welcoming colors and...
23. “Lifeless doll”
Craft:
White computer paper,
pencil and color pencil
was used to create this
image. I started with
pencil to draw the out-
line of the figures and
shapes within the im-
age. I then colored in the
shape of the figures. Af-
ter scanning it into the
computer I adjusted the
colors by using Photo-
shop.
Composition:
I want the viewers to
take notice of the fe-
male figure within the
center of the image. She
has a humans figure but
her face shows other-
wise. She’s a puppet be-
ing held by four strings.
The colors behind her
are different shades to
show that she is in a
box. The image is as if
she’s in a puppet show.
Concept:
The main focus is of a
female puppet. A box is
behind her as if she’s in
a puppet show with no
decoration. The reason
for that is to make her
the center of attention.
Her eyes are a very
deep black as if you’re
looking into something
without a soul.
..different medias
42 43
24. “Modern Sorrow”
44 45
Art History
Craft:
Pencil, white computer
paper, Adobe Photoshop
and Adobe illustrator was
used to create this image.
I also used to artistic in-
spiring images to create
this image. They gave me
an Idea and I combined
their style to create what
you see now. It started off
as a simple drawing and I
used Adobe Photoshop to
had different textures and
colors on to the characters
in the image.
Composition:
I want my viewers to
take notice of the hu-
mor and sadness of this
image. The passed out
individual seems to be
an alcoholic and the
men holding her are ei-
ther family or friends.
The woman looks dis-
appointed and hurt at
the sight of the ma be-
ing held. The dark col-
ors help the image have
a dark setting because
it’s a bad situation that’s
taking place.
Concept:
There are multiple things
going on in this image.
Different face expressions
show the different emo-
tions that the characters
are feeling. Two men are
holding the passed out
man and the women is
looking away. Her expres-
sion shoes hurt the other
man whose face is being
shown looks as though
he’s being spoken to.
25. “Butterflies Prayer”
Craft:
White computer paper,
pencil, Adobe Illustrator
and Photoshop was used. I
got the idea from looking
at a masquerade mask that
hung on my sisters room
wall. I drew multiple but-
terflies and placed the
female like figure above
them. The colors follows
a fall type of combination.
The females wings are
a combination of all the
colors that fill in the the
background.
Composition:
I want the viewers eyes
to take notice to have the
background fits with the
foreground. The same col-
ors are being used, howev-
er they all overlap. There
is a major lack of negative
space but a little area is
being used mostly as part
of the females dress. The
gradient tool was mostly
used to give the shades of
multiple colors.
Concept:
The main focus is a fe-
male like creature on the
center on the image. She
is surrounded by color-
ful butterfly like shapes.
The creatures on the back-
grounds could be either
insects or mask. the wom-
an is holding her hands
up and look upward as if
trying to look at someone.
She seems to be praying
however a butterfly lays
on her lips preventing her
to do so.
46 47
Computer Arts
26. “Beauty Dance”
“Beauty Marks”
Digital TouchupsNatural Arts &
48 49
Craft:
The images are both Ab-
stract. Make up and Pho-
toshop was used to create
these. The shapes were
drawn out with lipstick and
eye shadow. After scan-
ning them I sharpened the
pictures with Photoshop
to flatten the texture and
make the colors solid of
fading.
Composition:
I want the viewers to
notice how the titles fit
the images perfectly.
The image “Beauty
Marks” is actually a
warning unlike the
other image that’s just
about dancing. The im-
age “Beauty Dance” is
all about how lipstick
can add beauty to the
wearer. It’s almost like
an advertisement.
Concept:
The two images are both
made of make up. They
both send a message to the
viewers. One is of a danc-
ing figure and the other
is of sharp claws. I want
to leave the viewers mind
questioning as to what each
image can really mean and
how many messages can be
given from them.
See full image on page 50 & 51
28. Craft:
In the image a photograph
(That I took) of a plant was
used, Adobe Photoshop and Il-
lustrator. Specifically I use the
filter gallery to enhance the pic-
ture to make it (image 2) look
more abstract. I adjusted both
images by increasing the level
tool. This gave each image the
bright out lies on the plants and
made them look more crisp.
With the duplicating layer tool
I was able to make multiple
repetitions of the same object,
which looks to be eyes or beads.
Placing the eye like circle on
top of the image made the fore-
ground seem much more domi-
nant to the background.
Composition:
I want the viewers to take notice to the ma-
jor differences between each of the images.
I also want them to notice the similarities as
well. Each image uses the same subject and
pattern. However the second image seems
more mysterious compared to the first that
shows much more detail. Both images seen
to have a dark edge due to the dark back-
ground and shadows that make the green pop
out. In comparison to my recent images this
one connects because it follows the same
dark edge. Each image has natural or sharp
curves that make the viewers eyes take sharp
turns to complete the detail of the image.
This image is taking more of a toll towards
nature than the previous ones that have moth
nature and human like figures included.
Concept:
The image focus is the plant
the sits in the center of the
image. However the color
green and the stung depth
is very noticeable as well.
The patterns of what looks
to be eyes seem to stand out
even more then the plant. It
actually seems like a battle
between foreground and
background. The first image
background seems to be los-
ing badly but the second im-
age seems to almost have a
balance.
Natural Abstraction
52 53
“Earthly Sight”
29. Craft:
The first image is the
original. The other two
were edited. The image
started with a pencil and
white computer paper. I
then traced over the image
with pen and began add-
ing color with color pen-
cils. I only used six colors
but tried using different
shades of them. I then
edited the images with
Adobe Photoshop. In the
adjustment folder I used
levels to make the colors
pop out more for the view-
ers eyes. In the final image
I took a dramatic turn and
changed the entire image.
Neon colors were the new
setting, which made the
image much darker. I also
used Adobe Illustrator to
take the final images and
Export them for the maga-
zine.
Composition:
Concept: The title of this
image is “Sisters Taste”,
which is very odd. How-
ever the image was meant
to represent my own sib-
ling and me. The plant,
which sits in the center of
the image, was an exam-
ple of the advances I de-
cided to take towards na-
ture. I also wanted to have
similarities with my other
images as well. As in my
previous images there are
two subjects reflecting one
another but each one has a
slight difference. I want
the viewers eyes to take
notice to the flowing lines
that seems natural around
the two female subjects.
They seem like vines or
stems that’s trying to con-
nect with the plant in the
center of the image. I feel
as through the background
is challenging the two fe-
males but they both seem
to be fairly tied.
Concept:
The main focus is the two
females facing one anoth-
er. They have similarities
but noticeable differences.
The abstract things around
them makes them stand
out more. The flower in
the center makes you curi-
ous about how it connects
with the two females.
They’re both facing to-
wards it as if its a form of
communication.
Lines curves
and
shapes
54 55
“Sisters Taste”
37. 70 71
Shawnita Montgomery Graduated from little Village Lawndale High School and is now
attending Saint Xavier University. I have taken up advanced pho-
tography and digital graphics classes in high school. I am now
taking up computer graphics and art seminar at Saint Xavier.
As an inspiring artist known as Banksy quoted,
“You’re mind is working at its best when you’re being paranoid.
You explore every avenue and possibility of your situation
at high speed with total clarity.”
~ Banksy, Banging Your Head Against a Brick Wall
“My art is best done when I’m in a state where the world doesn’t
even exist to me but the fear and curiosity of the unknown lurks
all around me.”
~Shawnita Montgomery
Book can be purchased at:
http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/venturing-into-an-artis-
tic-mind/18664719
Find my work at:
http://cgf11-smontgomery.blogspot.com/
http://shana-m.blogspot.com/