Medium Specificity

For this assignment, I used an app called "Drawing Desk" from the Apple App Store. I used my iPhone and drew with my finger. I started by exploring the app, determining its functions and capabilities. Most of the content was locked and required purchase to access the full app. In the sketching portion of the app, I discovered that I could use a variety of drawing tools like pen, pencil, crayon, marker, and paint brush. I was also able to select colors from a color wheel and save the hue I wanted: I could adjust the tone, intensity, and value of the colors. Finally, I could use a ruler or stencils to create circles or straight lines.

These affordances allowed me to choose multiple colors to create contrast and depth to a drawing. I decided to start with a base color and then layer warm colors to add texture. Then I used cool colors and circle stencils. This media showcases the specific color choices and different drawing tools that are available. One of the paintbrush styles changed the thickness of the line as I drew depending on how fast I moved my finger. I adjusted marker tool to be less opaque so the lines can be seen behind the filled blue circles. I used the ruler to create a frame of some sort with green lines. Another helpful function of the app was the ability to undo changes to the drawing.

This media also shows the limitations of the app. Because I was using my finger, navigating the drawing was challenging. I was able to zoom in and out, but trying to move the image around was difficult and I had to undo a lot of lines I accidentally created while moving it. There was an eraser function, but I didn't want to use it because it would erase all levels of the drawing, not just the top layer. While the undo button allowed me to fix mistakes, I couldn't use it to fix a mistake that I noticed later in the process. Also, drawing with a finger does not allow for the most precise and nuanced pictures. I think I could have been more successful if I had an iPad and stylus. Another limitation is the task bar in the app. I tried to draw a green line on the left side of the image and was unsuccessful of doing so because the task bar would only go away when I started drawing, but in order to reach the edge of the image, I needed the task bar to move.

This assignment brought into focus the importance of selecting a specific medium. While I was able to create a piece of art with this app, it is greatly limited in its uses. It was nice to use many colors without needing to cart around a lot of colored pencils, but it was difficult to use my finger to draw. Additionally, this app can only create single images. For some projects, it might be more beneficial to use an app that uses video, slides, or other types of movement.

In regards to Thevenin, I think it is necessary to help student be aware of how media is being used and what can be accomplished with different mediums. While analyzing artwork for its emotional impact and narrative are important, it is also important to analyze artwork and respond to the function of the medium. What is effective about an oil painting, what are its limitations? How is live theatre different from film? What can be accomplished with a tableau that's different than what can be accomplished with a pantomime?