Isabella Amador /
Mural Commission
Donatelli Center for the Visual and Performing Arts Mural Installation
Graphic Design, UI, and Visual Identity
A little bit of background
In the spring of 2024, St. John’s College High School’s art department chair announced an exciting opportunity for upper level artists to represent the creativity of the student body through the completion of a large-scale painting. This work, intended for display in a prominent stairwell at the institution, granted students the chance to plan and see through a permanent installation.
Students competed to become the installation’s artist by submitting rough sketches of their concepts to the art department chair, as well as members of the school administration. After this committee selected my draft, I began the multi-month process of finishing my painting.
Process timeline
Ideation
When crafting an initial rough draft of this piece, I used bright colors and a busy composition to suggest the dynamic and exciting nature of the school’s art department. Leading lines direct the eye to the center of the piece and invite viewers to take part in the vibrancy of creative expression.
When crafting an initial rough draft of this piece, I aimed to represent the dynamicism and excitement
When crafting an initial rough draft of this piece, I aimed to represent the dynamicism and excitement.
Sketching
To begin work on the final painting, I hand stretched a roll of canvas on a 7 x 5 foot frame before applying a layer of gesso. I then sketched a grid in order to accurately portray the proportions of the initial draft.
Painting
I underpainted the canvas with red acrylic paint to bring warmth to the piece and create clear values and contrast. As I went on with the painting process, I employed solid colors and cel shading to make value and hue differences pop from a distance.
Details
To finish the piece, I used paint pens to add colored linework, further promoting clarity when viewing from afar. Then, through doodles like the sparkles around the pottery mugs and the gestural lines around the instrument cable, I sought to bring whimsy into the composition and highlight how art brings joy and freedom to the individual.
Final Product
At last, I mounted my painting in time for the fall 2024 open house, helping the school increase prospective student interest and involvement in artistic disciplines.
Isabella Amador / Mural Commission
Donatelli Center for the Visual and Performing Arts Mural Installation
Graphic Design, UI, and Visual Identity
A little bit of background
In the spring of 2024, St. John’s College High School’s art department chair announced an exciting opportunity for upper level artists to represent the creativity of the student body through the completion of a large-scale painting. This work, intended for display in a prominent stairwell at the institution, granted students the chance to plan and see through a permanent installation.
Students competed to become the installation’s artist by submitting rough sketches of their concepts to the art department chair, as well as members of the school administration. After this committee selected my draft, I began the multi-month process of finishing my painting.
Process timeline
Ideation
When crafting an initial rough draft of this piece, I used bright colors and a busy composition to suggest the dynamic and exciting nature of the school’s art department. Leading lines direct the eye to the center of the piece and invite viewers to take part in the vibrancy of creative expression.
Sketching
To begin work on the final painting, I hand stretched a roll of canvas on a 7 x 5 foot frame before applying a layer of gesso. I then sketched a grid in order to accurately portray the proportions of the initial draft.
Painting
I underpainted the canvas with red acrylic paint to bring warmth to the piece and create clear values and contrast. As I went on with the painting process, I employed solid colors and cel shading to make value and hue differences pop from a distance.
Details
To finish the piece, I used paint pens to add colored linework, further promoting clarity when viewing from afar. Then, through doodles like the sparkles around the pottery mugs and the gestural lines around the instrument cable, I sought to bring whimsy into the composition and highlight how art brings joy and freedom to the individual.
Final Product
At last, I mounted my painting in time for the fall 2024 open house, helping the school increase prospective student interest and involvement in artistic disciplines.
Isabella Amador / Mural Commission
Donatelli Center for the Visual and Performing Arts Mural Installation
Graphic Design, UI, and Visual Identity
A little bit of background
In the spring of 2024, St. John’s College High School’s art department chair announced an exciting opportunity for upper level artists to represent the creativity of the student body through the completion of a large-scale painting. This work, intended for display in a prominent stairwell at the institution, granted students the chance to plan and see through a permanent installation.
Students competed to become the installation’s artist by submitting rough sketches of their concepts to the art department chair, as well as members of the school administration. After this committee selected my draft, I began the multi-month process of finishing my painting.
Process timeline
Ideation
When crafting an initial rough draft of this piece, I used bright colors and a busy composition to suggest the dynamic and exciting nature of the school’s art department. Leading lines direct the eye to the center of the piece and invite viewers to take part in the vibrancy of creative expression.
Sketching
To begin work on the final painting, I hand stretched a roll of canvas on a 7 x 5 foot frame before applying a layer of gesso. I then sketched a grid in order to accurately portray the proportions of the initial draft.
Painting
I underpainted the canvas with red acrylic paint to bring warmth to the piece and create clear values and contrast. As I went on with the painting process, I employed solid colors and cel shading to make value and hue differences pop from a distance.
Details
To finish the piece, I used paint pens to add colored linework, further promoting clarity when viewing from afar. Then, through doodles like the sparkles around the pottery mugs and the gestural lines around the instrument cable, I sought to bring whimsy into the composition and highlight how art brings joy and freedom to the individual.
Final Product
At last, I mounted my painting in time for the fall 2024 open house, helping the school increase prospective student interest and involvement in artistic disciplines.