This work is100% experimental for me. I did one subtractive artwork with charcoal last year, but I didn't think it was that great. I had no idea how these were going to turn out and I was nervous especially since they were for an assignment grade. My inspiration was mainly the information that I learned in my Art History: Renaissance to Modern class about chiaroscuro art. I was so inspired when looking at Caravaggio's work. The way he is able to manipulate paint on a canvas to make it look so realistic mixed with his ability to what looks like manipulating the direction, contrast, and intensity of light with such ease is fascinating to me. I want to strive to be that skilled with charcoal. For the subject of my work itself, what was going through my head at the time was "how can I show as much emotion as possible through black and white" so that's what I tried to do! I did use some references for the poses, so next time, I want to try to use no references to see what I come up with.