For the first SOVA assignment of 2014, we were supposed to create a visual learning source (aka. a scroll) in the gallery to educate fellow non SOVA students to what Nanyang Art is, and it should include imagery and text (both Chinese and English). 

The photos above are a comparison of my scroll's main highlight (which is Cheng Chong Swee's Scenery) VS. the actual painting by Cheng Chong Swee. 

Aesthetically, I find my layout and design of the scroll generally quite appealing as the imitation (though a not so good one) of such a style is attention-grabbing and will make viewers want to stop to observe the details inside the painting. Overall, I feel that I managed to capture the main essence and substance of the painting but due to physical limitations such as the size of the scroll, it compressed the boundaries and thus is unable to present a more wholesome picture. Also, I had no watercolor paint at home so unlike the medium employed by Cheng Chong Swee, I used acrylic paint instead. 

Theoretically, including such a painting in my scroll and occupying such a large area is also extremely limiting in terms of the amount of space I have left to include more information on the Nanyang Style, the artists, the features and the characteristics. I have considered circling out such characteristics of the Nanyang Style evident in Cheng Chong Swee's painting in my painting, but that would not be very nice and I do not want to "destroy" the painting with such annotations as well. Therefore, I only included the more general and vague descriptions and characteristics under information. Not much elaboration or explanation or other examples were given in addition to what was presented. I could have did two scrolls instead of one to counter this, but it didn't cross my mind at that time. 

Comparatively, the Nanyang Style is quite evidently seen through my scroll, emphasized by the calligraphy-like font used and the Chinese characters included in the title. The general colour and feel generated is also not too striking or bright or contrasting, thus it fits the theme quite snugly. However, one improvement I could have made in this area is to add some background colour instead of just leaving it plain white. 

Generally, I am quite satisfied with my product (the scroll) however it could have been crafted even better if I had put more thought and consideration into the layout. The appeal is comparatively good, but information-wise it loses out quite a significant bit. Viewers will not be able to gain as much worded insight into the Nanyang Style and more have to be inferred themselves through the painting. However, the advantage that this has is that the viewers will pay more attention to my scroll and hopefully, form some personal opinions and thoughts from it rather than be fed.