What is a Variation?

How do you decide what a variation is?

Your interpretation for what a variation can be is wide open. Basically you want to work with the idea that each variation is based upon a clear definition that you can explain. For example, and these are just a few ideas:

• You can choose to complete the same picture (yes the same composition) using 12 different styles/periods of art. This could look like 12 portraits, the same composition for each one, but what make each portrait different is that they are painted in different styles of art representing periods in Art History. Medieval, Renaissance, Cubist, Abstract etc.
• You could also choose to complete 1 picture that is divided into 12 different sections and use a variety of techniques/media to complete each section. The sections of the painting might be divided into styles as mentioned above or it could be divided into media; watercolour, pencil, collage, sculpture, bas-relief, photograph to name a few.
• Or you could choose to complete 12 different pictures using one technique/medium. This could mean all of your pieces are painted using acrylics, but each painting is distinct from the other.
  

The possibilities are endless; the only thing that you need to do is create a clear vision of your work and be able to support that through the art that you produce. So, let's break it down into easy pieces. 3 easy pieces to be exact:

1. Idea - What is the picture about? Is it a portrait? Is it an advertisement? Once you have decided what the picture is you can start to explore the next two pieces, technique and style.
2. Technique/Medium - What are you going to use for materials? If the picture is a portrait, do you want to use acrylics? Or pastels? If you choose one of these, does that then give you an idea of the style of painting? You will need to search through Art History books to gather some ides and inspiration.
3. Style - Is there a specific art period/school/philosophy you would like to copy? If we stay with the idea of a portrait, is your portrait a classic-style one, is it cubist, and is it colour, black and white?
   

Once you have been able to answer some of the questions hinted at above you will have a more clear idea of how you want to proceed. Remember to record your ideas in your sketchbooks. The more that you play with an idea the stronger your end product will be. Your variations do not need to be defined or labeled, but you should be able to explain where your idea came from, what artwork you are using as sources, who the artist is, what the style is and so on.