10/7/10 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we looked at the concept of value, the use of light and dark elements in a two dimensional composition to imply form and space, as well as to focus attention on a particular area, depict the local colors of objects, create interesting visual rhythms, etc. I showed slides of art from antiquity to the present, and some good examples of student charcoal drawings, explaining how value was used in each. Then students did a value drawing from a still life set up, using charcoal or conte crayons. Toward the end of the evening I returned the graded drawings of the plant from last week and discussed how to prepare for next week's project.

How to make this up- Full details as to how to make up the assignment, and some other good student examples, can be found here. This is a portfolio assignment, and must be made up by the end of the semester.

Homework- Nothing new, but if you owe me either of the first two projects, you should bring it in as soon as possible.

For next class 10/14/10- We will begin our next graded project, which will focus of composing in black and white, in the form of a woodcut print. The subject will be a book illustration, a book of your choosing. The book may be fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or anything else of literary merit, but you may not use children's books, fairy tales, fully illustrated books, or books recently adapted as films. Your illustration may be of a specific scene or something that sums up the book in general. You don't need to have it all worked out before next week, but I would like you to bring the book with you to consult. Also bring some paper to sketch on (a small sketchbook will be fine, but you can use your 18" x 24" pad if you prefer), pencil, eraser, markers, and x-acto knife. I'll provide the wood for the project.