12/20/12 2D Design

Today's Class-  Tonight was our last meeting of the semester.  We looked as a group at the final projects (board games), and I dismissed everyone briefly while I graded those, the portfolios, and some late arriving other projects.  Most people came back to the room to claim their artwork and learn the grades for things turned in tonight.  Work not picked up by 10:00 pm was placed on our class shelf (top shelf just to the left of the door).  I can't guarantee their safety, so if you care about your stuff, get it as soon as you can.  Final class grades will be calculated in the coming days and be posted to WebAdvisor.  When they will be available to view I don't know.

Enjoy the break. 

12/13/12 2D Design

Today's Class-  Tonight we had a critique of the mixed media collage projects, which were graded and returned.  We also took a few minutes to fill out the class evaluation forms.  Otherwise, everyone was working on the Final (board game) Project.  

Homework-  The Board Game Final Project is due at the beginning of class on December 20, 2012.  

If anyone still owes back projects, such as the limited palettes, or the mixed media collage, they need to be turned in on December 20, 2012 to receive partial credit.

For next class 12/20/12-  This will be our last meeting of the semester.  We will start with a critique of the Final Projects, then I will dismiss everyone temporarily while I grade those, the semester portfolios (the list of items in the portfolio can be found on last week's post), and any late arriving projects.  At a time I will let you know next week, you may return to pick up your graded items.  Be on time-  the sooner we start, the sooner we will be done.

12/6/12 2D Design

 Painted Dreams

Vincent Van Gogh

Today's Class-  Tonight we held a brief critique of the limited palettes graded project, looked at a few slides while discussing aspects of composition, and then began our final project of the semester, a piece based on the work of a chosen fine artist, and using the format of a board game.

How to make this up- You need to choose a well known fine artist (someone included in major museum collections, art history books) from the 20th century or earlier, who works flat (paintings, drawings, prints), representationally (no total abstraction) and in color.  You will use elements (figures, objects, interiors, landscape, backgrounds) from two or more of this artist's works and create a new composition of your own.  Color and style should be matched as closely as possible.  The design will be executed on a piece of mat board or similar heavy cardboard, using your acrylic paints.  The board should fold in half, as traditional game boards do.  Recommended size is between 15" x 20" and 18" x 24".  

Because this is a board game format, your composition must include some kind of game path, and the title of the game.  The game should have a theme, a goal for players of the game, so it's not just a collection of artwork.  Consider color, value, balance, and other design elements in your composition, as the finished piece will be judged as a painting just as much as a game.  Student examples can seen above and below.  More details, the story behind my example, and additional student examples, can be seen here.

 Love Story

Roy Lichtenstein

Magritte, The Game

Rene Magritte

Homework-  This Game Board Final Project is due at the beginning of class on December 20, 2012.  This is also the last meeting of the class.  No class work will be accepted after this date.  

The mixed media collage projects begun last week are due at the beginning of class on December 13, 2012.  If you haven't yet received your randomly generated topic, you must e-mail me as soon as possible to get it, or you can't start the project.

Some students still owe back projects, such as the woodcut and the limited palettes.  Turn them in next week for partial credit.  

*****Semester Portfolio*****
On the last day of class, I'll be grading the semester portfolio, which is all the things done in class that weren't individually graded projects.  Collectively they count for 20% of your semester grade.  If you didn't miss any classes, you should have all these done.  If you missed time, or just need a reminder of what I'll be looking for, here's the list, along with the dates you'll find them on the blog:

9/13/12   Wallpaper with dots
9/20/12   Contour Line Drawing (shoes)
10/4/12   Value Drawing (charcoal)
10/18/12  Color Wheel and Mixing
10/25/12  Text and Logo

For next class 12/13/12-  We will open with a group critique of the mixed media collages.  After that it's a general work day for the class.  Most will use the time to work on the game board project, but you can work on class related project, including the portfolio exercises, that you need to finish before the end of the semester.  Bring whatever materials you need to work on whatever you plan to work on.

11/29/12 2D Design

Today's Class-  Tonight we started a new graded project involving mixed media collage.  I showed a few slides of historical collages through the 20th century, as well as student examples of this project.  A random process was used to come up with the subjects, after which students used all the materials from the semester to create visuals of those subjects.  We also took a few minutes to finally have a brief critique of the wood cut projects.

How to make this up-  This project borrows two aspects of the Dada movement, the use of collage and the use of random elements to create art.  You will need a randomly generated phrase to be your subject.  I had students pick slips of paper with words printed on them out of two bags, one with nouns, one with modifying words and phrases.  If you weren't there tonight, you can either e-mail me and have me pick a phrase for you, or wait until next week's class and pick it yourself.  Then you will create a mixed media collage about your random phrase.  The piece must include collaged elements (magazines, etc), painted elements, and drawn (pencils, markers) elements, along with the phrase that you drew from the bags.  The student examples shown here are City of Zoo (above) and Everything Turns to Thinking (below).  Several more good student examples, as well as more details about this project, can be seen here.

Homework-  This mixed media collage graded project is due at the beginning of class on December 13, 2012.  

The limited palettes color studies project that we began at our last class meeting is due December 6, 2012.

Anyone who still hasn't had their wood block printed should bring it in as soon as possible to receive partial credit.

For next class 12/6/12-  We will have a critique of the limited palettes project and then start our final project of the semester.  The project will involve making use of elements taken from the work of a historical fine artist (someone found in major museums and art history textbooks) from the 20th century or earlier.  The artist must work in two dimensions (painting, drawing, prints), and use full color and representational imagery (no total abstraction).  If you have an artist that you'd like to work with, bring color images with you to class.  If not, consider a book covering a particular style, culture, or subject, and narrow it down later.  Also bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, and all your painting related materials.

11/15/12 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight the class started a new graded project involving specific limited palettes.  Rather than just imitate the local colors of the subject, sometimes an artist will choose a different but logical color scheme for the depiction.  I showed slides of historical art, and pointed out examples of monochromatic, complementary, split complementary, analogous, and triad palettes.  Students then started with a composition and value structure from a black and white photo and used it as the basis for four painted studies with different color combinations.

How to make this up- Start with a black and white photo of something real (person, object, scene, etc) with a mix of values from light to dark.  Use pencil to divide a piece of your 18"  x 24" paper into four equal boxes of about 9" x 12".  Sketch the basic composition (can be vertical or horizontal) four times in pencil, once in each box.  Use your acrylic paints to create color versions of the image in the photo, in four of the six possible color schemes available for this project.  Above are two examples from a previous semester.  Additional student examples and the full directions and color palette options can be seen here.

Homework- This limited palette graded project is due at the beginning of class on December 6, 2012.  

Those who still owe me their completed woodblock should bring them in as soon as possible to be printed.

***Thanksgiving Break November 21 to 23***
******No class meeting on 11/22/12*******

For next class 11/29/12-  We will start a new graded project involving mixed media collage.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, markers, paints and painting materials, scissors and glue.  If you have any old magazines that you'd like to make available to be cut up as part of the collage, bring them along.

Revised 2D Design Schedule

Things look good for school to open this week, and so we can expect to return to class this Thursday.  We have missed two weeks of our 15 week schedule, so I've had to make some adjustments.  This meant dropping a few planned items, but this still leaves us with three more graded projects, including the final.

Homework-  Nothing new, but if anyone hasn't printed their cut woodblocks yet, bring them in as soon as possible.  I'll collect them, print them in my home studio, and return them the following week.

For next class 11/15/12-  We will start a new color related graded project.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, all your paints, brushes, palette, palette knife, and water container.  This project will require a black and white photograph to work from.  As with the dot project, it should be of an actual object/scene and works best if there are a wide range of values from light to dark.  You may bring a photo of your own or pick through my bag of magazines.

Post Storm Update Part 2

Coming to you again courtesy of my brother, as I am still without power or internet at home.

I learned today that OCC has cancelled all classes through the end of the week, so we will be missing another Thursday night (11/8/12) class.  Sometime over the weekend I'll come up with a new plan for the remaining weeks, deciding which assignments will have to be skipped, etc.  All the projects have a purpose and contribute to the understanding of 2D art, but we can't get them all in now.  Check back here early next week, but whatever we do, assume that you'll need the big pad, pencil and eraser, and all your painting related materials.

Post Storm Update

Like many of you, I am still without electric power or internet at home, but I found a place to get on the web today to update my college classes.  

We missed our planned meeting last week.  As of now the college has committed to being closed Monday (11/5) and Tuesday (11/6).  I don't know if this means that they will be back in session in time for our next Thursday class, or if they just don't know yet.  If school is open on Thursday, I expect to be there.  At that time we will continue with the previous planned lesson, beginning a new graded project relating to color.  (if the school doesn't open this week, I'll come up with a new plan later)

Homework- Nothing new, but if you did not have your wood block completed last time, bring it as soon as possible.  I will collect them, print them in my home studio, and return them the following week.

For next class 11/8/12- We will start a new graded project relating to color.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, all your acrylic paints, brushes, palette, palette knife, water container, along with pencil and eraser, and scissors and glue (white or rubber cement).

10/25/12 2D Design

Today's Class-  Tonight we looked at slides that had in common the use of text- letters and/or numbers. This included art from the medieval period through the present, as well as images from advertisements from the mid 20th century.   What all had in common was that the text elements generally provided content (information), but also the text was part of the compositional design and often the style of the text related to the style of art, or had a relationship to the theme of the piece.  This was all in preparation for a few related portfolio exercises.  Meanwhile, I helped all students who had finished blocks to print their woodcuts, which can be seen above.  

How to make this up-  The students did two exercises using markers.  One involved choosing words from a list, and then designing them on the page so that the meaning of the word was apparent from the way it was written.  Another required students to create logos for imaginary businesses, symbols that would sum up the nature of the business.  Example of both exercises and the full directions can be found here.  Though the work can be made up at any time before the end of the semester, I recommend getting to it soon, as the lesson here will be helpful for some future graded projects, and starting next week, there will be assigned homework after every class.

I am not likely to bring all the printing supplies with me next week, but students can still turn in their completed wood blocks, and I'll print them at my studio and bring in the results the following week.

Homework-  Nothing new, but only half the class has printed their blocks.  Finish them as soon as possible to receive partial credit.

For next class 11/1/12-  We will return to our study of color.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, all your acrylic paints, brushes, palette, palette knife, and water container.  Also bring scissors and glue.

10/18/12 2D Design

Today's Class-  Tonight we began our study of color, which will be part of almost everything we do for the rest of the semester.  We looked at slides from cave paintings to comic books, and we discussed the evolution of color technology, and the functions of color in two dimensional art.  After that the class did a series of exercise involving basic color theory and color mixing.

How to make this up-  Students completed three color related exercises.  First was a color wheel with primary, secondary, and intermediate colors.  Second was a mix of complementary colors and resulting neutrals.  Third was taking a color through a series of tints and shades.  Above is an example from a previous semester.  Additional examples and the full instructions can be found here.

These are portfolio exercises, and must be completed by the end of the semester to receive full credit.

Homework-  Nothing new, but the woodblock project begun last week is due at the beginning of class next week, October 25, 2012.  I'll bring the ink and tools needed to print them.

For next class 10/25/12-  While the class is collectively working on some portfolio exercises involving text as a visual element, I will help individual students to print their woodcut blocks.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, and black permanent and fine point markers.

10/11/12 2D Design

Today's Class-  Today we began the design oriented part of the semester with a project in black and white composition, in the form of a book illustration done in woodcut.  I showed slides of the history of printmaking over the past several hundred years, including some contemporary artists.  Then I distributed pieces of wood and had the students work on their ideas.  Later in the evening I did a demonstration of safe and effective methods for cutting images into wood with an x-acto knife.

How to make this up-  You won't be able to start the block until you get a piece of wood from me, but meanwhile you can work on your design.  The image will be 8" x 6", and can be vertical or horizontal, as in the student examples above and below.  I suggest working out multiple ideas in order to be able to choose the best one.  Consider how the image carries the narrative of your chosen literary source, and the pattern and balance of black and white shapes that you use.  I can look over the results in class next week and make suggestions.  Additional student examples and all the details of the project can be found here.

Homework- The completed carved woodblock is due at the beginning of class on October 25, 2012.  I will provide the ink and printing tools to help you print your block.  Those who still owe me their stipple drawing should try to turn them in as soon as possible to receive partial credit.

For next class 10/18/12- We will begin our study of color, which will be used most weeks after that.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, acrylic paints (red/yellow/blue/black/white), brushes, palette, palette knife, and water container.

10/4/12 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we concluded the basic drawing portion of the semester with an evening of value drawing.  I showed a few dozen slides of art from antiquity to the present, discussing in each case what role the value played (describing surfaces, implying volume and space, focusing attention, etc).  Also a few slides of advanced student charcoal drawings. Then students drew with charcoal from a simple still life, matching the size, shape, location, and value of the objects.

How to make this up-  Everyone was in attendance tonight, so there is no need for making it up.  However, if want to relive the experience, instructions for doing it again can be found here.

This was a portfolio exercise, so it won't be collected for an individual grade, but hold onto it for the end of the semester portfolio.

Homework- Nothing new, but a few people still owe be the stipple drawing or the plant drawing,   They should be turned in as soon as possible to receive partial credit.

For next class 10/11/12- Next week we enter the design portion of the semester.  We will begin a graded project in the form of a black and white book illustration from a literary source of your choice.  The source can be fiction or non-fiction, novel, short story, poem, etc, however nothing that is already fully illustrated, no fairy tales, children's or young adult books.  The medium will be a wood block print.  Come to class with an idea of what source you wish to use, and a copy of it if possible.  You can think about ideas, but you may find it useful to see the examples I show in class next week before designing your own.  Bring some kind of paper for sketching (a sketchbook will be fine, but you can use your 18" x 24" pad if you prefer), pencil and eraser, black markers, and x-acto knife.  I will provide the wood and demonstrate how to safely and most effectively cut your design into the block.

9/27/12 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight we opened with a group critique of the stipple drawings, which were also graded and returned.  The rest of the class period was devoted to working on our second graded project of the semester, our final line drawing.

How to make this up-  For the subject you will have to provide a large leafy potted plant.  You will do a pencil line drawing of the plant at 100% scale, as much of it will fit on a page in your 18"x 24" pad, like the one shown above.  Full instructions and additional student examples can be found here.

This is a graded project and should be completed as soon as possible to receive partial credit.

Homework- Nothing new, but those who still owe me either the stipple drawing or the plant drawing should get them done as soon as possible.  The longer the delay, the fewer points they will be worth.

For next class 10/4/12-  We will finish the basic drawing portion of the semester with an exercise in value drawing.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, either charcoal or black conte crayon, appropriate eraser, and any blending tools you might like, along with spray fixative if you have it.

9/20/12 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight we began our study of line.  We looked at a few dozen slides of art through history, from cave paintings to contemporary, and discussed how lines were used in each.  Then we did a series of portfolio exercises in contour line drawing.

How to make this up- We used shoes as our subject for this exercise, a familiar object that is simple in form, but has some surprisingly tricky aspects.  Find yourself a shoe, something enclosed (no sandals or flip flops), dress shoe, sneaker, boot, etc.  Use your 18" x 24" pad, putting as many shoes as you want on each page, even using the backs of sheets if you want.  Descriptions of the specific assignments and more student examples of each can be found here.

This is a portfolio exercise, and must be made up by the end of the semester to receive credit.

Homework- The graded stipple drawing project assigned last week is due at the beginning of class on September 27, 2012.  You must bring in the original photo, as well as your dot drawing.

For next class 9/27/12- We will start with a quick critique of the stipple drawings, which I will grade and return later that evening.  The rest of the class period after the critique will be devoted to our next graded project, a pencil line still life.  Bring your 18" x 24 pad, pencils and eraser.  I'll provide the subject.

9/13/12 2D Design

Today's Class-  Tonight we began our study of two dimensional art with the most basic unit of mark making, the point or dot.  The class did a short portfolio exercise involving dots, and then began a graded project also using dots.

How to make this up-

Wallpaper Exercise

Divide a sheet of your 18" x 24" paper into thirds using pencil.  You will then create three patterns using only dots.  You may make dots with either or both black markers.  The dots may form patterns that are pure geometry, or may form into recognizable images.  The only rule is that the pattern must repeat at least once from the top edge to the bottom, just as traditional wallpaper would.  Above is a student example from a previous semester.  Spend about 45 minutes working on it.  This is a portfolio exercise and must be made up by the end of the semester to get full credit.


Graded Stipple Drawing Project

Most of class was spent working on a graded project, a stipple value drawing.  This is a type of drawing made entirely from tiny dots of ink.  The relative number and spacing of the dots will create a range of value, allowing light, medium, and dark tones.  The source for your drawing will be a black and white photograph of your choosing.  It must be a photo of a real three dimensional subject and works best when there is a wide range of values.  Above is a student example from a previous semester. (click photo to enlarge) Additional examples and the full instructions can be found here.

Homework- This graded stipple drawing project is due at the beginning of class on September 27, 2012.  You must bring both the original photo and your drawing.  We will have a group critique at the start of class and they will be graded and returned before the end of class.

For next class 9/20/12-  We will begin our study of line with a series of exercises in contour drawing.  Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencils, and eraser.  The subject of our exercises will be shoes.  Since I don't have shoes to distribute to everyone, you'll have to provide one yourself, some kind of enclosed shoe.  (avoid sandals and flip flops, not enough to draw)  Either bring an extra, or be prepared to take one off your own foot.

9/6/12 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight was our first class meeting of the semester.  The syllabus was distributed and reviewed.  I had the students fill out a survey regarding their artistic experiences and interests, which we discussed as a group.

Homework- None

For next class 9/13/12- We will start with the most basic mark, the dot.  Bring your 18" x 24" drawing pad, pencils, eraser, ultra fine point black markers, and large permanent black marker.  If you have a smaller size sketchbook, it might be useful to bring it.  You will start a project based on a black and white photograph.  One with a wide range of value (light, medium, and dark tones) works best.  It must be of a real three dimensional subject (person, still life, landscape, interior, etc), not a line drawing or a piece of digital art.  I will have some material to pick through, but if you bring in something of your own, you won't have to waste class time looking for a suitable photograph.

Welcome to the Fall 2012 Semester

This is the blog that I have set up in connection with the art classes I teach at Ocean County College.  After each class, probably later that night, I will create a post specific to that class.  The name of the class and the date will appear in the title.  Information relating specifically to my 2D Design class (ARTS 184 E-01) will appear in blue text.  General student information, such as this post, will appear in black text.

For each class, I will provide a description of the evening's events, including the specific details and instructions for the art projects, and photos of student examples from previous semesters if available and applicable.  I will also list any related homework and due dates for the assignments.  The post will also include a list of materials needed for the following week's class.  About a month's worth of postings will appear on the main page; earlier weeks in the semester can be accessed through the archives in the right side column.

The main purpose of this blog is to help students who miss an occasional class to catch up quickly.  Some students are even able to catch up before the following week.  However, keep in mind that this is not an online class, and this blog is no substitute for actually coming to class.  This blog may also prove useful to students who never miss a class, but would like to see additional examples of completed projects, to verify due dates for homework, or just need a reminder of what supplies will be needed the next week.  This information will be available to you 24/7, without you having to wait for me to reply to your e-mail.  If you have a question that can't be answered by the posting, you can still e-mail me and I'll usually get back to you within the day.

Basic Drawing and 2D Design

Today's Class- Today was the last meeting for both my Drawing and 2D Design classes.  In each case we started with a group critique of the Final Project, then students disappeared for a while while I graded those, portfolios, and sketchbooks.  Graded work was available for pick up by the end of the class period. All the Drawing students returned for their work, while work not picked up by the 2D class was placed on the top horizontal shelf by the classroom door (has label with "2D Bonelli" on it).  I can't guarantee how long the work will be safe there, so if you care about what you made, try to pick it up soon.


Final semester grades will be calculated and submitted to  Web Advisor over the next few days.


Enjoy the summer.

5/3/12 2D Design

Today's Class-  Today was a general work day for the class.  After looking at some late arriving projects (palettes, collages) and filling out the semester evaluations, students worked on whatever they needed to.  For most it was the Final (game board) Project, but some worked on other back projects.


Semester Portfolio Review
Next week I'll be grading the semester portfolio, which is everything done in class that wasn't individually graded.  If you haven't missed any days, you probably have it all done, but since almost everyone missed at least one day, you may want to check this list and see if you're caught up.  Dates are when it can be found on this blog:


2/2/12- Dots in wallpaper patterns
2/9/12-  Contour Lines (shoes)
2/23/12- Value drawing (charcoal)
3/8/12- Color Wheel and Mixing
3/22/12- Text and Logo
4/19/12- Color Still Life Painting


Homework- Nothing new, but the Game Board projects and any back projects owed are due at the beginning of class on 5/10/12.  Work will not be accepted after next week's class.


For next class 5/10/12-  We will have a critique of the Final Projects, and I'll grade those and the semester portfolios.  All work will be returned graded by the end of the night.  Come on time, as the sooner we start, the sooner we'll finish.

5/3/12 Basic Drawing

Today's Class-  Today we completed the final drawing of the semester.  A still life was set up with a variety of objects, old and new, and students had pretty much the whole class period to work on it with their choice of charcoal, ink wash, or conte crayon.  The class also filled out the semester course evaluation forms.


Today's drawings were collected and will be returned graded next week.


Homework- No new homework, but if you are missing any from the semester, this is your last opportunity to make it up.  Check back on the blog through the semester to see what you missed.


2nd Half Portfolio
Next week I'll be grading the 2nd half portfolio.   If you haven't missed any classes since we started ink wash, you should have it all done.  If you're not sure, here's the list of what is expected and what dates you'll find it on this blog:


3/29/12  Ink Wash- 2 drawings, white objects with white drape
4/12/12  Monoprints- your 2 best from that day, at least one still life
4/19/12  Conte crayon- still life, 1 red, 1 black
4/26/12  Conte crayon- 2 drawings from mannequin, red and black combined


For next class 5/10/12-  Final Grading Day.  We'll look at the final drawings as a group, and then I'll grade the portfolios and sketchbooks.  All will be retuned graded by the end of class.  Anything not turned in will not be part of your final grade.

4/26/12- 2D Design

 Roots

Kerry James Marshall

 Painted Dreams

Vincent Van Gogh

Today's Class- We started by looking at the mixed media collage projects due this evening, as well as some late arriving palettes and season projects, then moved on to the semester's Final Project.  You'll be designing a game board based on the artwork of a recognized fine artist (one found in major museums and art history textbooks).  Examples from previous semesters can be seen above and below, labeled with the artist whose work was adapted.


How to make this up- You first need to choose an artist.  The artist must work two dimensionally and in color, and the work must be representational  (recognizable images, not abstract)  The work can come from any period of fine art through the end of the 20th century.  For art where a specific artist is not known (Ancient Egypt, Medieval Europe, etc), work from a single location will be fine.  You won't be just copying a single painting, but using elements from multiple works by your artist to create a new composition.  Besides the artwork, there must be some kind of game path, the game must have a theme, and the board must include a title.  The board must be able to fold in half.  The board should be made from a heavy cardboard or mat board and your design created with acrylic paints.  Additional details and requirements, and another example and the process by which it was designed can be seen here.


Homework- This Game Board Final Project is due at the beginning of class on the last day of class, May 10, 2012.  No work will be accepted after that date.  


Several students still owe one or more back graded projects, such as the season temperature collage, the limited palettes project, and the mixed media collage.  They must be completed to receive partial credit.


For next class 5/3/12- This will be a general work day.  Most will use it to work on this game board project, but you may use it to work on anything from the semester that you still need to finish, as long as it's from this class.  Bring with you whatever you need to work on whatever you plan to do during class.

 Magritte The Board Game

Rene Magritte

The Greek Grape Faze

Ancient Greek Pottery

4/26/12 Basic Drawing

Today's Class- Today we continued using conte crayons for value drawing, but this time we combined the red and black crayons together.  The idea was to simulate the effect of a chiaroscuro drawing, a style that dates back to the Renaissance where a drawing was done on a piece of colored paper, with the color acting as middle values, and drawing highlights with white and shadows with black.  Since we don't have colored paper, we are using the white of the paper, the red crayon for middle values, and the black crayon for deep shadows.  Above is an example of this technique from a previous semester.


How to make this up- For our subjects today, I set up some mannequins in the center of the room and had students choose one to draw for each drawing.  Examples of mannequin drawings, descriptions of the process, and specific instructions for the assignment can be found here.


Homework-  Find a shoe, and light it with a direct light source to create light and shadow over the surface.  Draw the shoe on a page of your sketchbook using the black and red crayons together, paying attention to shapes, proportions, and value, capturing as much detail as possible.  Change the position of the shoe, or substitute a different shoe, and do a second drawing.  Total- two shoe drawings.


For next class 5/3/12- We will be doing the Final Drawing of the semester.  I'll set up a still life, you will draw it using the medium of your choice from among the following: charcoal (vine or compressed), ink wash, or conte crayon (red, black, or both combined).  Bring your 18" x 24" paper, whatever material you wish to use for your drawing, and any other items related to your chosen medium (spray fixative, blending tools, etc)

4/19/12- 2D Design

Today's Class- Having used color to this point to explore aspects of color theory, tonight we tried a more traditional use of color, a still life painting. We looked at a few slides of still life painting from the Renaissance to the present, discussing the functions it served for artist and viewer. Then I set up a still life of colorful objects and drapery for the class to paint from.

How to make this up- Put a box on a table and drape with a multicolored cloth. Arrange 4 solidly colored objects (different colors from each other and from the cloth) on and around the box and light to create light and shadow patterns. You may sketch it first in pencil, or just draw directly with the paint. Pay attention to individual shapes, proportions, spacing, perspective, value, and try to match colors as close as possible to the colors in your still life set up. Spend up to 3 hours on it. This is a portfolio exercise, and must be made up by the end of the semester to receive credit. Above and below are student examples from previous semesters.

Homework- Nothing new, but the mixed media collage project that we started last week is due at the beginning of class on April 26, 2012. Those who still owe a back project (woodcut, color temperature collage, limited palettes project) should get them in as soon as possible to receive partial credit.

For next class 4/26/12- We will begin our Final Project of the semester, for which you will adapt the work of a recognized fine artist (found in major museums, art history textbooks, etc). The artist's work should be 2D (painting, prints, drawings) and in color, and must contain narrative elements (not abstraction). Bring in color reproductions of your chosen artist's work, such as a book devoted to the artist. If you have no one in mind, bring a book with paintings of a favorite style, period, or subject, or at least a general art history book. Also bring pencil and eraser, all your painting materials, and some paper to sketch ideas.

4/19/12- Basic Drawing

Today's Class- Today we went back to value drawing, but with a new medium- conte crayon. These crayons are harder than charcoal, and can make clean hard edges that don't easily smear, but can still be blended to create gradual value changes. They come in a variety of colors, but we tried black and a reddish color, as in the examples above.

How to make this up- You'll need to set up a still life with a variety of white and colored objects, and light it with direct light to create shadow patterns. First do a value drawing with the black crayon, which will look similar to a compressed charcoal drawing. Then you need to do a drawing with just the red crayon. The values won't be quite as dark, but still keep relative values in mind. Blending stumps (tortillions) work best for blending, though a bit of paper towel will do- fingers don't have the abrasive quality to do the job. Pencil erasers work better for erasing than kneaded erasers. The full instructions for the portfolio exercises can be found here.

Homework- Gather some silverware- a fork, knife and spoon. Arrange on a table in front of you so that none of them are parallel to each other. Light with direct lighting to create patterns of light (reflections) and shadow. Draw the still life on a page in your sketchbook using your black conte crayon, including any shadows cast on the table surface, paying attention to shape, proportions, perspective and value. Draw the same set up again using the red crayon. Rearrange the three utensils, but still with none parallel to each other, and draw two more times, once black and once red. Total of 4 drawings.

For next class 4/26/12- We will continue using conte crayons, but this time using the red and black together to try a variation of chiaroscuro drawing. Bring both crayons, erasers and blending tools, and your 18" x 24" pad.

4/12/12 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight we started a new graded project involving a themed mixed media collage. We looked at examples of mixed media collage through the 20th century, as well as examples of this project from previous semesters. Then students were randomly assigned their collage subjects and began work on them. We also looked at the completed color temperature collages to see if we could guess what seasons were represented.

How to make this up- The starting point is a randomly generated phrase, created by picking words out of paper bags (one containing nouns, the other modifying words and phrases). You may either e-mail me and have me pick the words for you, or wait and do it yourself in class next week. The examples on this post include "City of Zoo" above and "Everything Turns to Thinking" below. Full directions and requirements, as well as several additional examples of completed projects, can be found here.

Homework- This mixed media collage graded project is due at the beginning of class on April 26, 2012. The limited palettes graded project started last week is due at the beginning of class on April 19, 2012. Anyone who still hasn't turned in their wood block to be printed or the season collage should do so as soon as possible to receive partial credit.

For next class 4/19/12- We will explore a more traditional function of paint by doing a color still life painting. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, all your paints, brushes, palette, etc, and pencil and eraser. I'll provide the still life subjects.