2/23/12 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight we looked at value- the use of light and shadow in a two dimensional artwork to imply volume and space, to focus attention, and to reveal details. We looked a few dozen slides of art historical works and discussed the role that value played in each. After that, we did a value still life drawing, as in the example above. Last week's graded line project drawings were returned.

How to make this up- Set up a still life of your own, with all white or light color objects, and a direct light source to create patterns of light and shadow. Additional student examples and full directions can be found here.

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

Homework- Nothing new, but several students still owe me their stipple drawings and/or the plant drawing. These should be made up as soon as possible to receive partial credit.

For next class 3/1/12- Next week we enter the design phase of the class, which will begin with a woodcut print that will take book illustration as its subject. You'll need to select a book- fiction or non-fiction, novel or short story, poem, etc, anything of literary merit. No kids books or fully illustrated books. Bring the book if possible, along with some paper to sketch on (a small sketchbook will be fine, but you can use your large pad if you prefer), pencil and eraser, black markers, and your x-acto knife. I'll provide the wood and demonstration of cutting techniques.

2/23/11 Basic Drawing

Today's Class- Today we did the final line drawing of the semester. I set up a still life with a variety of objects, some we've drawn before, some we haven't.

How to make this up- You will need to gather a particular group of objects and set up a still life of your own, as in the student example above. The list of objects and the other particulars of the assignment can be found here. This is a graded project, and must be made up to receive partial credit.

Homework- Set up a still life. Put a small box on a table, drape with a sheet or towel, and then arrange any 4 dissimilar objects of approximate size- one on the box and three around it. Draw the set up on a page of your sketchbook using pencil line only. Leaving everything exactly where it is, move yourself to a different position and draw it again on a new page using pencil line only. Total of two sketchbook drawings.

For next class 3/1/12- We will start our study of value. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, both vine and compressed charcoal, kneaded eraser, and spray fixative.

2/16/12 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight we started with a group critique of the stipple projects, which were graded and returned. Most of the class period was spent working on our final line drawing of the semester, which was also the 2nd graded project of the semester.

How to make this up- The subject for the project will be a large leafy plant and some kind of stand to hold it up, as in the example above. Additional examples and the full directions and requirements can be found here.

This is a graded project and must be completed as soon as possible. The more weeks it is late, the lower your grade will be.

Homework- Nothing new, but if you still owe the stipple drawing, make sure you bring it in as soon as possible to receive partial credit.

For next class 2/23/12- We will explore the idea of value in art with an exercise in value drawing. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, and either charcoal or black conte crayon, along with the proper eraser, any blending tools you might have, and spray fixative if appropriate.

2/16/12 Basic Drawing

Today's Class- Today the focus was on the idea of perspective, an artistic tool that allows the logical and accurate portrayal of deep three dimensional space and relative position of multiple elements on a two dimensional surface. I did a quick demonstration of one and two point perspective on the board, but all the exercises were devoted to the idea of natural perspective, using careful observation of the relative positions of each object and the shapes of all regular surfaces.

How to make this up- We did two exercises in observing and drawing, using simple geometric objects. The first involved groups of identical boxes. The second replaced some of the boxes with cylindrical forms- mostly gallon sized paint cans. Full instructions for both exercises can be found here.

These are portfolio exercises that must be completed by the first half portfolio collection in order to receive full credit.

Homework- You will need a cereal or cracker box and 3 bottles of similar size. Lay the box down on a table on one of its broad sides. All three bottles will be laid down flat, one pointing right or left, one pointing toward you, and one at an angle relative to you. One of the bottles should be on top of the box, the other two in front of it. Draw the whole set up using pencil contour line on a page in your sketchbook. Switch positions so that a bottle facing a different direction is on top of the box and draw again. Make one more switch so that the bottle facing the third direction is on top of the box and draw one more time. Total of 3 pages of sketches with 3 bottles in each.

For next class 2/23/12- We will end our study of pencil contour line with our first graded project of the semester- a still life grouping with a variety of objects. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencils and eraser.

2/9/12 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight we started our study of line. After a slide show of art using line, from cave painting to the 20th century, students did a series of portfolio exercises involving variations of contour line, with drawings based on shoes.

How to make this up- No one was absent tonight, so everyone completed the work. However, if you lose your drawings and need to redo it before the portfolio collection, or just want to relive the experience, examples and details can be found here.

Homework- The stipple drawings begin in class last week are due at the beginning of class on February 16, 2012. You must bring in your original photo source as well. Information about the assignment can be found in last week's 2D posting.

For next class 2/16/12- After a quick critique of the stipple drawings, the rest of night will be devoted to our second graded project, a pencil still life drawing. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencils, and eraser.

2/9/12 Basic Drawing

Today's Class- Today we continued our study of line, completing a series of exercises involving gesture drawing and negative space.

How to make this up- The class started with a short exercise involving gesture drawing from plants. Next was an exercise in pure negative space drawing, where students drew all the spaces within a wooden chair. Finally, we applied the concept of negative space to a more practical application, a still life drawing of bottles. Full directions for these exercises and student examples of each can be found here.

These are portfolio exercises and must be made up by the midterm portfolio collection in order to receive full credit.

Homework- Arrange 4 bottles of similar size (four wine bottles, four water/soda bottles, four perfume bottles, etc) on a table, relatively near each other. Draw the set up on a page in your sketchbook, using pencil line, to the level of detail in the image above. Leaving the bottles exactly where they are, move to another position and draw the 4 again. Move one more time and draw it a third time, for a total of 3 drawings of the 4 bottles. (if you would prefer, put the four bottles on something that can move, and rotate the set up without disturbing the bottles between drawings) Pay attention to the shape of individual bottles, the proportion of one to the next, and the spacing between them.

For next class 2/16/12- We will continue to work with line, dealing with some approaches to perspective. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencils, and eraser.

2/2/12 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight we started our study of 2D art with the most basic of all marks- the point or dot. We used dots in an portfolio exercise involving patterns, and then started a graded project.

How to make this up-

Wallpaper exercise

Take a piece of your 18" x 24" paper, and use a pencil to divide it into thirds. Then use your various black markers to create patterns made of nothing by dots. You can use one of both thicknesses of marker. The patterns can be pure geometry, or form representational images. The only other rule is that the patterns must repeat at least once from the top to bottom. Above is a student example. This is a portfolio exercise, and must be made up by the end of the semester to receive credit.

Stipple Drawing graded project

A stipple drawing is a value drawing made completely from tiny dots of ink. By varying the concentration of dots, values can be made lighter or darker. The goal in this project is to exactly match the level of value (light and dark) in a black and white photograph. In the above example, the photo is on the left and the student drawing on the right. To get the full directions and see additional examples, click here.

Homework- The stipple drawing graded project is due at the beginning of class on February 16, 2012. You must have both your drawing and the original photo.

For next class 2/9/12- We will start our study of line. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser. We will do some exercises involving drawing from shoes, and since I have none to give out, you are responsible for bringing your own. You may bring an extra, or take one off your own foot.

2/2/12 Basic Drawing

Today's Class- Today we started our study of line. I showed a selection of art from cave paintings to the present day, discussing how line was used in each case and the effect it had on the art. Then we did a series of portfolio exercises involving types of contour line.

How to make this up- You will need a shoe, something that is relatively enclosed (sandals don't work well). Using your 18" x 24" pad, follow the directions for the various exercises. You may draw multiple shoes on each page and use the backs of the sheets if you like. Full directions for the exercises and photo examples can be found here.

These are portfolio exercises, and must be made up by the 1st half portfolio collection in order to receive full credit.

Homework- Draw 10 sketches of shoes in your sketchbook, one per page, using pencil line. The drawings can all be of the same shoe, or from different shoes. The sketches should break down this way-

8 simple contour line sketches (exterior, simple details)

1 cross contour line drawing

1 full detail rendering of a shoe

For next class 2/9/12- We will continue with line. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencils and eraser. I'll provide the subject matter for the day's exercises.