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.